Introduction Into Research Methods

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Business Research Methods:

Introduction

Course Leader: Dr Hanna Yakavenka ([email protected])Course Tutors: Nilanjana Sensarkar; Daniel Gozman;Eshref Trushin; Mary Arrieta
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]


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Course Outline

Module 1: Nature and types of business andmanagement research

Module 2: Research Design

Module 3: Data CollectionModule 4: Data Analysis and Valid Conclusions

Module 5: Writing up / Ethics / Audiences


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What to Expect

Lectures:

general direction for further reading, thinking,researching

Tutorials:reading; discussing; preparing the tasks and case-studies

Independent work and peer review

Preparation for the AssignmentsThinking about and practicing your research

approaches in application to your own research ideas


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Assessments Outline

Assignment 1Research Direction / Problem Settingand Literature Review (2,500) 23 February

Assignment 2 - Methodological Justifications,supported by the literature with expected findings andproject time plan (2,500) 26 April

Daily in-class activities 80% to pass


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Assignment 1

Projects overall aims and objectives

approximately 500 words providing abackground to the research and outlining thegeneral parameters for the investigation

Literature review

approximately 2,000 words presenting an up-to-date and recent debates

Bibliography a draft list of your reference i.e. books; articles; websites - followingHarvard Referencing style


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Assignment 2

Methodology

approximately 1,900 words suitabletechnique(s) / approaches with justifications

Expected Findings

250 words very briefly explain what you areexpected to achieve and find in your project

Time scale & Plan

200 words briefly discussing your action planand your potential time- table


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Key Texts


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Support Materials

Support Study Materials are freely available via

http://www.oup.com/uk/orc/bin/9780199583409/01student/for Bryman and Bell text

http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0077129970/student_view0/index.html for Blumberg text
http://www.oup.com/uk/orc/bin/9780199583409/01student/http://www.oup.com/uk/orc/bin/9780199583409/01student/http://www.mcgraw-hill.co.uk/textbooks/blumberghttp://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0077129970/student_view0/index.htmlhttp://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0077129970/student_view0/index.htmlhttp://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0077129970/student_view0/index.htmlhttp://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0077129970/student_view0/index.htmlhttp://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0077129970/student_view0/index.htmlhttp://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0077129970/student_view0/index.htmlhttp://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0077129970/student_view0/index.htmlhttp://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0077129970/student_view0/index.htmlhttp://www.mcgraw-hill.co.uk/textbooks/blumberghttp://www.oup.com/uk/orc/bin/9780199583409/01student/http://www.oup.com/uk/orc/bin/9780199583409/01student/http://www.oup.com/uk/orc/bin/9780199583409/01student/


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In this Module

Learning how to think as a researcher

What is business research

Types of research

From induction and logical deduction tobusiness research

Understanding what makes good research

Role of creativity in business research

Understanding how to build hypotheses andformulate research questions

Working individually and in groups


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WHAT IS RESEARCH ALLABOUT, ANYWAY?


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WHAT IS RESEARCH ALLABOUT, ANYWAY?

Increasing our understanding of howand why we behave the way we do!!


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A THEORY

Organizes information

Helps explain past events

Predicts new events

Research


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Why Study Research?


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Why Study Research?

Research provides you with the knowledge and skillsneeded for the fast-paced decision-makingenvironment


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The Value of Acquiring Research Skills


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The Value of Acquiring Research Skills

To gather more information before selecting acourse of action

To conduct a high-level research study

To understand research design

To assess the quality of research studies

To establish a career as a research specialist

R h i b d th k f


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Research is based on the work ofothers

Past research guides newresearch

Research is NOT copying thework of others


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Research can be replicated

Repeatability is a sign of

credible science

Replication guides future

research


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Research is generalizable

Research should apply to situations outside of thestudy setting

Research is not done in intellectual


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Research is not done in intellectualisolation

It is based on some logical

rationale

It is tied to theory


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Research is doable

Good research questions can be translated intoprojects that can be done!


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Research is ongoing

Research generates new

questions

Research is incremental

B i R h


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Business Research

is the process of systematic gathering, recording andanalysing of data about the market, customers andtheir preferences for goods and services, competitorsand their activities, etc.

B i R h


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Business Research

Social science disciplines

Sociology

Psychology

Anthropology

Economics

Geography

Management & Business

researchMarketing

Human resource management

Strategy

Human resource management

Accounting and finance

Industrial relations

Operational research

Draws on knowledge developed by otherdisciplinesResearch access to managers/ companies

motivated by personal / commercialadvantagePractical consequences of research


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Choosing Your Research Topic

You

- Strengths andweaknesses

- What knowledge/skillsyou will need in the future

- What resources have yougot

- Completion of the projectcontributes to your overallsuccess on your degree

Research Area

Not fully investigated

Advance understanding

Can be investigatedIs interesting

Lead to more questions

ow to generate eas or a researc


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ow to generate eas or a researctopic?

Start wide:

Thinking;

Looking at what is already there(literature; past projects/assignments);

Following the media and news;

Brainstorming and discussions;

Concept Mapping; Idea noting.

Go narrow:

Stay within requirements and standards

Pilot your study

Use professionals (e.g. Delhi technique)

What makes topic Good?


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What makes topic Good?

Enthusiasm and career goals;

Resources are there;

Subject is topical, worthwhile researching,

updated;

Fits into a set subject area;

Links to relevant literature;

Research Qs and Objectives are clearlystated.

Types of business research topics


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Types of business research topics

Effect of (e.g. mergers and acquisitions) on (e.g.corporate culture)

Organisational problemsResearch to inform strategy development

Role of personal experiences in shaping research

Questions for business research


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Questions for business research

Does it contribute to improving effectiveness andefficiency?

Does it help to improve understanding of howorganisations work and what they contribute tosociety?

Who are the audiences for business researchmanagement, labour, stakeholders?

Wh t i G d R h?


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What is Good Research?

Following the standards of the scientific

method:

Purpose clearly defined

Research process detailed

Research design thoroughly planned

Limitations frankly revealed

High ethical standards applied

Adequate analysis for decision-makers needsFindings presented unambiguously

Conclusions justified

Researchers experience reflected

Formulating hypotheses or designing


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Formulating hypotheses or designingresearch questions

H s Ifthen statements (Objective extension of theoriginal question in a testable form)

RQs one or more key questions that research

process will address

Formulating hypotheses or designing


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Formulating hypotheses or designingresearch questions

Hypotheses / Research Questions posit / propose arelationship between different factors

Data are collected that will confirm or refute thehypothesis or Data are collected to generate new

theoryHypotheses are testable (not provable); Research

Questions help to achieve Research Objectives

Task


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Task

Turn to a person to your right/left and

Design a couple of hypotheses or research

questions for your potential research;

Continue this work during tutorials

Something to think about


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Something to think about

1. What is Business Research? Why should there be anyquestion about the definition of research?

2. Generate your potential research ideas and evaluate themagainst proposed checklist What makes a good research

topic?

3. Use the general research idea and try to write some moredetailed research Qs.

4. You have received a business research report done by aconsultant for your firm, a life insurance company. The

study is a survey of customer satisfaction based on asample of 600. You are asked to comment on its quality.What will you look for?

Documents

Introduction Into Research Methods