1st and 2nd

Learning Outcomes

Students should be able to describe what research is and how it is defined, and explain the scope of business research

OutlinesDefinition of business researchType of business research: applied and basicThe use of research in business The hallmarks of scientific researchCharacteristics of scientific research The building blocks of science in researchKey questions in planning researchExamples of research areas in businessThe role of information technology in business

research

Research Isn’tResearch isn’t information gathering:

Gathering information from resources such books or magazines isn’t research.

No contribution to new knowledge.

Research isn’t the transportation of facts:Merely transporting facts from one resource to

another doesn’t constitute research.No contribution to new knowledge although

this might make existing knowledge more accessible.

What Research Is

Research can be described as organized and systematic inquiry or investigation which provides information for solving a problem or finding answers to a complex issue

(Uma Sekaran, 2003)

Business Research Is: an Organized, Systematic, Data Based,

Critical, Objective, Scientific inquiry or Investigation into a specific problem, undertaken with the purpose of finding answers or solutions to it.

(Uma Sekaran, 2003)

Types of Business ResearchApplied research

A study which is undertaken to resolve current problem Xerox is insular and isn’t ready for the increasingly

competitive, high-tech world. Xerox sill relies on old-fashioned and slow-selling analog copiers for more than half its revenue and despite its double-digit growth in digital products and services, its sales rose just 4%.

Basic (pure/fundamental) research A study to generate scientific knowledge for future use

Research into the causes and consequences of global warming will offer many solutions to minimize the phenomenon, and lead to further research concerning if and how global warming can be averted.

Other Types of ResearchCase studies:

involve in-depth, contextual analyses of similar situations in other organizations, where the problem happen to be the same as experienced in the current situation. A study of what contributes to the successful installation

of a good MIS in organizations similar to the one that is planning to install the system as well.

Action research: undertaken to initiate change processes in

organizations The vice president of BCD Co., wants to introduce a new

system of bookkeeping and meet some resistance from the Accounting Department. Therefore, he seeks a solution to the problem of employee resistance.

Examples of Research Areas in BusinessProblems of

AbsenteeismCommunicationMotivationProductivityMorale

Make or buy decisionsAdvertising effectivenessTest marketingBudget allocationsAccounting procedures

The Hallmarks of Scientific ResearchPurposivenessRigorTestabilityReplicabilityPrecision and ConfidenceObjectivityGeneralizabilityParsimony

Research Sequence

Explore situationidentify problem

exists

Explore situationidentify problem

exists

Develop researchdesign

Develop researchdesign Collect dataCollect data

Analyze dataInterpret results

Analyze dataInterpret results

Evaluate resultssee if research

questions has beenanswered

Evaluate resultssee if research

questions has beenanswered

Decide next stepsImplement or more research.

Decide next stepsImplement or more research.

What is Good Research….?The purpose of the research or the problem

involved, should be clearly definedThe research procedures used should be

described detailThe research design should be carefully planned

to yield results as objective as possibleThe research should report the result and

estimate their effect upon the findingsAnalysis of the data should be adequate to reveal

its significance and the methods of analysis uses should be appropriate

Conclusions should be confined the research dataGreater confidence for experienced researcher

The Building Blocks of Science in Research

Explanation…….The process of observation is sensing the

phenomena around us is what gets most of the research started. Then, problem identification calls for some preliminary data gathering. Integration of the information obtained, helps to determine that a problem exists, thus it formulates a conceptual model or theoretical framework. Several hypotheses can be generated and tested to determine if the data support them. Concepts are then operationally defined so that they can be measured. A research design is set up to decide on how to collect further data, analyze and interpret them, to finally provide answers to the problems.

Planning your Research: Key Questions

What do you want to know?How do you find out what you want to know?Where can you get the information?Who do you need to ask?When does your research need to be done?Why? (Getting the answer)

Step 1: What? What do I want to know?When developing your research question,

keep in mind: Who your research is for; What decisions your research will inform; What kind of information is needed to inform those

decisions.

Conduct a local information scanTake another look at your research

question

Step 2: How? Where? Who? How do I find out what I want to know?Where can I get the information I need?Who do I need to ask? Choose your methodology

quantitative or numbers information qualitative in-depth explanatory information case studies site visits or observation participatory research

Step 3: When?

When do all the different parts of the research need to be done?

List all your research work areasMap them against a timelineDevelop a work plan

Step 4: Why? Getting the answer

Collect your dataKeep returning to your research questionOrganize your research results to answer

the questionKeep in mind who you are doing the

research for Focus on what research results do tell youBe creative, methodical and meticulous

The Role of IT in Business ResearchThe use of internetElectornic mail (e-mail)IntranetBrowserWeb sitesDigital whiteboardsVideo conferencingInformation gatheringData analysis

Information Systems in Organization

Data WarehousingData MiningDecision Support SystemManagement Information SystemExecutive information SystemExpert SystemOperations Research