class_3 stages of research process

7/29/2019 Class_3 Stages of Research Process

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Dr. Sasmita Mishra

KSOM, KIIT UNiversity


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What is research?Management research is an unbiased, structured, and sequential method of

enquiry, directed towards a clear implicit or explicit business objective. This

enquiry might lead to validating existing postulates or arriving at new

theories and models.


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Research ProcessWhenever a research is to be undertaken the best way is to

consider it as a process, which has certain sequence.

There may be some variations for different situations.

No one claims that research requires completion of each stepbefore going to the next. Recycling and skipping occur. Despitethis, the idea of sequence is useful in dev. a research project.

We conceptualize the research process as consisting of sixsteps.


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Research Process

Step 1: Problem Definition

Step 2: Development of an Approach to the Problem

Step 3: Research Design Formulation

Step 4: Fieldwork or Data Collection

Step 5: Data Preparation and Analysis

Step 6: Report Preparation and Presentation


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Step 1: Problem Definition

A research problem can be defined as a gap oruncertainty in the decision makersexisting bodyof knowledge which inhibits efficient decisionmaking. The gap could be academic & theoretical(basic) or real time and action oriented(applied).


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Problem identification processManagement Decision Problem

Discussions

with subject

experts

Review of

existing

literature

Organization

Analysis

Qualitative

analysis

Management Research Problem / Question

Research framework / Analytical model

Statement of Research Objectives

Formulation of Research Hypothesis


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Problem identification process

Management decision problem: the issue/decision thatneeds to be resolved through research

Discussion with experts: to get the right perspective on theissue, discussion/dialogue is held with subject/industryexpert.

Review of literature: the most valuable source of framingthe research question is to review the past work done on

related topic(s).

Qualitative surveys: primary exploratory loosely structuredsurveys to attain the environmental context.


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Problem identification process

Management research problem: the four steps mightlead to multiple directions/research problems theresearcher can take.

The researcher has to identify THE alternative he/shewill undertake

Theoretical model building (optional)

Statement of research objectives


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Elements of a research problem

Unit of analysis

Independent variable

Dependent variable

Extraneous independent variable

Intervening variables

Moderating variables


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Variables Variables

Characteristics or properties of the objects, events and things which can

be observed, manipulated or controlledby the researchers and can also be

measured.

e.g. pH, titrable acidity, rice yield, sensory texture of a food product, risk

orientation of emerging entrepreneurs

Types of variables

1) Dependent and independent variables, 3) Continuous and categorical

variables.


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Types of variables The dependent variable The phenomenon or characteristic hypothesized

to be the outcome, effect, consequence or outputof some input variables.

Independent variable - Presumed to cause the dependent variable and is

selected, manipulated or measured prior to measuring the outcome or

dependent variable.

The independent variable is the antecedent; the dependent variable is the

consequent.


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Example of IV & DVDependent Independent

Consumers purchase

behaviour of SUV

Annual income, perceived need for SUV

etc.

Adoption of the hybrid rice Yield, taste, education and motivation of

the farmers


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Characteristics of Research Problem Is an interrogative sentence or statement that asks:

What relation exists between two or more variables?

Criteria for good problem statement

Should express a relation between two or more variables

Should be stated clearlyand unambiguously

Should imply possibilities ofempirical testing

e.g. Can 10% price discount increase the sale of Maruti Esteem vehicle?


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Step 2: Development of an

Approach to the Problem Development of an approach to the problem includes

formulating an objectives or theoretical frame work.

Development of an analytical model, researchquestions, and hypotheses and identifying theinformation needed.

This process is guided by discussions with

management and industry experts.

Analysis of secondary data, qualitative research, andpragmatic considerations.


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The research hypotheses Ahypotheses is any assumption/presupposition that the researcher

makes about the probable direction of the results that might beobtained on the completion of the research process

A conjecturalstatement of the relation between two or more variables.

A tentative supposition about the outcome of the research.


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Criteria for hypotheses formulation In simple, declarative statement form

Measurable and quantifiable

Is essentially a conjectural statement

Has underlying assumptions on the testing of the stated relationships


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Types of Hypothesis Types of hypotheses

Null hypothesis - Hypothesis ofnodifference

Alternate hypothesis Accepted when null hypothesis is rejected.

E.g. Null hypothesis Providing 10% discount will not increase the sale of

Maruti Esteem vehicle.

Descriptive hypotheses: This is simply a statement about the magnitude,

trend, or behaviour of a population under study.

Relational hypotheses: These are the typical kind of hypotheses which state

the expected relationship between two variables.


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Step 3: Research Design

Formulation It is a framework or blue print for conducting the research .

Selecting design is complicated by the availability of a large variety ofmethods, techniques, procedures, protocols, and sampling plans.

Ex. one may decide on a secondary data study, case study, survey,experiment, or simulation.


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Step 3: Research Design

FormulationIf a survey is selected, design would involve answer to the

following questions

should it be administered by mail/computer/telephone, or

personal interview? What kind of structure will the questionnaire be.?

What question wording should be employed?

Should the responses be scaled or open-ended?

How will reliability and validity be achieved?

Is a sample or a census to be taken?

What types of sampling should be considered?


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Step 4: Fieldwork or Data

Collection Data collection involves a field force or staff that operates either in

the field, as in the case of personal interviewing (in-home, mallintercept, or computer-assisted personal interviewing).

From an office by telephone (telephone or computer-assistedtelephone interviewing).

Through mail (traditional mail and mail panel surveys with pre-recruited households), or electronically (e-mail or Internet).

Proper selection, training, supervision, and evaluation of the fieldforce helps minimize data-collection errors.


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Step 5: Data Preparation and

Analysis Data preparation includes the editing, coding, transcription, and

verification of data.

Each questionnaire or observation form is inspected or edited and, ifnecessary, corrected.

Number or letter codes are assigned to represent each response to eachquestion in the questionnaire.

The data from the questionnaires are transcribed or keypunched ontomagnetic tape or disks, or input directly into the computer.

The data are analyzed to derive information related to the components ofthe research problem and, thus, provide input in to the managementdecision problem.


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Step 6: Report Preparation and

Presentation The entire project should be documented in a written report that

addresses the specific research questions identified, describes theapproach, the research design, data collection and data analysisprocedures adopted, and presents the results and the major

findings.

The findings should be presented in a comprehensible format sothat management can readily use them in the decision makingprocess.

In addition, and oral presentation should be made to managementusing tables, figures, and graphs to enhance clarify and impact.


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Criteria for research

MUST have: a clearly stated research purpose/ objective MUST have: a sequential plan of execution

MUST have: a logical and explicitly stated justification for

the selected methods MUST have: an unbiased and neutral method of conduct

and reporting

MUST have: complete transparency and ethicalconduction of the research process

MUST have: provision for being reliable & replicable


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Thank You

class_3 stages of research process

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