Chapter 2 ©The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., 2001Irwin/McGraw-Hill Donald Cooper Pamela Schindler Business Research Methods

Chapter 2 ©The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., 2001Irwin/McGraw-Hill Addressing Management Problems with Scientific Thinking

 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., 2001 Irwin/McGraw-Hill Click to edit Master title style Sources of Knowledge äEmpiricists attempt to describe, explain, and make predictions through observation äRationalists believe all knowledge can be deduced from known laws or basic truths of nature äAuthorities serve as important sources of knowledge, but should be judged on integrity and willingness to present a balanced case Slide 2 - 1

 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., 2001 Irwin/McGraw-Hill Click to edit Master title style The Essential Tenets of Science äDirect observation of phenomena äClearly defined variables, methods, and procedures äEmpirically testable hypotheses äAbility to rule out rival hypotheses äStatistical justification of conclusions äSelf-correcting process Slide 2 - 2

 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., 2001 Irwin/McGraw-Hill Click to edit Master title style Ways to Communicate äExposition ädescriptive statements that merely state and do not give reason äArgument äallows us to explain, interpret, defend, challenge, and explore meaning Slide 2 - 3

 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., 2001 Irwin/McGraw-Hill Click to edit Master title style Slide Important Arguments in Research Deduction is a form of inference that purports to be conclusive Induction draws conclusions from one or more particular facts

 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., 2001 Irwin/McGraw-Hill Click to edit Master title style The Building Blocks of Theory Concepts Constructs Definitions Variables Propositions and Hypotheses Theories Models Slide 2 - 5

 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., 2001 Irwin/McGraw-Hill Click to edit Master title style Understanding Concepts äA concept is a bundle of meanings or characteristics associated with certain events, objects, conditions, situations, and behaviors äConcepts have been developed over time through shared usage Slide 2 - 6

 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., 2001 Irwin/McGraw-Hill Click to edit Master title style Understanding Concepts äThe success of research hinges on: ähow clearly we conceptualize ähow well others understand the concepts we use Slide 2 - 7

 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., 2001 Irwin/McGraw-Hill Click to edit Master title style What is a Construct? äAn image or idea specifically invented for a given research and/or theory-building purpose Slide 2 - 8

 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., 2001 Irwin/McGraw-Hill Click to edit Master title style Types of Variables Independent Dependent Moderating Extraneous Intervening Slide 2 - 9

 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., 2001 Irwin/McGraw-Hill Click to edit Master title style The Role of the Hypothesis äGuides the direction of the study äIdentifies facts that are relevant äSuggests which form of research design is appropriate äProvides a framework for organizing the conclusions that result Slide

 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., 2001 Irwin/McGraw-Hill Click to edit Master title style What is a Good Hypothesis? äA good hypothesis should fulfill three conditions: äMust be adequate for its purpose äMust be testable äMust be better than its rivals Slide

 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., 2001 Irwin/McGraw-Hill Click to edit Master title style The Value of a Theory äNarrows the range of facts we need to study äSuggests which research approaches will yield the greatest meaning äSummarizes what is known about an object of study äPredicts further facts that should be found Slide