research methods module 1 msf

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RM – 14MBA23 Notes M1

VTU Notes by: Prof. SANJEEV KUMAR SINGH, Mysuru – 570 022Prof. SANJEEV KUMAR SINGH, Mysuru – 570 022

+91 91640 76660, [email protected]+91 91640 76660, [email protected]

Business Research – Meaning, types, process of research- management problem, defining the research problem, formulating the research Hypothesis, developing the research proposals, research design formulation, sampling design, planning and collecting the data for research, data analysis and interpretation. Research Application in business decisions, Features of good research study.

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RM – 14MBA23 Notes

“Business Research is identifying ‘Business Related Problems’ and steps to solve, or minimize the problem”.

Business Research is said as searching, gathering information and establishing objectives to reach or achieve the specific pre determined goal in business.

Business Research is used to solve business related problems arising from time to time, which requires adequate planning, discussion/ meetings with related heads to conclude on steps, policies to be adopted to reach or achieve the specific objectives.

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Business Research can be also defined, as the systematic and objective process of gathering, recording and analysing data for aid in making decisions.

Business Research can also be defined, as a systematic inquiry that provides information to guide business decisions.

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Objectives of research:1. To gain familiarity with a phenomena or to achieve new insights,

2. To promote better decision makings,

3. To identify problem areas and form basis for innovations,

4. To test causal relationships between variables,

5. To aid for forecasting, planning and decision making in an organizations,

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Objectives of research: 6. To develop new tools, concepts and theories for studing unknown phenomena,

7. To determine the association or independence of an activity,

8. To extend knowledge of human beings, social life and environment

9. To establish generalization laws and contribute to theory building in various fields,

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Objectives, and Research study: Now lets relate the objective with different types of researches:

1. To gain familiarity with a phenomena or to achieve new insights,

This study with a object which is termed as Exploratory Research or Formulative Research studies.

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Objectives and Research study:

2. To portray accurately the characteristics of an individual, situation or a group,

This study is termed as Descriptive Research Studies.

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Objectives and research study:

3. To determine the frequency with which something occurs or with which it is associated with something else.

This study would be termed as Diagnostic Research.

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Objectives and research study:

4. To test a hypothesis of a causal relationship between the variables.

Such study are known as Hypothesis Testing Research Studies.

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Characteristics of a Good Research: Clearly defined purpose, Objectivity, Systematic, Empirical, Generalisability, Replicability, (Repeat research again and again) Adequate Analysis, Finding presentated unambiguos, High ethical standards

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Significance of research: Every research need to emphasize on the following:

Government Policies in a economic system, Government's allocation of the natural resources, Research need to collect, gather information on the

economic and social structure of the nation, (Statistical data)

Research is helpful in the welfare and progress of humanity and the society.

In brief, Research should not be against the government, the organization represented and of the society and it need to update the on-going progress of the nation and eradicate the wrong notions in the society.

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Purpose of Research:There are various types of researches and now we shall

go ahead with comparative study of each two types of researches:

Descriptive Vs Analytical Research. Applied Vs Fundamental (Pure) Research, Qualitative Vs Quantitative Research, Conceptual Vs Empirical Research, One Time Vs Longitudinal Research, Field Setting Research Vs Laboratory Research,

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Purpose of Research: Conceptual Vs Empirical Research, One Time Vs Longitudinal Research, Field Setting Research Vs Clinical or Laboratory

Research, Historical Research and so on(Last Two not so important) (TYPES OF RESEARCH MENTIONED

BELOW, HERE ONLY COMPARITIVE)

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Deseciptive Vs Analytical Research:Descriptive Research would refer to surveys

and fact finding enquiries from different kinds, while,

Analytical Research on the other hand, would mean that the researcher has to use the facts or information already available and analyze these to make a critical evaluation of a material.

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Applied Vs Fundamental Research: Applied Research aims at finding a solution to

an immediate problem facing a society or industry/ organization, on the other hand,

Fundamental research is mainly concerned with generalization and formulation of the theory. Gathering information for the sake of knowledge is also termed as Fundamental Research.

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Quantitative Vs Qualitative Research:Quantitative Research is based on Quantitative

Measurement of some characteristics. It is expressed in the terms of Quantities. While.

Qualitative Research is concerned with the Qualitative Phenomena.

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Conceptual Vs Empirical Research: Conceptual Research is related to some

abstract or an idea or an theory. It is generally used by Philosophers and Thinkers to develop new concepts or to interpret the existing ones, while,

Empirical Research relies on experiences or observations alone, often without due regard for system and theory. It is also called as Data Based Research.

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One Time Research Vs Longitudinal Research:

One time Research is confined to one single time period, while,

Longitudinal Research is the research which is carried over several time period.

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What is Research Methods?: Research Methods or Research Techniques are the

Methods/ Techniques used by the researcher for conducting a Research. These can be grouped into three:

1. The First group are concerned with methods 'Collection of Data, but is insufficient to arrive at the required solution'.

2. The Second group consist of those 'statistical techniques which are used for establishing relationships between the data and the UNKNOWNs,

3. The Third group consist of those methods which are used to evaluate the accuracy of the results obtained.

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What is Research Methods and Research Techniques?.

Research Methods would refer to the behavior and instruments used in selecting and constructing the research technique, while

Research Techniques would refer to the behavior and instruments used in performing research operations, Ex: Observations, Recording data, or Techniques for processing the data.

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Example 1 on Methods and Techniques: For Library Research (Type 1), the 'Method is

Analysis of the historical records', while the 'Technique is Recording of Notes, Contents, Tapes and Film Listening and Analysis'.

Again for Library Research (Type 2), the 'Method is Analysis of Documents', while the 'Technique is Statistical Compilation and Manupulations, References and Abstract Guides and Content Analysis'.

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Example 2 on Methods and Techniques: Field Works (Type 1), The Method can be

'Personal Interview', while the 'Technique can be Interviewer uses a detailed schedule with open and closed ended questions'.

Field Work (Type 2), The Method can be 'Group Interview' and the Technique used can be that the small groups of respondents are interviewed simultaneously.

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What is Research Methodology? Research Methodology on the other hand, can be

said as a science of studying how research can be scientifically.

Here in Research Methodology, the researcher need to not only know the 'METHODS and TECHNIQUES' but also the METHODOLOGY, which means that the researcher may be knowing various Methods or Techniques, like Mean, Median or Mode or Standard Deviations or Chi Square, but they should also know which technique can be used and which are relevant.

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Conclusion on Research Methods and Research Methodology:

'Research Methodology has various dimensions, while Research Methods constitute a part of the Research Methodology.

The scope of Research Methodology is wider than Research Methods.

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SOME TYPES OF RESEARCH: Research are of various types for different

situations, like, a) Descriptive Research, b) Exploratory Research, c) Applied Research, d) Fundamental Research, e) Quantitative Research, f) Qualitative Research, g) Conceptual Research, h) Empirical Research, i) Experimental Research, j) Historical Research.

(Explaination follows:)

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1. DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH: a) Descriptive Research is the simpliest form of Research, identifies relevant variables but does not aim at testing hypothesis and applies simple statistical techniques like Averages and Percentages.

b) Descriptive Research provides accurate description of observations of a phenomena.

c) Descriptive Research is the fact finding investigation with accurate investigation,

d) Descriptive Research is designed to gather descriptive information (data) and provide information for formulating sophisticated studies.

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2. EXPLORATORY RESEARCH: a) Exploratory Research is the priliminary study of an unfamiliar problem, about which the researcher has little or no knowledge,

b) Exploratory Research objective is to identify the Key Issues and Key Variables, by exploring certain unfamiliar problem. Hence Exploratory Research is broad in focus but rarely provides definite answer to specific research issues,

c) The purpose of Explotratory Research is to generate new ideas, to increase the researcher's familiarity with the problem, to make a precise formulation of the problem, to determine whether it is feasible to attempt for the study.

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3. APPLIED RESEARCH: Applied Research is designed to solve practical problems in the day-to-day activity, Applied Research is solving practical issues rather than to acquire knowledge, Applied Research is meant to solve real life issues and make the social and business environment better, Applied Research can be in large scale basis.

Applied Research is classified into 2:

a) Problem Oriented Research,

b) Problem Solving Research.

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4. FUNDAMENTAL RESEARCH OR PURE RESEARCH: Fundamental Research or Pure Research explains the how the world operates, what makes things happen, why social relations are in a certain way and why society changes.

Fundamental Research is concerned with the Fundamental Knowledge about the human world.

FUNDAMENTAL RESEARCH MAY BE EXPLORATORY, OR DESCRIPTIVE OR EXPLANATORY.

Fundamental Research generates new ideas, principles and theories for modern progress and development in different fields.

FUNDAMENTAL RESEARCH CAN ALSO SAID AS "GATHERING INFORMATIONS FOR KNOWLEDGE SAKE".

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5. QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH: a) Quantitative Research is based on measurement of

quantity or amount.

b) Quantitative Research refers to the systematic empirical investigation of quantitaive properties and phenomena and their relationships.

c) Quantitative Research is the study to provide the fundamental connection between empirical observations and mathematical expression of quantitative relationships.

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6. QUALITATIVE RESEARCH: a) Qualitative Research is the research concerned with the

qualitative phenomena.

b) Qualitative Research, refers to explain the meaning, defination, characteristics, types and descriptions of things.

c) Qualitative Research is concerned with collecting informations about individuals in depth like Individual Interview in depth, or Group interviews.

d) Qualitative Research is important in the study of behavioural sciences.

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7. CONCEPTUAL RESEARCH: a) Conceptual Research is used in research to outline

possible courses of action or to present a preferred approach to an IDEA or THOUGHT.

b) Conceptual Research involves investigation of thought and ideas and developing new ideas or interpretating the old ones based on logical reasonings.

c) Conceptual Research is related to some abstract, idea or theory and is the preferred method in Social Sciences and Philosophy, to reach or produce better results.

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8. EMPIRICAL RESEARCH: a) Empirical Research is the research based on Experience/

experiments and Observation.

b) Empirical Research is a data-based research.

c) Researchers where the study is not possible in a laboratory setting, they combine Qualitative and Quantitative forms of analysis for better solutions to the problems,

d) Empirical Research requires evidence gathering through experiments or Empirical studies which is considered as one of the powerful support for a given hypothesis.

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9. EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH: a) Experimental Research is based/ designed on

experiments, to access the effects of particular variables on a phenomena.

b) Experimental Research is the study on how, and at what manner the variables are related to each other. There is a dependable, which are influenced by other factor while the independent factors are the other factors which is not been influenced.

c) In Experimental Research, the researcher manipulates conditions for the purpose of determining their effect on behavior. Hence the results depend on the 'Subject'.

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10. HISTORICAL RESEARCH: a) Historical Research is the research where there is induction of principles of the past and social forces which have shaped the present.

b) It is the systematic studying the past records with an view to reconstruct the origin and development of an institution or system and discovering trends of the past,

c) The signifiance of Historical Research is to discover the past, to get answers of certain unanswered questions, to identify the relationship between the past and present, to evaluate the individual, institution, or an agency and to assist in understanding the culture in which we live.

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RESEARCH PROCESS:1. Defining the research problem ,2. Review of literature (Review concepts and Theories and

Review previous research findings),3. Formulation of Hypothesis,4. Developing the research design (Including sample design),5. Data Collection (Execution)6. Data Analysis and Interpretation (Test Analysis, if any),7. Research Reporting.

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1. Defining the Research Problem: Problem may be any situation a gap between the actual and desired results. And defining a Research Problem shall include that the problem must be clear, precise and the 'investigated (Problem)' must have a gap of finding an answer or solution.

The component in designing shall include:1. The Research Problem must state that

Individuals or a Group or Institutions must be facing some difficulty.

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Defining the Research Problem: The component in designing shall include:2. The Research Problem must have an

objective or objectives to be attained,3. There must be alternative course of action

to attain the objectives,

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Defining the Research Problem: The Criteria for selecting the Research Problem

can be in five steps:1. Identify a broad problem area,2. Literature Review,3. Identifying the research question,4. Refining the research question (Defined

research question can be re-defined),5. Developing investigative questions

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Defining the Research Problem:What is a research proposal?"A research proposal is a manuscript written by

the researcher that provides a detailed description of the proposed program. Its the outline of the entire research process that gives the reader a summary of the information discussed in a project".

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Defining the Research Problem:What are the elements in developing a research

proposal?

1. Title of the research, 2. Abstract, (Normally its in 250-300 words),3. Introduction (Back ground information and

purpose),4. Objective of the study (Need to be general and

specific),

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Defining the Research Problem:What are the elements in developing a research

proposal?5. Variables (Identify the key variables and method of

measuements – There are 4 types of variables namely, a) Independent Variables, b) Dependent Variables, c) Mixed Influence Variables and d) Basic Variables like Sex, Education and so on...

6. Questions and/ or Hypothesis and,

7. Methodology adopted,

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2. Review of Literature: Review of literature is the 'Literature Survey', (the secondary sources of past literature), in the area of interest of the researcher. It is to identify the document/ articles relevant for the proposed study, Its to enable the researcher to develop the problem statement in a precise and clear manner, It helps the researcher to identify the research gap (Actuals and Desired Results), Its to motivate/ stimulate the researcher to go ahead with the study and so on....

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2. Review of Literature: This basically has three steps:

1. Identifying the sources – Library or on-line sources like EBSCO, Prowess, Google Scholar, Science Direct and so on, (Science Direct too has a number of articles in Social Science Subjects),

2. Gathering relevant information – The Citing and References can help to further sources of information,

3. Presenting the Literature Review – The presentation need to be clear, precise and in a logical manner by citing the author, year of study, objective of the research, major findings and implications.

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3. Formulation of Hypothesis: A hypothesis may be defined as a logically conjectured

relationship between two or more variables, expressed in the form of a testable statement. Relationship is proposed by using a strong logical argumentation. This logical relationship may be put of theoretical framework of the study.

"A hypothesis can be said as a tentative prediction or explanation of relationship between 2 or more variables".

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3. Formulation of Hypothesis: Why is Hypothesis important in Reseach:1. Hypothesis guide the direction of study,2. Hypothesis identifies facts that are relevant and

those that are not,3. Hypothesis suggests which form of research

design is likely to be most appropriate,4. Hypothesis provides a framework for organizing

the conclusions of the findings.

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3. Formulation of Hypothesis: What are the characteristics of a Hypothesis? 1. Hypothesis must be conceptual clear,

2. Hypothesis must have impirical referents (Can be tested by observations, experiments etc)

3. Hypothesis must be specific,

4. Hypothesis must be related to the available techniques of research,

5. Hypothesis must be related to the body of the theory.

(Go through on, Hypothesis in the earlier slides too)

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3. Formulation of Hypothesis: What are the types of Hyposthsis:A hypothesis can be a:

1. Descriptive Hypothesis: Also called Univariate Hypothesis – Describing in detail the variables, may be a Individual, a Situation, Institution, Group or an Association,

2. Rational Hypothesis: Describes the relationship between two variables,

3. Co-relational Hypothesis: Various variables occur together in similar or some specific manner,

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4. Explanatory or Causal Hypothesis: Implies the Cause and Effect of variables,

5. Null Hypothesis: (Denoted H0) Hypothesis formulated by researcher for testing. Researcher treat evidence that supports differently from the evidence that opposes it.

Example: H0 = There is no relationship between the level of job commitment and the level of efficiency (or)

H0 = The relationship between the level of job commitment and the level of efficiency is Zero.

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6. Alternative Hypothesis: The Alternative Hypothesis is the alternative to Null Hypothesis, where there is relationship between the variables of study.

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4. Developing the research Design: A Research Design is the specification of the

methods and procedures for acquiring the information needed to structure or to solve problems.

A Research Design must be simple, economical, Reliable, Flexible, Accurate, Calculatable or Measurable and Validity.

A Researcher must consider 4 factors, which include:

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4. Developing the research Design: A Research Design will include, the researcher

should consider: 1) The Design Technique, 2) The Type of Data, 3) The Sampling Methodology and Procedure,

and4) The Schedule and the Budget.

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4. Developing the research Design: Process of a Research Design: (9 Steps)Step 1 – Selection and Definition of the problem,Step 2 – Sources of Data,Step 3 – Nature of Study (Scientific, Social

Sciences, etc),Step 4 – Object of Study (Objective (s) of the

study)

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4. Developing the research Design: Process of a Research Design:Step 5 – Socio-Cultural Context,Step 6 – Temporal Context (Temporal means,

matter related to ordinary and not religious or spritual issues),

Step 7 – Dimension, Step 8 – Basis of Selection,Step 9 – Techniques of Data Collection.

14MBA23 – Research Methods

Research Design Process (Also refer M1 – 9 steps in research design)

Step 1: Selection and Definition of the problem:

Step 2: Sources of Data:

Step 3: Nature of Study:

Step 4: Objective of Study:

Step 5: Socio and Cultural Context: Step 6: Comporal Context:Step 7: Dimension:

Step 8: Basis of selection:

Step 9: Technique of Data Collection:



Step 1: Selection and Definition of the problem:

The Researcher need to

1. Define the problem clearly, so to what is his objective,

2. Which data is relavance for his study,

3. The researcher need to define clearly on operational terms too.

14MBA23 – Research Methods Research Design Process (Also refer M1 – 9

steps in research design)

Step 2: Sources of Data:

Second step in Research Design Process is the

a. Primary Sources of Data Collection and/ or

b. Secondary sources of data collection, relavant for his study.



Step 3: Nature of Study: This will include, whether it is

1. Experimental type of study,

2. Comparitive type of study, or

3. Statistical type of study.



Step 4: Objective of Study: The objective of the study can be

a. Welfare notion or

b. Theoritical understanding or

The researcher can express the objective of his study to enable respondents to be sincere on the responses.



Step 5: Socio and Cultural Context: The researcher can base the socio-cultural basis, Ex: Study

of the fertility rate in the economically backward areas.



Step 6: Comporal Context: This refers that the research is specific to the population and

the area selected. (Geographical Limit and Applicable to specific group)



Step 7: Dimension:

This refers to the specific selected respondent, who can provide a valid answers. Dimension is important as research cannot be performed One by One and hence Dimension is performed.



Step 8: Basis of selection: The selection of respondents can be,

a. Random,

b. Stratified and Purposive,

c. Double clustered or quota sample

This is done for arriving at a valid sample size.



Step 9: Technique of Data Collection: Techniques can be

a. Observations,

b. Interview,

c. Questionnaire,

As it is collected/ gathered, it can be analyzed, interpreted.

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5. Data Collection: Data Collection or Data Gathering begins with 'PILOT TESTING'.

What is a Pilot Testing?

A Pilot Testing is a small test comprising of 25 to 100 respondents, before the final or actual test is to be exercised.

Example Questionnaire by email first 25 questionnaire are sent by mail and after this exercise, the questionnaire need to be redesigned with redefined questions and procedures.

A Pilot test can be said as Pre Testing.

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5. Data Collection: Data Collection can be done through Primary

Data or Direct Collection of Data personally from the respondents and the other is secondary data, where the data is already available, which can include in different forms.

Primary data can be done through various ways as stated below:,

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5. Data Collection: Primary data can be done through various ways

as stated below:,1. By Personal Interview,2. By Questionnaire Method,3. By Observations,4. By Telephonic Interviews,5. By Group Focus Interviews,6. By Emailing of Questionnaire and so on...

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6. Data Analysis and Interpretation: "Convertion of Raw Data to provide Information"This is the most important phase where various

techniques is used (Statistical Tools/ Techniques), Tables, Graphs and so on....

Presently various softwares are available in the Internet and the Market to convert the Raw Data into Information...

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7. Research Reporting: There is three phases in a report:1. Preliminary Pages,2. Main Text,3. Conclusive Pages.

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7. Research Reporting: There is three phases in a report:1. Preliminary Pages: The preliminary pages

include: a) Title, Author's Name and Address,b) Acknowledgement, Thanks,c) Foreword (Foreword, is the introduction by the

author or by someone else)

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7. Research Reporting: There is three phases in a report:

2. Main Text: The main report consist of,

a) Introduction: Statement, Scope, Limitations.,

b) Summary of findings,

c) Main Report: Presented in logical sequence,

d) Conclusions: The researcher pens down his final sum of the research.

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7. Research Reporting: There is three phases in a report:3. Conclusive Pages.: a) Appendices, (in respect to technical data,

references for Important Contents with Page Nos)

b) Bibliography, (List of books, Journals etc, referred by the Author with complete information).

c) Charts/ Questionnaire and other Annexures as desired by the researcher

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The EndThe End

Module 1Module 1Prof. SANJEEV KUMAR SINGH, Mysuru – 570 022Prof. SANJEEV KUMAR SINGH, Mysuru – 570 022

+91 91640 76660, [email protected]+91 91640 76660, [email protected]

The contents are the basic information The contents are the basic information for the entire syllabus......for the entire syllabus......

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ASSIGNMENT AND PRESENTATION 13 Groups of 18 Students each as per attendance order,

scheduled for Thursdays only. Preparing a questionnaire,

1. A Open Ended Questionnaire and

2. A Closed Ended Questionnaire, on the same topic. Students are premitted to use devices/ books, for

references.... TO BE PRESENTED AND SUBMITTED INDIVIDUALLY

BY NEXT THURSDAY

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Team 1: Prepare a questionnaire on 'Brand Awareness' of any consumer product in Rural India. (Marketing Topic) (US No: 1 to 18)

Team 2: Prepare a questionnaire on 'effectiveness of training in a Public Sector Organization'. (HR Topic) (US No: 19 to 36)

Team 3: Prepare a questionnaire on 'Investors Attitude towards Mutual Funds in any financial institution. (Finance Topic) (US No: 37 to 57)

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Each Group Need to prepare 36 Questions, comprising of 18 open ended and 18 closed ended questions, with 4 point scaling.

Each question is asked to the other groups, to complete the process of the questionnaire,

On completion of the 'question and answer session', every group need to 'Analyze and Interpret' the data collected, and finally present the data in the form of PRESENTATION IN NEXT THURSDAY CLASS.

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Along with the questionnaire assignment, students need to submit answers for the following in your own words:

1. a. Importance of Research in Business Decisions, and in Government.

b. What are the features for good research study?

2. What means Continious Variables and Non Continious Variables, Endogeneous and Exogeneous Variables, & Extraneous Variables.

3. What are the difficulties faced by the researchers in Primary and Secondary Sources of Data.

All 4 (Questionnaire + 3 Questions) comprise the 1st Assignment and Presentation...