Dr Rajeshwari Patil

PGDM
Unit 1.B

Research process

(a) Research Objectives

(b) Theory
(c) Concept
(d) Construct
(e) Propositions
(f) Hypothesis
(g) Constant
(h) Variable
Chapter 1.3
Language of Research

Research Objectives
1  Research objective
Research objectives are the goal to be achieved by conducting the research study.
It is a clear, concise statement that explains the goal; or the purpose of the research.

Writing of research objectives should

1. Define the focus of the study
2. Identify the variables of study
3. Indicate the various steps involved
4. Establish the limits of the study
5. Avoid the collection of data that is not required.

How should your objectives be stated?

Action verbs like to compare, to calculate,  to assess, to determine, to verify, to calculate, to describe, to explain, etc are measurable.
On the other hand,  to appreciate, to understand, to believe, to study are difficult to measure and should be used only as exploratory
research objectives. 
1  Research objective
Role of Research Objectives
1. Define the research
2. Formulation of hypotheses.
3. Narrowing down the research
4. Development of research methodology depends
5. Research objectives talk about what the researcher wants to accomplish through the study.
6. It provides a direction and guides data collection and avoids  collection of unnecessary data.

Types of research objectives

7. Primary and Secondary Objectives
8. Primary research Objectives address the various aspects of the research problem in detail. They are formulated in a way that
specifies what you will do in your study, where this study will be done, and for what purpose.
9. While the secondary objective aims to establish the relationship between the variables.
Chapter 1.3
Language of Research

Building Blocks of a Theory

3. Building Blocks of Theory Development

 David Whetten (1989) suggests that there are four building blocks of a theory: constructs,
propositions, logic, and boundary conditions/assumptions.

1) Concept
2) Construct
3) Proposition 
4) Hypothesis
Chapter 1.3
Language of Research

Building Blocks of a Theory- Concept

 Building Blocks of a Theory- Concept

Concepts are based on our experiences. Concepts can be based on real phenomena and are a generalized idea of
something of meaning.

Examples of concepts include common demographic measures: Income, Age, Education Level, Number of Siblings.

We can measure concepts through direct and indirect observations:

1.Direct Observation: We can measure someone's weight or height. And, we can record the color of their hair or eyes.

2. Indirect Observation: We can use a questionnaire in which respondents provide answers to our questions about
gender, income, age, attitudes, and behaviors.

Constructs: Constructs are measured with multiple variables. Constructs exist at a higher level of abstraction
than concepts. Justice, Beauty, Happiness, and Health are all constructs. Constructs are considered latent variable
because they cannot be directly observable or measured. Typical constructs Brand Loyalty, Purchase Intent,
Customer Satisfaction, employee satisfaction , Commitment, Work Diversity, Organization Effectiveness . Constructs
are the basis of working hypotheses.
Building Blocks of a Theory- Concept

Scientific research operates at 2 levels

 Abstract level of concept - the level of knowledge expressing a concept that exist only as an idea
 Example Job Performance
 Students Performance

Empirical level of concept – level of knowledge that is verifiable, measurable, and observable
Building Blocks of a Theory- Concept

Means different to
Abstract Job Performance of different people
Not directly
Level salesman
measurable

Should mean the

Number of sales calls same to all
Empirical Level Number of sales directly measurable ,
Value of Sales observable
Building Blocks of a Theory- Concept

Example 1: Direct construct examples:

Height (in inches or cm)

Weight (in lbs or kg)
Blood pressure (in mmHg)

Example 2: Indirect construct examples:

Depression - Scales for depression often consist of 10 to 20 items or more, and the score for depression
is a sum of scores on these items.
Happiness - Happiness is a narrower construct than depression, but a happiness scale might still
require 5 to 10 items or more to assess well.
Chapter 1.3
Language of Research

Building Blocks of a Theory- Construct

 Building Blocks of a Theory- Construct

Constructs as mental abstractions because seldom are constructs directly observable (e.g., we cannot

directly observe depression, even though we may associate depression with signs such as a person that
often cries, engages in self-harm, has mood swings, and so forth).
Building Blocks of a Theory- Construct Operationalization
Building Blocks of a Theory- Construct Operationalization
Chapter 1.3
Language of Research

Proposition
Building Blocks of a Theory- Propositions

 Concept is the basic unit of theory development.

 But the researcher's job is not only to identify the concepts but also to define the relationship among the concepts.
 It is only then possible to explain why a phenomena has occurred , what are the different events that have occurred and how
are they integrated. 
 The statement that explains the logical linkage or relation among certain concepts is known as proposition.
Chapter 1.3
Language of Research

Hypothesis
Building Blocks of a Theory- Hypothesis

 Any assumption that the researcher makes on the probable direction of the results that might be obtained on completion of
the research process is termed as hypothesis

 A supposition or proposed explanation made on the basis of limited evidence as a starting point for further investigation.

 The research problem generally takes a form a question, hypothesis takes a declarative form.

 A hypothesis is written in such a way that it can be proven or disproven by valid and reliable data.
 Building Blocks of a Theory- Hypothesis

Criteria to be followed while designing any hypotheses

 A hypotheses must be simple, clear and declarative form.

 A hypotheses must be measurable and quantifiable so that the statistical authenticity of the relationship can be established.

 A hypotheses is a academic statement based on the existing literature and not based on gut feeling.

 The validation of the hypothesis would necessarily involve testing the statistical significance of the relation.

 E.G High organizational commitment will lead to lower turnover intention.

In the above example

 The statement is declarative
 The relationship between the variables, organizational commitment and turnover intention is established.
 It is measurable
 Correlation between the variable can be tested
 Building Blocks of a Theory- Hypothesis

1. Imagine you were interested in investigating the influence of humor in ads on sales.
Steps :
a. identify the variable
b. build the relationship between the variables
Your hypothesis could be :

A funny ad will result in more sales than an ad that is not funny.

2  Imagine that you were interested in investigating whether the number of pages in a book influences book 
sales.  Your hypothesis could be the following:

Books with more pages will sell more copies

3. Formulate hypothesis for “ DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN IN RURAL AREA.”

Higher the illiteracy in a society, higher will be the discrimination against women

Higher the traditional practices in a society, higher will be the discrimination against women
 Building Blocks of a Theory- Hypothesis

Types of Hypothesis

1. Simple Hypothesis
2. Complex Hypothesis
3. Null Hypothesis
4. Alternate Hypothesis
5. Descriptive hypothesis
6. Relational Hypothesis
Chapter 1.3
Language of Research

Variables
Building Blocks of a Research- Variables

Examples of research objectives IDENTIFY THE KEY WORDS

● To find out what motivates consumers to buy a product online.

● To study the effect of leadership style on employees ’ job satisfaction.

● To investigate the relationship between capital structure and profitability of the firm.

● To establish success factors regarding the adoption and use of information systems.

● To determine the optimal price for a product.

● To investigate the influence of the in‐store shopping environment on impulse buying.

● To establish the determinants of employee involvement.

● To understand the causes of employee absence.

Building Blocks of a Research- Variables

A variable in research simply refers to a person, place, thing, or phenomenon that you are trying to measure in some way.

The variables should be measurable so that you will be able to use your data for statistical analysis.

"The [independent variable] causes a change in [dependent variable] and it is not possible that [dependent variable] could
cause a change in [independent variable]." 

 
Example: Phenomenon: climate change
Examples of variables related to climate change:
1. sea level
2. temperature
3. the amount of carbon emission
4. the amount of rainfall
Building Blocks of a Research- Variables

Phenomenon: Crime and violence in the streets

What are the variables used to study Crime and violence in the streets?

1.number of robberies
2.number of attempted murders
3.number of prisoners
4.number of crime victims
5.number of convictions
6.number of car napping incidents

Phenomenon: poor performance of students in college entrance exams

7.entrance exam score
8.number of hours devoted to studying
9.student-teacher ratio
10.number of students in the class
11.educational attainment of teachers
12.teaching style
13.the distance of school from home
 Building Blocks of a Research- Types Variables

Teaching method and Student Scores

INDEPENDENT VARIABLES
. . . are those variables that the researcher has control over. This "control" may involve manipulating existing
variables (e.g., modifying existing methods of instruction) or introducing new variables (e.g., adopting a totally
new method for some sections of a class) in the research setting. Whatever the case may be, the researcher
expects that the independent variable(s) will have some effect on (or relationship with) the dependent
variables.

DEPENDENT VARIABLES

. . . show the effect of manipulating or introducing the independent variables. For example, if the independent
variable is the use or teaching procedure, then the dependent variable is students' scores on a test of the content
taught using that procedure. In other words, the variation in the dependent variable depends on the variation in the
independent variable.
Quick Recap

Imagine that a tutor asks 100 students to complete a maths test. The tutor wants to know why some students perform
better than others. Whilst the tutor does not know the answer, she thinks that it might be because of two reasons: (1)
some students spend more time revising for their test; and (2) some students are naturally more intelligent than others.
As such, the tutor decides to investigate the effect of revision time and intelligence on the test performance of the 100
students.

Identify the dependent and independent variables for the study?

(d) Types of variables

MODERATOR VARIABLES

. . . affect the relationship between the independent and dependent variables by modifying the
effect of the original IV-DV relationship.

A moderating variable is also called an interaction variable. 

The moderating variable is the  second independent variable that has to be included because it is
believed to have a significant contributory or contingent effect on the original IV–DV relationship. 
Since the moderating variable is the second independent variable, the research hypothesis
determines which of the two independent variables should be treated as moderating variables. if
the purpose of investigation is investors sentiments on the price of the stocks, then new economic
policy is the moderating variable. 
Read carefully

It has been found that there is a relationship between the availability of reference manuals that manufacturing
employees have access to and the product rejects. That is, when workers follow the procedures laid down in the
manual, they are able to manufacture products that are flawless. Although this relationship can be said to hold true
generally for all workers, it is nevertheless contingent on the inclination or urge of the employees to look in the manual
every time a new procedure is to be adopted. In other words, only those who have the interest and urge to refer to the
manual every time a new process is adopted will produce flawless products.

Dependent Variable

No of Rejects The Relation between IDV and DV

Independent Variable Availability of

Availability of reference manuals reference No of Rejects

manuals

Interest
Moderating Variable
 Read carefully

Let us take another example of a moderating variable.

A prevalent theory is that the diversity of the workforce (comprising people of

different ethnic origins, races, and nationalities) contributes more to
organizational effectiveness because each group brings its own special The Relation between IDV and DV
expertise and skills to the workplace. This synergy can be exploited, however,
only if managers know how to harness the special talents of the diverse work Organizational
group; otherwise they will remain untapped. In the above scenario, Workforce diversity
effectiveness

organizational effectiveness is the dependent variable, which is positively

influenced by workforce diversity – the independent variable. However, to IDV Managerial expertise DV
harness the potential, managers must know how to encourage and coordinate
Moderating Variable
the talents of the various groups to make things work. If not, the synergy will
not be tapped. In other words, the effective utilization of different talents,
perspectives, and eclectic problem‐ solving capabilities for enhanced
organizational effectiveness is contingent on the skill of the managers in acting
as catalysts. This managerial expertise then becomes the moderating variable.
These relationships can be depicted as
Read carefully

EXERCISE 1

A manager finds that off‐the‐job classroom training The Relation between IDV and DV

has a great impact on the productivity of the employees in her

department. However, she also observes that employees over 60
years of age do not seem to derive much benefit and do not
improve with such training IDV DV
EXERCISE 2
Moderating Variable
A manager of an insurance company finds that “fear appeals” in
commercials are positively associated with consumers’
behavioral intentions to insure their house. This effect is
particularly strong for people with a high inherent level of
anxiety.
(d) Types of variables

Teaching method and Student Scores

INTERVENING VARIABLES also called as Mediating Variable

 ……refer to abstract processes that are not directly observable but that link the independent and dependent variables
Eg language used and teaching, they are usually inside the student’s heads, which the researcher cannot observe.

……links the dependent and independent variable

For example, if the use of a particular teaching technique is the independent variable and students scores is the dependent
variable, then the language used by the student/teacher are the intervening variables.
(d) Types of variables

Example

A prevalent theory is that the diversity of the workforce (according to different ethnic origins, races, and nationalities)

contributes more to organizational effectiveness because each group brings it own special expertise and skills to the workplace.

This synergy can be exploited, however, only if managers know how to harness the special talents of the diverse work group;

otherwise, they will remain untapped.

Workforce synergy
Organizational
diversity effectiveness
Original Relation

Managerial expertise
Unit 3

Research process

(a) Steps in Research process

(b) Formulating a research problem
(c) Concept and Construct
(d) Variable and types of variables and their control
(e) Hypothesis: Criteria of a good hypothesis, Types of Hypothesis
(d) Types of variables

Consider this…….
In a consulting firm, the management is looking at the option of flexi time work schedule.
The study is undertaken to see whether there will be an increase in productivity of each individual subsequent to the
introduction of flexi time work schedule.

Independent Variable: flexi time work schedule

Dependent variable : productivity

In real time, proposition needs to revised considering the impact of other variables such as perception
Thus the intervening variable is women employee’s perception.
If you modify the perception through orientation then the moderating variable is orientation.
(d) Types of variables

Identify …….
Proposition 1: Turnover intention is an inverse function of organization commitment especially for workers who have a higher
job satisfaction.

Independent Variable:
Dependent variable :
Moderating variable:

Turnover intention is an inverse function of job satisfaction especially for workers who have a higher organization commitment
Independent Variable:
Dependent variable :
Moderating variable:
(d) Types of variables

EXTRANEOUS VARIABLES

. . . Several other factors operating in a real life situation may affect or effect changes in the dependent varable. These
factors if not measured in the study, may increase or decrease the magnitude or strength of the relationship between
independent and dependent relationship.

Example:
The researcher wants to test the hypothesis that there is relationship between self study and achievement in a maths.
Independent Variable: self study
Dependent variable : achievement
EXTRANEOUS variable: Intelligence
Unit 3

Research process

(a) Steps in Research process

(b) Formulating a research problem
(c) Concept and Construct
(d) Variable and types of variables and their control
(e) Hypothesis: Criteria of a good hypothesis, Types of Hypothesis
1.3 Research process

1 Defining Research problem

2 Reviewing Literature

3 Formulating Hypothesis

4 Designing Research

5 Collecting Data

6 Analyzing data

7 Preparing Reports
1.3 Research process
 Unit 1.4 Management - Research Question Hierarchy

The process of Management - Research Question Hierarchy is designed to move the research
through various levels of questions, with specific function within the overall business research
process.
 Unit 1.4 Management - Research Question Hierarchy
There are six steps to the management research
question hierarchy for a management dilemma that
can be faced at work.

Step 1: Management Dilemma: Example:

Here you try to answer that what factors have An increased number of complaints have been
resulted in the current problem? What received regarding a product due to delay in its
environmental factors have stimulated the issue? delivery.

Step 2: Management Question: Example:

How can management fully eliminate the factors What can be done so that the delay in delivery of
that are causing this problem? How can they avail the product does not occur again?
the opportunity?

Step 3: Research Question:

By taking which course of action can the Example:
management eliminate the factors that are causing Should the delivery service be switched to another
the problem? What course of action is available so company?
that opportunity can be availed?
 Unit 1.4 Management - Research Question Hierarchy
There are six steps to the management research
question hierarchy for a management dilemma that
can be faced at work.

Step 4: Investigative Question: Example:

Which alternate is most suitable for the managers Which specific delivery company can be used for the
in order to avail the opportunity? delivery of this product?

Step 5: Measurement Question: Example:

How can the questions be measured? What needs to What is the approximate delivery time of the best
be asked or observed for the information needed to delivery company in the city?
solve the problem and the management research
question?

Step 6: Management Decision: Example:

Based on the findings gained from the research, Based on the data gathered, should the company
what action course should the management take? switch to a new delivery company or not?
Unit 1.5 Research proposal

1. Introduction
2. Literature Review
3. Identification of Gap
4. Research Questions/Hypothesis
5. Proposed methodology for the research work
6. Innovation/Path-breaking aspects of the Proposed Research
7. Expected Output such as papers in journals, edited book/(s), book
8. Any new Ideas to be generated where data deficiency is felt
9. Relevance of the proposed study for policymaking
10. Relevance of the proposed study for society
11.Milestones set for each successive quarter of the study
12.Budget and Duration
 Unit 2

Literature Review: How to conduct and write review of literature, Writing Annotated Bibliography, Use of
Reference Management Application (Mendeley)

Practical Session