3rd and 4th

Learning Outcomes

Students should be able to identify, describe and summarize the steps in the research process

Outlines Broad problem areaSteps in business research processThe connection between steps in business

research with thesis writing for studentsThe connection between business research

with managerial decision Preliminary data gatheringSearching and finding ideas for researchObservation for browsing themes

Broad Problem AreaApplied Research:Problems currently existing that need to be

solved. Areas that is believed to be improved.

Basic Research: Conceptual or theoretical issue that needs to

be tightened up to understand certain phenomena.

Some Research questions that wants to be answered empirically.

Preliminary Data Collection

The Nature of Information needed:Contextual factors: background information

of the organization.Structural aspects: managerial philosophy

and company policies. Value system and culture: perceptions,

attitudes and behavioral responses.

Background information on the organizationThe origin and history of the companySize in terms of employees, assets or bothCharter – purpose and ideologyLocation – regional, national or otherResources – human and othersInterdependent relationships with other

institutions and the external environmentFinancial position during the previous 5 to 10

yeas, and relevant data

Management PhilosophyRoles and positions in the organization and

number of employees at each job levelExtent of specializationCommunication channelsCoordination and span of controlReward systemWorkflow system and the like

Perceptions, Attitudes and Behavioral ResponsesNature of the workWorkflow interdependenciesSuperiors in the organizationParticipation in decision makingClient systemCo-workersRewards provided by the organization, e.g. pay

raises and fringe benefitOpportunities for advancementOrganization’s attitudes toward employees’

family responsibility

Literature Survey

Is the documentation of a comprehensive review of the published and unpublished work from secondary sources of data in the specific area of interest.

Literature Survey

Reasons for a literature surveyTracking the previous understanding of the

research area. Have not missed anything important to

understand. Determine the important variablesIntegrate information from literature into the

research designDevelop theoretical frameworkDetermine originality of study.

Good Literature Survey thus ensures:Important Variables that are likely to influence

the problem situation are not left out of the study.A clearer idea emerges as to what variables

would be most important to consider (parsimony). (5 W).

The problem statement can be made with precision and clarity.

Testability and replicability of the findings of the current research are enhanced.

Does not run the risk of rediscovering something that is already known.

The problem investigated is perceived by the scientist community as relevant and significant.

Conducting the Literature Survey:

Identifying the relevant sources:Bibliographic databasesAbstract databasesFull text databases.

Extracting the relevant information.

Writing up the literature review.

Writing up the Literature Review The write up needs to:

Convince the reader that the researcher is knowledgeable about the problem area and has done the background work.

The theoretical framework will be built on work already done and will add to the solid foundation of the existing knowledge.

Writing a literature review cont...

Get as many relevant articles as possible.Read all and highlight points of interest or

importance.Note down key issues that are arising

across the articles.Plan the writing up of the literature review

around these key points.Begin writing by drawing on the points

you found and discussing each authors’ work

Writing a literature review cont...

Keep a record of all citations and quotations - keep a running reference section. It is easy to forget where you read something.

Keep reading while you are writing to add to the literature review.

Take note of key references / citations made by authors you are reading. Check these out.

References must be current unless it is a seminal piece. Eg Doll (1988) on user satisfaction factors.

Supporting your caseTo provide evidence either use quotations

from a reliable source or follow statement with citation eg ‘Most organisations use SQL’ (Smith 1998, Lo 1992)

When citing a book as evidence, include the page number even if you are not quoting from the book. See pg 52 Sekaran Eg

The failure of information systems is often caused by poor communication. (Bresko 1993, 41)

Reference StyleYou are expected to use the Harvard style for

referencing. See Little Black Book - available from the book shop. (see also page 80 Sekaran.)

Example Norman, D. A. (1990). The Design of Everyday

Things. New York, Currency Doubleday.Pieratti, D. D. (1995). “How the Process and

Organization Can Help or Hinder Adding Value.” Journal of the Society for Technical Communication 42(1): 61-68.