MBA 2nd Semester

BUSINESS RESEARCH METHODS

Module-1

What is exploratory research?

Exploratory research is a type of research design used to explore a topic or problem in an
open-ended, unstructured way. The goal of exploratory research is to gain an initial
understanding of a research problem or topic, identify potential research questions, and
generate hypotheses for further research.

Exploratory research often involves collecting qualitative data through methods such as
interviews, focus groups, or observation, as well as analyzing secondary data sources
such as literature reviews or existing datasets. The data collected in exploratory research
is usually descriptive in nature and is used to develop an understanding of the research
problem, rather than to test speci c hypotheses.

Exploratory research is useful in situations where the researcher has limited knowledge of
the research problem or where the problem is complex and multifaceted. It can also be
used when a researcher wants to generate new ideas or concepts, or when the research
problem is relatively unexplored and requires initial investigation.

What is conclusive research?

Conclusive research is a type of research design that aims to provide a de nitive answer
to a research question or hypothesis. It is often used to test speci c hypotheses, to con rm
or discon rm a theory, or to evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention or treatment.

Conclusive research is typically quantitative in nature, involving the collection and analysis
of numerical data through methods such as surveys, experiments, or observational
studies. The data collected in conclusive research is often analyzed using statistical
methods to determine the strength and direction of relationships between variables.

Unlike exploratory research, conclusive research is more structured and focused, and the
research questions or hypotheses being tested are often clearly de ned. The goal of
conclusive research is to draw conclusions or make decisions based on the ndings of the
study, and the results of conclusive research can be used to inform policy, guide decision-
making, or provide evidence for further research.

What is descriptive research?

Descriptive research is a type of research design that aims to describe the characteristics,
behaviors, or attitudes of a particular group or phenomenon. The goal of descriptive
research is to provide an accurate and comprehensive picture of the research topic,
without attempting to explain or predict any underlying causes or relationships.

Descriptive research can be quantitative or qualitative in nature, and it often involves the
collection of data through methods such as surveys, interviews, observation, or secondary
data analysis. The data collected in descriptive research is often analyzed using basic
statistical methods such as frequency distributions, means, and standard deviations.
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Descriptive research is useful in situations where the researcher wants to gain a better
understanding of a particular phenomenon or group, or to describe a particular population
or sample. It is often used in market research, social science research, and public health
research, among other elds. The results of descriptive research can be used to inform
policy, guide decision-making, or provide evidence for further research.

What is causal research?

Causal research is a type of research design that aims to establish a cause-and-effect
relationship between two or more variables. The goal of causal research is to determine
whether changes in one variable cause changes in another variable, and to establish the
direction, strength, and nature of the relationship between the variables.

Causal research typically involves the use of experiments, where one variable is
manipulated or controlled while other variables are held constant, and the effects on
another variable are observed. Other types of research designs, such as quasi-
experimental studies, longitudinal studies, or case-control studies, can also be used to
establish causality.

Causal research is used to answer speci c research questions or test hypotheses, and it is
often conducted in situations where a researcher wants to intervene or manipulate a
variable to see its effects on another variable. The results of causal research can be used
to make predictions, inform policy decisions, or guide interventions or treatments.
However, it is important to note that establishing causality requires a high level of rigor and
control, and causal claims must be supported by strong evidence.

Research Process/Steps for process of research

The research process is a systematic approach to conducting research, which involves
several key steps. While the speci c steps may vary depending on the research question,
methodology, and context, a typical research process may include the following steps:

1. Identifying the research problem: This involves selecting a research topic, de ning
the research question, and identifying the research objectives.
2. Reviewing the literature: This involves reviewing existing research and literature on
the topic to identify gaps in the knowledge and to inform the research design.
3. Formulating hypotheses: This involves developing testable hypotheses based on
the research question and literature review.
4. Designing the research methodology: This involves selecting a research design,
sampling strategy, data collection methods, and data analysis methods.
5. Collecting data: This involves collecting data through primary or secondary sources,
using methods such as surveys, experiments, interviews, observation, or analysis of
existing datasets.
6. Analyzing the data: This involves cleaning, coding, and analyzing the data using
appropriate statistical or qualitative methods, and testing the hypotheses.
7. Drawing conclusions: This involves interpreting the ndings and drawing
conclusions based on the results of the analysis, and comparing the results to the
research objectives.
8. Communicating the results: This involves preparing a research report or
manuscript, and presenting the results to the intended audience, such as academic
peers, policymakers, or practitioners.
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 9. Evaluating the research process: This involves re ecting on the research process,
identifying limitations and strengths, and making recommendations for future
research.

Approaches of research
There are two main approaches to research: quantitative and qualitative. Each approach
has its own strengths and weaknesses, and researchers may choose one or both
approaches depending on their research questions, objectives, and methodology.

1. Quantitative research: This approach involves the collection and analysis of

numerical data through methods such as surveys, experiments, or observational
studies. The data collected in quantitative research is often analyzed using
statistical methods to identify patterns, relationships, or causal effects. The
strengths of quantitative research include the ability to generalize ndings to a
larger population, the use of objective and replicable methods, and the ability to test
hypotheses rigorously. However, quantitative research may be limited in its ability to
capture the complexity and richness of human experience or to address questions
that cannot be easily quanti ed.

2. Qualitative research: This approach involves the collection and analysis of non-
numerical data through methods such as interviews, focus groups, or ethnographic
observation. The data collected in qualitative research is often analyzed using
thematic analysis or other qualitative methods to identify patterns, themes, or
meanings. The strengths of qualitative research include the ability to capture the
complexity and diversity of human experience, to generate rich and detailed
descriptions of phenomena, and to explore research questions that cannot be easily
quanti ed. However, qualitative research may be limited in its ability to generalize
ndings to a larger population, and the subjective nature of qualitative data may
raise questions about the reliability and validity of the ndings.

3. Deductive approach: This approach involves testing a hypothesis or theory by

collecting and analyzing data to con rm or reject the hypothesis or theory. The
researcher begins with a theory or hypothesis and uses a deductive logic to test it
against empirical data. This approach is often used in quantitative research, where
the researcher starts with a speci c research question or hypothesis, and then
collects data to test the hypothesis or answer the research question. The strengths
of the deductive approach include the ability to test theories or hypotheses
rigorously and to make causal inferences based on empirical data. However, the
deductive approach may be limited in its ability to generate new theories or to
capture the complexity and diversity of human experience.

4. Inductive approach: This approach involves generating theories or hypotheses

based on the analysis of empirical data. The researcher begins with observation of
a particular phenomenon, collects data through qualitative methods, and identi es
patterns or themes that emerge from the data. Based on these patterns or themes,
the researcher generates a theory or hypothesis that explains the phenomenon.
This approach is often used in qualitative research, where the researcher is
interested in exploring a research question in depth and generating new insights or
theories. The strengths of the inductive approach include the ability to generate new
theories or hypotheses based on empirical data, and to capture the complexity and
diversity of human experience. However, the inductive approach may be limited in
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 its ability to test theories rigorously and to make causal inferences based on
empirical data.

Problem identi cation and formulation in planning a research project

Problem identi cation and formulation is an important step in planning a research project,
as it helps to de ne the research question or problem that the study will address. The
following are some key steps involved in problem identi cation and formulation:

1. Identify a broad research topic: Start by selecting a broad topic area that is relevant
to your eld of study. This may be an area of interest or a gap in the existing
literature.
2. Conduct a literature review: Conduct a thorough review of the existing literature on
the topic. This will help you to identify what is already known about the topic, what
gaps exist in the literature, and what research questions have already been
answered.
3. De ne the research problem: Based on the literature review, identify a speci c
problem or gap in knowledge that you want to address in your research. The
research problem should be clearly de ned, speci c, and relevant to the eld of
study.
4. Develop research questions or hypotheses: Once you have identi ed the research
problem, develop research questions or hypotheses that will guide the study. The
research questions should be speci c, answerable, and relevant to the research
problem.
5. Consider feasibility and resources: Consider the feasibility of the research project,
including the resources that will be required, the timeline for the study, and the
potential barriers or challenges that may arise.
6. Re ne the research problem and questions: Re ne the research problem and
questions based on feasibility considerations and feedback from colleagues or
advisors.
By following these steps, you can identify a clear and speci c research problem or
question that is relevant to your eld of study and feasible to investigate. This will help to
ensure that your research project is well-designed, feasible, and contributes to the
knowledge base in the eld of study.

Research Design/Methodology
Research design refers to the overall plan or strategy that guides a research study. It
involves making decisions about what data to collect, how to collect it, and how to analyze
it in order to answer the research questions or test the hypotheses. There are several key
components of research design that are important to consider:

1. Research question or hypothesis: The research question or hypothesis is the

central focus of the research study and guides the research design.
2. Research method: The research method refers to the speci c approach or
methodology that will be used to collect and analyze data, such as surveys,
experiments, case studies, or observational studies.
3. Sampling: Sampling refers to the process of selecting participants or units of
analysis for the study, such as a random sample, convenience sample, or purposive
sample.
4. Data collection: Data collection involves the methods used to gather data, such as
surveys, interviews, observations, or experiments.
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 5. Data analysis: Data analysis refers to the methods used to analyze and interpret the
data collected, such as statistical analysis or qualitative analysis.
6. Ethical considerations: Ethical considerations are important to consider when
designing a research study, such as informed consent, con dentiality, and
protection of participant rights.
By considering these components, researchers can design a study that is well-suited to
answer their research question or test their hypothesis in a rigorous and valid manner.

In exploratory research, the research question may be less de ned at the outset, and the
research design may involve a more exible and open-ended approach to data collection
and analysis. However, it is still important to consider the research method, sampling, data
collection, data analysis, and ethical considerations in order to ensure that the study is
rigorous and valid.

Similarly, in descriptive research, the research question may be more focused on

describing a particular phenomenon, but it is still important to carefully consider the
research method, sampling, data collection, data analysis, and ethical considerations in
order to ensure that the study provides a clear and accurate description of the
phenomenon of interest.

In causal research, the focus may be on testing a speci c hypothesis or examining the
causal relationship between variables. In this case, it is particularly important to carefully
consider the research method, sampling, data collection, data analysis, and ethical
considerations in order to establish a causal relationship between variables with a high
degree of certainty.
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