OB Research Methods (Optional session) Dynamics of Organizational Behavior Virginia Tech MBA Program Andrew Watson

Introduction What? OB research methods For whom? Whoever’s interested enough So, an optional session How long? About 45 minutes Planned for 7:15-8:00 Happy to talk about methods for longer if there’s interest Sources G&J textbook for definitions E-Learning and the Science of Instruction (Clark & Mayer, 2008) That’s the 2nd edition, I think that there’s now a 3rd Example drawn from pp. 66-68 Minimum wage debate

Terms Theory Hypothesis Variable Research Designs Independent Qualitative Experimental Other

Theory and Hypotheses Theory Hypothesis Explanation of some phenomenon Can never be proved correct Example: Expectancy theory of motivation Hypothesis Statement about relationship between variables Often represented by arrow In expectancy theory Effort → Performance Performance → Outcome

Variables Variable: dimension along which there is variation Across subjects, or across time Empirical research requires measurement Independent variable → dependent variable The arrow indicates causation IV also referred to as predictor DV also referred to as outcome Relationship between variables may be: Direct Mediated Moderated

Example: Multimedia Principle Focus of Ch.3 in e-Learning Hypothesis Learning from words and graphics combined > from words alone Mayer and colleagues conducted 11 different studies Why this many? Data from all 11 supported the hypothesis How would you relate this to Statistics class(es)? This hypothesis lends itself to experimental research What does that mean?

Example: Minimum Wage Debate Recent instance in AL Independent variable: minimum wage Dependent variable and hypothesis? There could be multiple DVs and Hs Research design Can’t experiment? Why not? So what’s a researcher to do? Many studies, so there must be something we can do!

Concluding Remarks OB research on individuals tends to be experimental OB research on organizations tends not to be Results describe samples from a population Sampling: key words include random, representative,.., Results don’t necessarily describe any specific individual Questions? Individual or otherwise See you in two weeks for chapters on groups Safe home, have a good break,…