Week 1

Introduction to Research Methods,

Nature and Process of Research
Introduction to Research Methods
and Skills
 Course Outline and Books
01 Course Outline (Form Word Document)

02 Books to Follow
Objectives

Assumptions

Principal component analysis and Common factor analysis

 Key points of Today's Discussion
01 Introduction to Research

02 Objectives of Research
Objectives

03 Motivation in Research
Assumptions

Principal component analysis and Common factor analysis

 What is Research?
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Introduction to Research
Introduction to Research
Introduction to Research
 Objectives of Research
 To gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to achieve new insights
into it (exploratory or formulative research studies)
To portray accurately the characteristics of a particular individual,
situation or a group (descriptive research studies)
To establish a causal relationship between variables (explanatory
research studies)

Source: Social research methods, 4th Edition by Bryman, Page # 138

Source: Research Methodology: Methods and Techniques, 2 th Edition by Kothari, Page # 2
 Motivation in Research
What makes people to undertake research? This is a question of fundamental
importance. The possible motives for doing research may be either one or more
of the following:
Desire to face the challenge in solving the unsolved problems, i.e., concern
over
practical problem initiates research;
Desire to get intellectual joy of doing some creative work;
Desire to get a research degree along with its consequential benefits;
Desire to be of service to society.

Source: Research Methodology: Methods and Techniques, 2 th Edition by Kothari, Page # 2

 Business Research – Why ?
Manager are separated from:
Customers,
Markets,
New trends shaping up and
Changing dynamics

So, they need timely, pertinent, cost effective, accurate and reliable
information to base their business decisions for higher returns
The nature of business and management
research
 Key points
01 Business research

02 Types of business research: Basic and Applied

Objectives

Assumptions

Principal component analysis and Common factor analysis

 Business research
Business research can be described as a systematic and
organized effort to investigate a specific problem encountered
in the work setting, which needs a solution. It comprises a
series of steps that are designed and executed with the goal
of finding answers to the issues that are of concern to the
manager in the work environment. This means that the first
step in research is to know where the problem areas exist in
the organization, and to identify as clearly and specifically as
possible the problems that need to be studied and resolved.
 Business research (Cont…)
Once the problem is clearly defined, steps can be taken to
determine the factors that are associated with the problem,
gather information, analyze the data, develop an explanation
for the problem at hand and then solve it by taking the
necessary corrective measures.
In essence, research provides the necessary information that
guides managers to make informed decisions to successfully
deal with problems.
 Types of business research:
Basic and Applied
1) Basic Research
a) Purpose
Expand knowledge of processes of business
and management
Results in universal principles relating to the
process and its relationship to outcomes
Findings of significance and value to society in
general
 b) Context
Undertaken by people based in universities
Choice of topic and objectives determined by the
researcher
Flexible time scales
2) Applied Research
a) Purpose
Improve understanding of particular business or
management problem
Results in solution to problem
New knowledge limited to problem
Findings of practical relevance and value to manager(s)
in organisation(s)
 b) Context
Undertaken by people based in a variety of settings
including organisations and universities
Objectives negotiated with originator
Tight time scales
Source: Research methods for business, 7th Edition by Uma Sekaran, Page # 2
Source: Research methods for business students, 5th Edition by Saunders, Page # 9
 Class Activity
• Research Topics Discussion
• Review Sample Research Articles