RESEARCH
METHODOLOGY
(Business Research Methods)
Week 3
29 August 2005 MBA III (Research Methodology) Course Instructor: Dr. Aurangzeb Z. Khan 1
Decision-Making
Decision-Making is the process of resolving a
problem or choosing amongst alternative
opportunities
What is the problem or opportunity?
How much Information is available?
What Information is needed?
Complete Absolute
Decision-Making
Certainty Ambiguity
Situation
Value of Research
29 August 2005 MBA III (Research Methodology) Course Instructor: Dr. Aurangzeb Z. Khan 2
Certainty, Uncertainty, Ambiguity
Certainty – Decision-maker has all the requisite information
concerning the business problem (or opportunity). Research
may be unnecessary. Complete certainty about the future is
rare in practice
Uncertainty – General nature of the business problem is clear
but information about alternative courses of action is
incomplete as are the events which may occur. Research may
be a potentially valuable tool here
Ambiguity – Nature of the problem to be solved is unclear.
Objectives are vague and alternatives difficult to define.
Research may be a useful excercise
29 August 2005 MBA III (Research Methodology) Course Instructor: Dr. Aurangzeb Z. Khan 3
Types of Research
Exploratory Research:
• undertaken with the aim of clarifying ambiguous problems
• general problems usually known but not sufficiently understood
• the purpose is to get more information, not to uncover specific
courses of action (subsequent research)
Determining a specific course of action to follow is not a
purpose of exploratory research!
Example: Child-Care support programme for employees
29 August 2005 MBA III (Research Methodology) Course Instructor: Dr. Aurangzeb Z. Khan 4
Types of Research
Descriptive Research:
• undertaken with the aim of determining the characteristics of a
population or phenomenon
• Previous knowledge of problem exists
• High degree of precision or accuracy required
Examples:
Who are the main consumers of organic foods?
How many students read the prescribed course literature?
Where do most holiday-makers travelling overseas go?
When do petrol stations tend to raise their prices?
29 August 2005 MBA III (Research Methodology) Course Instructor: Dr. Aurangzeb Z. Khan 5
Types of Research
Causal Research:
• undertaken with the aim of identifying cause and effect
relationships amongst variables
• are normally preceeded by exploratory and descriptive research
studies
• Often difficult to determine because of the influence of other
variables (concommitant Variation and the presence of other
hidden variables)
Example: Higher ice-cream consumption causes more
people to drown (indicative of a causal relationship (?))
29 August 2005 MBA III (Research Methodology) Course Instructor: Dr. Aurangzeb Z. Khan 6
Stages in the Research Process
Define
Problem
Planning a Conclusions
Research Design and Report
Planning Processing and
a Sample Analysing the Data
Gathering
the Data
29 August 2005 MBA III (Research Methodology) Course Instructor: Dr. Aurangzeb Z. Khan 7
Forward and Backward Linkages
Forward Linkage – The earlier stages of a research project
determine the design at a later stage
Example: The goal of the research project will determine the
selection of the sample and the way data is collected
Backward Linkage – The later stages of a research project
determine how its earlier stages are conducted
Example: The company executives require certain specific
information which the researcher anticipates and for which he
or she plans the data collection and analysis steps
accordingly
29 August 2005 MBA III (Research Methodology) Course Instructor: Dr. Aurangzeb Z. Khan 8
Flowcharting the Research Process (1)
Problem Discovery
Selection of Secondary (historical) data
exploratory Pilot Study
research technique Experience Survey
Case Study
Problem Definition
(Statement of research objectives)
Survey (Interview, Questionnaire)
Selection of Experiment (Laboratory, Field)
basic research Secondary Data Study
method Observation
29 August 2005 MBA III (Research Methodology) Course Instructor: Dr. Aurangzeb Z. Khan 9
Flowcharting the Research Process (2)
Survey (Interview, Questionnaire)
Experiment (Laboratory, Field) Collection of Data (Fieldwork)
Secondary Data Study
Observation
Editing and Coding Data
Sample Design
Data Processing and Analysis
Probability Non-Probability Interpretation of Findings
Sampling Sampling
Report
29 August 2005 MBA III (Research Methodology) Course Instructor: Dr. Aurangzeb Z. Khan 10
Ethical Considerations in Business
Research
• Ethics & Morals
• Societal norms and values
• Divergent perceptions of what is considered
ethical and unethical
• What is “ethical” in business research?
• Ethical Guidelines and professional
associations
29 August 2005 MBA III (Research Methodology) Course Instructor: Dr. Aurangzeb Z. Khan 11
Ethical Interfaces in Business Research
Subjects’ Rights Clients’ Rights
Researchers’ Obligation Researchers’ Obligation
Research Research
Researcher
Subject Sponsor
Researchers’ Rights Researchers’ Rights
Subjects’ Obligation Clients’ Obligation
Subjects Rights & Clients Obligation
29 August 2005 MBA III (Research Methodology) Course Instructor: Dr. Aurangzeb Z. Khan 12
Ethical Behavior Considerations:
Research Subjects
Truthfulness in giving information to the researcher if a
research subject or respondent gives his or her consent
to participate in a research study
Sustained cooperativeness with the researcher
throughout the course of the research study
Adhere to responsibility if informed consent is given to
the researcher
State any constraints or limitations in advance
29 August 2005 MBA III (Research Methodology) Course Instructor: Dr. Aurangzeb Z. Khan 13
Ethical Behavior Considerations:
Researchers
No deception, be forthright and do not conceal the true
purpose of the research
Maintain objectivity, courtesy and high professional
standards through scientific process
No falsification, alteration or misrepresentation of data
for political or other purposes
Protect the confidentiality of the research subjects and
research sponsors
No faulty conclusions
No inclusion or use of information or ideas contained in
competing research proposals
29 August 2005 MBA III (Research Methodology) Course Instructor: Dr. Aurangzeb Z. Khan 14
Ethical Behavior Considerations:
Research Sponsors
No request for submission of competitive bids by
researchers if selection of the researcher has already
been made
Avoid manipulation and influencing of the researcher
with a view to discrediting individuals or organizations
The conclusions drawn from research work should be
consistent with the data and not influenced by other
undesirable conditions or motives
Observe the confidentiality of the research subjects and
researcher
Avoid Advocacy Research
29 August 2005 MBA III (Research Methodology) Course Instructor: Dr. Aurangzeb Z. Khan 15
The Menace of Plagiarism
Please read the CIIT Academic Honesty
Policy compiled by Mr. Laeeq-ur-Rehman
Khan which is distributed in this class as a
separate sheet
ZERO TOLERANCE (and ZERO MARKS)
for cheating and plagiarism at COMSATS
Institute of Information Technology!
29 August 2005 MBA III (Research Methodology) Course Instructor: Dr. Aurangzeb Z. Khan 16
