Business Research

Methods
Sarah Wali Qazi

Week 1
Research – An overview

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Task–1 (5 minutes)

what is research?

Any three sentences or

words which comes in your
mind with the word
‘Research’?

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Defining Business Research
Definition by Cooper
 A process of determining, acquiring, analyzing, synthesizing, and
disseminating relevant business data, information, and
insights to decision makers in ways that mobilize the organization
to take appropriate business actions that, in turn, maximize
business performance

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More definitions
 Research is the process  An organized,
of finding solutions to a
problem after a
thorough study and
analysis of the
situational factors.
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systematic, critical,
objective, scientific
inquiry or investigation
into a specific problem,
undertaken with the
propose of finding
answers or solutions to
it.
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Typical Users of Business Research Methods

 Businesses and Corporations

 Public-Sector Agencies
 Consulting Firms
 Research Institutes
 Non-Governmental Organizations
 Independent Researchers and
Consultants
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Selected Examples of Real-Life Situations in
Which Business Research Methods are Used
 A firm wants to produce and market a new product but first wants
to ascertain if there is a potential consumer demand for this
product in markets x,y and z

 A multinational firm wants to establish a production facility in

another country after determining its technical and economic
feasibility

 A government agency wants to ascertain the satisfaction level of its

employees, the causes for any possible discontent, and propose a
scheme for enhancing this level

 A financial institution wants to invest in commodities and

commissions a study to determine the past trends and forecast
future returns in a portfolio of commodities

 The CEO of a firm wants to undertake a SWOT-Analysis as part of

his plan to redefine his organization’s priorities
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Task-2 (5 minutes)

 Write down two real-life situations

where you think research can be
applied.
 Be creative …
 The situation should be in our local
perspective.

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Basic and Applied Research
Basic Research/Pure Research aims to expand
the frontiers of knowledge by verifying or
disproving the acceptability of a given theory
or attempting to discover more about a certain
concept (non-specificity)
Example: How does motivation affect
employee performance?
Applied Research focuses on a real-life problem
or situation with a view to helping reach a
decision how to deal with it (Specificity)
Example: Should Corporation X adopt a
paperless office environment?
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Purpose of Basic Research
 Expand knowledge of
processes of business
and management
 Knowledge is not limited
 Findings of significance
and value to society in
general
Purpose of Applied
Research
 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
managers in
organizations

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Task-3 (5 minutes)

 Write one example of each

basic and applied research.
 You may work in pairs

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 A comparison of the attitudes
of different student ethnic
groups toward the general
education requirements at the
City University of New York.

 Applied

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  The relationship between
adolescent self-esteem and
alcoholism in parents.

 Basic

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  Employerperceptions of
changes in essential secretarial
skills of his employees between
1945 and 1995.

 Applied

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 The effectiveness of counselors
who are recovering alcoholics
as compared with other
counselors at the Rosewood
Recovery Center.

 Applied

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 Characteristics of Good Research

Clearly defined purpose

Detailed research process
Thoroughly planned design
High ethical standards
Limitations addressed
Adequate analysis
Unambiguous presentation
Conclusions justified
References
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 Process of Research

Data Analysis and

Proposal Introductio Literatur Research
Collectio Managerial
Development n e Review Methodology
n Implications
 Process of Business Research

Proposal
Development/ Analysis and
Introduction/
Company Literature Research Data Provision of
Industry
Related Review Methodology Collection Alternative
Overview
Problems Solution

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Group Formation

 4-5 Students per group

 Based on your area of Interest.
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