Research Methods Research Fundamentals Business Research Methods

Research Methods Four Methods of Knowing (Kerlinger and Lee, 2000) Method of tenacity ( 固執法 ) Method of authority ( 權威法 ) Method of intuition ( 直覺法 ) Method of science ( 科學法 )

Research Methods Research Research is a systematic inquiry aimed at providing information to solve problems A systematic investigation towards increasing the sum of knowledge -- Buckly and Buckly

Research Methods Research Conditions Orderly investigation of a defined problem Scientific method be used Adequate representative evidence be gathered Logical reasoning be employed Demonstrate the validity of research conclusions Yield general principles or laws that may be applied

Research Methods Business Research Defined as the systematic and objective process of gathering, recording, and analyzing data for aid in making business decisions (Zikmund, 1997) Defined as a systematic inquiry that provides information to guide managerial decisions –It is a process of planning, acquiring, analyzing, and disseminating relevant data, information, and insights to decision makers in ways that mobilize the organization to take appropriate actions that, in turn, maximize business performance (Cooper & Schindler, 2006)

Research Methods Basic (Pure) Research Develop and evaluate concepts and theories Attempt to expand the limits of knowledge Be conducted to verify the acceptability of a given theory or to know more about a certain concept An example –Whether or not an individual’s perception that he or she was doing well on a task would have any influence on future performance

Research Methods Applied Research Encompass those studies undertaken to answer questions about specific problems or to make decisions about a particular course of action or policy An example –An organization contemplating a paperless office and a networking system for the company’s personal computers may conduct research to learn the amount of time its employees spend at personal computers in an average week

Research Methods Purpose of Study Reporting Description Explanation Prediction Control

Research Methods Scientific Research Systematic, controlled, empirical, amoral, public, and critical investigation of natural phenomena guided by theory and hypotheses about the presumed relations among such phenomena (Kerlinger and Lee, 2000) Observations are controlled and alternative explanations of the outcome are ruled out Test subjective beliefs against objective reality and have the findings open to further scrutiny and testing

Research Methods What Is Good Research? (Cooper and Schindler, 2006) Purpose clearly defined Research process detailed Research design thoroughly planned High ethical standards applied Limitations frankly revealed Analysis adequate for decision maker’s needs Findings presented unambiguously Conclusions justified Researcher’s experience reflected