29 August 2005MBA III (Research Methodology) Course Instructor: Dr. Aurangzeb Z. Khan1 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY (Business Research Methods) Week 3

29 August 2005MBA III (Research Methodology) Course Instructor: Dr. Aurangzeb Z. Khan2 Decision-Making Decision-Making is the process of resolving a problem or choosing amongst alternative opportunities  What is the problem or opportunity?  How much Information is available?  What Information is needed? Decision-Making Situation Complete Certainty Absolute Ambiguity Value of Research

29 August 2005MBA III (Research Methodology) Course Instructor: Dr. Aurangzeb Z. Khan3 Certainty, Uncertainty, Ambiguity Certainty – Decision-maker has all the requisite information concerning the business problem (or opportunity). Research may be unnecessary. Complete certainty about the future is rare in practice Uncertainty – General nature of the business problem is clear but information about alternative courses of action is incomplete as are the events which may occur. Research may be a potentially valuable tool here Ambiguity – Nature of the problem to be solved is unclear. Objectives are vague and alternatives difficult to define. Research may be a useful excercise

29 August 2005MBA III (Research Methodology) Course Instructor: Dr. Aurangzeb Z. Khan4 Types of Research Exploratory Research: undertaken with the aim of clarifying ambiguous problems general problems usually known but not sufficiently understood the purpose is to get more information, not to uncover specific courses of action (subsequent research) Determining a specific course of action to follow is not a purpose of exploratory research! Example: Child-Care support programme for employees

29 August 2005MBA III (Research Methodology) Course Instructor: Dr. Aurangzeb Z. Khan5 Types of Research Descriptive Research: undertaken with the aim of determining the characteristics of a population or phenomenon Previous knowledge of problem exists High degree of precision or accuracy required Examples: Who are the main consumers of organic foods? How many students read the prescribed course literature? Where do most holiday-makers travelling overseas go? When do petrol stations tend to raise their prices?

29 August 2005MBA III (Research Methodology) Course Instructor: Dr. Aurangzeb Z. Khan6 Types of Research Causal Research: undertaken with the aim of identifying cause and effect relationships amongst variables are normally preceeded by exploratory and descriptive research studies Often difficult to determine because of the influence of other variables (concommitant Variation and the presence of other hidden variables) Example: Higher ice-cream consumption causes more people to drown (indicative of a causal relationship (?))

29 August 2005MBA III (Research Methodology) Course Instructor: Dr. Aurangzeb Z. Khan7 Stages in the Research Process Define Problem Planning a Research Design Planning a Sample Gathering the Data Processing and Analysing the Data Conclusions and Report

29 August 2005MBA III (Research Methodology) Course Instructor: Dr. Aurangzeb Z. Khan8 Forward and Backward Linkages  Forward Linkage – The earlier stages of a research project determine the design at a later stage Example: The goal of the research project will determine the selection of the sample and the way data is collected  Backward Linkage – The later stages of a research project determine how its earlier stages are conducted Example: The company executives require certain specific information which the researcher anticipates and for which he or she plans the data collection and analysis steps accordingly

29 August 2005MBA III (Research Methodology) Course Instructor: Dr. Aurangzeb Z. Khan9 Flowcharting the Research Process (1) Problem Discovery Secondary (historical) data Pilot Study Experience Survey Case Study Problem Definition (Statement of research objectives) Selection of exploratory research technique Selection of basic research method Survey (Interview, Questionnaire) Experiment (Laboratory, Field) Secondary Data Study Observation

29 August 2005MBA III (Research Methodology) Course Instructor: Dr. Aurangzeb Z. Khan10 Flowcharting the Research Process (2) Survey (Interview, Questionnaire) Experiment (Laboratory, Field) Secondary Data Study Observation Sample Design Probability Sampling Non-Probability Sampling Collection of Data (Fieldwork) Editing and Coding Data Data Processing and Analysis Interpretation of Findings Report

29 August 2005MBA III (Research Methodology) Course Instructor: Dr. Aurangzeb Z. Khan11 Ethical Considerations in Business Research Ethics & Morals Societal norms and values Divergent perceptions of what is considered ethical and unethical What is “ethical” in business research? Ethical Guidelines and professional associations

29 August 2005MBA III (Research Methodology) Course Instructor: Dr. Aurangzeb Z. Khan12 Ethical Interfaces in Business Research Subjects’ Rights Researchers’ Obligation Researchers’ Rights Clients’ Obligation Researchers’ Obligation Clients’ Rights Researchers’ Rights Subjects’ Obligation Research Subject Researcher Research Sponsor Subjects Rights & Clients Obligation

29 August 2005MBA III (Research Methodology) Course Instructor: Dr. Aurangzeb Z. Khan13 Ethical Behavior Considerations: Research Subjects  Truthfulness in giving information to the researcher if a research subject or respondent gives his or her consent to participate in a research study  Sustained cooperativeness with the researcher throughout the course of the research study  Adhere to responsibility if informed consent is given to the researcher  State any constraints or limitations in advance

29 August 2005MBA III (Research Methodology) Course Instructor: Dr. Aurangzeb Z. Khan14 Ethical Behavior Considerations: Researchers  No deception, be forthright and do not conceal the true purpose of the research  Maintain objectivity, courtesy and high professional standards through scientific process  No falsification, alteration or misrepresentation of data for political or other purposes  Protect the confidentiality of the research subjects and research sponsors  No faulty conclusions  No inclusion or use of information or ideas contained in competing research proposals