Minor Academic Orientation Research Methods

Minor Academic Orientation Research Methods Chapter 1 - Introduction to research Dr. Vera Hartog v.hartog@fontys.nlEindhoven, September 2013Course FormatLiterature: Bryman, A. and Bell, E. (2011) Business Research Methods (3rd ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Lectures/workshops/assignments

Written examination (closed book), minimum passing grade 5.5/10

2Expectations Attendance Chapter preparation enabling knowledgable active participation based oncritical thinking leading to reasoned responses thus building your research skills 3Research Is more than a set of skillsIt is a way of thinking, a habit of questioningPushes borders of knowledgeFinds solutions to a problem, generating viable alternatives for effective decision makingResearch is undertaken in most professionsResearch is not for SissiesResearch depends on critical thinking skills, commitment and perseverance rather than GPA 4Research definitionsA systematic and methodological process of inquiry and investigation that increases knowledge and/or solves a particular problem (Sekaran, 1992)

A scientific method resulting in the description, explanation or prediction of phenomena based on data carefully collected for the purpose

5Scientific research methodScientific research is :

designed to be ethical, unbiased, and objective

undertaken within a framework of paradigms, approaches and philosphies

based on a scientific process it uses procedures, methods and techniques that have been tested for their validity and reliability6Research designEthical researchTreat participants with respect and dignityInformed consentMinimize pyschological and/or physical risksMaintain confidentiality RelevanceProviding incentives prior to research is unethical

7Research designEthical researcherDoes not commit fraudSafeguards against unintentional fraud Avoiding bias Using inappropriate research methodology Incorrect reporting Inappropriate use of information Incorrect referencing, plagiarism

8Radioactive oatmealMore than 100 boys living in an orphanage were fed Quaker Oats with radioactive iron and calcium in the 1950's.The diet was part of an experiment to prove that the nutrients in Quaker oatmeal travel throughout the body.A class action settlement for $1.85 million was reached in 1998

Ethics ppt babylon.com9Outsourcing clinical trialsThe price of bringing a new drug to market is about $1 million per day Much of that cost is devoted to human clinical trialsWestern drug makers are outsourcing safety and efficacy studies to developing countries, a large proportion of them to India and Russia.There are currently some 400 clinical trials underway in India

Ethics ppt babylon.comFilm: The Constant Gardener10Cloning Fraud2005: South Korean researcher, Woo Suk Hwang, fabricated evidence that he had successfully cloned human embryos.The journal Science, retracted two studies he had published.

Ethics ppt babylon.com11Research designBiasUnbiased: a neutral point of view, fairly representing all significant views that have been published by reliable sources. Avoid stating opinions as factsAvoid presenting uncontested assertions as mere opinion Indicate the relative prominence of opposing viewsUse a nonjudgmental tone and nonjudgmental language

12Research designObjectivityResults are not assumed based on partial knowledge of the subject matter Objective research is based on scientific fact and proof, rather than a persons perception of the results, personal feelings, or personal prejudices Results are based on verifiable data1314

BIAS14Scientific research methodScientific research is designed to be ethical, unbiased, and objective

undertaken within a framework of paradigms/approaches/philosphies

based on a scientific process it uses procedures, methods and techniques that have been tested for their validity and reliability15Paradigma world view a conceptual framework for seeing and making sense of a social environmentstands for the entire constellation of beliefs, values and techniques, and so on shared by the members of a community (Kuhn, 1970)research paradigms influence the research process16Quantitative Qualitative PositivistInterpretiveObjectiveSubjectiveBasic/Fundamental/Pure ResearchApplied ResearchExploratoryDescriptivePredictive Explanatory/CorelationalResearch frameworka set of paradigmsDeductiveInductive17Research paradigm

Deduction proceeds from the general to the specific (top down) while inductive research proceeds from the specific to the general (bottom up)

Burney, 200818Research paradigmQuantitative approachThe quantitative approach is seen as objective

Relating to phenomenon or conditions independent of individual thought and preceptible to all observers

It relies heavily on statistics and figures19Research wheel quantitative approach 20

Research paradigmQualitative approach

The qualitative approach is seen as subjective, relating to experience and knowledge

It requires the examination of perceptions in order to gain an understanding of social and human activities. It is conditioned by personal mental characteristics or states

It prefers letters (language) to numbers"any kind of research that produces findings not arrived at by means of statistical procedures or other means of quantification" (Strauss & Corbin, 1990).

21Research wheel qualitative approach22

Quantitative v. Qualitative Research

Point of ComparisonsQuantitative ResearchQualitative Research1) Focus of researchQuantity (how much, how many) numbersQuality (nature, essence) meanings2) Philosophical rootsPositivism, logical empiricismPhenomenology, symbolic interaction3) Associated phrasesExperimental, empirical, statisticalFieldwork, ethnographic, naturalistic, grounded4) Goal of investigationPrediction, control, description, confirmation, hypothesis testingUnderstanding, description, discovery, hypothesis generating5) Design characteristicsPredetermined, structuredFlexible, evolving, emergentMerriam, S.B. (1988). Case study research in education: A qualitative approach. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, p. 18.Point of ComparisonsQuantitative ResearchQualitative Research6) SettingUnfamiliar, artificialNatural, familiar7) Sample & samplingLarge, random, representativeSmall, purposeful, theoretical8) Data collectionInanimate instruments (scales, tests, surveys, questionnaires, computers)Researcher as primary instrument(interviews, observations)9) Mode of analysisDeductive (by statistical methods)Inductive (by researcher)10) FindingsPrecise, narrow, reductionistComprehensive, holistic, expansiveQuantitative v. Qualitative Research

Merriam, S.B. (1988). Case study research in education: A qualitative approach. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, p. 18.Why managers should know about researchBeing knowledgeable about research and research methods helps professional managers to: Identify and effectively solve minor problems in the work setting Know how to discriminate good from bad research Appreciate the multiple influences and effects of factors impinging on a situation Take calculated risks in decision making Prevent possible vested interests from exercising their influence in a situation Relate to hired researchers and consultants more effectively. Combine experience with scientific knowledge while making decisions 25 2009 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.www.wileyeurope.com/college/sekaranIn-company researchersAdvantages:Better acceptance from staffKnowledge about organizationWould be an integral part of implementation and evaluation of the research recommendations.

DisadvantagesLess fresh ideasPower politics could prevailPossibly not valued as expert by staff26 2009 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.www.wileyeurope.com/college/sekaranExternal researchersAdvantagesDivergent and convergent thinkingExperience from several situations in different organizationsBetter technical training, usually

DisadvantagesTakes time to know and understand the organizationRapport and cooperation from staff not easyNot available for evaluation and implementationCosts27 2009 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.www.wileyeurope.com/college/sekaran28

Your research projectthe problemFocus on international business and management program emphasis:Marketing/e-marketing/new businessBusiness process re-engineering/changePersonal leadershipOrientation: Internal to organizationExternal to organization

Problems in applied researchAny situation where a gap exists between the actual and the desired stateProblem analyzing: knowledge & understanding of organizational culture; new market opportunity.Diagnostic: how to deal with departmental conflict; negative corporate image.Design-oriented: developing new performance assessment scheme; new product.Intervention-oriented: damage control of labor union relations, legal repercussion.Evaluation: assessing the effectiveness of recruitment process, PR communication.Dr. Noi Kwanjai (2013)

30Your research design strategy, process & activities31

http://www.bcps.org/offices/lis/researchcource/Research skillsCompetencesProblem definition:Literature search and literature reviewFormulate research questions & develop conceptual frameworkDesign & plan research projectWrite research proposalData collection:Source secondary dataMake observationsAsk questionsAnalysis:Validate & analyze dataInterpret resultsPresent resultsDrawing conclusion:Make recommendation / give adviceDr. Noi Kwanjai (2013)

32Feedback in researchpeer reviewDo not confuse feedback with criticism:Criticism: focus on disapproval of perceived faults or mistakes negative and emphasizing judgment.Feedback: focused on what can be improved or changed constructive and emphasizing change.Feedback content can be either positive or negative, but its delivery should always be constructive and helpful to the receiver.Feedback is critical in research

Dr. Noi Kwanjai (2013)33For lesson 2 Prepare by studying Part 1 of text book (Bryman & Bell, 2011)Acquaint yourself with the online resource of the text book via the link http://global.oup.com/uk/orc/busecon/business/brymanbrm3e/Find three research articles for the research problem How effective is Gamification for introducing new products? Answer the following Five Critical Synopsis Questions for each article (for class discussion)Why am I reading this?What are the authors trying to do in writing this?What are the authors saying that is relevant to what I want to find out?How convincing is what the authors are saying?In conclusion, what use can I make of this? Learn how to use the referencing feature in Word.

34Thank you for your attention