04. Business Research Process (an Overview)

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Business Research

Process (An overview)

Chapter 4

References:

Business Research Book of VU

Research Methods For Business (Uma Sekaran)

Business Research Methods (William G. Zikmund)


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Business Research Process

Research task is usually treated as a sequentialprocess/steps involving several clearly defined steps.

These steps may differ in various situations. Recycling,adding, and skipping occur.

Various approaches suggest somewhat different steps ranging from five steps to eleven steps.

The variation may be due to purposes, and methods

used by the researches, though some researchers maycombine some of the steps.

Completion of each step before going to next is notrequired i.e skipping is possible


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The Business Research Process

Observation

Broad

problem area

Preliminary Data

Gathering

Problem

definition

Theoretical

Framework

Variables

Identification and

labelling

Generation of

Hypothesis

Scientific

Researc

h

Design

Data

Collection,analysis &

interpretation

Deduction

Research QuestionAnswered?

Report

Writing

Report

Presentation

Decision

MakingYes

NO


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1. Observation/Broad Problem Area

The process begins with a researcher selecting atopic the entire situation where one sees apossible need for research and problem solving

The specific issues that need to be researchedwithin the situation may not be identified at thisstage. E.g. Problem currently existing in an organizational setting that need

to be solved (Inefficiency in production)

Areas that a manager believes need to be improved in theorganization (improving the existing policies)

The broad problem area would be narrowed down tospecific issues for investigation after some preliminary

data are gathered by the researcher.


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2. Preliminary Data Collection

Also know of literature review. This step may beconsidered as part of the exploratory research. Anexploration typically begins with a search for published data (Secondary Data) and studies.

Some secondary sources of data are statisticalbulletins, government publications, informationpublished or unpublished, case studies, online data,

web sites, discussions and the Internet. Such sources can provide data which becomes part of

the background information (about the organization,groups of people, context (background) of the issue.


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3. Problem Definition

After having discussions with the professionals, with thepersons to whom the issue relates, and the review ofliterature, the researcher is in a position to narrow downfrom its original broad base and define the issue clearly.

Translate the broad issue into a research question. A research problem in general refers to some difficulty

which a researcher experiences in the context of either atheoretical or practical situation and wants a solution for the

same. Problem is defined as any situation where a gap exists

between the actual and the desired ideal state. Eg. Zerodefects in products, High quotation in the stock market.


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If the research problem is defined incorrectly, the

research objectives will also be wrong, and the entireresearch process will be a waste of time and money.

Components of a research problem

There must be an individual or a group which has some

difficulty or the problem

There must be some objective(s) to be attained at.

If one wants nothing one cannot have a problem.

There must be alternative means (courses of action) for

obtaining the objective.


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Main Features of Good Research Problem.

The question should be feasible i.e it can be investigated without

an undue amount of time, energy or money.

The question should be ethical i.e it should not involve physical or

psychological harm or damage to human feelings or to natural or

social environment of which they are part.

Subject which is overdone (too investigated) must not be selected.Too narrow or too vague (unclear) problems should not be chosen.

The problem should be chosen in such a way that the ingredients

required for the study should be within the reach of a researcher.

The importance of the subject, time ,efficiency of the researchers isalso an essential requisite factor.

Selection of problem must be preceded by a preliminary study.

Controversial subject should not be chosen by an average

researcher.


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For example a productivity decline of workers may be anissue. The management may have tried to solve it by the

provision of incentive but did not work. The researcher mayhave to dig deep and find the possible factors like the moraleand motivation of the workers having some otherbackgrounds.

There could be similar other broad issues which have to benarrowed down to research questions like:i. To what extent has the new advertising campaign been successful in

creating the high quality, consumer-centered corporate image that itwas intended to produce?

ii. Has the new packaging affected the sale of the products?iii. Will the day care centers affect the productivity of female workers?

iv. Why the divorce rate is on the increase in Pakistan?

v. Why the family in Pakistan is changing?

vi. What could be the impact of changing family patterns on the sales

volume of products?


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4.Theoretical Framework

The theoretical framework discusses theinterrelationships among the variables that are deemed to

be essential to the dynamics of the situation being

investigated. Or

A logical structure or theoretical framework is the set ofterms and relationships within which the problem is

formulated and solved.

Theoretical framework :

Elaborates the relationship among the variables.

Explains the logic underlying these relationships.

Describes the nature, and direction of the

relationships.


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5. Generation of Hypotheses

After determining the important variables relevant to an

issue and established the logical reasoning in the theoretical

framework, we test whether the relationships that have been

conceived do in fact hold true, formulating such testablestatements is called Hypothesis development

An hypothesis is a specific statement of prediction. It

describes in concrete (rather than theoretical) terms what

you expect will happen in your study. Eg

If the pilots are given adequate training to handle midaircrowded

situations, air-safety violations will be reduced


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6. Research Design

Research design is a master plan specifying themethods and procedures for collecting andanalyzing the needed information.

Research design provides the glue that holds the

research project together. A design is used tostructure the research, to show how all of themajor parts of the research project (the samples orgroups, measures, treatments or programs, andmethods of assignment) work together to try toaddress the central research questions.

The researcher must specify the sources ofinformation, and the research method ortechnique to be followed in thee study.


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The research design constitutes

the blueprint for the collection, measurement, andanalysis of data. It aids the scientist in the

allocation of his limited resources by posing

crucial choices

Research design is the plan and structure ofinvestigation so conceived as to obtain answers to

research questions. The plan is the overall scheme

or program of the research. It includes an outline

of what the investigator will do from writing

hypotheses and their operational implications to

the final analysis of data.


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7. Data Collection, Data Processing,

and Analysis Data collection is integral part of the research design, thoughwe are dealing it separately.

Data can be collected in a variety of ways, in different

settings field or lab and from different sources. Data are special type of information, generally obtained

through observation, surveys, enquiries, or are generated as

are result of human activity.

Data processing generally begins with the editing and codingof the data.

Data Editing: It is the activity aimed at detecting and

correcting errors (logical inconsistencies) in data.Thisaction ensures that the information provided is accurate, complete and

consistent.


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Data Coding. A systematic way in which to condense extensive datasets into smaller analyzable units through the creation of categories

and concepts derived from the data Once data is collected, it is processed to convert it into

useful information. The data is processed again and againuntil the accurate result is achieved. This is called data

processing cycle.

Analysis of data is a process of inspecting, cleaning(error free data), transforming, and representingdata with the goal of highlighting usefulinformation, suggesting conclusions, andsupporting decision making.

Analysis is the application of reasoning tounderstand and interpret the data that have beencollected.


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8.Testing the Hypotheses;

Answering the Research Questions The analysis and interpretation of the data shall be

the means to testing the formulated hypotheses aswell as finding answers to the research questions.

A statistical hypothesis test is a method of makingdecisions using data,

Making recommendations may also be part of this

process.9. Report Writing

10. Report Presentation

11. Decision Making


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Problem

discovery

Problem definition

(statement of

research objectives)

Secondary

(historical)

data

Experience

survey

Pilot

study

Case

study

Selection ofexploratory research

technique

Selection of

basic research

method

Experiment Survey

ObservationSecondary

Data StudyLaboratory Field Interview Questionnaire

Selection ofexploratory research

techniqueSampling

Probability Nonprobability

Collection of

data

(fieldwork)

Editing andcoding

data

Data

processing

Interpretation

of

findings

Report

DataGathering

DataProcessing

andAnalysis

Conclusionsand Report

Research Design

Problem Discoveryand Definition


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Steps in the Research Process

Identifying and Defining Problem/ Opportunity

Planning the Research Design

Selecting a Research Method

Selecting a Sampling Procedure

Data Collection

Evaluating the Data

Preparing and Presenting the Research Report


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Research Process Flow Chart

Define research problem

Review concepts and theories

Review previous Research Findings

Formulate hypothesis

Design research

Data collection

Analyze data

Interpretation and report writing

Documents

04. Business Research Process (an Overview)