RESEARCH METHODS IN

BUSINESS AND
ADMINISTRATION
BBA 351
Hello! My dear
students. I am glad
to be your lecturer
for this course.
My name is
Dr. Emmanuel
Yamoah.
You may reach me on
phone –
0246726459.
Office -

For academic consultation: I am 1-2

available Mon - Friday 12noon –
 Quotes for the Day
• “There is never enough time to do
everything, but there is always
enough time to do the most important
thing.”

• “Whatever you learn you learn for

yourself.”
Course Description:
This course is designed to provide the
fundamentals of research methodology
applicable to business and its related areas.
Analysis, critical reading, evaluation, and
application of research needed for the
development of skills in research proposals is
emphasized. Topics covered include types of
research, population, sampling, research design,
developing instruments of data collection, and
basic statistical treatment of data.
Course Objectives:
1. Understand the importance of the
business research as a management
decision tool.

2. To gain an understanding of the nature

and use of the scientific method of
research.
• Develop skills of identifying researchable
problems, outlining and writing research
reports.

• Conduct a simple scientific research on an

identified problem.

• Use library and Internet facilities properly for

information retrieval.

• Increase analytical and critical thinking skills of

students.
Class Requirements/Bases for Grading:
1. Regular and punctual class Attendance
2. Active and meaningful participation in class
discussions
3. Passing class tests & exercises
4. Periodic assignments shall be given from time
to time throughout the semester to help
students appreciate the concepts learnt in
class.
5. Comportment in class – avoid use of mobile
phones during lectures.
6. Individual or Group work & presentation
 EVALUATION
•Quiz 20%

•Assignments 20%

•Final exams 60%

Total 100%
 RECOMMENDED TEXT BOOKS
1. Saunders, M.; Lewis, P. & Thornhill A.
(2014). Research Methods for
Business Students.
2. Yamoah, E. (2014). Research Methods
Simplified.
WHAT IS RESEARCH ALL
ABOUT, ANYWAY?
Increasing our understanding of
how and why we behave the
way we do!
“Invirtually every subject area, our
knowledge is incomplete and
problems are waiting to be
solved.
We can address the holes in our
knowledge and those unresolved
problems by asking relevant
questions and then seeking
answers through systematic
research.”
What is research?
 What Research is Not

1. Research is not mere

information gathering

2. Research is not mere

transportation of facts from
one location to another.
 What Research is Not
3. Research is not merely
searching for information.
 WHAT IS RESEARCH?
Research is a systematic
process of collecting,
analyzing, and interpreting
information in order to increase
our understanding of the
phenomenon about which we
are interested or concerned.
• Research is a systematic search
for adequate information to reach
objective (fact) knowledge of a
specific topic.

• A business research is a
systematic inquiry that provides
information to guide business
decisions.
 What is business research?
• Research provides the needed information
that guides managers to make informed
decisions to successfully deal with
problems.
• The information provided could be the
result of a careful analysis of data
gathered firsthand or of data that are
already available (in the company).
• A research paper is a
documented essay containing
adequate information to reach
dependable solutions to
problems through planned and
systematic collection, analysis
and interpretation of data
 RESEARCH IS BASED ON
THE WORK OF OTHERS

• Past research • Research is

guides new NOT copying
research the work of
others
 RESEARCH CAN BE
REPLICATED

• Repeatability • Replication
is a sign of guides future
credible research
science
 RESEARCH IS
GENERALIZABLE

• Research should apply to

situations outside of the
study setting.
 RESEARCH IS NOT DONE
IN INTELLECTUAL
ISOLATION

• It is based on • It is tied to
some logical theory
rationale
 RESEARCH IS “DOABLE”

• Good research questions can

be translated into projects that
can be done!
 RESEARCH IS ONGOING

• Research generates new

questions
 METHODS OF KNOWING
1. Sensory Experience --hearing, smelling,
touching, seeing, tasting.

2. Agreement with others.

3. Tradition – knowledge passed on

4. Expert Opinion (Authority).

5. Logic – using our intellect to reason

things out.
Example of logic;
All human beings are mortals,
Eben is a human being,
Therefore, Eben is mortal

Students who manage their time well

improve their grades; if you manage
your time well, then your grades must
improve.
5. The Scientific Method. This
involves observing and testing
ideas in a systematic manner.
• To satisfy our doubt, it is necessary
that a method should be found by
which our beliefs may be determined
by nothing human, but by something
upon which our thinking has no effect.

• The method must be such that the

ultimate conclusion of every man
shall be the same. Such is the
method of science.
The point is that more dependable
knowledge is attained through
science because science
ultimately appeals to evidence -
propositions are subjected to
empirical test.
 SCIENTIFIC METHOD

• A shared philosophical
approach to understanding the
world
• A standard sequence of steps
in formulating and answering
questions
 RESEARCH CATEGORIES
1. Basic Research—
• Basic research seeks to contribute to
knowledge through the development of
a theory.
• The major goal of basic research is
acquire general information about a
phenomenon, with little emphasis on
applications to the real world.
– Basic research has no immediate
application
2. Applied Research
• Applied research seeks to provide solutions
to problems through the development and
evaluation of processes, policies, and other
activities that require specific courses of
action.
• To improve understanding of particular
business/management problem.
• Applied research has immediate applications
• Business research is mostly applied
oriented.
 THE VALUE OF RESEARCH
Generally speaking, research is an entry
point to development:

TO ORGANIZATIONS:
The outcome of research findings have
provided:
• Quality products/services
• Effective labor and efficient labor force
• Sustain competitive advantage
• Improved current trends practices
 THE VALUE OF RESEARCH
TO STUDENTS:
Research teaches students how to
recognize a problem and how to go
about solving it.
It enables students to learn far more
than a teacher could. Thus, on the
topic of the research paper, the
student becomes an expert.
• It teaches skills of observation,
analysis, synthesis, and judgments.

• Enhances the ability to think

critically, by weighing all evidence

• It gives opportunity for the

development of good writing skills.

• It develops character—patience,
humility, independence, time
management, etc.