1. Research Tools and Techniques
The Research Process: Step 6 (Research Design – Elements 6, 8 and 5A Measurement and Measures)
Lecture 13

2. Lecture Topics Covered Previously in the Last Lecture
Extent of Researcher Interference
Study Setting: Contrived Vs. Non Contrived
Unit of Analysis

3. What we are going to Cover in this Lecture
Time Horizon of Study
Exercises to Understand the Elements of Research Design
How Variables are Measured
Operational Definitions: Dimensions and Elements

4. THE RESEARCH PROCESS Observation (4). Theoretical Framework (7). (6).
THE RESEARCH PROCESS
(1).
Observation
 The Broad Problem Area
(2).
Preliminary Data Gathering
Interviews and Library Search
(3).
Problem Definition
 (4).
Theoretical
Framework
Variables
Identification
(5)
Generation of
Hypothesis
(6).
Scientific
Research
Design
(7).
Data Collection and Analysis
(8)
Deduction
(9).
Report Writing
(10).
Report Presentation
(11).
Managerial Decision Making

5. THE ELEMENTS OF RESEARCH DESIGN
2. Type of
Investigation
Establishing:
Causal
Relationship or
Co-relational
1. Purpose of
Study
Exploratory
Descriptive
Hypothesis
Testing
Case Study
3. Extent of
Researcher
Interference
Minimal
Moderate
Excessive
4. Study Setting
Contrived
Non-Contrived
10. Test
Application
Feel for
Data
Goodness
of Data
Hypotheses
6.Unit of Analysis
(Population to be
studied)
Individuals
Dyads
Groups
Organizations
Machines
etc.
7. Sampling
Design
Probability
Non-probability
Sample Size (n)
8. Time Horizon
One-Shot
(Cross-Sectional)
Longitudinal
9. Data
Collection
Method
Observation
Interview
Questionnaire
Physical
Measurement
5. Measurement
& Measures
Operational Definition
Scaling
Categorizing
Coding
Problem Statement

6. Groups as Unit of Analysis
Productivity
Group 1(Night Shift)
3.4
2.8
6.7
4.3
Mean=4.56
t-value = 2.87
Group 2 (Morning Shift)
3.3
4.7
6.3
6.6
Mean=5.42

7. Countries as Unit of Analysis
Top 50 Corporations Earn US$/month (Mean)
Country 1
Pakistan (700,000)
Country 2
India (900,000)
Country 3
China (5000,000)

8. TIME HORIZON: CROSS-SECTIONAL Vs LONGITUDINAL STUDIES
Cross Sectional / One Shot:
Data gathered only once maybe over a period of days/weeks/months i.e. data collection occurring by developing a questionnaire on research topic, dependent and independent variables.
Time Line
Jan

9. Longitudinal Studies:
Researcher might want to study people/phenomena at more than one point in time
JAN APR JUL OCT JAN
BEFORE ENHANCED IT SYSTEM INSTALLED AFTER

10. Exercises to Understand the Elements of Research Design Studied So far
A foreman thinks that the low efficiency of the machine operators is directly linked to the high level of fumes emitted in the workshop. He would like to prove this to his supervisor through a research study.
Would this be a causal or a correlational study? Why?
Is this an exploratory, descriptive or hypothesis testing study? Why?
Would this be a field study, lab experiment or field experiment? Why?
What would be the unit of analysis? Why?
Would this be a cross-sectional or a longitudinal study? Why?

11. Exercise 2
Many were concerned about the operations of world famous bank BCCI. If a researcher has desired to probe into details, would this investigation be
A causal or a correlational study? Why?
Is this an exploratory, descriptive or hypothesis testing study or case study? Why?
Would this be a field study, lab experiment or field experiment? Why?
Would this be a cross-sectional or a longitudinal study? Why?

12. HOW VARIABLES ARE MEASURED
Some variables lend themselves to easy measurement i.e.
The length and breadth of the room you sit in i.e. 20’x10’
How long have you been working in this organization
The # of bottles produced on average by a factory worker
Some variables are hard to measure due to their subjective nature i.e. thirst, motivation, consumer satisfaction
Abstract notions are broken down into observable characteristic behavior

13. OPERATIONAL DEFINITION: DIMENSIONS & ELEMENTS
Operationalizing or operationally defining a concept to render it measureable is done by looking at the behavioral dimensions or properties of the concept.
Dimensions are then broken down into observable and measurable elements.

14. OPERATIONALIZING THE CONCEPT OF ACHIEVEMENT MOTIVATION
The concept of achievement motivation would have five typical broad characteristics
People would be driven by work
To achieve their desired goal
They would not relax at all times
They prefer to work on their own
They would seek moderate challenge
They need feedback

15. The Concept of Achievement MotivationD D D D D
Driven by Work
Unable to Relax
Impatient with
Ineffectiveness
Seeks Moderate
Challenge
Seeks Feedback E E E
Constantly
Working E E
Not Like Slow
Inefficient
People
Prefer Challenging
Rather Routine Job
Thinks of Work
Even at Home
Ask for Feedback E
Very Reluctant to take
Time Off E E E
No/Less Hobbies
Prefer Moderate
Upon Overwhelming
Challenges
Not Like Small
Mistakes E E
Is Impatient for
the Feedback
Persevering despite
Setbacks

16. Summary Exercises to Understand the Elements of Research Design
How Variables are Measured
Operational Definitions: Dimensions and Elements
From Concepts to Elements: Some Examples