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CMS 203: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
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Introduction
Research Methodology is a comprehensive introductory course on the research process
from a managers perspective, with particular emphasis on the sequence, skills,
competences, techniques and knowledge needed to successfully manage a research
process.
This unit examines the logical flow of the academic research work from the beginning to
the end. It also outlines the ethical issues involved in the research process.
The whole course unit is composed of 15 lectures which are sub-divided into units to
support the student to demonstrate and show understanding and appreciation of the
management.
The assessment is as follows:
2 Assignments of 10 marks each --------------------------------Total = 20 Marks
2 Self-administered Tests of 5 marks each---------------------Total = 10 Marks
1 Examination------------------------------------------------------Total = 70 Marks
Grand Total--------------------------------------------------------------=100 Marks
Course Description
The purpose of this course is to give students a firm grounding in the fundamentals of
social science research, and to familiarize students with a range of typical research
designs in the field of management and organization.
The first half of the course introduces the basics of social science research, such as
philosophy of science, theory development and testing, sampling, measurement, internal
validity and external validity. We then, in the second half, apply these general principles
to specific methodological options, including experiment, DID research design, and
various quantitative/qualitative research methods. We conclude this course with a
getting your research into journals workshop based on a real paper at different stages of
the review process.
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, the students should be able to:
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Expected Outcomes
Students completing this course are expected:
1. To understand the logic underlying social science research
2. To become a critical consumer of social science research
3. To be confident in applying appropriate research methods to answer their own research
questions
Table of Contents
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1 Lecture objectives:
- the learner should be able to define in different ways the meaning of research and the
meaning of other research terminologies
-the learner should also be able to explain the importance of research to individuals,
organizations and to countries
-the learner should be able to use relevant examples in the definitions and explanations
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Having understood what research is, let us now consider why research is important. The
discussion below includes the need for and objectives of research, as well as examples of
objectives.
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Now, after the definition, research objectives and examples of research objectives, let us
now consider types of research in the next section.
The main aim of research in business and management is to solve business and
management problems:
1.2.1.1 Business problems: drop in sales, drop in customer base, consumer complaints,
high product rejection, negative word of mouth (WOM), class between customers and
sales people, high interest rates, poor ROI, poor turn-over/revenue (profits), etc
1.2.1.2 Management problems: high employee turn-over/complaints/grievances, class
between customers and sales people, run down institutions, promotion/demotion of
employees, transfers, management employee relations, etc.
It is good to take note that the prime managerial value of business research is to reduce
uncertainty by providing information that improves the decision making process.
Decision making process involves following interrelated stages.
Identifying problems and opportunities
Diagnosis and assessment
Selecting and implementing a course of action
Evaluating the course of action: includes Evaluation research and Performance
monitoring research
-Evaluation Research: is the formal, objective measurement and appraisal of the extent to
which a given activity, project, or program has achieved its objectives.
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people have seen the commercials. Companies also use business research to see if
consumers recall the message or slogan of their commercials.
There are many other reasons that cause or motivate people to undertake research studies.
Many more factors such as directives of government, employment conditions, curiosity
about new things, desire to understand causal relationships, social thinking and
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awakening, and the like may as well motivate (or at times compel) people to perform
research operations.
2. What the same consumers/customers are trying to avoid from certain firms. This is
also important in helping shape business practices and strategy.
3. . Who are your real competitors- why must an organization learn about its competitor?
There are various reasons. Let us consider a few of them;
-To understand what strategies competitors is adopting in order that that firm counters
them
-In order to borrow selectively those that would benefit that firm
-To understand how ones own firm is performing compared to their competitor in order
that they device strategies to attain competitive advantage
-Etc
4. How prospective consumers/customers see their greatest challenges.
-This would help firms understand what is on prospective clients' minds and how they are
likely to describe and talk about those issues.
5. What the real benefit a firm provides for its consumers/customers
Organizations must attempt to learn the true benefit of their service in order to enhance it
or even develop new services with other true benefits.
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2 Lecture Objectives
2 Lecture Objectives
2.1 What does classification of research mean?
2.1.1 Why Do We Need Classify?
Reviewing related past research studies is an important step in the process of carrying
out research as it helps in problem formulation, hypothesis construction and selection of
appropriate research designs.
It is beneficial if you can classify a research study under a specific category because
each category or type of research uses a specific set of procedures.
Research can be basically classified into 2 types;
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One way is to classify research on the basis of its purpose i.e. the degree to which the
research findings are applicable to an educational setting and the degree to which they are
generalizable.
The other way is to classify research on the basis of the method employed in research.
Taking purpose as the basis of classification, research is considered to be two types-
Basic and Applied (including Developmental research).
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Nancy Burton and Lyle Jones (1982) examined trends in achievement levels of African
American versus White children.
They examined high school graduation rates between these 2 ethnic groups who were
born before 1913, between 1913 and 1922, between 1923 and 1932, etc.
They also examined a variety of historical indicators in more recent groups of African
American and White children.
One of their conclusions is that differences in achievements between these groups are
decreasing.
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A correlation study aims at determining the degree of relationship between two or more
quantifiable variables.
Secondly, the relationship thus determined could be used for making predictions.
A high value of relationship, however, does not signify a cause and effect relationship
which must be verified through and experimental study.
Some authors consider this research as a type of descriptive research, since it describes
the current conditions in a situation.
However, the difference lies in the nature of conditions studies.
A correlational study describes in quantitative terms the degree to which the variables
are related.
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These group assignments have already taken place before the experiment begins, and
the researcher has no control as to what the people will belong to each group.
The primary characteristic of experimental research is manipulation of at least one
variables and control over the other relevant variables so as to measure its effect on one
or more dependent variables.
The variables (s) which is manipulated is also called independent variables, a treatment,
an experimental variables or the cause.
Some of the examples of independent variables could be: temperature, pressure,
chemical concentration, type of material and conductivity.
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However, such distinctions are somewhat ambiguous as almost all basic research
eventually
results in some worthwhile application in the long range.
Applied research, also known as decisional research, use existing knowledge as an aid
to the solution of some given problem or set of problems.
Fundamental research- frequently called basic or pure research, seeks to extend the
boundaries of knowledge in a given area with no necessary immediate application to
existing problems.
3. Predictive research: If we can provide a plausible explanation for an event after it has
occurred, it is desirable to be able to predict when and in what situations the event will
occur. This research is just as rooted in theory as explanation.
This research calls for a high order of inference making. In business research, prediction
is found in studies conducted to evaluate specific courses of action or to forecast current
and future values.
4. Analytical research: The researcher has to use facts or information already available,
and analyse these to make a critical evaluation of the material.
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8. Empirical research: It is appropriate when proof is sought that certain variables affect
other variables in some way. Evidence gathered through experiments or empirical studies
is today considered to be the most powerful support possible for a give hypothesis.
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2.3.5Lecture Review
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3 Lecture Objectives
3 Introduction
In this session we are interested in discovering the how of the research process. Before
looking at the research process, let us remind ourselves of the meaning of research from a
business perspective.
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This means that worthwhile and/or meaningful research must be scientific and that
conclusions must be arrived at in a scientific manner. Let us now discuss what a scientific
method of inquiry is like;
The scientific method is the result of recognizing that personal and cultural beliefs
influence our perceptions and interpretations of natural phenomena.
Through the use of standard procedures and criteria, it is possible to minimize those
influences when developing a theory.
The term scientific method implies the principles that guide scientific research and
experimentation, and the philosophical bases of those principles.
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And lastly
(iv) Evaluating the problem for its research ability
To achieve this, you review the literature related to the problem to know what other
researchers have done and discovered and to identify the possible methodology for
conducting the research. We shall look at literature review in a more detailed manner in
Session 4
Once the problem is selected and defined, the researcher then moves to describe the
methodology of research as is discussed below;
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4.1 Introduction
This is done to establish the existing information related to the problem at hand. Review
involves thoroughly discussing the concepts and theories. The researcher here reviews
previous research findings. An analytical review of existing literature should help the
research to define the overall research objective or research question or research
purpose. In one sentence the researcher should be able to say what is to be achieved by
conducting the study.
A literature review is a text written by someone to consider the critical points of current
knowledge including substantive findings, as well as theoretical and methodological
contributions to a particular topic.
Literature reviews are secondary sources, and as such, do not report any new or original
experimental work. Also, a literature review can be interpreted as a review of an abstract
accomplishment.
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There are many benefits of having a literature review before embarking on a current
research and researchers need to understand the importance of literature review in
research;
i. The main goal of literature review is to situate the current study within the body of
literature and to provide context for a particular reader.
ii. Literature reviews are a staple for research in nearly every academic field. It helps the
researcher to succinctly develop the research gap and therefore, avoid duplication of
research.
iii. Literature review sharpens and deepens the theoretical underpinnings of a research by
enabling the researcher to study different theories that are related to the specified
topic. Understanding the theories helps the researchers to gain clarity and grasp the
theoretical foundations related to the current research.
iv. Researchers have to understand the previous works I order that they develop a
significant problem of statement that will further knowledge in a field of study and
thereby avoid duplication of research (ensuring what has been done is not repeated)
but call for replication (applying already done researches in other environments or
periods of time).
v. A good literature review enables the researcher to read widely exposing them to vital
research issues including well designed methodology.
vi. It also helps the researcher to develop a sound base for analysing and interpreting the
collected data.
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an early review is needed to establish the context and rationale for your study and to
confirm your choice of research focus/question;
as the study period gets longer, you need to make sure that you keep in touch with
current, relevant research in your field, which is published during the period of your
research;
As you prepare your final report or thesis, you need to relate your findings to the
findings of others, and to identify their implications for theory, practice, and research.
This can involve further review with perhaps a slightly different focus from that of
your initial review.
This applies especially to people doing PhDs on a part-time basis, where their research
might extend over six or more years. You need to be able to demonstrate that you are
aware of current issues and research, and to show how your research is relevant within a
changing context.
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Besides these basic points, a literature review can also help the researcher to;
identify the research trend in this area,
determine the definitions of the main terms appeared in previous researches
establish the knowledge base on the subject
adjust the scope of the research
It is good to note that not all information sources may be relevant or suitable for your
work. Below we discuss how you can find relevant material for literature review and
these include electronic sources, references of references and journals
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to have a pile of journals actually on your desk, and to look through the contents pages,
and the individual articles.
Often hand searching of journals will reveal ideas about focus, research questions,
methods, techniques, or interpretations that had not occurred to you. Sometimes even a
key idea can be discovered in this way. It is therefore probably worth allocating some
time to sitting in the library, with issues from the last year or two of the most relevant
journals for your research topic, and reviewing them for anything of relevance.
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These are some of the things to consider if and when a researcher is preparing his
literature review. Besides these considerations, what do you think are some of the
challenges a researcher is likely to encounter when formulating the literature review?
Below we discuss a few of them;
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5 Session Objectives
5 Introductions
In the previous session we looked at how to identify relevant sources of information, let
us now consider how to use a section of the population to collect data that can be
generalized to the population parameters. This entails developing the research developing
a research design and identifying the appropriate sampling procedure. We shall also
discuss about what sampling procedure is appropriate in which situation later in this
session.
It involves asking questions such as: What type of research will it be? Will it be
quantitative? Will it be qualitative? Will it be a survey? Will it be a case Study? Will it be
exploratory? Will it be descriptive? Or will it consist a multiple of these? What
techniques or methods will be used?
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procedures. Since, research designs germinate from the objectives, the accuracy and
adequacy of a research design depends on the unambiguous framing of the objectives.
Research design helps the research on his research journey. It enables him to choose the
right population that will provide the information needed to enhance the attainment of the
research objectives. It will also influence the choice of research site and also the
instrument for data collecting.
A research design is formulated after the research problem has been generated in clear cut
terms. The researcher will have to state the theoretical, conceptual and contextual
structures within which the research would be conducted.
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another group. The second group is referred to as the control group. These groups must
have certain characteristics in common and therefore the researcher will want to compare
the outcome between them.
In business circles, a researcher would want to find out how consumers respond to
changes in price. He will choose two stores and have one maintain their prices while
another would have prices being adjusted frequently. The responses of consumers on
these two stores would then be recorded signalling the changes in the sales volume.
The results may show causal relationship between the dependent and independent
variables.
In order to use this design successfully, the researcher must be able to identify which is
the dependent variable and which is the independent variable. For example, in the above
illustration the dependent variable is the sales volume which the dependent variable is the
pricing.
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different times. Cross section means considering responses of ones respondents found in
different places and equally at different periods of time, e.g. over a period of 5-10 years.
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There are several research designs, such as, experimental and non-experimental
hypothesis testing. Experimental designs can be either informal designs (such as before-
and-after without control, after-only with control, before-and-after with control) or formal
designs (such as completely randomized design, randomized block design, Latin square
design, simple and complex factorial designs), out of which the researcher must select
one for his own project.
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2. Cooper, DR & Schindler, PS; Business Research Methods 8th edition New
Delhi: Tata McGraw Hill, 2003.
3. Collis, Jice: Business Research 2nd ed. London: Palgrave Macmillan, 2003.
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Session Objectives
iii. Explain factors that determine sampling and sample designs to be used
6.0 Introduction
To sample is to measure a small portion of something and then making a general
statement about the whole thing. It is a process of selecting a number of units for a study
in such a way that the units represent the larger group from which they are selected. The
sample design to be used must be decided by the researcher taking into consideration the
nature of the inquiry and other related factors.
Before we go into the details of sampling design, let us consider from where the sample
is generated. A sample is a small portion of a whole and this whole is referred to as
population let us now understand how to use a part of a population instead of a whole.
This is what we are calling sampling. But before that let us understand why researchers
work predominantly with samples other than the entire population.
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Sampling may be applied for economy, that is, to save time- Research without sampling
may be too costly. Sampling reduces the study population to a reasonable size that
expenses are greatly reduced. Sampling is for speed. - Research without sampling might
consume too much time.
Sampling may also be applied for accuracy- If it takes too long a time to cover the whole
study population, there may be inaccuracy. The research must be finished within a
reasonable period of time so that the data are still true, valid and reasonable.
Sampling saves the sources of data from being entirely consumed- The act of gathering
data may consume all the sources of information without sampling. In such a case, there
is no more data to apply the conclusion to.
A sample is a part of the target population, carefully selected to represent that population.
Thus the population must be identified before thinking about sampling. Such questions as
these ones below need to answered fully when developing a sample design;
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be true. Even the slightest element of bias in such an inquiry will get larger and larger as
the number of observations increases.
There is no way of checking the element of bias or its extent except through a resurvey or
use of sample checks. Besides, this type of inquiry involves a great deal of time, money
and energy. In addition, census inquiry is not possible in practice under many
circumstances.
For instance, blood testing is done only on sample basis. Hence, quite often we select
only a few items from the universe for our study purposes. The items so selected
constitute what is technically called a sample.
The researcher must decide the way of selecting a sample or what is popularly known as
the sample design. In other words, a sample design is a definite plan determined before
any data are actually collected for obtaining a sample from a given population. Thus, the
plan to select of a citys 200 drugstores in a certain way constitutes a sample design.
Next let us discuss the two main sample designs which are probability samples or non-
probability samples. We shall start with probability followed by non-probability.
Probability samples are those based on simple random sampling, systematic sampling,
stratified sampling, cluster/area sampling whereas non-probability samples are those
based on convenience sampling, judgment sampling and quota sampling techniques. A
brief discussion of the important sample designs is as follows:
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First, when population elements are selected for inclusion in the sample based on the ease
of access, it can be called convenience sampling. If a researcher wishes to secure data
from, say, gasoline buyers, he may select a fixed number of petrol stations and may
conduct interviews at these stations. This would be an example of convenience sample of
gasoline buyers. At times such a procedure may give very biased results particularly
when the population is not homogeneous.
The second type is judgment sampling in which the researchers judgment is used for
selecting items which he considers as representative of the population. For example, a
judgment sample of college students might be taken to secure reactions to a new method
of teaching. Judgment sampling is used quite frequently in qualitative research where the
desire happens to be to develop hypotheses rather than to generalize to larger populations.
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When a number exceeds the limit of the numbers in the frame, in our case over 15,000, it
is simply passed over and the next number selected that does fall within the relevant
range. Since the numbers were placed in the table in a completely random fashion, the
resulting sample is random. This procedure gives each item an equal probability of being
selected. In case of infinite population, the selection of each item in a random sample is
controlled by the same probability and that successive selections are independent of one
another.
When is this procedure useful? It becomes useful when sampling frame is available in
the form of a list. In such a design the selection process starts by picking some random
point in the list and then every nth element is selected until the desired number is secured.
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such as states, then districts, then towns and finally certain families within towns. If the
technique of random-sampling is applied at all stages, the sampling procedure is
described as multi-stage random sampling.
But purposive sampling is considered desirable when the universe happens to be small
and a known characteristic of it is to be studied intensively. Also, there are conditions
under which sample designs other than random sampling may be considered better for
reasons like convenience and low costs.
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vi. Explain how to measure the reliability and validity of the research instruments.
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Important internal source of secondary data is database marketing which involves the use
of computers to capture and track customer profiles and purchase details. The
information about customer profile would serve as the foundation for marketing
programmes or as an internal source of information related to preference of customers
preference of a particular product.
Published external secondary data refers to the data available without the company. There
is such a pool of published data available in the market that it is sometimes easy to
underestimate what is available and thereby bypass relevant information.
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d) Numeric databases contain numerical and statistical information. For example, time
series data about stock markets.
e) Directory databases provide information on individuals, organizations and service.
E.g. Getit
f) Yellow pages are special-purpose databases are databases developed online for a
special purpose.
g) External Data-syndicated were generated in response to the growing need for data
pertaining to markets, consumer etc., companies have started collecting and selling
standardized data designed to serve the information needs of the shared by a number of
organizations.
Syndicated data sources can be further classified as;
(a) Consumer data
(b) Retail data
(c) Wholesale data
(d) Industrial data
(e) Advertising evaluation data and
(f) Media and audience data
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(ii) Whether the appropriate statistical methods were used by the primary data
enumerators and investigators.
(iii) Whether the data was collected at the proper time.
The researcher also must ascertain the data has the following characteristics in order that
satisfies the purpose for which it needed;
i. Current and timely (especially in terms of statistics)
ii. Adequate
iii. Accurate
iv. Authentic
Primary data is collected to be used for the first time and is meant specifically for the
research at hand (for the current use or problem a researcher wishes to solve).
It involves conducting the study according to the designed procedure (manipulating the
experimental variables in the case of an experimental method), administering instruments
for measuring variables and/or gathering information through observation.
It also involves tabulating the data collected for the purpose of analysis to achieve the
research objectives and answer the research questions (or test the research hypotheses)
generated by the same researcher at a present time.
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What is the main disadvantage for this method? This method is no doubt an expensive
method and the information provided by this method is also very limited. As such this
method is not suitable in inquiries where large samples are concerned.
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Before applying this method, usually a Pilot Study for testing the questionnaire is
conduced. The aim is to reveal the weaknesses, if any, of the questionnaire. The
researcher must prepare questionnaire carefully in order that it collects the data it is
expected to collect in an effective and efficient manner in collecting the relevant
information.
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The above discussion has focus much on primary data collection. Please take note that
primary data is collected only if the secondary data is not available or is insufficient to
solve the current problem or to make decisions on the issue at hand. Below we discuss
secondary data, with emphasis laid on the types of and the relevance sources of the
secondary data.
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v. Researchers need to be honest and open, to disclose all necessary information about
the intended research to the respondents before-hand. This would include the
purpose for which the research is being done.
vi. All respondents must be protected by the researcher, who should take a deliberate
effort to do so to prevent any harm on them.
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v. Describe the various ways through which primary data can be collected.
vi. Explain how to measure the reliability and validity of the research instruments.
vii. What are some of the challenges that a research is likely to face?
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8 Lecture Objectives
i. Explain how data is organized from raw information to knowledge and how it is
stored
ii. Factors to consider when choosing statistical software package for analysis
8.1 Introduction
In the previous session we discussed a great deal on the research methodology in terms of
collecting primary and secondary data. We agreed that secondary data is given first
priority in order to be sure how much primary data will be required for a current research.
In this session we discuss in detail what it entails to analyse the data, whether primary or
secondary. We begin by understanding what a researcher should do to the data before
beginning to analyse it.
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How then does the researcher analyse the data? A researcher can perform the analysis
manually, by using a hand calculator or a computer as per the demands of the problem,
and the available facilities.
After completing the analysis results are tied together or summarized.
The results are interpreted in the light of the hypotheses and/or the research problem.
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These are then discussed in relation to: the existing body of knowledge, consistencies
and inconsistencies with the results of other research studies, and then the conclusions are
drawn.
This is followed by writing the research report.
8.3.1 Data analysis and interpretation equally have their disadvantages. Let us
briefly look at some of these disadvantages;
i. It is important to know that some sources of data may be bias and therefore these
condition may affect the external validity of the statistical results
ii. Secondly, there are likely to be some errors in the methodology used hence lead to the
following;
iii. Wrong interpretation of results or wrong application of statistical packages
These are some of the advantages and disadvantages of data analysis in the area of
business research.
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Is tabulation the final stage in data analysis? No. There is the analysis work after
tabulation. Analysis is generally based on the computation of various percentages,
coefficients, etc., by applying various well defined statistical formulae.
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8.3.1.2 What does the researcher look for in the process of analysis? In the process of
analysis, the researcher is interested in the relationships or differences supporting or
conflicting with original or new hypotheses. These are subjected to tests of significance
to determine with what validity data can be said to indicate any conclusion(s).
What example can we give here? Take for instance, if there are two samples of monthly
sales, each sample being drawn from factories in different parts of the same city, giving
two different mean values, then our problem may be whether the two mean values are
significantly different or the difference is just a matter of chance. Through the use of
statistical tests a researcher can establish whether such a difference is a real one or is the
result of random fluctuations. If the difference happens to be real, the researcher will
infer that the two samples come from different universes and if the difference is due to
chance, the researcher can conclude that the two samples belong to the same universe.
Apart from analysing the relationships, what else can a researcher look for from the
results of (analysed) data? A researcher can also use the technique of analysis of
variance (ANOVA) to help him to analyze whether three or more varieties of brands sold
in certain markets yield significantly different sales (and or profits) or not. There are
other statistical measures the researcher can analyse from the collected data, like homo-
scadasticity, etc.
8.3.2 Hypothesis-Testing
The above steps in data analysis are likely to help the researcher to test the hypotheses, if
he had formulated them earlier. His aim at this point would be to answer the following
question;
Do the facts support the hypotheses or they happen to be contrary? This is the usual
question which should be answered while testing hypotheses.
There are various tests developed by statisticians for this purpose;
i. Chi square test,
ii. t-test,
iii. F-test
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The choice of the test will depend on the nature and object of research inquiry.
The main goal of hypothesis-testing is to either accept the hypothesis or reject it.
What if the researcher had no hypothesis to start with? If the researcher had no
hypotheses to start with, generalizations established on the basis of data may be stated as
hypotheses to be tested by subsequent researches in times to come.
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Research follows a scientific method and the following are results of research;
This means that it makes an integrated use of inductive (concluding from the
general/unknown to the specific/known) and deductive (concluding from the
specific/known to the general/unknown) reasoning.
This makes it very useful for explaining and/or predicting phenomena.
The basic assumption of the scientific method is that every effect has a cause.
It starts with the construction of hypotheses from casual observations and background
knowledge (inductive reasoning) to reasoning out consequences or implications of
hypotheses (deductive reasoning) followed by testing of the implications and
confirmation or rejection of the hypotheses.
Integrated use of inductive and deductive reasoning is the essence of scientific method.
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i. Explain how data is organized from raw information to knowledge and how it is
stored
ii. Factors to consider when choosing statistical software package for analysis
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9 Lecture Objectives
9.1 Introduction
Did you know that it would not make sense if the research findings were not shared with
readers and other users? In this session we want to look at how a researcher would make
sensible use of what he has researched on by posing the following question;
What should the researcher do with the research findings after data analysis,
generalizations and/or interpretations?
The data collected and analysed would be useless if it is not reported and disseminated.
The researcher has to prepare the report of what has been done by him. Writing of report
must be done with great care keeping in respect to the following:
The layout of the report should be as follows: (i) the preliminary pages; (ii) An abstract
(iii) Details of the research (iv) the main text, and (v) the end matter/ Appendices. Below
is a short description of each of these.
9.2 Reporting the findings- At a minimum the research report should contain the
following:
9.2.1 Preliminary Pages
These include the title and date followed by acknowledgements and foreword. Then there
should be a table of contents followed by a list of tables and list of graphs and charts, if
any, given in the report.
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9.2.2 An abstract
This consists of a synopsis of the problem, findings and conclusions all in a single
paragraph.
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9.4.1 So what are the four main qualities that a good research should possess?
Therefore good researches should possess the following four main characteristics:
i. Good research is systematic: It means that research is structured with specified steps
to be taken in a specified sequence in accordance with the well-defined set of rules.
Systematic characteristic of the research does not rule out creative thinking but it
certainly does reject the use of guessing and intuition in arriving at conclusions.
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ii. Good research is logical: This implies that research is guided by the rules of logical
reasoning and the logical process of induction and deduction are of great value in
carrying out research. Induction is the process of reasoning from a part to the whole
whereas deduction is the process of reasoning from some premise to a conclusion which
follows from that very premise. In fact, logical reasoning makes research more
meaningful in the context of decision making.
v. Good research is empirical: It implies that research is related basically to one or
more aspects of a real situation and deals with concrete data that provides a basis for
external validity to research results.
vi. Good research is replicable: This characteristic allows research results to be verified
by replicating the study and thereby building a sound basis for decisions.
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4. Overlap of research studies, one over another are undertaken quite often for
want of adequate information which results in duplication and fritters away
resources.
How can researchers overcome the problem of duplication of research and wastage
of resources?
This problem can be solved by proper compilation and revision, at regular intervals, of a
list of subjects on which and the places where the research is going on. Due attention
should be given toward identification of research problems in various disciplines of
applied science which are of immediate concern to the industries.
5. Lack of a proper code of conduct for researchers and inter-university and
interdepartmental rivalries
The remedy to this problem is to develop a code of conduct for all researchers which
should be adhered to sincerely.
6. Difficulty of adequate and timely secretarial assistance, including computerial
assistance
This causes unnecessary delays in the completion of research studies. All possible efforts
be made in this direction so that efficient secretarial assistance is made available to
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researchers and that too well in time. University Grants Commission must play a dynamic
role in solving this difficulty.
8. There is also the problem that many of our libraries are not able to get copies of old
and new Acts/Rules, reports and other government publications in time.
This problem is felt more in libraries which are away in places from Delhi and/or the
state capitals. Thus, efforts should be made for the regular and speedy supply of all
governmental publications to reach our libraries.
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2. Saonders, M, Lewis, P, & Thornhill, A,; Research Methods for Business Students
3rd edition Delhi Pearson Education, 2003.
3. Cooper, DR & Schindler, PS; Business Research Methods 8th edition New
Delhi: Tata McGraw Hill, 2003.
4. Collis, Jice: Business Research 2nd ed. London: Palgrave Macmillan, 2003
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