RSBM: Introduction to Research Business School Introduction to Research Dr Gill Green

RSBM: Introduction to Research Business School OverviewOverview n Defining research n The practice of Research n The research process n Research language

RSBM: Introduction to Research Business School DefinitionDefinition “Research is an inquiry process that has clearly defined parameters and has as its aim the: discovery or creation of knowledge, or theory building; testing, confirmation, revision, refutation of knowledge and theory; and / or investigation of a problem for local decision making” (Hernon, 1991)

RSBM: Introduction to Research Business School Research is... n A process n Active n A means of gaining new knowledge n A way of structuring knowledge to make it comprehensible to others n Based on the work of others n...

RSBM: Introduction to Research Business School Research Traditions n Scientific n Interpretivist n Engineering n Empirical n Quantitative n Qualitative

RSBM: Introduction to Research Business School Research Motivations n Pure Research –to extend abstract / conceptual thought –to contribute to theoretical knowledge n Applied Research –to extend understanding of the situation / environment / context –to contribute to effective activities / design interventions

RSBM: Introduction to Research Business School Types of Research 1 n Qualitative research –descriptive –looks at relationships between variables n Quantitative research –involves manipulating variables –seeks for cause and effect relationships

RSBM: Introduction to Research Business School Types of Research 2 n Exploratory research –builds on empirical research –novel theory creation n Application research –focuses on artefacts or applied situations –conceptualisation, prototyping, construction, demonstration, evaluation

RSBM: Introduction to Research Business School Qualitative research v Quantitative research n Cause and effect relationships are NOT being researched n Is still active and can involve surveys, questionnaires, interviews, stats, etc. n Descriptive n Ethnographic n Correlational research n... n Tests for cause and effect –X causes Z to happen –Y does not cause Z to happen n Not simply that something has a relationship with something else n Involves empirical studies (Pre-, Quasi- and Experimental Research) n Uses numerical and statistical techniques

RSBM: Introduction to Research Business School Exploratory Research v Application Research n Open ended study n Frequently unguided by theory n Provides new body of empirical knowledge n Provides a basis from which theories can be postulated n Builds on engineering tradition n Focuses on artefacts n May impact on any stage of the lifecycle n Construction –of new artefact or technique –testing in relation to construction aims n Destruction –testing of technology to identify new information about uses of it

RSBM: Introduction to Research Business School The case for triangulation n Use of multiple methods n Mixture of qualitative and quantitative n Purpose of triangulation –increases breadth (possibility of addressing different aspects of same research issue) –improves quality (conclusions arrived at by using 2+ means more likely to be valid) –use of both interpretivist and positivist paradigms reduces inherent weaknesses

RSBM: Introduction to Research Business School Identifying the important factors Formulating a hypothesis or problem statement Collecting relevant information Asking the question Testing the hypothesis Or problem statement Reviewing the hypothesis Or problem statement Reconsidering the theory Asking new questions Steps in Research

RSBM: Introduction to Research Business School Problem Statement Literature Review Data Analysed Data Collected Research Designed Problem Formulated Findings Reported Linear Research Process

RSBM: Introduction to Research Business School Recursive Research Process Theoretical Framework Findings Reported Formulate Research Plan Collect Data Selecting context and subjects Analyse Data Literature Review Topic selection Problem Description

RSBM: Introduction to Research Business School Pyramid Approach Developing and revising plan Conducting Pilot Study Location / subject identification Reporting findings Analysing data Narrowing data collection Amending research plan Collecting data Establishing theoretical framework Literature review Problem statement Research question formulation Focus / topic choosing Focused Activity Broad Exploration Preliminary Preparation

RSBM: Introduction to Research Business School Organisation Organisation n efficient time allocation n appropriate use of effort n internal structure of dissertation should be balanced and sound n logical and coherently organised arguments

RSBM: Introduction to Research Business School DisciplineDiscipline n Central n Information gathering activities n Critiquing tasks n Time allocation n Closure n Completion

RSBM: Introduction to Research Business School ConventionConvention n Writing not for self but for critical public n Audience known n Provide guidance n Offer entry to research world n Facilitate n Not limiting

RSBM: Introduction to Research Business School Research Language n Does not need to be a barrier n Often off putting because of polysyllabic tendencies, often with greek / latin roots n Is elegant and sophisticated n Makes writing research easier n Offers one word where often you need 5… n Buy a dictionary :)

RSBM: Introduction to Research Business School SummarySummary n Consideration of different traditions n Categorisation of research –Qualitative –Quantitative –Exploratory –Application n Awareness of research process