RESEARCH METHODOLOGY - ASSIGNMENT 1

Omar Refaat Rashad Mohamed

ID: 21123007
Assignment 1
1. Why should a manager know about research when the job entails managing people, products, events,
environments, and the like?
1- Identification and effectiveness problem solving in the work setting.
2- Prober discrimination between good from bad research.
3- Take calculated risks in decision making.
4- Appreciation and awareness of the multiple influences and effects of factors impinging on a situation.
5- Experience & scientific knowledge based decision making.
6- Relate to hired researchers and consultants more effectively.
7- Prevent possible vested interests from exercising their influence in a situation.

2. For what specific purposes is basic research important?

The purpose of basic research:

To generate a body of knowledge by trying to comprehend how certain problems that occur in organizations can be
solved.

- Expand knowledge of processes of business and management

As some organizations may later on apply the knowledge gained by the findings of such basic research to solve
their own problems.
- Results in universal principles relating to the process and its relationship to outcomes.
- Findings of significance and value to society in general.
Organization may use this information to determine if these factors are relevant to that particular work setting.

Context:

- Undertaken by people based in universities

- Choice of topic and objectives determined by the researcher
- Flexible time scales

3. When is applied research, as distinct from basic research, useful?

Purpose of Applied research:

To solve a current problem faced by the manager in the work setting, demanding a timely solution.

- Improve understanding of particular business or management problem.

- Results in solution to problem
For example, a particular product may not be selling well and the manager might want to find the reasons for
this in order to take corrective action.
- New knowledge limited to problem
research done with the intention of applying the results of the findings to solve specific problems currently
being experienced in the organization.
- Findings of practical relevance and value to managers in organizations

Context:

- Undertaken by people based in variety of settings including organizations and universities

- Objectives negotiated with originator
- Tight time scales
4. Why is it important to be adept in handling the manager–researcher relationship?
1- The roles and expectations of both parties are made explicit.
2- Relevant philosophies and value systems of the organization are clearly stated, and constraints, if any,
communicated.
3- Acceptance of findings and implementation
4- Issues of inside versus outside researchers/consultants.

5. Explain, giving reasons, which is more important, applied or basic research.

Each form of research has a role and complements the other.

Basic research is characterized by pushing theoretical models and understanding of the body of knowledge. Applied
research transforms the theoretical model into practical application.

So, part of the answer is that it depends on the researcher’s purpose. If the researcher is trying to expand boundaries of
knowledge, then basic research is very important. If the researcher is trying to figure out how to make the theoretical
model useful in practical application, then applied research is very important.

And consider this: It’s often the case that applied research will validate or refute theoretical research.

6. Give two specific instances where an external research team would be useful and two other scenarios when an
internal research team will be deployed, with adequate explanations as to why each scenario is justified for an
external or internal team.

External Researchers:

- If the problem is a complex one. (as they have Better technical training, usually)
- If there are likely to be vested interests (as they are Divergent and convergent thinking)
- if the very existence of the organization is at stake because of one or more serious problems (as they have
Experience from several situations in different organizations)

Disadvantages:

- Takes time to know and understand the organization

- Rapport and cooperation from staff not easy
- Not available for evaluation and implementation
- Higher Costs

Internal Researchers:

- if the problems that arise are fairly simple

- if time is of the essence in solving moderately complex problems (as they already have Knowledge about
organization and they are Better acceptance from staff).
- if there is a system wide need to establish procedures and policies of a fairly routine nature (as there Would be
an integral part of implementation and evaluation of the research recommendations.)

Disadvantages:

- Less fresh ideas

- Power politics could prevail
- Possibly not valued as “expert” by staff
7. Describe a situation where research will help you as a manager to make a good decision.

For example, a new product developed may not be taking off, or a financial investment may not be paying off as
anticipated. Such disturbing phenomena have to be understood and explained. Unless this is done, it will not be possible
to predict the future of that product or the prospects of that investment, and how future catastrophic outcomes can be
controlled. A grasp of research methods will enable managers to understand, predict, and control their environment.

8. Given the situations below, (a) discuss with reasons whether they fall into the category of applied or basic
research, and (b) for Scenario 1, explain with reasons, who will conduct the research.

Scenario 1 - To Acquire or Not to Acquire: That is the Question

1. Companies are very interested in acquiring other firms even when the latter operate in totally unrelated
realms of business.
For example, Gencore Industries manufacturing asphalt plants for road construction acquired Ingersoll-Rand
in 1996, and later acquired yet another company engaged in the business of food processing.
Such acquisitions are claimed to work miracles.
However, given the volatility of the stock market and the slowing down of business, many companies are not
sure whether such acquisitions involve too much risk.
At the same time, they also wonder if they are missing out on a great business opportunity if they fail to take
such risk. Some research is needed here!

The research applied is Applied Research

As it was made to solve a current problem faced by the manager in the work setting, demanding a timely
solution.
- Improve understanding of particular business or management problem.
- Results in solution to problem
- For example, a particular product may not be selling well and the manager might want to find the
reasons for this in order to take corrective action.
- New knowledge limited to problem
- research done with the intention of applying the results of the findings to solve specific problems
currently being experienced in the organization.
- Findings of practical relevance and value to managers in organizations
Context:
- Undertaken by people based in variety of settings including organizations and universities
- Objectives negotiated with originator
- Tight time scales
And will be conducted by: External Researchers
- the problem is a complex one. (as they have Better technical training, usually)
- there are likely to be vested interests (as they are Divergent and convergent thinking)
- the very existence of the organization is at stake because of one or more serious problems (as they have
Experience from several situations in different organizations)
Disadvantages:
- Takes time to know and understand the organization
- Rapport and cooperation from staff not easy
- Not available for evaluation and implementation
- Higher Costs
Scenario 2 - Reasons for Absenteeism

2. A university professor wanted to analyze in depth the reasons for absenteeism of employees in organizations.
Fortunately, a company within 20 miles of the campus employed her as a consultant to study that very issue.

The research applied is Applied Research, and will be conducted by: External Researchers
As it was made to solve a current problem faced by the manager in the work setting, demanding a timely
solution.
- Improve understanding of particular business or management problem.
- Results in solution to problem
- For example, a particular product may not be selling well and the manager might want to find the
reasons for this in order to take corrective action.
- New knowledge limited to problem
- research done with the intention of applying the results of the findings to solve specific problems
currently being experienced in the organization.
- Findings of practical relevance and value to managers in organizations
Context:
- Undertaken by people based in variety of settings including organizations and universities
- Objectives negotiated with originator
- Tight time scales

Scenario 3 - Effects of Nasal Spray on Flu

3. A research scientist surveys 1,000 employees in different organizational settings to study the efficacy of
several types of nasal sprays in controlling the flu virus. He subsequently publishes his findings in a highly
respected medical journal.

The research applied is Basic Research

As it was made to generate a body of knowledge by trying to comprehend how certain problems that occur in
organizations can be solved.
- Expand knowledge of processes of business and management
- As some organizations may later on apply the knowledge gained by the findings of such basic research
to solve their own problems.
- Results in universal principles relating to the process and its relationship to outcomes
- Findings of significance and value to society in general.
- Organization may use this information to determine if these factors are relevant to that particular work
setting.
Context:
- Undertaken by people based in universities
- Choice of topic and objectives determined by the researcher
- Flexible time scales