Business Research Methodology

Research: A careful investigation or inquiry specially through search for new facts in any
branch of knowledge. According to Clifford Woody, research comprises defining &
redefining problems, formulating hypothesis, collecting, organizing & evaluating data,
making deductions/analysis & reaching conclusions, testing the conclusions to determine
whether they fit the hypothesis.

OBJECTIVES OF RESEARCH
Exploratory or Formulative research: To gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to achieve
new insights into it. Ex: Eating habits and how they change over time, Effect of Screen time
on Sleep patterns.

Descriptive research: To portray accurately the characteristics of a particular situation or

a group. Ex: Measuring Employee Satisfaction, Target Customer’s evaluation of Key Product
Attributes.

Diagnostic research: To determine the frequency with which something occurs.

Ex: Finding out the average earning capacity state-wise in India

Hypothesis-testing research: To test a hypothesis of a causal relationship between

variables. Ex: Better Diversity Management increases Productivity.

BASIC TYPES OF RESEARCH

Descriptive Analytical Applied Fundamental Quantitative Qualitative Conceptual Empirical

The main researcher Applied It is concerned It is based on It is Conceptual Proving or
purpose of has to use research with quantified concerned research is disproving
Descriptive facts and aims at generalizations measurements. with that related earlier
research is information finding the and with qualitative to some assumed
finding out already Solution for formulation of phenomena, abstract idea Hypothesis
the state of available, an a theory which or theory.
affairs as it and immediate cannot be
exists at analyse problem measured
present these facing a
through business
various organization
methods
RESEARCH METHODS VS METHODOLOGY

Research Methods are the methods researchers use in performing research operations,
whereas Research Methodology is a way to systematically solve the research problem.

Research Methods can be put into three groups :

first group: methods which are concerned with collection of data.

second group: statistical techniques which are concerned with establishing
relationships between data and the unknowns.
third group: methods used to evaluate the accuracy of the results obtained.

The scope of Research Methodology is wider than that of Research Methods

RESEARCH METHODS Vs TECHNIQUES

Research techniques refer to the behavior and instruments we use in performing research
operations.

Research methods refer to the behavior and instruments used in selecting and
constructing research technique.

(Method , technique)

WHAT IS A RESEARCH PROBLEM?

Research Problem is one that requires a researcher to find out the best solution for the
given problem, i.e. to find out by which course of action the objectives can be achieved
optimally, in the context of a given environment.

SELECTING A PROBLEM ?

The problem must spring from the researcher’s mind, should be familiar and feasible so
that research material is within one’s reach. Avoid:- subject areas overdone- controversial
subjects- too narrow or too vague problems.

HOW TO DEFINE A PROBLEM? (A problem clearly stated is a problem half solved.)

Understanding the nature of the problem , Surveying the available literature.

RESEARCH PROCESS

1. Formulation of the Research Problem

Two steps are involved in formulation of a Research Problem :- understanding the
problem thoroughly- rephrasing the same into meaningful terms from an analytical
point of view.
2. Extensive Literature Survey
Extensive literature survey related to the topic has to be conducted, Abstracting &
Indexing Journals, Academic Journals, Government Reports, Relevant Books,
published. Must review two types of literature: - Conceptual literature concerning
related concepts & theories- Empirical literature consisting of studies made
earlier, which are similar to the research problem.
3. Developing the Hypothesis
The role of Hypothesis is to guide the researcher by delimiting the area of research
and to keep him/her on the right track. It also indicates the type of data required and
type of methods of data analysis to be used.
4. Preparing the Research Design
Focusing on the conceptual structure within which the research would be
conducted.
5. Determining Sample Design
Researcher has to decide the way of selecting the sample – called Sample Design.
Convenience Sampling: when population items are selected
based on ease of access
Simple Random Sampling is a probability based sampling, where
each & every sample has an equal
 chance of getting selected in the
sample in Finite Population.
Systematic Sampling when population is in the form of a list,
select every 10th item on the list,
Stratified Sampling random sampling is carried out from
each strata
Quota Sampling researchers are simply given quota to
be filled from different strata. The size
of quota is proportionate to the size of
strata in that population
Cluster Sampling & Area Sampling Involves grouping the population into
clusters, and then selecting the
clusters as sample rather than
individual elements for inclusion in the
sample.
Multi-stage Sampling Further extrapolation of Cluster
Sampling. Meant for big inquiries
extending to larger geographical areas
like entire country.
Sequential sampling Is a complex sample design where the
ultimate size of the sample is not fixed
in advance, but is determined
according to mathematical decisions
on the basis of information yielded as
the survey progresses.

6. Collecting the Data

Data has to be collected from the Sample population. Primary Data – collected
through experiment or through Survey. Secondary Data – collected from existing
studies in related areas.
7. Execution of the Project
If data is collected through interviewers, arrangements should be made for proper
selection & training of interviewers.
8. Analysis of Data
technique of Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)
9. Hypothesis Testing
Various tests viz. Chi square test, t-test, F-test have been developed by statisticians
for this purpose.
10. Generalizations & Interpretation
If a hypothesis is tested and upheld several times, then it may be possible for the
researcher to generalize, i.e. to build a theory on it.
 11. Preparation of the Report
Layout of report to have three sections, i.e. Preliminary pages, Main text & End
matter.

CRITERIA FOR A GOOD RESEARCH

❖ A good research should be systematic (Should be structured in all steps)

❖ A good research should be logical. (Deduction should be logical)
❖ A good research is empirical. (related to one or more aspects of a real situation)
❖ A good research is replicable (verified by replicating the study)

Things can go wrong ? (Limitations)

Lack of scientific training in Research Methodology , There does not exist any uniform code
of conduct for researchers. Lack of timely availability of Published data by Government
agencies.

*********2nd PPT **********

RESEARCH DESIGN

WHAT IS RESEARCH DESIGN?

A Research Design is the arrangement of conditions for collection and analysis of data, in a
manner that aims to combine relevance to the research purpose with economy in
procedure. It constitutes the blueprint for collection of data

Important features of Research Design are:

It is a plan blueprint, It entails the strategy specifying which approach shall be used for
collecting & analyzing data , It also includes time & cost budgeting.

It is to be remembered that one single research design cannot serve the purpose of all
types of research problems.

PARTS OF RESEARCH DESIGN

The Sampling The Observational The Statistical The Operational

Design – Deals with Design – deals with Design – deals with Design – deals with
method of selecting conditions under how many items are techniques by which
items to be which observations to be observed and sampling,
observed for given are made how data gathered observational &
study has to be analysed statistical designs
are carried out
Some Definitions

Variable – an item which can take on different quantitative values.

Continuous Variable – which can take on different quantitative values even in decimal
points.

Discrete Variable – which can be expressed as integral values, non-continuous.

If one variable depends upon the other variable, it is called Dependant Variable, and the
other variable upon which it depends is called Independent Variable.

Independent variables that are not related to the purpose of the study, but may affect the
Dependant variable are called Extraneous Variables.

Effect that is noticed on Dependant variable as a result of Extraneous variable(s), is known

as ‘Experimental Error’.

A good research Design minimizes the effect of Extraneous variable. The process of
minimizing the effect of Extraneous variables is called Control.

When the Dependent variable is NOT free from the influence of extraneous variables, the
relationship between the Dependent and Independent variables, is said to be confounded
by an extraneous variable.

When an assumption or a hypothesized relationship is to be tested by scientific methods, it

is termed as Research Hypothesis.

When the purpose of research is to test a research hypothesis, it is termed ‘Hypothesis

Testing Research’.

In an Experimental hypothesis testing research, when a group is exposed to ‘usual

conditions’ it is called ‘Control group.

When a group is exposed to some ‘special conditions’, it is called ‘Experimental group’.

The different conditions (usual or special) under which the Experimental & Control groups
are put, are known as ‘Treatment’.

Experiment– The process of examining/establishing the truth of a Hypothesis related to a

Research problem, is known as ‘Experiment
Principles of Experimental designs

There are three principles of experimental designs:

(1) the Principle of Replication.

(2) the Principle of Randomization; and

(3) the Principle of Local Control

Principle of Replication

According to the Principle of Replication, the experiment should be repeated more than
once, and the results should be similar. Ex: examine the effect of two varieties of rice.

Principle of Randomization

The Principle of Randomization provides protection, when we conduct an experiment,

against the effect of extraneous factors by randomization. Ex (soil fertility differences in the
given case).

Principle of Local Control

Under it the extraneous factor, the known source of variability, is made to vary deliberately
over as wide a range as necessary. we should design the experiment so that we can
conduct a two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).

Important Experimental Designs

Informal experimental designs Formal experimental designs

Before-and-after without control design Completely randomized design
After-only with control design Randomized block design
Before-and-after with control design Latin square design
Factorial designs

‘Before-and-after without control’ design

‘After-only with control’ design

‘Before-and-after with control’ design

Completely randomized design

A completely randomized design (CRD) is one where the treatments are assigned
completely at random so that each experimental unit has the same chance of receiving any
one treatment.

Randomized block design

A randomized block design is an experimental design where the experimental units are in
groups called blocks. The treatments are randomly allocated to the experimental units
inside each block. When all treatments appear at least once in each block, we have a
completely randomized block design.

The number of subjects in a given block would be equal to the number of treatments and
one subject in each block would be randomly assigned to each treatment.

The RBD utilizes the principles of design ‐ randomization, replication and local control.

Latin Square design

It is an experimental design very frequently used in agricultural research. The treatments in
a L.S. design are so allocated among the plots that no treatment occurs more than once in
any one row or any one column. With the Latin Square design, you are able to control
variation in two directions.

Factorial designs

Factorial designs are used in experiments where the effects of varying more than one factor
are to be determined. Then there are two treatments of the experimental variable and two
levels of the control variable. As such there are four cells into which the sample is divided.
Each of the four combinations would provide one treatment or experimental condition.

Observation Methods

Observation is way of gathering data by watching behavior, events, or noting physical

characteristics in their natural setting. Observations can be overt (everyone knows they are
being observed) or covert (no one knows they are being observed and the observer is
concealed)

In disguised observation, the respondents are unaware that they are being observed.
Disguise may be accomplished by using one-way mirrors, hidden cameras, or
inconspicuous mechanical devices. Observers may be disguised as shoppers or sales
clerks.

In undisguised observation, the respondents are aware that they are under observation.

Natural observation involves observing behavior as it takes place in the environment. For
example, one could observe the behavior of respondents eating fast food in Burger King. 
In contrived observation, respondents' behavior is observed in an artificial environment,
such as a test kitchen.
Personal Observation A researcher observes actual behavior as it
occurs. For example, a researcher might
record traffic counts and observe traffic
flows in a department store.
Mechanical Observation On-site cameras (still, motion picture, or
video)  Optical scanners in supermarkets
Audit The researcher collects data by examining
physical records or performing inventory
analysis. Data are collected personally by
the researcher.
Content Analysis The unit of analysis may be words,
characters (individuals or objects), themes
(propositions), space and time measures
(length or duration of the message), or
topics (subject of the message).
Trace Analysis Data collection is based on physical
traces, or evidence, of past behavior. The
magazines people donated to charity were
used to determine people's favorite
magazines.