The Research Process Professor Merrill Warkentin Mississippi State University BIS 9213: Doctoral Seminar

2   Copyright 2003, Merrill Warkentin Topics Discussed purpose of research research process (life cycle) role of theory  logical deduction role of data  observation  controlled observation interpretation / conclusions

3   Copyright 2003, Merrill Warkentin Purpose of Research knowledge discovery establish new theories test new theories prediction, explanation

4   Copyright 2003, Merrill Warkentin The Research Process (Life Cycle) asking the question identifying important questions formulating a hypothesis collecting relevant information testing the hypothesis confirm existing theory establish new theory change theories asking new questions source: Salkind (2003)

5   Copyright 2003, Merrill Warkentin The Research Cycle (see page 9 in our text for diagram) 1. research problem: unanswered question 2. define goal – clear statement of problem 3. subdivide into appropriate subproblems 4. tentative solution to problem through reasonable hypotheses, direct to data 5. collect and organize data 6. interpret meaning of data 7. resolve problem, answer question

6   Copyright 2003, Merrill Warkentin The Research Process Alternatives “data mining”  available data set = what patterns are there?  not based on theory  possible specious relationships between variables (R 2, covariance, etc.) theoretical exploration, deductive logic qualitative methodologies inductive logic – case-based reasoning  comparative case studies, ethnomethodologies, etc.

7   Copyright 2003, Merrill Warkentin The Role of Theory logical arguments – synthesis deductive reasoning establish background for empirical investigation may lead to research question  (observation may also lead to research question) research question becomes hypotheses

8   Copyright 2003, Merrill Warkentin Role of Data defines measurable phenomena observation of natural or social events manipulation of environment  controlled experiment  role of scales, measurements  how will you treat, control, & measure variables?

9   Copyright 2003, Merrill Warkentin Discussion the scientific method but no single methodology creativity vs. rigor (soundness) academic objectives  pursuit of knowledge  acceptance at journals (reviewers, editors) research partnerships (roles, skillsets, etc.)

10   Copyright 2003, Merrill Warkentin Summary research follows procedure research methodology (scientific method) research question, theory, experiment, results alternatives to empirical method research partnerships, roles, etc. now just do it!

11   Copyright 2003, Merrill Warkentin Copyright Notice This document may not, in whole or part, be copied, photocopied, reproduced, translated, transmitted, or reduced to any electronic medium or machine readable form without explicit permission and written authorization from Dr. Merrill Warkentin. on the web at