DGM07: Research Methodology

SESSION 1

April 2, 2011

Dr. Naseem Abidi

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Business research provides information to guide business decisions

The primary purpose of research is to reduce the level of risk of a business decision

A process of determining, acquiring,analyzing, synthesizing, and disseminatingrelevant business data, information, andinsights to decision makers in ways thatmobilize the organization to take appropriate business actions that, in turn, maximize business performance.

Business Research Defined

Studying Business Research

Complex Decisions

Stakeholder Influence

Stakeholder Influence

CompetitionCompetition

FactorsFactors

Growth of Internet

Business as a discipline

Business as a discipline

Government InterventionGovernment Intervention

Greater Computing

Power

Greater Computing

Power

New Research Perspectives

New Research Perspectives

Business Planning Drives Business Research

Organizational Mission

BusinessStrategies

BusinessTactics

Business Goals

Is sufficient time available before

a managerial decision

must be made?

Is the infor-mation already

on handinadequate for making

the decision?

Is the decision of considerable

strategicor tactical

importance?

Does the value of the research

informationexceed the cost of conducting

research?

ConductingBusinessResearch

Do Not Conduct Business Research

Time ConstraintsAvailability of

Data Nature of the DecisionBenefits vs. Costs

Yes YesYesYes

No No No No

Determining When to Conduct Business Research

Sources of Business Intelligence

Business Intelligence

Government/Regulatory

Economic

Competitive

Demographic

Technological Cultural/Social

Hierarchy of Business Decision Makers

Visionaries

Intuitive Decision Makers

Standardized Decision Makers

Visionaries

Information Value Chain

Characteristics

Data collection/ transmission

Data interpretation

Models

Decisionsupport systems

Data management

Characteristics of Good Research

Clearly defined purposeClearly defined purpose

Detailed research processDetailed research process

Thoroughly planned designThoroughly planned design

High ethical standardsHigh ethical standards

Limitations addressedLimitations addressed

Adequate analysisAdequate analysis

Unambiguous presentationUnambiguous presentation

Conclusions justifiedConclusions justified

CredentialsCredentials

Who Conducts Research?

Language of Research

Variables

ModelsModels

TheoryTheory

Terms usedin research

Terms usedin research

Constructs

Operationaldefinitions

Operationaldefinitions

Propositions/Hypotheses

Propositions/Hypotheses

Conceptualschemes

ConceptualschemesConceptsConcepts

Clarifying the Research Question

• Management-research question hierarchy

• Begins with management dilemma

Management-Research Question Hierarchy

Formulating the Research Question

Types of Management Questions

The Research Question

Determine necessary evidence

Determine necessary evidence

Set scope of study

Set scope of study

Examine variables

Examine variables

Break questions

down

Break questions

down

Evaluate hypothesesEvaluate

hypotheses

Fine-TuningFine-Tuning

Performance ConsiderationsPerformance Considerations

Investigative Questions

Attitudinal IssuesAttitudinal Issues

Behavioral IssuesBehavioral Issues

Proposing Research

• Budget Types– Rule-of-thumb– Departmental– Task

The Research Proposal

Delivery

Legally-bindingcontract

Legally-bindingcontract

ObligationsObligations

Written proposals establish

Written proposals establish

Methods

TimingTiming

BudgetsBudgets

ExtentExtentPurposePurpose

Designing Research

Designing the

Research Project

Designing the

Research Project

Research Design

Research Design

SamplingDesign

SamplingDesign

Pilot TestingPilot Testing

Data CollectionData Characteristics• Abstractness• Verifiability• Elusiveness• Closeness

Reducing data to manageable sizeReducing data to manageable size

Data Analysis and Interpretation

Developing summariesDeveloping summaries

Looking for patternsLooking for patterns

Applying statistical techniquesApplying statistical techniques

Reporting the Results

Research Report

Research Report

ExecutiveSummaryExecutiveSummary

ResearchOverviewResearchOverview

TechnicalAppendixTechnicalAppendix

ImplementationStrategies

ImplementationStrategies

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The Research Overview

Problem’s backgroundProblem’s background

Summary of exploratory findingsSummary of exploratory findings

Research design and proceduresResearch design and procedures

ConclusionsConclusions

The Research Proposal

Purpose

Present management question

Propose necessary data

Suggest data collection

and analysis

Discuss research

efforts

Proposal Development

Proposal Complexity