Business Research Methods 1

Defining Research Research can be defined as: “Seeking through methodical processes to add to one’s own body of knowledge and, hopefully, to others, by the discovery of non-trivial facts and insights.” (Howard & Sharp, 1983:7)

Research involves undertaking systematic research to find out things about business and management issues (Saunders et al.,1997) ‘Systematic’ suggests that research is based on logical relationship and not just beliefs (Ghauri et al., 1995). As part of this your research will involve an explanation of the methods used to collect data, argue why results are the way they are, argue why the results obtained are meaningful and explain any limitation associated with them.

‘Finding out’ suggests a multiplicity of possible purposes of your research eg describing, explaining, criticising, analysing, understanding, etc (ibid)

Purposes of Research To review existing knowledge To describe some situation or problem To construct something novel/ new To explain why things are the way they are To discover new knowledge To solve problems To explore things To verify or check facts.

Relevancy or Significance of the Research Does the research have meaning? Is the study important? If important, to whom?

Business Research Utilization Pricing Fighting competition Placing products in the market Forms of promotion to use Producing new products Decision making

Outsourcing Vs Own Research Outsourcing of Research – this is where a research is carried out by other people outside the organization. Mainly through research consultancy, research expertise, research companies, etc

Pros of Outsourcing Independent results No influence from internal management

Cons of outsourcing Costly Researcher may present results in a bid to impress the organization. Researchers may be concerned about getting more future business Researchers may lack relevant internal knowledge of the organisation. Difficult to monitor the work of externals

Own Research This is where the organisation may have its own internal research unit or department responsible for carrying out research. These are the people who are specifically employed for carrying out research

Pros for own Research Researchers are experts in their area as it is what they are employed to do. Ease to monitor as they are from the internal

Cons of Own Research Costly as it is a unit of department which is a cost centre of the organization. Research may be influenced by the management – authoritarian rule