Unit 1: The Nature and

Context of Social
Research
DD Pathak, M.Phil.
Assistant Professor
Faculty of Management, T.U
 Contents of Unit 1
• The concept of research
• Types of research
• Nature and purpose of research
• Scientific research -scientific research process, feature of scientific research,
difficulties of applying scientific methods to social science research
• Management research-concept, types, value of research for decision making
• Ethical issues in management research
Asst. Prof. DD Pathak, MPhil (Finance) SDC/CDM _MBS_3rd 06/04/2021 2
 Concept of Research
Meaning
• The process of searching again and again to come closer and closer to the
truth is known as Research.
• Research is an Organized, Systematic, Database, Critical, and Scientific
Enquiry Or Investigation into a specific problem undertaken with the
objective of finding answers of it - Uma Sekaran (2007).
• Research is the process of finding solutions to a problem after a thorough study
and analysis of the situational factors (Zikmund et al. 2013).
• Research is scientific search for pertinent information. This leads us to the
creation to new knowledge- C.R. Kothari (2012).
Asst. Prof. DD Pathak, MPhil (Finance) SDC/CDM _MBS_3rd 06/04/2021 3
 PROCESS OF DESIGNING AND CONDUCTING A RESEARCH
PROJECT:
1. Introduction,
What--What was studied? Research Problems/
What about--What aspects of
the subject were studied? Objectives, &
What for--What is/was the Justification
significance of the study?
2. Literature Review
What did prior lit./research say? 3. Methodology
(Research sample, data
collection, measurement,
What was done--How was the
data analysis)
study conducted?
4. Results & Discussion
What was found? 5. Implications
So what? 6. Conclusions and
What now?
Recommendations for
Future Research
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 Define your research topic
Literature review
Define your research question(s)
i.e. hypothesis

Deductive Design data collection

Pilot study
Design data analysis

Collect data

Analyse data

Interpret results

Report your findings

Adapted from Maylor and Blackmon (2005)

 The Process of Research

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5

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 Concept of Research
• Research is the cornerstone of any science, including both the hard
sciences (chemistry and physics), and soft sciences (social science like
management, sociology, education, etc).

“…the systematic process of collecting and analyzing

information (data) in order to increase our
understanding of the phenomenon about which we are
concerned or interested.”
Asst. Prof. DD Pathak, MPhil (Finance) SDC/CDM _MBS_3rd 06/04/2021 7
 Concept of Research
Need of Research
• To provide information to understand social or business phenomena.
• To provide information to the managers to take decisions
• To add or contribute to the general body of knowledge
• To build theories
• To identify relationship

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 Types of Research
1. Applied Research:
• Knowledge that has immediate application and would be useful in making decisions and
formulating policies.
• The purpose of this research is to answer practical and useful questions about policies,
programs, projects, procedures or organizations. Hence business executives or managers
take interest in this type of research because it focuses on present problems.
• conducted to address a specific business decision for a specific firm or
organization.
- Example: Should Siddhartha Food Land add Nesle’s Meggi in dinners to its menu?

Asst. Prof. DD Pathak, MPhil (Finance) SDC/CDM _MBS_3rd 06/04/2021 9

 Types of Research
2. Fundamental Research :
• The research which is undertaken to improve the existing understanding of certain problems and
its basic purpose is to add knowledge that is fundamental and generalizable.
• It also called pure or basic research. The professors, scholars, and other research scholars has to do
this type of research to generate new knowledge.
• conducted without a specific decision in mind that usually does not address the needs of a
specific organization.
• Attempts to expand the limits of knowledge in general.
• Not aimed at solving a pragmatic problem.
• Example:- Does employee tenure with a company influence productivity?
Asst. Prof. DD Pathak, MPhil (Finance) SDC/CDM _MBS_3rd 06/04/2021 10
 Types of Research
Distinguishing Hallmarks
• University professor Vs company manager
• Time frame: Long Vs Short
• Theory building Vs Problem solving
• Future orientation Vs Current
• General Vs Specific

Asst. Prof. DD Pathak, MPhil (Finance) SDC/CDM _MBS_3rd 06/04/2021 11

 Distinguishing Hallmarks
Basis Basis Basic Research Applied Research
Problem selection Individual researcher Employer or sponsor
by
Motivation for Intellectual curiosity and Commitment to promote
researcher satisfaction in advancing public welfare
knowledge
Goal Generalized theoretical Cost-effective reduction of
understanding, tools, techniques social problems
Research Arena Laboratory Real world setting
Nature Analytical Synthetic
Application Less More
Asst. Prof. DD Pathak, MPhil (Finance) SDC/CDM _MBS_3rd 06/04/2021 12
 Nature and Purpose of Research
• Exploration:
To explore the reality and try to be familiar with the social issues or phenomena.
• Description:
To describe the phenomena under investigation and to add more on existing
knowledge.
• Explanation:
To explain the reasons for the phenomena and to contribute to the furtherance of
knowledge in the field.

Asst. Prof. DD Pathak, MPhil (Finance) SDC/CDM _MBS_3rd 06/04/2021 13

 Nature and Purpose of Research
• Generalization and prediction:
To explain about how the variables involved in the situation behave and the more
generalizable the research, the greater its usefulness and value for prediction.
• Theory building:
To generate more knowledge and understanding of the phenomena that occur and to
build theories based on research results.
• Refinement of Research methods:
To refine the existing research methods and to develop new and more effective research
methods, research design and procedures.
Asst. Prof. DD Pathak, MPhil (Finance) SDC/CDM _MBS_3rd 06/04/2021 14
 Scientific Research
• The ultimate goal of scientific research is to generate theories to explain and
predict behavior.

• The way researchers go about using knowledge and evidence to reach objective
conclusions about the real world.

• The analysis and interpretation of empirical evidence (facts from observation or

experimentation) to confirm or disprove prior conceptions.
Asst. Prof. DD Pathak, MPhil (Finance) SDC/CDM _MBS_3rd 06/04/2021 15
 Scientific Research

• Scientific research is systematic, controlled, empirical, and critical

investigation of hypothetical propositions about the presumed
relations among natural phenomena (Sekharan, 2007).

• Thus, Scientific research is not based on guesses, experience and

intuition alone (Pant, P. R., 2012).
• Hence it is systematic and follows the steps of the scientific method.
Asst. Prof. DD Pathak, MPhil (Finance) SDC/CDM _MBS_3rd 06/04/2021 16
 Features of Scientific Method
• Purposiveness : Focus & a specific purpose
• Testability : Develop and test the Hypotheses
• Replicability : Acceptability and similar results
• Objectivity : More objective the Analysis and interpretation of data, the more scientific. Fact
should determine your conclusion.
• Rigour : Rigorous process (in terms of theoretical framework and methodology), carefulness,
degree of exactitude in research investigation
• Generalizability: Wider application of result
• Parsimony : simplicity in explanation
Parsimony (extreme unwillingness to spend money or use resources. ): If three variable
explain 50 percent and ten variables explain 53SDC/CDM
Asst. Prof. DD Pathak, MPhil (Finance)
percent,_MBS_3rd
three variable should be 06/04/2021
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 Process of Scientific Research
1. Sensing and Realizing Problem through observation and or literature
review
2. Problem Definition/ Identification of Problem Area
3. Develop Theoretical/Conceptual Framework
4. Generation of Hypothesis (Formulation of Hypothesis)
5. Scientific Research Design
6. Data Collection, Analysis and Interpretation
7. Report writing and presentation
8. Use of report: Theory building and Decision making
Asst. Prof. DD Pathak, MPhil (Finance) SDC/CDM _MBS_3rd 06/04/2021 18
A Summary of the Scientific Method (Zikmund, 2014)

Asst. Prof. DD Pathak, MPhil (Finance) SDC/CDM _MBS_3rd 06/04/2021 19

 Some obstacles to conducting scientific
research in the management area
• It is not always possible to conduct investigations that are 100%
scientific in management and social science
• The results obtained will not be exact and error-free
• Measurement and collection of data in the subjective areas of feelings,
emotions, attitudes, and perceptions
• Human behavior can not be quantified
• Difficulties in obtaining a representative sample, thus restricting the
generalizability of the findings.
Asst. Prof. DD Pathak, MPhil (Finance) SDC/CDM _MBS_3rd 06/04/2021 20
 Management/Business Research
• A systematic enquiry whose objective is to provide information to solve
management problems.
• The systematic and objective process of gathering, recording and
analyzing data for aid in making business decisions.
• “Business Research is a systematic and organized investigation
conducted to resolve problematic issues in, or interrelated among,
the different areas of management”- Uma Sekeran, 2007.

Asst. Prof. DD Pathak, MPhil (Finance) SDC/CDM _MBS_3rd 06/04/2021 21

 Objectives of Management Research
• Identifying opportunities and problems
• Selecting a course of action and implementing
• Evaluating the course of action

Asst. Prof. DD Pathak, MPhil (Finance) SDC/CDM _MBS_3rd 06/04/2021 22

 Why Managers Need Better Information?

• To let the managers understand the situation.

• To solve problems.
• To provide basic information to make decisions.
• To reduce the risk and uncertainty of strategic plans and their
implementation.
The better information or knowledge the managers have, the
lower will be the risk associated with decision making.
 Types of Management Research

• Policy Research
• Managerial Research
• Action Research
• Evaluation Research
Policy Research

Translation of vision and mission into objectives and targets.

Prepare policy proposals and policy options based on
environmental assessment.
Formulate strategies, plans, goals, priorities.
Identify alternatives.
Assess impact and uncertainties.
Evaluation mechanisms.
 Managerial Research

Study of the on-going operations of a firm on a

continuous basis.
Recommend interventions as and when needed.
MIS is the essential requirement of managerial
research.
 Action Research
 Combines “action” and “research” together.
 Combines “action” and “knowledge”
together.
 This research is also known as participatory
research, collaborative research.
 This research is “learning by doing”.
 Evaluation Research

Purpose
To see whether a program was carried out as expected.
To measure the effectiveness of the program.
Methods
 Formative (to provide feedback when the program is in operation)
 Summative (Evaluation after program completion)
Evaluation research information is useful in expanding, curtailing or modifying the
existing programs.
Management research basically depends
on:
• Availability of Time
• Availability of data
• The nature of decision to be made
• The cost involved in relation to the value in business
• Resources available
 Who Conducts Management Research?

• The manager himself, if the problem is simple.

• Internal team of management.
• External consultants
 What is Research Ethics?

 Ethics are norms or standards of behavior that guide

moral choice about our behavior and our
relationships with others.

 The goal is to ensure that no one is harmed or

suffers adverse consequences from research
activities.
 Researcher’s Ethical Responsibilities
• Responsibility to himself.
 He should conduct research honestly, safely and sensibly.
• Responsibility to respondents.
 The researcher should make sure that they understand the purpose of the study
and also explain how the data will be used.
• Responsibility to organizations involved in research.
 They should be fully informed of the nature of research –
the purpose, data collection, use of data, publication of findings.
• Responsibility to the employer or educational institution.
 Research should be conducted according to accepted conventions.
 Ethical Treatment of Participants

 Begin data collection by explaining to the participants the benefits expected

from the research.

 Explain to the participants that their rights and well-being will be adequately
protected, and say how this will be done.

 Be certain that interviewers obtain the informed consent of the participants.

 Common Ethical Issues
 Put pressure on the respondents to grant access to confidential information.
 Violate an individual’s right to privacy; force the respondents to provide personal data.
 Fabricate the data; replace actual data with false data.
 Alter the data to make them “look better” or fit with theory.
 Select only the best data for reporting.
 Claim credit for the work done by others.
 Report data without permission from the organization.
 Share the research result with colleagues and others prior to its finalization and publication.
 Make unauthorized copies of data and reports.
 Publish the same paper in two different journals.
 Publish a collaborative work in one’s own name.
 Waste materials and animals in research.
 Texts and Supplementary Readings
Texts:
• Zikmund, W. G. (Chapter 1, 3, 4 & 5)
• Pant, P.R. (Chapter 1 & 2)
Article:
• Whitley, R.D. (1984). The scientific status of management research as a
practically oriented social science. Journal of Management Studies, 21/4:
369-390.
Chapter 1 Introduction_RM_CDM_MBS 35
 Research is a Fun Game

Thank You

Stay Safe Stay Happy

Asst. Prof. DD Pathak, MPhil (Finance) SDC/CDM _MBS_3rd 06/04/2021 36