RESEARCH METHODOLOGY - ASSIGNMENT 04 – CH 04

Omar Refaat Rashad Mohamed

ID: 21123007
1. How would you describe the research process?
includes a series of steps in identifying the variables to be studied and the method for conducting the study.

Step Description
Observation The problem statement is a critical aspect. Though it is generated by having a good feel for where the
gap between a desired state and the actual state exists in the system,
The problem statement can be repeatedly honed and made more precise at various stages in the
research process.
Theory The theoretical framework and hypotheses are important parts of the research
formulation process since these focus on finding the answers to the research question.
Hypothesizing
Research Good research design helps in finding reliable answers to the problem that is investigated.
Design

2. Explain the preliminary data collection methods.

- Preliminary data can be obtained through interviews and/or through literature search.
- These processes help to define the problem statement precisely and to formulate the theoretical framework.
- Interviews conducted at various levels are aimed at obtaining background information on the system that is
investigated, the structure and processes that operate in the system, the perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors
of the people in the institution, and other related matters.
- The literature search will be based on the factors that seem pertinent to the problem that is investigated.
- After locating all the references in the area, the work relevant to the problem at hand will be studied and a
literature review written up.
3. Why is it important to gather information on the background of the organization?

The background information of the company is likely to offer the researcher several clues on when the problems that
are currently experienced by the company could have started and how they could have originated.

One can also assess how the other companies operating in similar types of environment in the industry might be
different and in what way.

Since multiple factors can influence the problem, the possibility that some of the background features of the company
are influencing the situational problem cannot be ruled out.

Additionally, the background factors offer the researcher a good idea of how the philosophy and culture of the company
are shaped, and to what extent they can be changed, if necessary.

Collecting background information also helps to focus on critical issues and raise appropriate questions during the
interview process. Examples of this are provided in the book.

4. Should a researcher always find information on structural and job characteristics from those interviewed? Give
reasons for your answer with examples.

It is almost always advisable for the researcher to gather some information on the structure and job characteristics even
though it may appear that the problem may not be related to either of these factors.

For example, the problem of not meeting the production deadlines may be directly related to the delayed deliveries of
the raw materials by the suppliers. In such a case, the tendency might be to focus the data collection mainly as it relates
to suppliers. However, interviewing the employees and ascertaining their reactions to their job, work‐flow
interdependencies, structure, and the like, might offer the solution that deadlines can be met even with delayed raw
material supplies by changing the workflow patterns, or other structural aspects.

It is for such reasons that some time should be spent on finding the job and structure related information.
There is also another way of looking at this. Human beings operating in organizations face a multitude of factors
surrounding them, many of which, directly or indirectly, influence their operating effectiveness.

The structural factors such as policies and procedures, reward systems and job factors do play a critical part in how
outcomes for the organization are achieved.

Because of this, it certainly helps to get a feel for these factors. Of course, there is no need to spend a great deal of time
on these unless there is some indication that there could be problems in these areas.

As an example, it is possible that the age of the machinery could be blamed for low production, and sophisticated
machinery might be installed without any appreciable difference in the results. Further investigation might throw light
on the fact that the current incentive system does not encourage high levels of production, and this fact, rather than the
type of machinery used, is the problem. Not finding this before investing heavily on new equipment would be a costly
mistake!
5. How would you go about doing a literature survey in the area of business ethics?

first obtain all the references and abstracts relating to the area of business ethics through on‐line systems, then organize
the studies based on the particular aspects they address, and finally, write up a review of the available literature.

6. What is the purpose of the literature survey?

to make sure that none of the important variables are left out in the study and to generate a parsimonious set of factors
which would help to explain or predict the phenomenon under investigation.

7. Why is appropriate citation important? What are the consequences of not giving credit to the source from which
materials are extracted?

Most published articles are copyrighted. There are rules as to how much can be quoted from the original text without
obtaining the journal’s and the author’s permission. If permission is not obtained for quotes exceeding the authorized
limit, the individual quoting the material is liable to be sued for plagiarism and can even be expelled from the
professional society to which he or she belongs. studies cannot be considered scientific since they do not subscribe to
most of the hallmarks of scientific research. Though they may be purposive and parsimonious, they are not rigorous.
Testability and replicability are difficult and generalizability is virtually non‐existent since each case situation is unique.

8. “The problem definition stage is perhaps more critical in the research process than the problem solution stage”.
Discuss this statement.

Finding the right solution to an incorrectly identified problem helps no one because the original concerns will still
continue to exist. Hence, pinpointing where exactly the gap lies, for which a solution is needed, is critical.

9. Why should one get hung up on problem definition if one already knows the broad problem area to be studied?

Since a problem statement is a clear, precise, and concise statement of the issue to be researched, it offers a focus and
direction to the research. In other words, it sets out the exact purpose of the research and clearly states the question to
which we are trying to find an answer. The broad problem area, however, due to its vagueness and wide scope of the
issues that could be involved, leaves the focus of the research undetermined, and hence offers no sense of purpose or
direction to the research.

To put it differently, a broad problem area does not highlight the specific problem that exists. Unless the precise
problem is identified, a solution to it cannot be found.
This is akin to an individual going to a doctor saying he is losing weight (broad problem). Unless the physician can locate
the reason for this weight loss (define the problem), the situation cannot be rectified.

10. Offer a clearly focused problem statement in the broad area of corporate culture.

What constitutes corporate culture? Or, how does corporate culture influence employee performance?

11. After studying and extracting information from all the relevant work done previously, how does the researcher
know which references, articles, and information should be given prominence in the literature survey?

The mass of information extracted from the various published research and technical and other reports, will indicate to
the researcher the key variables that need to be considered in the particular situation where the problem has been
identified. The choice of the variables for inclusion in the study will be a function of the frequency with which they are
repeatedly found to be significant in the various research studies, the relevance of the variables to the current research
context, and considerations of parsimony. Having decided on the key variables for inclusion in the study, the researcher
can then integrate the information found in the studies that discuss these variables. Other studies which had equally
relevant variables but which had to be excluded from the current research for certain valid reasons should also be briefly
discussed. The reasons for their exclusion should be explicitly stated in the literature survey section.

12. Below is the gist of an article from Business Week. After reading it, (a) identify the broad problem area, (b) define
the problem, and (c) explain how you would proceed further.

“While Chrysler’s minivans, pickups, and sports utilities take a big share of the truck market, its cars trail behind those
of GM, Ford, Honda, and Toyota. Quality problems include, among other things, water leaks and defective parts.”

a. The broad problem is that the Chrysler cars are lagging behind in market share.
b. Problem statement: How can the market share of Chrysler cars be improved?
c. It is best to interview the users of GM, Ford, Honda, and Toyota car users and obtain from them their reactions –
both positive and negative ‐ to the cars they use and why they prefer them. Similar reactions from the users of
Chrysler cars should also be gathered. One should proceed further based on the analysis of these responses.
13. Comment on the following:

“From 1932 to 1972, a research study was conducted in Tuskegee, Alabama, to chart the effects of withholding
treatment to African American men with syphilis.”

This research smacks of a totally unacceptable and unethical approach to the investigation.

14. What is the problem statement in the following situation?

“Employee Loyalty:

Companies benefit through employee loyalty. Crude downsizing in organizations during the recession crushed the
loyalty of millions. The economic benefits of loyalty embrace lower recruitment and training costs, higher productivity
of workers, customer satisfaction, and boost the morale of fresh recruits. In order that these benefits may not be lost,
some companies, while downsizing, try various gimmicks. Flex leave, for instance, is one. This helps employees
receive 20% of their salary, plus employer‐provided benefits while they take a 6‐12 month sabbatical, with a call
option on their services. Others try alternatives like more communication, handholding, and the like.”

Problem statement: How can employee loyalty be maintained during periods of downsizing?

15. How would you define the problem in the following case?

“Accounting Gets Radical:

The GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) do an unacceptable job of accounting for the principal activities
of the Information Age companies. Today, investors are in the dark because the accounting is irrelevant. The basic
purpose of accounting is to provide useful information to help investors make rational investment, credit, and similar
decisions, but today’s most important assets and activities – intellectual capital and knowledge work – are totally
ignored. Professor Robert A. Howell wants to reform the accounting system with the goal of making clear the
measurement of how companies produce cash and create value.”

Problem Definition: What is the best way to improve the accounting system in the Information Age that would furnish
useful data and information to investors to make rational decisions?