Dr.

Zia ur Rehman
 What is Research?
The word research is derived from the old French word “cerchier”
meaning to seek or search. A researcher seeks thoroughly for
three reasons: for more explanations, for verifiable truth, and to
make discoveries.
Research
 A process of enquiry and investigation
 Systematic and methodical
 A series of steps designed and executed

 To solve problem and increase/generate knowledge

What is 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 comprises a series of steps designed and

executed, with the goal of finding answers to the issues that
are of concern to the manager in the work environment
Classifying Research
Research can be classified according to the:
1. Purpose – The reason why it was conducted
2. Process – The way in which the data were collected
& Analysed.
3. Outcome- Whether the expected outcome is the
solution to a particular problem or a more
general contribution to knowledge
4. Logic – Whether the research logic moves from
the general to the specific or vice versa.
Classifying
Research
Basic of classification Type of research

Purpose of the research Exploratory, descriptive, Hypothesis

Testing (analytical or predictive )
research, Explanatory

Process of the research Quantitative or Qualitative Research

Outcome of the research Applied or Basic Research

Logic of the research Deductive or Inductive Research

Purpose: Exploratory, Descriptive,
Hypothesis Testing Research
• Exploratory
 Conducted when very few or no earlier studies can be referred
for information about the problem.
 Aim: To look for patterns, understand the phenomena and
develop
ideas or proposition (hypothesis)
 Focus: To gain insights and familiarity with the subject area for
more rigorous investigation at a later stage
 Typical techniques: Case study , observation, interview, focus
group
 Example:
 To explore the attributes of a great leader
 To understand the concept of quality of work life (QWL)
 Current thinking on QWL to narrow (Work related factor only)
 With the changing dynamic at the workplace, we have to redefine
the concept.
Descriptive
To ascertain and describe phenomena as they
exist.
To obtain information on the characteristic of a
particular problem.
Examples:
 To know the characteristics of the organizations that
implement CSR
 To know the profile of the individuals who have loan

payment outstanding for 6 months and more

 To know what type of packaging for a box of chocolates do

consumer prefer.
 To know what type of information do customers want shown

on food label?
The central issue: ‘What’ or ‘how many’.
Hypothesis Testing(Analytical or explanatory)
Beyond describing the characteristic.
To analyze and explain WHY of HOW the phenomenon
is happening.
Explain the nature of relationship (causal or
correlational) or establish the differences among
groups.
Examples:
 To know the relationship between size of company and level
of turnover.
 To know the factors that contributed for on-line purchase.

 To know whether female workers less productive than

male workers
Quantitative & Qualitative Research
 Refer to the approach or process of a research
 The choice will be influenced by:
 Nature of research project
 Quantitative: Normally applied in descriptive & hypothesis testing
research.
 Qualitative: Normally applied in exploratory research
 Type of data available
 Research problem/question:
 ‘What’, ‘How Many’: Quantitative
 What is the relationship between mentorship and
performance?
 What is the level of technology transfer in PHEI?
 ‘What,’ ‘Why’, ‘How’: Qualitative.
 Example: A study on knowledge sharing:
 How and why are various tools used?
 What is the impact of those tools on decision

making?
 How does information flow in an organization?

Applied & Basic Research
Applied Research:
Research done with the attention of applying a result
of the findings to solve a particular problem faced by a
particular organization.
To solve practical problem

Basic Research:
Research done chiefly to enhance the understanding
of certain problem that commonly occur in
organization setting.
The understanding applies to all of business in
general.
To solve theoretical problem and to generate more
knowledge.
Comparisons…
Basic Research Applied Research
Done for the Done to test theories
intellectual pleasure of in the field to achieve
learning better validity.
Aims at finding a
Mainly concerned with solution for an
generalizations and with immediate problem
the formulation of a facing a society
theory
Comparisons…
•Basic •Applied
Directed towards The central aim is to
finding information discover a solution for
that has broad base some pressing practical
of applications problem
No commercial value There is commercial
attached to the value, e.g. research to
discoveries that result improve agricultural
from basic research. crop production
Comparisons…
Basic
Involves a search Applied
for enduring or Entails a search for
general truths pragmatics solutions to
Exploration curious particular problems
rather than mundane Entirely a pursuit
events of social concerns
Applied & Basic Research
Applied Research Issues Basic Research Issues

How the acquisition of Volvo by Geely How does technological turbulence

affects the image of the brand? affect business performance?

How would imposing a 360 degree Does job stress affect the job
evaluation system affect employee performance and satisfaction?
satisfaction at UIMS?

What factors that relate to intent What is the relationship between the
to leave the current position at implementation of Total Quality
HAS Hospital? Management (TQM) and innovation
performance?
Deduction & Inductive Research
Deductive Research:
Conceptual & theoretical structure is developed and
then tested empirically.
We arrive a reasoned conclusion by logical
generalization of a known fact.
Moving from general to a particular.
The researcher develop a thorough understanding of
the relevant knowledge based, and from this he or she
develops some kind of theory that can be evaluated by
the testing of hypothesis.
 Process: Identify ProblemLiterature ReviewDevelop
ModelTesting (Collect & Analysed data)
 Approach: Underpinning Theory
Deduction & Inductive Research
Inductive Research:
 Theory is developed from the observation of empirical reality.
 The approach observes events and then attempts to explain
them.
 Establish a general proposition (theory) based on observed facts.
 Moving from specific to general.
 The underlying logic: If an observer sees the same apparent
functional relationship between two variables over and
over again, it seems logical to assume that they may have
relationship between two variables.
 Example:
 You observed that the level of workers’ morale go down after 4 hours
of the shift and you conclude that morale level vary with length of
time worked.
 Approach: Grounded Theory
Overview of Research Process
• Choose a general subject area and search the literature
• Observation

• Literature Review
• Define Research Problem/Research Questions - Gap

• Literature Review: Develop concepts and constructs, model and Hypothesis

• Design the research, Accomplish the research proposal

• Collect Data

• Analyze & Interpret data. Make up a conclusion.

• Refinement of theory (basic research) or Implementation (Applied Research)

• Finish our write-up

• (Have to start writing up as soon as the early stages of the project- Since Day
1)
 Indicative Structure of a Thesis
Chapter %
of report
1. Introduction
 Background &Purpose of the study. 10
 Research Problem, Research Questions, Research Objectives
 Significant of the study

2. Literature Review
 Evaluation of the existing body of knowledge on the topic
 Theoretical Framework (if applicable)
 demonstrate an adequate understanding of the debates in the literature on the 30
topic
 Hypothesis formulation (if applicable)

3. Methodology
 Research Design
 Purpose of study (exploration/Description/Hypothesis Testing?), Sampling,
Unit of measurement, Measurement, Data collection Method, Data Analysis 20
Techniques
 Justification for choice of methods

4. Finding/Result 30
 Presentation & Discussion

5. Conclusion
 Summary of what you found out in relation to each research question
 Your contribution to knowledge
10