1 Mgt 540 Research Methods Phase II: Sekaran A different perspective

2 Hallmarks of Science Purposiveness Purposiveness Rigor Rigor Testability Testability Replicability Replicability Precision and Confidence Precision and Confidence Objectivity Objectivity Generalizability Generalizability Parsimony Parsimony

3 Reality check? 100% scientific inquiry in “management?” 100% scientific inquiry in “management?” Exactness? Exactness? Error-free? Error-free? Is Management a “science” or an “art?” Is Management a “science” or an “art?”

4 The (Basic) Research Wheel Induction Deduction Induction Observations / Data HypothesesPatterns Now, to make it a little more complex … #1 - Notice #3 - Comprehend #2 - Recognize #4 - Relate

5 Hypothetico-deductive method Fig. 2-1 “Building Blocks of Science” #1 Notice

6 Theoretical Framework Hypothesis Hypothesis generation via induction Hypothesis testing via deduction Look at Example 2.2 and 2.3

7 Deduction / Induction Induction is a process of drawing inferences from observed phenomena which may be subsequently tested through research. [A form of reasoning in which a generalized conclusion is formulated from particular instances ] Induction is a process of drawing inferences from observed phenomena which may be subsequently tested through research. [A form of reasoning in which a generalized conclusion is formulated from particular instances ] For instance – if a manager oberves that people residing at distances beyond 50 miles from the workplace remain absent more frequently than those he knows to reside close by, and infers thateby that distance is a factor in absenteeism, this is an inductive process. For instance – if a manager oberves that people residing at distances beyond 50 miles from the workplace remain absent more frequently than those he knows to reside close by, and infers thateby that distance is a factor in absenteeism, this is an inductive process. Deduction is a process of arriving at a conclusion from the result of data analysis. [A form of reasoning in which conclusions are formulated about particulars from general or universal premise ] Deduction is a process of arriving at a conclusion from the result of data analysis. [A form of reasoning in which conclusions are formulated about particulars from general or universal premise ] For example, data analysis can infer that turnover problems can be minimized by a)flexible work hours; b) recognizing superior performance through suitable merit pay raises, and c) enriching certain jobs. For example, data analysis can infer that turnover problems can be minimized by a)flexible work hours; b) recognizing superior performance through suitable merit pay raises, and c) enriching certain jobs.

8 Steps in Hypothetico- Deductive Model 1. Observation 2. Preliminary information gathering Interviews Interviews Literature surveys Literature surveys 3. Theory formulation 4. Hypothesizing 5. Further scientific data collection 6. Data analysis 7. Deduction

9 Hypothetico-deductive method Fig. 2-1 “Building Blocks of Science” #1 Notice #2 Learn #3 Relate #4 Induction #5 Collection #6 - Learn #7 Deduction

10 Business Research Software Groupware Groupware Focus groups, group interviews Focus groups, group interviews Neural networks Neural networks Project based on past data Project based on past data CAM / CAD CAM / CAD Form of “action” oriented aids Form of “action” oriented aids ERP ERP Integrated data management Integrated data management Data Analytic Data Analytic SPSS or SAS SPSS or SAS Jmp-In Jmp-In Excel Excel

11 Emerging technologies Handhelds Handhelds Interactive devices Interactive devices Digital whiteboards Digital whiteboards Videoconferencing Videoconferencing Virtual reality Virtual reality Linking PCs to other electronic devices Linking PCs to other electronic devices

12 Data use Operations Management / Research Operations Management / Research Data warehousing Data warehousing Central repositories Central repositories Data mining Data mining Application Application Research Research