RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

(Business Research Methods)

Week 3

29 August 2005

MBA III (Research Methodology)

Course Instructor: Dr. Aurangzeb Z. Khan

Decision-Making
Decision-Making is the process of resolving a problem or choosing amongst alternative opportunities What is the problem or opportunity? How much Information is available? What Information is needed?
Complete Certainty
Decision-Making Situation Value of Research
29 August 2005 MBA III (Research Methodology) Course Instructor: Dr. Aurangzeb Z. Khan 2

Absolute Ambiguity

Certainty, Uncertainty, Ambiguity

Certainty Decision-maker has all the requisite information concerning the business problem (or opportunity). Research may be unnecessary. Complete certainty about the future is rare in practice

Uncertainty General nature of the business problem is clear but information about alternative courses of action is incomplete as are the events which may occur. Research may be a potentially valuable tool here
Ambiguity Nature of the problem to be solved is unclear. Objectives are vague and alternatives difficult to define. Research may be a useful excercise
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Types of Research
Exploratory Research: undertaken with the aim of clarifying ambiguous problems general problems usually known but not sufficiently understood the purpose is to get more information, not to uncover specific courses of action (subsequent research) Determining a specific course of action to follow is not a purpose of exploratory research! Example: Child-Care support programme for employees
29 August 2005 MBA III (Research Methodology) Course Instructor: Dr. Aurangzeb Z. Khan 4

Types of Research
Descriptive Research: undertaken with the aim of determining the characteristics of a population or phenomenon Previous knowledge of problem exists High degree of precision or accuracy required Examples: Who are the main consumers of organic foods? How many students read the prescribed course literature? Where do most holiday-makers travelling overseas go? When do petrol stations tend to raise their prices?
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Types of Research
Causal Research: undertaken with the aim of identifying cause and effect relationships amongst variables are normally preceeded by exploratory and descriptive research studies Often difficult to determine because of the influence of other variables (concommitant Variation and the presence of other hidden variables) Example: Higher ice-cream consumption causes more people to drown (indicative of a causal relationship (?))
29 August 2005 MBA III (Research Methodology) Course Instructor: Dr. Aurangzeb Z. Khan 6

Stages in the Research Process

Define Problem

Planning a Research Design

Conclusions and Report

Planning a Sample

Processing and Analysing the Data

Gathering the Data

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Forward and Backward Linkages

Forward Linkage The earlier stages of a research project determine the design at a later stage Example: The goal of the research project will determine the selection of the sample and the way data is collected Backward Linkage The later stages of a research project determine how its earlier stages are conducted

Example: The company executives require certain specific information which the researcher anticipates and for which he or she plans the data collection and analysis steps accordingly
29 August 2005 MBA III (Research Methodology) Course Instructor: Dr. Aurangzeb Z. Khan 8

Flowcharting the Research Process (1)

Problem Discovery

Selection of exploratory research technique

Secondary (historical) data Pilot Study Experience Survey Case Study

Problem Definition (Statement of research objectives)

Selection of basic research method

29 August 2005 MBA III (Research Methodology)

Survey (Interview, Questionnaire) Experiment (Laboratory, Field) Secondary Data Study Observation
Course Instructor: Dr. Aurangzeb Z. Khan 9

Flowcharting the Research Process (2)

Survey (Interview, Questionnaire) Experiment (Laboratory, Field) Secondary Data Study Observation Collection of Data (Fieldwork)

Editing and Coding Data

Sample Design

Data Processing and Analysis

Probability Sampling

Non-Probability Sampling

Interpretation of Findings

Report
29 August 2005 MBA III (Research Methodology) Course Instructor: Dr. Aurangzeb Z. Khan 10

Ethical Considerations in Business Research

Ethics & Morals Societal norms and values Divergent perceptions of what is considered ethical and unethical What is ethical in business research? Ethical Guidelines and professional associations
29 August 2005 MBA III (Research Methodology) Course Instructor: Dr. Aurangzeb Z. Khan 11

Ethical Interfaces in Business Research

Subjects Rights Researchers Obligation Clients Rights

Researchers Obligation

Research Subject

Researcher

Research Sponsor

Researchers Rights Subjects Obligation

Researchers Rights Clients Obligation

Subjects Rights & Clients Obligation

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Ethical Behavior Considerations: Research Subjects

Truthfulness in giving information to the researcher if a research subject or respondent gives his or her consent to participate in a research study Sustained cooperativeness with the researcher throughout the course of the research study
Adhere to responsibility if informed consent is given to the researcher State any constraints or limitations in advance
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Ethical Behavior Considerations: Researchers

No deception, be forthright and do not conceal the true purpose of the research Maintain objectivity, courtesy and high professional standards through scientific process No falsification, alteration or misrepresentation of data for political or other purposes Protect the confidentiality of the research subjects and research sponsors No faulty conclusions No inclusion or use of information or ideas contained in competing research proposals
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Ethical Behavior Considerations: Research Sponsors

No request for submission of competitive bids by researchers if selection of the researcher has already been made Avoid manipulation and influencing of the researcher with a view to discrediting individuals or organizations The conclusions drawn from research work should be consistent with the data and not influenced by other undesirable conditions or motives Observe the confidentiality of the research subjects and researcher Avoid Advocacy Research
29 August 2005 MBA III (Research Methodology) Course Instructor: Dr. Aurangzeb Z. Khan 15

The Menace of Plagiarism Please read the CIIT Academic Honesty Policy compiled by Mr. Laeeq-ur-Rehman Khan which is distributed in this class as a separate sheet ZERO TOLERANCE (and ZERO MARKS) for cheating and plagiarism at COMSATS Institute of Information Technology!
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