DGM07: Research Methodology SESSION 1 April 2, 2011 Dr. Naseem Abidi

1-2 Business research provides information to guide business decisions The primary purpose of research is to reduce the level of risk of a business decision

A process of determining, acquiring, analyzing, synthesizing, and disseminating relevant business data, information, and insights to decision makers in ways that mobilize the organization to take appropriate business actions that, in turn, maximize business performance. Business Research Defined

Studying Business Research Complex Decisions Stakeholder Influence Stakeholder Influence Competition Factors Growth of Internet Business as a discipline Government Intervention Greater Computing Power New Research Perspectives

Business Planning Drives Business Research Organizational Mission Business Strategies Business Tactics Business Goals

Is sufficient time available before a managerial decision must be made? Is the infor- mation already on hand inadequate for making the decision? Is the decision of considerable strategic or tactical importance? Does the value of the research information exceed the cost of conducting research? Conducting Business Research Do Not Conduct Business Research Time Constraints Availability of Data Nature of the Decision Benefits vs. Costs Yes No Determining When to Conduct Business Research

Sources of Business Intelligence Business Intelligence Government/ Regulatory Economic Competitive Demographic Technological Cultural/ Social

Hierarchy of Business Decision Makers Visionaries Intuitive Decision Makers Standardized Decision Makers Visionaries

Information Value Chain Characteristics Data collection/ transmission Data interpretation Models Decision support systems Data management

Characteristics of Good Research Clearly defined purpose Detailed research process Thoroughly planned design High ethical standards Limitations addressed Adequate analysis Unambiguous presentation Conclusions justified Credentials

Who Conducts Research?

Language of Research Variables Models Theory Terms used in research Terms used in research Constructs Operational definitions Operational definitions Propositions/ Hypotheses Propositions/ Hypotheses Conceptual schemes Conceptual schemes Concepts

Clarifying the Research Question Management-research question hierarchy Begins with management dilemma

Management-Research Question Hierarchy

Formulating the Research Question

Types of Management Questions

The Research Question Determine necessary evidence Set scope of study Set scope of study Examine variables Examine variables Break questions down Evaluate hypotheses Fine-Tuning

Performance Considerations Investigative Questions Attitudinal Issues Behavioral Issues

Proposing Research Budget Types – Rule-of-thumb – Departmental – Task

The Research Proposal Delivery Legally-binding contract Legally-binding contract Obligations Written proposals establish Written proposals establish Methods Timing Budgets Extent Purpose

Designing Research Designing the Research Project Designing the Research Project Research Design Research Design Sampling Design Sampling Design Pilot Testing

Data Collection Data Characteristics Abstractness Verifiability Elusiveness Closeness

Reducing data to manageable size Data Analysis and Interpretation Developing summaries Looking for patterns Applying statistical techniques

Reporting the Results Research Report Research Report Executive Summary Executive Summary Research Overview Research Overview Technical Appendix Technical Appendix Implementation Strategies Implementation Strategies

3-26 The Research Overview Problem’s background Summary of exploratory findings Research design and procedures Conclusions

The Research Proposal Purpose Present management question Propose necessary data Suggest data collection and analysis Discuss research efforts

Proposal Development

Proposal Complexity