Trident University

Stephen Putnam

Module 1-Case Applied Research in Business

DOC6000: D.B.A. Program Structure and Resources

January 26, 2020

 Applied Research in Business
Introduction

Harvard initially offered a Doctor of Philosophy, or PhD, from their College of Arts and

Science. However, scholars from other professional colleges, such as Harvard Business School,

wanted a chance to pursue a doctoral degree as well. Unfortunately, under Harvard’s policy, the

PhD was only achievable from their College of Arts and Science. Scholars would be required to

modify their course of study, along with their university to achieve the doctoral degree. This led

to the creation, and rapid increase, of additional business doctoral degree offerings [CITATION

Mac18 \l 1033 ].

The DBA and the PhD are both widely accepted and often are viewed as equivalent

degrees. There is little difference in terms of accreditation and regulation processes, as well.

However, it would be necessary for each program to differentiate themselves from the other to

validate the theory that the DBA scholar, which is geared towards the professional, is distinct

from the PhD scholar, which is geared towards academia. While the curriculum for both

programs are similar, in terms of credit hours, research, and dissertation requirements,

researchers argue that the type of research methods utilized for the dissertation differentiates the

two programs [ CITATION Mac18 \l 1033 ].

Objective

There are various types of methods and approaches that can be used for research. In

addition, different factors can differentiate the decision to utilize one research method over the

other. One factor that should be considered is the researcher’s objective. While the overall goal

of research is to enhance knowledge, this can further be defined by their goals. Fundamental, or
theoretical, research is based on generalizations and a deeper insight on the overall existing

knowledge. Oppositely, applied research will be focused on a particular issue or problem

[ CITATION Kot04 \l 1033 ]. While the objective of the research will differ between the two

methods, they directly influence each other. Knowledge gained from basic research will help

further applied research (youtube video)

Motivation

In addition to the researcher’s objectives, another major factor comes into play and that is

the motivation for the research being conducted. Motivation means, what makes people

undertake research, regardless of the type. Individuals can have numerous motivations for

research and many of these motivations determine both the type of research and the methods

utilized to conduct the research. First, many individuals simply conduct research for their own

edification and a desire to solve problems or discover new technologies and techniques in a

particular industry or discipline. Second, some researchers are only researching to achieve a

research degree for career progression and the benefits that come along with that achievement.

Some individuals conduct research solely for the purpose of benefitting society in some way.

This could be to find a cure for a disease, improve and industry, or other technological

breakthroughs. Many other factors such as employment conditions, curiosity, and social

thinking and awakening are also motivations to conduct research. Often the motivation for the

research is a strong indictor as to the type of research that will be conducted such as applied and

fundamental research, differentiating between a PhD and a DBA (Kothari, 2004).

Types of Research

There are multiple types of research. They include Descriptive, analytical, quantitative,

qualitative, conceptional, empirical, and of course applies and fundamental research. While all

of these methods of research have specific purposes, we will focus on the difference between

fundamental and applied research. The purpose of applied research is to find a solution to a

specific problem facing society or a specific are or business or area within industry.

Fundamental research is more general and revolves around the formulation of theory, or

gathering knowledge simply to gather knowledge with no specific problem to solve (Kothari,

2004).

Applied Research in a DBA

The DBA is geared toward a different group of professionals. This group typically

includes individuals who have acquired an MBA prior to accumulating a minimum of ten years

of relevant work experience. Additionally, majority of the target segment will be senior

management in various functions, directors, and CEO’s who are planning to continue their

careers in their industry, rather than pursuing academics. Thus, the required coursework and

research methods must differ from those required when pursuing a PhD. First, there is a need to

identify the type of knowledge that is relevant to the business professional. Fundamental research

generated from a PhD fails to provide the knowledge required for people and processes in the

industry. It is highly criticized for being “inwardly focused, inflexible, excessively narrow and

overspecialized, too focused on theory…little relevance to management practitioners” [ CITATION

Ban13 \l 1033 ]. Conversely, applied research from a DBA scholar will typically stem from

specific issues to the industry. Professional Doctorate degrees are usually found in the

education, engineering, and business administration disciplines. These particular fields demand
an applied research methodology, since most of the research is focused on solving a specific

problem facing that industry or society as a whole (Taylor, 2008). In the context of a D.B.A,

while the research is focused on more of a practice based discipline, the research process remains

the same. There are several basic steps to the research process and all or most apply to the

applied research methodology. Only the application of the knowledge obtained is different from

how the knowledge from fundamental research knowledge is utilized. As such, during a D.B.A

program the research process will remain largely the same as a PhD. It is important to

understand this process to be successful in any research focused program. The first step of the

process is where a PhD and a D.B.A program may differ slightly. This is the step where the

research problem is formulated. Since applied research is designed to solve a specific practical

problem within an industry or society and not simply research for research’s sake, this is what

makes a D.B>A research problem different. Regardless of what type of research, the researcher

must examine what problem they are trying to solve, formulate a general topic and then refine it

through possible solutions, and finally conduct research to determine if a solution is possible and

what those solutions may be based on the research outcome. Second, after the research problem

is well defined, a thorough research review must be conducted to ensure the thesis or topic is

supported and can not only be thoroughly researched but is likely to be approved by the research

committee. Third, a working hypothesis must be developed. “A working hypothesis is a

tentative assumption made in order to draw out and test its logical or empirical consequences.”

(Kothari, 2004). A hypothesis for an applied research methodology with a specific problem to

solve is often developed through discussions with colleagues and experts, reviews of other

studies done on the problem, and exploratory personal investigation. Once a hypothesis is

formulated, the applied research student will need to develop the research design. This process
consists of designing and detailing the structure of how the research will be conducted. This is a

critical step in the applied research process specifically because it depends on detailing the

purpose of the research. In applied research the purpose is likely more focused on diagnosis than

on exploration, experimentation, or description (Kothari, 2004). Fifth, the researcher must

determine a sampling design. Another words, what sampling or combination of data samplings

will be used to conduct the research. There are several types and include deliberate sampling,

simple random sampling, systematic sampling, stratified sampling, quota sampling, cluster

sampling and area sampling, multi-stage sampling, and sequential sampling. Obviously, the type

of sample design will depend a lot on the problem being researched and the availability of data to

the researcher. It will also depend on the type of research methodology. Some will lend itself

more to applied research than others. Next the data must be collected. There are multiple

methods to collect data. Regardless the researcher should choose a collection method taking into

account the nature of the investigation, objective of the inquiry, degree of accuracy needed, and

financial resources available to them (Kothari, 2004). The project must then be executed. This

is one of the most important steps in the process and must be completed in a systematic way to

ensure credibility is maintained. Data analysis is the next step in the process and requires such

sub tasks as category establishment, coding of the raw data, tabulation, and then drawing

statistical references from that analysis. The final three steps include hypothesis testing,

generalization and interpretations and of course preparation of the report or thesis. In a D.B.A

program the report option is usually part of the curriculum. Regardless of the type of research

conducted or the process used, the criteria of a good research is the same. First, the research

should be clearly defined. Second, the procedure used should be detailed enough for another

researcher to repeat the research and take the research even further. Third, the research design
procedures should yield dependable and objective results. The researcher’s report should be

frank and ensure all flaws are called out, issues discovered, and the results of the impact on

findings because of them. Fifth, the data analysis should be sufficient enough to demonstrate a

significance. Conclusions, should be based only on what the final data supports. Finally,

credibility of the researcher themselves is crucial to the credibility of the research (Kothari,

2004).

Conclusion

The primary difference between fundamental research and applied research or a PhD

program and a D.B.A program centers around the purpose of the research, the problem to be

solved, and most importantly the application of the results of the research conducted. Most often

applied research is utilized to solve a specific problem in the business industry and the results of

the research conducted directly applies to the resolution of that specific problem and can be

applied to that endeavor.

 References
Banerjee, S., & Morley, C. (2013). Professional Doctorates in Management: Toward a Practice-
Based Approach to Doctoral Education. Academy of Management Learning &
Education, 2, p. 173. Retrieved from https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?
direct=true&db=edsjsr&AN=edsjsr.43696553&authtype=sso&custid=ns017578&site=ed
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Kothari, C. (2004). Research Methodology : Methods and Techniques, New Age International
Ltd. ProQuest Ebook Central. Retrieved from https://ebookcentral.proquest.com
MacLennan, H., Piña, A., & Gibbons, S. (2018). Content Analysis of DBA and PhD
Dissertations in Business. Journal of Education for Business, 93(4), pp. 149-154.
Retrieved from https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?
direct=true&db=eric&AN=EJ1176197&authtype=sso&custid=ns017578&site=eds-
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Mi, T. (2016, August 7). Basic research and applied research definitions and differences video &
lesson transcript study [Video file]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/3vyheXBPSsg.
Taylor, J. 2008. Quality and standards: The challenge of the professional doctorate. Higher
Education in Europe, 33: 65–87.