Donald Cooper

Pamela Schindler

Business ResearchMethods

Lecture II

Addressing Management

Problems with Scientific Thinking

Sources of Knowledge

Empiricists attempt to describe, explain, and make predictions through observation

Rationalists believe all knowledge can be deduced from known laws or basic truths of nature

Authorities serve as important sources of knowledge, but should be judged on integrity and willingness to present a balanced case

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4

Web sites

Government reports

Syndicated industry studies

Patent fillings

Public opinion organizations

Speeches from authorities

Press releases

Literature searches

Conference presentations

Business research

Clipping services

Business Business KnowledgeKnowledge

Government / Government / RegulatoryRegulatory

CompetitionCompetition

Social Cultural Social Cultural

DemographyDemographyEconomic Economic growth/trendsgrowth/trends

TechnologyTechnology

ExperienceExperience IntuitionIntuition

Paradigms in Research..Thomas Kuhn …Scientific RevolutionKarl Popper..falsification

The Essential Tenets of Science

Direct observation of phenomenaClearly defined variables, methods, and

proceduresEmpirically testable hypothesesAbility to rule out rival hypothesesStatistical justification of conclusionsSelf-correcting process

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Scientific method..Parsimony…

The Scientific Method…detailsTechniques or procedures used to analyze

empirical evidence in an attempt to confirm or disprove prior conceptions.

Scientific method…The scientific method is the process by which

scientist, endeavour to construct an accurate (i.e. reliable, consistent and non-arbitrary) representation of the world.

The scientific method attempts to minimize the influence of bias or prejudice in the experimenter when testing a hypothesis or a theory.

Scientific method..1. Observe some aspect of the universe. 2. Invent a tentative description, called a hypothesis, that is consistent with what you have observed.

3. Use the hypothesis to make predictions. 4. Test those predictions by experiments or

further observations and modify the hypothesis in the light of your results.

5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 until there are no discrepancies between hypothesis and experiment /observation

Hypothesis becomes theory when experiment bears it out.

SummarySeven steps in the application of the scientific

method:1. Assessment of relevant existing knowledge2. Formulation of concepts and propositions3. Statements of hypotheses

summary

4-Design the research to test the hypotheses5-Acquisition of meaningful empirical data6-Analysis and evaluation of data7-Provide explanation and state new problems

raised by the research.

Lively…

Ways to Communicate

Exposition descriptive statements that merely state

and do not give reasonArgument

allows us to explain, interpret, defend, challenge, and explore meaning

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Where are you, daddy?

By Millicent Mwololo mmwololo@ke.nationmedia.com

Posted  Tuesday, April 12  2011 at  18:00In Summary

Seventy eight percent of inmates in two Kenyan prisons, grew up in homes without a father.

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Important Arguments in Research

Deduction is a form of inference that purports to be conclusive

Induction draws conclusions from one or more particular facts

Deduction & Induction

Ukranian Translation

.

Deductive reasoning works from the more general to the more specific. Sometimes this is informally called a "top-down" approach

Inductive reasoning works the other way, moving from specific observations to broader generalizations and theories. Informally, we sometimes call this a "bottom up" approach ( not "bottoms up" Source: http://www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/dedind.php

The Building Blocks of Theory

ConceptsConstructsDefinitionsVariablesPropositions and HypothesesTheoriesModels

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Understanding ConceptsA concept is a bundle of meanings or

characteristics associated with certain events, objects, conditions, situations, and behaviors

Concepts have been developed over time through shared usage

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Understanding ConceptsThe success of research hinges on:

how clearly we conceptualizehow well others understand the

concepts we use

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What is a Construct?

An image or idea specifically invented for a given research and/or theory-building purpose

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Types of Variables

Independent DependentModeratingExtraneousIntervening

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The Role of the Hypothesis

Guides the direction of the studyIdentifies facts that are relevantSuggests which form of research design

is appropriateProvides a framework for organizing the

conclusions that result

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What is a Good Hypothesis?

A good hypothesis should fulfill three conditions:Must be adequate for its purposeMust be testableMust be better than its rivals

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The Value of a Theory

Narrows the range of facts we need to studySuggests which research approaches will

yield the greatest meaningSummarizes what is known about an object of

studyPredicts further facts that should be found

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Links..steps in research1. Define the problem2. Plan a research design3. Decide on sampling procedure4. Collect data5. Analyze data6. Formulate conclusions and prepare report

linkagesThe stages are interrelated

Sometimes later stages are completed before earlier ones

Forward linkage implies that the earlier stages of research will influence later stages

Backward linkage implies that later steps have an influence on the earlier stages in the research process.

Problem Discovery

Selection of Exploratory technique

Secondary Data

Experience Survey

Pilot Study Case Study

Problem Definition (Research Objectives)

Selection of Research Method

Experiment Survey

Interview/QuestionnaireObservation Secondary Data

Study

Problem Discovery

And Definition

Research Design

Sampling

The Research Process

Way forward..Explore the process in the next one

semester..be ready