BUSINESS

RESEARCH
 Welcome
to CHAPTER
1! Learning Outcomes
Define Business Research;
Understand the difference between
qualitative and quantitative business
research and the difference between
basic and applied research;
Know the kinds of Business Research;
Determine the criteria for a good
business research; and
Distinguish the different formats of
business research.
 What is
Business
Research?
Business Research is a type of scientific
research that tries to address the
concerns of the firm and/or industry.
Business Research offers solution/s to the
different functional business areas such as
human resource, marketing, financial and
operations management.
It also gives an analysis of the perception,
preference, and behavior of the customers,
employees, and other stakeholders.
The processed result of the business
research becomes the basis for making
decisions.
Contracted Business Research - if the
result of the business research is intended
only for a particular company use.
Institutional Business Research - if the
result is intended for general application
and appreciation of the business, the
industry, and the academic community.
Business Research Class | ACLC College of Bukidnon
Difference Between
Qualitative and
Quantitative
Research

Business Business Qualitative

Quantitative
Research
-uses survey questionnaire
(or research instrument) for
collecting primary data
(perception and preference of
respondents)
-can be generalized across the
population, if sampling method
was done randomly
Research
- uses observation (behavior of
the respondents) or depth
interview (opinion and ideas of
respondents) for collecting data
-its findings cannot be
generalized across the
population, as it is treated like a
case study
Can quantitative and
qualitative business methods
be combined?
YES.
Triangulation - The result of
qualitative business research
can be used to validate the
result of quantitative
business research.
E.g. use of survey to
respondents and interview
to another group of
respondents within the same
study.
Specific example of Triangulation
Triangulation: requires "various"
levels of analysis.
Researcher tries to evaluate
the human resource
practices of a certain
company.
Employees will evaluate the
services and functions of the
HR Department using survey
questionnaire, and HR
Practitioners will be
interviewed to check on the
details of their services and
functions rendered to
employees.
 Difference between basic business
research and applied business
research
Basic (academic) Business Research is strict on American Psychological Association (APA)
compliance. It is dependent on the problematic situation identified by the researcher and the
findings are expected to be generalized across the population of the study. More likely a
quantitative method.

Applied Business Research is lenient and would depend on the preference of the client (for
easy interpretation and decision). It is dependent on the problem that the client would want to
be solved and the findings cannot be generalized as it is just a case study. More likely a
qualitative method.
 Kinds of Business Research
1. CONCLUSIVE (for Quantitative Business Research)
It is designed to help managers make decisions based on the information provided by business research.
Manager and decision maker makes informed decisions.

Informed decisions rely on researched information as basis for making decisions.

Conclusive research can be applied through descriptive research, correlational research, causal research, or a
combination of descriptive and correlational or causal research.

a) Descriptive Research
-a kind of quantitative research that describes the problem or phenomenon that the researcher or client wants to address or
know.

-It answers the questions who, what, when, where, why and how in the statement of the problem

-Most business studies are done using descriptive research

-The results are presented through frequency count, percentage, ratio, rank, some descriptive statistics, or mean (by
interpreting the scale, its level and meaning)

Business Research Class | ACLC College of Bukidnon

 Kinds of Business Research
b) Correlational Research

-a kind of quantitative research that measures the relationships of variables statistically to determine its dependence or
interdependence

-It is simply done using correlations or t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA), or some multivariate techniques like factor
analysis (FA), multiple regression analysis (MRA), cluster analysis, perceptional mapping, or conjoint analysis.

-In most business studies, descriptive research and correlational research are combined to have a comprehensive result

c) Causal Research

--a kind of quantitative research that hypothesizes cause and effect variables.

-It is intended to address complicated relationships of variables

-It uses multivariate tools like covariance-based structural equation modeling (CB-SEM) or partial least squares structural
equation modeling (PLS-SEM)

-This particular research may not be discussed in this course

Business Research Class | ACLC College of Bukidnon

 Kinds of Business Research
2. EXPLORATORY (for Qualitative Business Research)
- It is designed to find more information about the problem, issue, or phenomenon.

- It is also intended to reduce the research options to a manageable size.

- Exploratory research can be applied through depth interviews, focus group discussions, and ethnographic research.

a)Depth Interview
-a kind of exploratory research where the researcher conducts a detailed personal interview (with guide questions that the
respondent is aware of earlier) with the respondent.

- The activity is normally recorded so that the transcript can be printed and used to support for the depth interview

- The raw transcript will be summarized and interpreted by the researcher

-Because the activity relies on the expert opinion of the respondents, only a handful of respondents are included in the
interview – around 8-10. If a quantitative research is done with similar concerns or problems, the result of the depth interview
(qualitative research) can be used to validate the result of the quantitative research. The process is called Triangulation.

Business Research Class | ACLC College of Bukidnon

 Kinds of Business Research

b) Focus Group Discussion (FGD)

-- a kind of exploratory research where the researcher solicits ideas about a particular topic or problem from the target
respondents.

- the researcher selects around 10-12 respondents (representing the population) in one area and serves as the
facilitator.

-the researcher asks questions to the respondents and allows them to process the questions while recording it for
documentation purposes.

- there must be some identifier for the respondents (but not the name of the respondent) for purposes of
documentation

-the raw transcript is summarized and used as basis for qualifying a particular concern (e.g. a product, idea, or variable) in
the quantitative research

Business Research Class | ACLC College of Bukidnon

 Kinds of Business Research
c) Ethnographic or Observation Research

-- a kind of qualitative research where the researcher observes the respondent or respondents directly.

- It is done through:

1) direct observation (with the respondent informed beforehand of such observation)

2)direct observation (with the respondent uninformed of such

observation) There are issues concerns here:

a) If the respondent is made aware of such observation, he or she may be conscious of his or her behavior, thus defeating
the purpose of observing the behavior normally)

b) IF the respondent is not made aware of such observation (assuming a spy eyeglasses with video-recording capability is
applied), there is an ethical issue involved – intrusion of privacy

c) If the observation is successful, could the researcher interpret the observed behavior? In this regard, we need experts
like a psychologist to interpret the perception, motivation, etc.; we need a sociologist to interpret social behavior; and we
need an anthropologist to interpret culture and symbols

Business Research Class | ACLC College of Bukidnon

Kinds of Business Research

3. Business Case Analysis

- involves the study of particular company, group, or person through personal interviews and published literature.

The personality of those involved in the case (company officers and personnel) is reflected and discussed in
the case to make it interesting.

The case is written for purposes of class discussion.

The case is intended to elicit the students’ participation by applying whatever concepts they have learned from the
business courses they have taken.

It cannot be generalized as it is about a particular company only.

Business Research Class | ACLC College of Bukidnon

 Criteria for a Good Business
Research
For Quantitative basic business
research:

- It must be grounded on
theory and empirically
verifiable, especially if the
research model is confirmatory
in nature. The findings should
validate the variables of the
theory.
- If exploratory in nature and no
existing theory available, then
some valid explanation would
suffice, but subject to
hypothesis testing and more
empirical testing (to avoid
accidental generalization)
It must contribute to the
advancement of knowledge in
business and management.
It results in scientific
knowledge that is ethically
neutral (not offensive).
For Qualitative Basic Business
Research:
The observation could be
interpreted by the experts
(psychologist, sociologist, or
anthropologist). Their
interpretation serves as basis for
the managers to understand the
customers to pave the way for a
correct strategy.
FORMAT OF A BUSINESS
RESEARCH
In general, the format for a basic business research is still based on the
Traditional Format, which is known as Format A.

Format A has 5 Chapters.

The APA has come up with its format called Format B, which has 4
Chapters. The Chapters 1 and 2 in Format A are merged into one Chapter
in Format B; this explains why it is comprised of four chapters only.

Some schools are also modifying the research format to suit their specific
research requirements.

There is no standard format for applied research. It still incorporates some

chapters and components of the traditional format, but it is much more
simplified to suit the needs of the clients.

The institutional format of the university/school has to be observed

by the students.

Business Research Class | ACLC College of Bukidnon

 FORMAT A (Traditional Format)
Title Page
Abstract - about purpose, methodology, major findings, and/or conclusions (150-200
words) Acknowledgment
List of Tables
List of
Figures

Chapter 1 -
INTRODUCTION
1. Backgrou
nd of the
Study
2. Theoretica
l/
Conceptua
l
Framewor
k
3. Statement
of the
Problem
4. Hypothesi
s of the
Study (if
any)
5. Assumptio
n/s of the
Study (if
any)
6. Significan
ce of the
Study
 FORMAT A (Traditional Format)
Chapter 2 - REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
1. Chapter Introduction - Overview of Topics to be Reviewed in this Chapter
2. Literature about specific variables used in conceptual framework
3. Literature about the major measurement tool used in the study (if required by the panel of examiners)
4. Synthesis of the variables reviewed (if required by the panel of examiners)

Chapter 3 -RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

5. Research Design
6. Sampling Plan
7. Research Locale - where the respondents will be surveyed or interviewed
8. Sample Size - with the sampling formula; if the population is not large, total enumeration (census) can be
applied
9. Sampling Procedure - detailing how the respondents will be randomly selected
10. Research Instrument - survey questionnaire, FGD, and/or depth interview
11. Statistical Treatment - how the data will be processed, analyzed and interpreted
12. Ethical Consideration (if required by the school or the panel of examiners)
 FORMAT A (Traditional Format)
Chapter 4 - PRESENTATION, INTERPRETATION and ANALYSIS OF DATA
1. Demographic Profile of the Respondents
2. Findings - Frequency Tables, Charts, Statistical Output - tests performed
3. Implications to Theory, Research and Practice (if required by the school or panel of examiners)

Chapter 5 -CONCLUSIONS and RECOMMENDATIONS

4. Summary of Problems and Hypothesis - some schools would omit this as it is already covered in the previous
discussion
5. Summary of Findings - some school would omit this as it is already covered in the previous discussion
6. Conclusions - generalization of the findings on each problem
7. Recommendations - intervention to address the gap found in the findings; includes recommendations for
those establishments and individuals included in the significance of the study and for further research

Bibliography or References - arranged alphabetically

Appendices - survey instrument/s, statistical output, and other related documents
Add-ons: Curriculum Vitae of Researcher/s - with picture (if required by the school or panel of examiners)
Curriculum Vitae of the Adviser - with piture (if required by the school or panel or examiners)
 FORMAT B (APA Format)
Title Page
Abstract - about purpose, methodology, major findings (150-200
words) Acknowledgment/s
Table of Contents
List of Tables and Figures

Chapter 1 -
The Problem and Review of Related Literature (the equivalent of
Chapters 1 and 2 of the traditional format)
Review of Related
Literature Synthesis of the
Review Conceptual
Framework Hypothesis of
the Study Definition of
Terms
Scope of Limitations
Significance of the
Study
 FORMAT B (APA Format)
Chapter 2 - RESEARCH METHODOLOGY (the equivalent of Chapter 3 of the traditional format)
Research Method/Design
Participants
Instrument
Procedure
Data
Analysis

Chapter 3 -
RESULTS AND
DISCUSSIONS
(the equivalent of
Chapter 4 of the
traditional format)
Significant
Research
Result
(Presentation
of Data)
Discussion
(Analysis of
Data)

Chapter 4 -
Summary of
Findings,
Conclusions, and
Recommendation
s ( the equivalent
of Chapter 5 of the
traditional format)
Findings
Other Business Research Format

MARKET STUDY (no standard format)

a. Title Page
b. Executive Summary
c. Market Study Introduction
d. Market Study Objectives
e. Socioeconomic Profile of Target Market
f. Competitor Analysis
g. Trend Analysis
h. Survey Result Sample (representing the target market)
i. Demand Determination and Estimation
j. Demand and Supply Analysis (identifying gaps)
k. Marketing Mix Conceptualization
l. Recommendations
Other Business Research Format

FEASIBILITY STUDY
a. Title Page
b. Executive Summary
c. Market Feasibility
d. Technical Feasiblity
e. Operations and Management Feasibiltiy
f. Socioeconomic Contribution
g. Financial Feasibility
h. Recommendations
Additional
Resources
for Chapter
1
1. Research Methods as an Area of Study
2.Research Methods versus
Research Methodology
3. The Nature of Business Research
1.What might be SPECIAL about
Business Research?
2. Modes of Knowledge
4.What kind of business problems
might need of research study?
5.What are the key issues in
research methods we need to
understand?
Business Research Class | ACLC College of Bukidnon
Research Methods as an Area of
Study
Business Research Methods is wearing two hats: ACADEMIC HAT and/or BUSINESS HAT

Research Methods versus Research Methodology

Research "methods" refers to specific activities designed to generate data (e.g. questionnaires,
interviews, focus groups, observation)

Research "methodology" is more about your attitude to and your understanding of research and
the strategy you choose to answer research questions

The Nature of Business Research

Understanding Research Methods or Business Research in general, helps us to be specific about the
research we discuss, and to make sure that research comes from a valid source and was collected
and analyzed appropriately.

In Business Research, the questions we ask must be valid and fair, relating directly to our need
for information, in other words our research must have a clear objective purpose, we are not
collecting information for its own sake.
 The Nature of Business
Research
We must collect data (information) in a fair and systematic way. For example, we should think
about who we ask for information, and how they will understand our questions. If we cannot ask
everyone involved, then we must be able to justify why we ask only a certain section of the
population.

We must also analyze our data with great care in a systematic way. The rigor of our analysis will
have a major effect on whether our research results are valid or not.

What might be SPECIAL about Business

Research?
Business Research is NOT A SINGLE PURE ACADEMIC DISCIPLINE like Chemistry. In business
research, the issues are not so narrowly focused. We will need to understand things about the people
as managers, staff, customers, and owners, about business entities such as companies and
partnerships and co-operatives, about economies and how they affect business operations, about
the products and services and how they vary over time, how they can b e produced efficiently,
about money and what regulates its availability, how it produces profit, and Governments and how
their policy affects business operations, customer's income and needs etc.
What might be SPECIAL about Business
Research?
Business is an umbrella term for many different things, and involves a number of different
academic disciplines , such as mathematics, psychology, sociology, physics, economics, politics,
history and language.

When we do Business Research, we will be drawing on a number of different discipline and domains.
Business Research is multi-disciplinary.

Business research can also be conducted at different levels (e.g. predict project life cycle, trend
analysis, government intervention, forecast sales, branding, etc.)

It would be helpful to understand relevant theory, in order to interpret the "facts" we find.

Business Research conducted to achieve practical outcome, from this it will be best understood in a
context. A theoretical context, for example, industrial sociology, or economics, that helps to
analyze the situation more effectively and critically. It could be a move toward theory creation.
 MODES OF
KNOWLEDGE
Modes of Knowledge created through Business Research:

1)Mode 1 Knowledge (Gibbons et al., 1994) - knowledge created by academics for an

academic intellectual purpose, to further and add to what is known. A basic business research. It
has tends to be built on the foundations of what was known before, just as in any academic
essay, you must discuss what is known (published) before you start to do your own research
or consider how that knowledge might be further discussed or developed.

2)Mode 2 Knowledge - which is a practical applied knowledge (applied business research)

and it comes from collaborating with practitioners or policy makers, for example managers in
an organization. This kind of knowledge is much more dependent on an understanding of
context because it is essentially "real world" knowledge.

3)Mode 3 Knowledge (Huff and Huff, 2001) - knowledge which is neither produced for
academic purposes nor for direct application to practical need, but for understanding the bigger
picture in relation to society's survival and the "common good".
What Kind of Business Problems Might Need a Research
Study?
When choosing an area for business research, we usually start either with a broad area of business
management, which particularly interests us, e.g. Operations Management or Marketing Management
or Human Resource Management... or we start with a very particular question like: "what are the most
effective ways in introducing a new employee to the organization?" or "how marketing strategy differ
in the aerospace industry?"

Refining from this point to a re-searchable question or objective is NOT easy. We need to do a
number of things:

1)Narrow down the study topic to one, which are both interested in and have the time to
investigate thoroughly
2)Choose a topic context where we can find some access to practitioners if possible; either a
direct connection with an organization or professional body, or a context which is well documented
either on the web or in the literature
3)Identify relevant theory or domains of knowledge around the question for reading
and background understanding
4)Write and re-write the question or working title, checking thoroughly the implications of each
phrase or word to check assumptions and ensure we really mean what we write.
5)Use the published literature and discussion with others to help us narrow down firmly to
an angle or gap in the business literature, which will be worthwhile to explore.
6)Identify both the possible outcomes from this research topic, both theoretical and practical.
If they are not clear, can we refine the topic so that they become clear?
What are the Key Issues in Business Research Methods we Need
to Understand?
RESEARCH IS A MESSY ACTIVITY!

Formulating the research topic can take quite a time.

Critically reviewing the literature - this stage seems to come early on in the research, and that is
how it should be, since we must read what is is published on a topic before we can begin to
formulate clear ideas about how to proceed with primary research and what questions still need
answers.

THE RESEARCHER AFFECTS THE RESULTS OF RESEARCH!

Researcher try very hard to be objective and balanced in their inquiries and their writing.
Because researchers are people, not machines, not only will their method of research affect their
results, but their values will also affect their result. The researcher's mindset and personal values
and experience will provide filter for which method they use and what they see in the research
results.
In Business Research, we must try our hardest to look for possible bias in both how we conduct
the research and in what we think we have found. We must be explicit about the perspective
which may colour our research, so that readers of our results can understand we do not find "the
truth", just one version of the truth in particular context.
The Difference Between Qualitative and Quantitative
Business Research
Two Major Approaches to Business Research: Quantitative Approach and
Qualitative

Deductive versus Inductive

Deductive approach - begins by looking at theory, produces hypothesis from that theory,
which relate to the focus of research, and then proceeds to test that theory.
Inductive approach - starts by looking at the focus of research (the organization, a business
problem, an economic issue etc) and through investigation by various research methods, aims
to generate theory from the research.

Positivist versus Interpretivist

Positivist approach - usually associated with natural science research and involves
empirical testing. It promotes the idea of experimentation and testing to prove or disprove
hypotheses (deductive) and then generates new theory by putting facts together to generate
"laws" or principles (inductive). Positivist research is about objective rather than subjective
(normative) statements and only the objective statements are seen to be the proper domain of
scientists.
Interpretivist approach - much more common in social sciences, in which business and
management belongs. Because business and management involve people as well as things,
the interpretivist argument promotes idea that subjective thought and ideas are valid. An
interpretivist researcher aims to see the world through the eyes of the people being
studied, allowing them multiple perspectives of reality, rather than "one reality"
positivism.
The Difference Between Qualitative and Quantitative Business
Research

Objectivist versus Constructivist

Objectivist approach - states that social entities (like organizations, societies, teams) have an
existence, which is separate from the people in them. Objectivism is fine. Objectivist view
would say there definitely is an entity (the organization) independent people in the
organization which can learn and foster learning.
Constructivist approach - in contrary that the organization has no independent reality.

A Quantitative Approach to business research is likely to be associated with a deductive

approach to testing theory, often using number or fact and therefore a positivist or natural science
model, and an objectivist view of the objects studied.

A Qualitative Approach to business research is likely to be associated with an inductive

approach to generating theory, often using an interpretivist model allowing the existence of
multiple subjective perspectives and constructing knowledge rather than seeking to "find" it in
"reality".

In current business and management research, you are likely to find mix of both quantitative
and qualitative strategies, looking at observable objective facts where they might be seen to exist,
through the use and manipulation of numbers, and looking also at the perceptions of those involved
with these "facts".

So in practical sense, we try to use the best of both worlds to investigate the messy reality of
people and organizations.
 LEARNING ACTIVITY fo r CHAPTER 1
Instruction: Encode your answers in a long bond paper. Submit it on time to avoid score deductions. Not
following instruction for desired answers will also get score deductions. Deadline: August 29, 2023.

1. How useful is business research for a manager in any

organization? (Answer essay with 150-200 words)

2. Why do you consider 3. Based on your readings,

business research a scientific what are the criteria of a
endeavor? (Answer essay with good
150-200 words) business research? (Answer
essay with 150-200 words)

4. Search through scholar.google.com or emerald.com,

download ONE PDF type published business research, using
that file, analyze the approaches to business research it
uses.

Identify the Title of the Research, the Theory or

Domains use in the Research, the Research Instruments
and the kind of business research (is it descriptive,
correlational, causal, depth interview, FGD or Observation
research?)
 Thank you for
joining today's
class.

Business Research Class | ACLC College of Bukidnon