Name: Tahir Ali

Roll No: 161263

Business Research Methods
1. Introduction to Business Research Methods
 What Is Research?
Research, a somewhat intimidating term for some, is simply the process of finding solutions
to a problem after a thorough study and analysis of the situational factors. Managers in
organizations constantly engage themselves in studying and analyzing issues and hence are
involved in some form of research activity as they make decisions at the workplace.
Book: Uma Sekaran Research methods for business 2003(Page No: 3 last paragraph)
 Business Research:
Business research can be described as a systematic and organized effort to investigate a
specific problem encountered in the work setting that needs a solution.
Business research define as an organized, systematic, data-based, critical, objective,
scientific inquiry or investigation into a specific problem, undertaken with the purpose of
finding answers or solutions to it.
Book: Uma Sekaran Research methods for business 2003(Page No: 5 first paragraph)
2. Scientific Research Procedure
Scientific research focuses on solving problems and pursues a step-by-step logical,
organized, and rigorous method to identify the problems, gather data, analyze them, and
draw valid conclusions therefrom. Thus, scientific research is not based on hunches,
experience, and intuition (though these may play a part in final decision making), but is
purposive and rigorous. Because of the rigorous way in which it is done, scientific research
enables all those who are interested in researching and knowing about the same or similar
issues to come up with comparable findings when the data are analyzed. Scientific research
also helps researchers to state their findings with accuracy and confidence. This helps
various other organizations to apply those solutions when they encounter similar problems.
Furthermore, scientific investigation tends to be more objective than subjective, and helps
managers to highlight the most critical factors at the workplace that need specific attention
so as to avoid, minimize, or solve problems. Scientific investigation and managerial
decision making are integral aspects of effective problem solving. The term scientific
research applies to both basic and applied research.
Book: Uma Sekaran Research methods for business 2003(Page No: 21 first paragraph)
a) Problem identification
Problem definition:
Problem definition involves stating the general problem and identifying the specific
components of the marketing research problem. Only when the marketing research
problem has been clearly defined can research be designed and conducted properly. ‘Of
all the tasks in a marketing research project, none is more vital to the ultimate fulfilment
of a client’s needs than an accurate and adequate definition of the research problem.
 All the effort, time, and money spent from this point on will be wasted if the problem
is misunderstood and ill-defined.
Book: Malhotra (Page No: 31)
Problem identification research is undertaken to help identify problems that are,
perhaps, not apparent on the surface and yet exist or are likely to arise in the future.
Examples of problem identification research include market potential, market share,
brand or company image, market characteristics, sales analysis, short-range
forecasting, long-range forecasting and business trends research. Research of this type
provides information about the marketing environment and helps diagnose a problem.
Book: Malhotra (Page No: 7)
b) Information search
Data:
Facts or recorded measures of certain phenomena (things).
Information:
Data formatted (structured) to support decision making or define the relationship
between two facts.
Intelligence:
The subset of data and information that actually has some explanatory power enabling
effective decisions to be made.
Book: William G-1. Zikmund, Barry J. Babin, Jon C. Carr, Mitch Griffin Business
Research Methods, 8th Edition 2009 (Page No: 19)
c) Research design
d) Methodology
e) Result analysis
f) Conclusion/ recommendation
3. Types of search
a) Applied Search
Research done with the intention of applying the results of the findings to solve specific
problems currently being experienced in the organization is called applied research.
b) Basic Search/ pure search/ fundamental search
Research done chiefly to enhance the understanding of certain problems that commonly
occur in organizational settings, and seek methods of solving them, is called basic or
fundamental research. It is also known as pure research.
Book: Uma Sekaran Research methods for business 2003(Page No: 8 second
paragraph)
4. Problem identification
Three things in problem identification
a) Identify
b) Analyze
c) Define
5. Problem definition process or recognition
The problem-definition process involves several interrelated steps. Sometimes, the
boundaries between each step aren’t exactly clear. But generally, completing one step leads
to the other and by the time the problem is defined, each of these steps has been addressed
in some way. The steps are
1. Understand the business situation—identify key symptoms
2. Identify key problem(s) from symptoms
3. Write managerial decision statement and corresponding research objectives
4. Determine the unit of analysis
5. Determine the relevant variables
6. Write research questions and/or research hypotheses
Book: William G-1. Zikmund, Barry J. Babin, Jon C. Carr, Mitch Griffin Business
Research Methods, and 8th Edition 2009 (Page No: 112)
Actual < Expected
Actual > Expected
Actual < Possible
Expected > Possible.
6. Problem definition
a) Situation analysis
A situation analysis involves the gathering of background information to familiarize
researchers and managers with the decision-making environment. The situation
analysis can be written up as a way of documenting the problem-definition process.
Gaining an awareness of marketplace conditions and an appreciation of the situation
often requires exploratory research. Researchers sometimes apply qualitative research
with the objective of better problem definition. The situation analysis begins with an
interview between the researcher and management.
Book: William G-1. Zikmund, Barry J. Babin, Jon C. Carr, Mitch Griffin Business
Research Methods, and 8th Edition 2009 (Page No: 112)
b) Symptom identification
Interviews with key decision makers also can be one of the best ways to identify key
problem symptoms. Recall that all problems have symptoms just as human disease is
diagnosed through symptoms. Once symptoms are identified, then the researcher must
probe to identify possible causes of these changes. Probing is an interview technique
that tries to draw deeper and more elaborate explanations from the discussion. This
discussion may involve potential problem causes. This probing process will likely be
very helpful in identifying key variables that are prime candidates for study.
c) Symptom converted to problem statement
Anticipating the many influences and dimensions of a problem is impossible for any
researcher or executive. The preceding interview is extremely useful in translating the
decision situation into a working problem definition by focusing on symptoms. The
 probing process discussed on pages 115–116 begins this process. However, the
researcher needs to be doubly certain that the research attacks real problems and not
superficial symptoms. For instance, when a firm has a problem with advertising
effectiveness, the possible causes of this problem may be low brand awareness, the
wrong brand image, use of the wrong media, or perhaps too small a budget. Certain
occurrences that appear to be the problem may be only symptoms of a deeper problem.
Book: William G-1. Zikmund, Barry J. Babin, Jon C. Carr, Mitch Griffin Business
Research Methods, and 8th Edition 2009 (Page No: 112)
d) Problem identification
Problem definition or problem statement, as it is also often referred to, is a clear,
precise, and succinct statement of the question or issue that is to be investigated with
the goal of finding an answer or solution. As mentioned earlier, problem definitions
could pertain to (1) existing business problems where a manager is looking for a
solution, (2) situations that may not pose any current problems but which the manager
feels have scope for improvement, (3) areas where some conceptual clarity is needed
for better theory building, or (4) situations in which a researcher is trying to answer a
research question empirically because of interest in the topic. The first two fall within
the realm of applied research, and the latter two under basic research.
Book: Uma Sekaran Research methods for business 2003(Page No: 8)
7. Information Search
In everyday language, terms like information and data are often used interchangeably.
Researchers use these terms in specific ways that emphasize how useful each can be. Data
are simply facts or recorded measures of certain phenomena (things or events). Information
is data formatted (structured) to support decision making or define the relationship between
two facts. Business intelligence is the subset of data and information that actually has some
explanatory power enabling effective managerial decisions to be made. So, there is more
data than information, and more information than intelligence. Think again about the
thousands upon thousands of un-summarized facts recorded by Home Depot each day.
Each time a product is scanned at checkout, that fact is recorded and becomes data. Each
customer’s transactions are simultaneously entered into the store’s computerized inventory
system. The inventory system structures the data in such a way that a stocking report can
be generated and orders for that store can be placed. Thus, the automated inventory system
turns data into information. Further, the information from each store’s sales and inventory
records may be harvested by analysts. The analysts may analyze the trends and prepare
reports that help Home Depot buyers get the right products into each store or to even
suggest places for new Home Depot locations. Thus, the analyst has now completed the
transformation of data into intelligence.
Book: William G-1. Zikmund, Barry J. Babin, Jon C. Carr, Mitch Griffin Business
Research Methods, and 8th Edition 2009 (Page No: 19)