Research Process

Dr. Sabita Kumari Acharya

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Research Process

Step 1: Problem Definition

Step 2: Literature Review (Review
concepts & theories, previous research
findings)
Step 3: Formulate hypothesis
Step 4: Research Design Formulation
Step 4: Fieldwork or Data Collection
Step 5: Data Preparation and Analysis
Step 6: Report Preparation and
Presentation
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Research Process in Management

 Clarifying the Research Question
 Discover the Management Dilemma
 Define the Management Question
 Define the Research Question
 Refine the Research Question
 Research Proposal
 Research Design Strategy ( type, purpose, time
frame, environment)
 Data Collection Design
 Sampling Design
 Instrument Development & Pilot testing
 Data Collection & Preparation
 Data Analysis & Interpretation
 Research Reporting
 Management Decision
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Management – Research Question

Hierarchy
1. Management Dilemma: What symptoms cause
management concern? What environment
stimuli raise management interest?
2. Management Question: How can management
eliminate the negative symptoms? How can
management fully capitalize on an opportunity?
3. Research Question: What plausible courses of
action are available to management to correct
the problem or take advantage of the
opportunity, and which should be considered?
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Cont.

4. Investigative Questions: What does the

management need to know to choose the
best alternative from the available courses
of action?
5. Measurement Questions: What should be
asked or observed to obtain the information
the manager needs?
6. Management Decision: What is the
recommended course of action, given the
research findings?
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Research Proposal
 Research Proposal is an activity that incorporates
decisions made during early project planning phases
of the study, including the management-research
question hierarchy.
 It’s a written proposal that ensures the parties concur
on the project’s purpose and on the methods of
investigation. Time and budgets are spelled out along
with other responsibilities and obligations.
 Length and complexity vary; business research
proposals normally range from 1 to 10 pages.
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 Every proposal should include

two basic sections:
 Statement of the research
question
 Brief description of research
methodology
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Structuring the Research Proposal

 Executive Summary
 Problem Statement
 Research Objectives
 Literature Review
 Importance/Benefits of the study
 Research Design
 Data Analysis
 Budget
 Bibliography
 Appendices
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Evaluating the Research Proposal

 Formal Review:
 Development of review criteria, using
Request for Proposal (RFP) guidelines
 Assignment of points to each
criterion, using a universal scale
 Assignment of a weight for each
criterion, based on importance of
each criterion
 Generation of a score for each
proposal, representing the sum of all
weighted criterion scores
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 Other important Factors:

 Neatness
 Organization, in terms of both logical
and easily understood
 Completeness in fulfilling the RFP’s
specifications, including budget and
schedule
 Appropriateness of writing style
 Submission within the RFP’s timeline