Research Methodology

Lecture No : 2

Recap lecture 1
We examined what is research?
Systematic effort to investigate a problem

Introduced the Types of research

Applied (solve a current problem of org)
Basic (improve understanding of a problem)

Why managers should know about

research
Identify problems , discriminate b/w good and bad research,
appreciate the multiple influences of different factors ,etc.

Hall Marks of Scientific Research.

Purposive, Rigor, Testability, Replicability, Precision/confidence,
Objectivity, Generalizbility, Parsimony

Building Blocks of Scientific Research

Observation, identification of problem area, Theoretical Framework,
Hypothesis, Construct, Concepts operations definitions, Research
Design, Data Collection , Analysis, Interpretation,
implementation/refinement of theory

Lecture Objective
To identify broad problem areas that are likely be
studied in Organization
What preliminary information in the work setting
can be collected.
To conduct a literature survey
To develop relevant and comprehensive
bibliography for any organization research area.
To write a literature review
To state research problems clearly and precisely

Outcomes
We will examine ways to identify variables that would be
relevant to the problem situation
We would be able to develop a literature review.
We would be able to developing specific problems
statements.

Research Process Steps

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

Observation
Preliminary Data collation
Problem definition
Theoretical Framework(variables identification)
Generation of Hypothesis
Research Design
Data Collection & Interpretation
Deduction
Report writing (or other wise)

The Research Process for Applied and Basic

Research
Step 1 to 5 are part of the process to identify the
Broad Problem Area, literature review, problem statement,
conceptual framework and the hypothesis generation.
Step 6 and 7 are part of the design which involves planning of
the actual study , location, how to select sample, collect data,
and analyze data.
Step 8 and 9 denote the final deductions from the hypotheses
testing.
If all hypothesis are substantiated and research questions
are fully answered we would try to find different ways to
solve the problem.
If not all hypotheses not support we try to examine the
reasons for this

Broad Problem Area

Identify the broad problem area( observation / focus)
The broad problem area refers to the entire situation
where one sees as a possible need for research and
problem solving e.g.
Training programs are perhaps are not effective as were
anticipated.
An increase in the dis-satisfaction of Customers
Minority groups not making career progress

Broad Problem Area (cont..)

The specific issue might not be very clear.
The issue could pertain to
Problems currently existing in an organization
Areas where the managers believes can have
improvements
For better understanding of a Phenomena
Some empirically research is needed.

Example(s):
Current existing problem: (The removal is essential as it can
effect the routine operations of the organization)
People are not regularly attending their work.

Require Improvement: (The situation needs to enhanced to

ensure a better performance of the organization)
People might come but do not always show a 100% commitment to
their work

Conceptual Issue: (Define the concept, performance)

What is performance (org performance / Employee performance
.
How to measure )

Empirical: (Test empirically )

Attendance and performance related.

Broad Problem Areas

Flexi
Time

Career
progre
ss

Manageme
nt of
complex
project

Attendance
Sale
s

Preliminary Information Collection

The broad problem area is narrowed down to specific
issues for investigation after some preliminary
information gathering.
This may take the forms of interviews and library
research
i.e. we try understand the problem in more detail and
and develop a theory in which we try to illustrate the
possible variables that might influence the problem.

Nature of preliminary information collected

The preliminary information collected can be collected
from
Background info of the org/secondary information
Prevailing Knowledge on the Topic

Background Info of the org/secondary Info

Before conducting the first interview

Origin and history of the company -Size
Charter
- Resources
Charter
- Financial position etc
For example information gathered on the financial
status of organization can help identify if the
organization cash flow are bad that might indicate
a high rate of return of the products.
This information could be used to gather further
information and discussion while interviewing .

 We need to use good judgment as to what kind of

preliminary data is needed
Main idea is to identify the real problems
After the interviewing the researcher needs to tabulate
the various types of information and determine if there
are any patterns to the responses.

Prevailing Knowledge on the Topic

Certain factors are frequently mentioned e.g. untrained
personnel , un safe work environment etc
This gives the researcher a good idea about how to
proceed to the next step of surveying the prevailing
knowledge on the topic through literature review
The literature can help see how other have perceived
these factors in other work settings.

Literature Survey

Literature survey is the documentation of a

comprehensive review of the published and unpublished
work from secondary sources of data in the area of
specific interest to the researcher.
Library, books, WWW, magazines, conference
proceedings, thesis, government publications, and
financial reports.

Why have Literature Survey

A good literature survey ensures that:
Distinction between symptoms and real problem
Important variables are identified
Develop theoretical framework and hypothesis
Problem statement can be made with more precision.
Avoid in reinventing the wheel.
Recognition in the scientific community

Conducting the literature Survey

1. Identify the relevant sources
2. Extracting the relevant information
3. Writing up the literature review

Relevant source
Bibliographic database (article name, date, author..)
Abstract Database (all above + summary)
Full

Evaluating the Literature

Searching might exhibit hundreds of articles and books

Careful selection is needed
We need to find (A)Relevance (B) Quality of the literature
(A) Relevance
Titles of articles/books
Abstracts of an article

Overview of the purpose

General research plan
Findings
Conclusion

 Introduction in an article
Overview of the problem addressed
Specific research objectives
Ends with the summary research questions

Table of contents in a book

Quality
You need to ask
Is the research question / problem clearly stated
Does this study build on previous research
Used appropriate quantitative and qualitative tool etc.

You need to also check if it has been published in good journal

i.e peer reviewed , impact factor

Extracting the Relevant Information

From the articles extract these following information
Problem
Variables
Sample
Data collection
Data analysis
Results
Conclusion

Writing up the literature Review

Documenting of relevant studies citing the author and
the year of the study is called literature review.
Reference key studies , Reference books and article
which are latest
The literature survey is a clear presentation of relevant
research work done thus far in the area of investigation.
All relevant information should be in a coherent and
logical manner instead of chronological manner

Writing up the literature Review(Cont..)

Introduce the subject (Importance + Purpose of the study
+ define the key concepts)
Identify the major research literature and the gaps
Finally discuss the variables and their relationship to help
you to formulate your frame work and hypothesis.
Article Effects of Flexi Time on Employee Attendance
and Performance

Examples of Bibliography and References

(APA)
Lehsin, C. B. (1997). Management on the World wide
Web. Engle wood Cliff, Prentice Hall.
More examples on pg 61

Referencing and Quotation in Literature review

Todd (1998) has show
In 1997, Kyle compared the dual careers and dual
Perter Drucker (1986) staff work should be limited to
few tasks of high priority.
More examples on page 64

Defining Problem Statement

After interviews and literature review the researcher are
in better position to narrow down the problem from the
broad problem area to more specific problem.
A problem statement is a clear, precise statement of the
specific issue that research intends to address.
A problem could be an interest in a issues where finding
the right answer might help to improve the existing
situation.
We need to be care full that we do not define Symptoms
as problems

Symptom Problem v.s. Real Problem

Symptom Problem: Low Productivity
Real Problem : Low moral
Solution to Symptom is increase in piece rate
Solution to Real Problem : Recognition

Examples of Well defined Problem Statements

To what extent has the new advertising campaign been
successful in creating a high quality , customer centered
corporate image?
How has new packaging affected the sales of the
product?
How do price and quality rate on consumers evaluation?
Does better automation lead to greater investment ?

Example of Broad Problem Area, Lit

Review, Problem Statement.
Broad Problem Area: Low productivity of employee.
Lit Review: faulty machines, low pay rate, low moral
Problem Statement: Is the low moral of employee at
plant x the cause of low productivity?

Exercise
Identify the Broad Problem area, define the problem,
and how would you proceed further.
Pioneers minivans and pickup take a big share of the
truck market , while its cars lag behind those of its
competitors. Quality issues like faulty electrical system,
and head lights are a major concern to the management.

Summary
Identify the first three steps in the research process
Identification of the broad problem area
Preliminary information gathering through interviews and
literature survey
Problem definition

APA format of referencing

Next lecture we would cover the next two steps of the
research process
Framework
Hypotheses