1. Hallmarks of scientific research
Successful managerial decisions are seldom made on hunches or on trial and error method.
Scientific research focuses on solving problem in a step by step logical, organized and rigorous manner.

2. Features of scientific research
Purposiveness
Research is conducted with purpose.
It has a focus.
Purpose should be clearly mentioned in an understandable and unambiguous manner.
The statement of problem should include-its scope, its limitations and the precise meaning of all words and terms significant to the research.

3. Rigor
Rigor means carefulness, scrupulousness and the degree of exactness in research investigation.
Conducting a rigorous research requires a god theoretical knowledge and a clearly laid out methodology.
This eliminates the biases; facilitates proper data collection and analysis, which in turn leads to reliable research findings.
Testability
Research should be based on testable assumptions/hypothesis developed after a careful study of the problems involved.
The scientific research should enable the testing of logically developed hypotheses to see whether or not the data collected support the hypotheses developed.

4. Precision and confidence
Replicability
Research findings would command more faith if the same result are evolved on different set of data.
The results of the test hypothesis should be supported again and again when same type of research is repeated in other similar circumstances.
It also eliminates the doubt that the hypotheses are supported by chance and ensure the true state of affairs.
Precision and confidence
Precision refers to the closeness of the finding to ‘reality’ based sample. It reflects to the degree of accuracy or exactitude of the results on bases of sample to what exactly is in the universe.
The confidence interval in statistics is referred here as precision. A probability that the estimation made in the research findings are correct.
Precision and confidence can be obtained through appropriate scientific sampling design.

5. Objectivity Generalizability
Research finding should be factual, data-based and free from bias.
Conclusion drawn should not based on the subjective or emotional values.
Generalizability
Scope of applying the research findings of one organizational setting to other settings of almost similar nature.
Generalizability increases the usefulness and value.
It requires sound sampling design and data collection method to have good research.
Parsimony
Research needs to be conducted in simple and economical manner.
Economy is achieved through less number of variables leading to greater variance than more variables and less variance.
Clear understanding of problem, data collection through structured and unstructured interview with appropriate sample and related literature review would lead to scientific research.

6. Hypothetico- deductive method
Observation
Observe the phenomena and changes in the environment.
Look for the positive and negative cues related to phenomena
Preliminary Information Gathering
Theory Formulation
Integrating all the gathered information into logical manner
Conceptualization of problem
Identification of factors influencing problem
Defining the factors influencing problem

7. Hypothetico- deductive method
Hypothesizing
The next step after theory formulation
Certain educated conjunctures are generated
It utilizes both inductive and deductive method
The hypothesis can be tested
Further Scientific data collection
Data with respect to each factor/variable in the hypothesis is obtained

8. Hypothetico- deductive method
Data Analysis
Data is statistically analyzed to see the generated hypothesis
Deduction
Arriving at conclusion by interpreting the meaning of results