JAN’24

MIDTERM TEST
BBM452 BUSINESS RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Name:
Student Id:

Instruction: This paper consists of FOUR (4) questions. Answer ALL Questions.

Question 1
Business research 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.

(a) Describe FOUR (4) ways how the researcher approaches the literature review.

One common approach employed by researchers is the systematic literature review

(SLR). In an SLR, researchers meticulously gather, evaluate, and synthesize relevant
literature using predefined criteria and structured methodologies. By adhering to
rigorous procedures, such as systematic searching of databases and transparent
selection criteria, SLRs aim to minimize bias and ensure the reliability and validity of
the review process. This approach enables researchers to offer a comprehensive and
evidence-based analysis of the existing literature, laying a solid foundation for their
own research endeavours.

Another approach frequently utilized is the narrative literature review. Unlike

SLRs, narrative reviews provide a more flexible and holistic exploration of the
research topic. Researchers gather a wide range of literature and synthesize findings
in a narrative format, highlighting key themes, debates, and gaps in knowledge.
Narrative reviews are particularly valuable when the research question is broad or
when researchers seek to offer a nuanced understanding of complex phenomena. By
synthesizing diverse perspectives and insights from the literature, narrative reviews
contribute to the development of theoretical frameworks and guide future research
directions.
 Meta-analysis represents a quantitative approach to literature review commonly
employed in business research methodology. In a meta-analysis, researchers
statistically aggregate findings from multiple studies to derive robust conclusions
about the relationships between variables or the effectiveness of interventions. By
synthesizing data across studies, meta-analyses provide a more precise estimation of
effect sizes and enhance the generalizability of research findings. This approach
enables researchers to identify patterns, trends, and inconsistencies in the literature,
offering valuable insights for theory development and practical applications in
business contexts.

Lastly, scoping reviews offer a broad and exploratory approach to literature review in
business research methodology. Unlike systematic reviews, scoping reviews aim to
map the breadth and depth of existing literature on a particular topic, regardless of
study design or publication type. Researchers use scoping reviews to identify key
concepts, clarify terminology, and delineate the scope of research within a given field.
By incorporating diverse sources, including grey literature and non-peer-reviewed
publications, scoping reviews provide a comprehensive overview of the research
landscape, thereby informing the identification of research gaps and the formulation
of research questions. This approach is especially useful in emerging areas of inquiry
or interdisciplinary fields where the literature may be heterogeneous and rapidly
evolving.

(16
marks)

(b) Interpret THREE (3) roles of ethics in business research.

Firstly, ethics plays a crucial role in protecting the rights and well-being of research
participants. Researchers must adhere to ethical guidelines to obtain informed
consent, maintain confidentiality, and mitigate potential risks for individuals involved
in the study. By prioritizing participant protection, researchers establish trust and
foster positive relationships with stakeholders, contributing to the ethical conduct of
research within the business community.

Secondly, ethics upholds the integrity of business research by promoting honesty,

transparency, and accountability throughout the research process. Researchers are
obliged to maintain research integrity by avoiding practices such as falsification,
 fabrication, or plagiarism. By upholding these ethical standards, researchers ensure
the accuracy and reliability of their findings, thereby enhancing the credibility of
business research outcomes. This commitment to integrity fosters a culture of trust
and collaboration within the research community, facilitating the dissemination of
knowledge and the advancement of research in the field of business.

Thirdly, ethics in business research promotes social responsibility by addressing the

broader societal implications of research activities. Researchers have a duty to
consider the potential impacts of their research on various stakeholders, including
employees, consumers, communities, and the environment. Ethical business research
seeks to contribute to sustainable practices, advocate for ethical decision-making, and
address pressing societal issues. By integrating social responsibility into their research
agenda, business researchers play a vital role in advancing knowledge that supports
ethical leadership, fosters organizational accountability, and promotes positive social
change. In essence, ethics serves as a cornerstone of business research, guiding
researchers in their pursuit of knowledge while ensuring that research activities are
conducted with integrity, respect, and a commitment to societal well-being.

(9 marks)

(c) Research involves buildings on the work of others. One of the important pitfalls is
plagiarism. Describe FOUR (4) reasons why plagiarism is considered unethical.

1. Violation of Intellectual Property Rights:

Plagiarism infringes upon the intellectual property rights of the original creator.
By using someone else's work without permission or attribution, plagiarists
essentially steal the intellectual property of others, denying them the recognition
and credit they deserve for their contributions. This undermines the principles of
fair attribution and respect for intellectual integrity, which are foundational to
scholarly discourse and innovation.

2. Undermining Academic Integrity:

Plagiarism undermines the fundamental principles of academic integrity and
honesty. Academic institutions and scholarly communities rely on the integrity of
research findings and the trustworthiness of academic discourse. Plagiarism
erodes this trust by introducing dishonesty and deception into the scholarly
process, compromising the credibility of research outcomes and the reputation of
researchers and institutions.

3. Impeding Knowledge Creation and Progress:

Plagiarism stifles the advancement of knowledge by inhibiting the free exchange
of ideas and the critical evaluation of existing research. When researchers fail to
attribute the work of others properly, they deprive readers of the opportunity to
trace the origins of ideas, evaluate the evidence, and build upon existing
knowledge. This hampers the progress of scholarship and undermines the
collective pursuit of new insights and discoveries.
 4. Ethical Implications for Society:
Plagiarism has broader ethical implications for society beyond the academic
realm. In fields such as journalism, literature, and scientific research, the
dissemination of accurate and original information is essential for informed
decision-making, public discourse, and the well-being of society. Plagiarism
compromises the reliability of information and undermines public trust in the
integrity of research and scholarly communication, potentially leading to
misinformation, misinterpretation, and detrimental consequences for individuals
and society.

(8
marks)

Question 2

A researcher wants to investigate the question; what is the most effective way for an
organization to recover from a service failure? His objective is to provide guidelines for
establishing the proper fit between service failure and service recovery that will generalize
across a variety of service industries. Based on the situation;

(a) Discuss the problem statement.

The problem statement presented by the researcher addresses a critical issue in service
management: the most effective strategy for organizations to recover from service
failures. This inquiry is of paramount importance as service failures are inevitable in
any service-oriented industry and can significantly impact customer satisfaction,
loyalty, and overall organizational reputation. By focusing on the recovery process
rather than solely on the failure itself, the researcher demonstrates a proactive
approach aimed at mitigating the negative consequences of service failures.
Moreover, the researcher's objective to provide guidelines for establishing the proper
fit between service failure and service recovery is commendable, as it indicates a
desire to offer practical solutions applicable across various service industries. This
objective suggests an intention to generalize findings, ensuring that the proposed
guidelines are adaptable and relevant to a wide range of organizational contexts.
Overall, the problem statement is clear, relevant, and significant, laying the
 groundwork for a research study that has the potential to contribute valuable insights
to the field of service management.
(10 marks)

(b) Describe THREE (3) key criteria to assess the quality of a problem statement.

1. Clarity and precision: A high-quality problem statement should be clearly

articulated and devoid of ambiguity. It should precisely define the research
question or issue under investigation, offering a clear direction for the study.
Clarity ensures that readers can easily grasp the focus and objectives of the
research, reducing the likelihood of confusion or misinterpretation. Ambiguity in
the problem statement may lead to imprecise research outcomes and hinder the
overall effectiveness of the study in addressing the research problem.

2. Relevance and significance: The problem statement should address a relevant

and significant research problem that contributes meaningfully to the existing
body of knowledge in the field. It should clearly articulate why the research
question is important and how addressing it can benefit stakeholders or advance
theory and practice. Assessing the relevance and significance of the problem
statement ensures that the research study addresses a pressing issue with real-
world implications, justifying the allocation of resources and effort towards its
investigation.

3. Feasibility and generalizability: A quality problem statement should be feasible

to investigate within the constraints of the research project, including time,
resources, and access to data. Additionally, it should have the potential to generate
findings that are generalizable and applicable beyond the specific context of the
study. Evaluating the feasibility and generalizability of the problem statement
ensures that the research study is practical, achievable, and likely to produce
insights that hold broader relevance and applicability across different settings or
populations.
(12 marks)
Question 3

A manager is concerned about the low output levels of his employees. In several articles that
he has read, four variables were mentioned as important to job performance such as rewards,
motivation, office environment and job satisfaction. Based on the situation;

(a) List dependant and independent variables.

Dependent Variable:
- Job performance (Output levels of employees)

Independent Variables:
1. Rewards
2. Motivation
3. Office environment
4. Job satisfaction
(5 marks)
(b) Illustrate the theoretical framework.

Rewards

Job
performance
Motivation

Theoretical
Framework

Job Office
satisfaction enviroonment
- Rewards: According to expectancy theory, individuals are motivated to perform better when
they believe that their efforts will lead to desirable outcomes or rewards. Thus, higher levels
of rewards are expected to positively influence job performance.
- Motivation: Motivation theories, such as Maslow's hierarchy of needs and Herzberg's two-
factor theory, suggest that intrinsic and extrinsic motivators play a significant role in
determining employee performance. Therefore, higher levels of motivation are likely to
correlate with improved job performance.
- Office environment: Research in environmental psychology suggests that the physical work
environment, including factors like lighting, noise levels, and workspace layout, can impact
employee mood, satisfaction, and productivity. A positive office environment is expected to
contribute to higher job performance.
- Job satisfaction: Job satisfaction theories propose that employees who are satisfied with
their work experience higher levels of commitment, engagement, and productivity. Therefore,
higher levels of job satisfaction are likely to correlate with increased job performance.
(8 marks)

(c) Identify TWO (2) research objective and research question.

Research Objectives:
1. To assess the impact of rewards, motivation, office environment, and job satisfaction
on employee job performance.

2. To identify the most influential factor among rewards, motivation, office

environment, and job satisfaction in predicting job performance.

Research Questions:
1. What is the relationship between rewards, motivation, office environment, job
satisfaction, and employee job performance?

2. Which of the four variables rewards, motivation, office environment, or job

satisfaction has the strongest association with employee job performance?
(8
marks)

(d) List TWO (2) research hypothesis.

1. Null Hypothesis: There is no significant relationship between rewards, motivation,

office environment, job satisfaction, and employee job performance.
 2. Alternative Hypothesis: At least one of the independent variable’s rewards,
motivation, office environment, or job satisfaction is significantly associated with
employee job performance.
(4 marks)

Question 4

Explain FIVE (5) the hallmarks of scientific research. Give ONE (1) example for each
scientific of research.

Scientific research is characterized by several hallmarks that distinguish it from other forms
of inquiry, ensuring rigor, reliability, and validity in the pursuit of knowledge. One hallmark
is the empirical approach, which emphasizes the reliance on empirical evidence derived from
observations and experiments. For instance, in psychology, a researcher might conduct an
experiment to examine the effects of meditation on stress levels, measuring physiological
indicators such as heart rate and cortisol levels to gather empirical data.

Another hallmark is objectivity and impartiality, where scientific research strives to minimize
bias and personal beliefs in the design, conduct, and interpretation of findings. For example,
in sociology, a researcher investigating the impact of gender stereotypes on hiring decisions
ensures that their own beliefs about gender do not influence data collection or analysis,
maintaining objectivity throughout the research process.

Scientific research also entails systematic inquiry, characterized by clear procedures for
formulating research questions, designing studies, collecting data, and drawing conclusions.
In ecology, for instance, a researcher studying the effects of climate change on biodiversity
develops a structured research plan with specific objectives, sampling methods, and data
analysis techniques to ensure the reliability of the study's findings.

Testability and falsifiability are also hallmarks of scientific research, as hypotheses must be
formulated in a way that allows them to be tested and potentially refuted by empirical
evidence. An example of this can be seen in physics, where a scientist proposes a hypothesis
regarding the behaviour of particles in a vacuum chamber and designs experiments to test the
hypothesis, with the aim of either confirming or rejecting it based on the results.

Lastly, scientific research contributes to cumulative knowledge by building upon existing

theories, findings, and methodologies. In medicine, for instance, researchers conducting
clinical trials on new treatments for a specific disease review existing literature, replicate
previous studies, and integrate their findings into the broader body of medical knowledge,
thus enriching the understanding of effective treatments and patient care.

These hallmarks collectively underscore the foundational principles of scientific research,

emphasizing its systematic, objective, and cumulative nature in advancing knowledge and
understanding across various disciplines.

(15 marks)

End of question paper