The document outlines the seven phases of the research process: 1) problem definition, 2) literature review, 3) formulating a hypothesis, 4) research design selection, 5) data gathering, 6) data analysis, and 7) interpreting results. It then provides details on some of the key phases, including defining the problem statement, conducting a literature review, developing a hypothesis, selecting a research design, gathering and analyzing data, and interpreting results. The document also discusses developing a theoretical framework and hypotheses to guide the research.
The document outlines the seven phases of the research process: 1) problem definition, 2) literature review, 3) formulating a hypothesis, 4) research design selection, 5) data gathering, 6) data analysis, and 7) interpreting results. It then provides details on some of the key phases, including defining the problem statement, conducting a literature review, developing a hypothesis, selecting a research design, gathering and analyzing data, and interpreting results. The document also discusses developing a theoretical framework and hypotheses to guide the research.
The document outlines the seven phases of the research process: 1) problem definition, 2) literature review, 3) formulating a hypothesis, 4) research design selection, 5) data gathering, 6) data analysis, and 7) interpreting results. It then provides details on some of the key phases, including defining the problem statement, conducting a literature review, developing a hypothesis, selecting a research design, gathering and analyzing data, and interpreting results. The document also discusses developing a theoretical framework and hypotheses to guide the research.
The document outlines the seven phases of the research process: 1) problem definition, 2) literature review, 3) formulating a hypothesis, 4) research design selection, 5) data gathering, 6) data analysis, and 7) interpreting results. It then provides details on some of the key phases, including defining the problem statement, conducting a literature review, developing a hypothesis, selecting a research design, gathering and analyzing data, and interpreting results. The document also discusses developing a theoretical framework and hypotheses to guide the research.
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Unit 1
The Research Process
‘Seven’ Phases of Research 1. Problem definition 2. Literature review 3. Formulate hypothesis 4. Selection of research design, subjects, and data collection techniques 5. Data gathering 6. Data processing and analysis 7. Interpretations, Conclusions, Implications, and Recommendations 1. Problem Definition ◦ Describe the Broad Problem Area ◦ State the objectives or purposes ◦ Inform reader about the scope of the study, including defining any terms, limitations, or restrictions
2. Literature Review Gives theoretical rationale of problem being studied, what research has been done and how it relates to the problem Helpful to divide the literature into sub-topics for ease of reading Quality of literature should be assessed 3. State the hypothesis(es)
4. Selection of Research Design
Indicates the steps needed to be taken sequentially
Each design can rely on one ore more data collection
technique
Assess reliability and validity
Critical consideration in determining methodology is
the selection of subjects 5. Data Gathering
Must pretest
Design the sampling scheme
Questionnaires must be coded
6. Data processing and analysis
Describe demographics of the data
Compare behavior (if applicable)
Choose appropriate statistical technique (if
applicable)
Look for patterns in data (if applicable)
7. Interpreting the Results
Make sure to consider the audience
Discuss implications for the population of
interest and future research What is Business Research A systematic and organized effort to investigate a specific business problem that needs a solution
Managers have to alert and responsive to what is
going on, both within their organization and in its environment, for effective decision making and developing effective course of action
The origin of most research stems from the desire to
get a grip of the issue, concerns and conflicts arising
Research typically begins with a problem
Business Problem: An Example
Long and frequent delays lead to much
frustration among the airline passengers. These feelings may eventually lead to switching behavior, negative word of mouth communication and customer complaints. These feelings and behaviors eventually have negative effects on the performance and profitability of the firm. Defining the Problem Statement It must be unambiguous, specific and focused
Should include: ◦ statement of research question(s) Research Question(s)
1. What are the factors affecting the flight delay?
2. To what extent these factors contribute to the
delay?
3. What are the consequences of waiting and how
does it affect service evaluations? Research Objective(s): 1. To identify the factors contributing to flight delays 2. To identify the factors that influence passengers’ waiting experience 3. To investigate the possible impact of waiting on customer satisfaction and service evaluations Few other Examples of Research Objec To find out what motivates consumers to buy a product online To study the effect of leadership style on employees job satisfaction To investigate the relationship between capital structure and profitability of the firm To establish the success factors regarding the adoption and use of information systems To determine the optimal price for a product To understand the causes of employee absence To establish the determinants of employee involvement To investigate the influence of the in-store shopping environment on impulse buying Research Proposal Made before any research study is undertaken To establish an agreement between the person who authorizes the study and the researcher Contains details regarding problem, methodology, duration and cost To avoid misunderstandings or frustrations later It is a planned, organized and careful effort Research Proposal Constitutes of the following: 1. A working title 2. Background of the study 3. The problem statement: The purpose of the study Research questions 4. The scope of the study 5. The relevance of the study 6. The research design, offering details on: Type of study Data collection methods The sampling design Data analysis 7. Time frame of the study 8. The budget (details) 9. Selected Bibliography Measurement of Variables: Operational Definitions It is an integral part of research design
Variables first defined by conceptual
definitions that explain the concept the variable is trying to capture
Variables then defined by operational
definitions which are definitions for how variable will be measured How Variables are Measured? To test the hypothesis that workforce diversity affects organizational effectiveness, we need to measure both. Measurement is the assignment of numbers to characteristics (or attributes) of objects. Objects might be persons, companies, countries,…etc. Characteristics (attributes) of objects include achievement motivation, organizational effectiveness, shopping enjoyment, service quality etc. Attributes of objects are measured A judge is also needed Contd.. Attributes of the objects that can be physically measured are easy to measure The measurement of more abstract and subjective attributes are difficult
For e.g. Workforce diversity, managerial expertise and organizational effectiveness and their relationship can’t be measured directly. Same for feelings, attitudes and perceptions. Operationalisation Reduction of abstract concepts to render them measurable in a tangible way e.g. Motivation
Steps of Operationalisation: Define the construct to be measured Content of measure (questions) Response format (e.g. Likert Scale) Validity and Reliability of the measurement Operationalisation of Achievement Motivation Type of questions that can be asked Exercise Operationalize the concept “service quality” and develop questions that would measure service quality. Types of Variables
Dependent (Criterion) and Independent (Predictor) Variables
Dependent Variable: • Of primary interest • It is to be understood and described • Researcher to explain its variability or predict it • There can be more than one (e.g. quality and volume of output)
Independent Variable: Variable that influences the dependent variable in a positive or a negative way
Categorize them as Dependent (Criterion) and Independent (Predictor)
Variables
• Stock Market Price, New Product Success
• Power Distance, Managerial Values Moderating Variable It has a contingent effect on the relationship between the independent and the dependent variable. Its presence modifies this relationship
Moderating Variable Mediating (Intervening) Variable It is one that surfaces between the time the independent variables start operating to influence the dependent variable and the time their impact is felt on it. There exist a temporal quality or a time dimension in it. It helps modeling a process t1 t2 t3
Workforce Creative Organizational
Diversity Synergy Effectiveness Relationship among independent, mediating, moderating and dependent variables
Workforce Creative Organizational
Diversity Synergy Effectiveness
Managerial Expertise Some more examples…
Job Increased Flexible Timings Satisfactio Productivity n
Employees’ Gender Theoretical Framework and Hypothesis Development Theoretical Framework provides a conceptual foundation to proceed for research.
Steps of Building a Theoretical Framework:
Introduce the Concepts/Variables in model Development of a conceptual model (based on theory) Explaining the relationship between the variables involved (There should be a clear explanation of why we expect these relationships to exist)
From this framework, a testable hypothesis can be developed
to examine whether the theory is valid or not Theoretical Framework of Customer Satisfaction (an example) Theoretical Framework of Air Safety Violatio
Air Safety Violations Draw a framework for behavioral and financial consequences of service quality
Compare yours with that of Zeithaml,
Berry and Parasuraman (1996) in Journal of Marketing. Zeithaml, Berry and Parasuraman (1996) in Journal of Marketing Hypothesis Development Tentative, yet testable statement Predicts our expected findings in the empirical data based on the theoretical framework Logical relationship between two or more variables in the form of testable statement For e.g. If the pilots are given adequate training to handle mid-air crowded situations, air safety violations will be reduced Statement of Hypotheses: Formats (for Alternative Hypothesis) If-then statements e.g. If employees are more healthy, then they will take sick leaves less frequently Directional Hypothesis Terms such as positive, negative, more than, less than are involved e.g. Women are more motivated than men Non-directional Hypothesis No sense of direction of relationship e.g. There is a relationship between age and job satisfaction Null and Alternate Hypothesis
