2. Research Concepts

3. CONCEPTS OF RESEARCH Consider the following case which is an example of research: A general manager, of a car producing company which is quite old,was concerned with the complaints received from the car users that the car they produce have some problems with rating sound at the dash board and the rear passenger seat after few thousand kilometers of driving.

4. Concept… He enquired with customers to know their behaviour of driving and to identify the lot where the problem existed He obtained information from the company workers to identify the various factors influencing the problem. He then formulated the problem and generated guesses (hypotheses). He constructed a checklist and obtained requisite information from a representative sample of cars. He analyzed the collected data, interpreted the results in the light of his hypotheses and reached conclusions.

5. Concept… Notice in the example above that the researcher went through a sequence of steps which were in order and thus systematic. Secondly, the researcher did not just jump at the conclusions, but used a scientific method of inquiry in reaching at conclusions. The two important characteristics of research are: it is systematic and secondly it follows a scientific method of enquiry.

6. What is Research Research is systematic, because it follows certain steps that are logical in order. These steps are: Understanding the nature of problem to be studied and identifying the related area of knowledge. Reviewing literature to understand how others have approached or dealt with the problem.

7. What is Research Collecting data in an organized and controlled manner so as to arrive at valid decisions. Analyzing data appropriate to the problem. Drawing conclusions and making generalizations.

8. High Quality Research! It is based on the work of others. It can be replicated (duplicated). It is generalizable to other settings. It is based on some logical rationale and tied to theory. It is doable! It generates new questions or is cyclical in nature. It is incremental.

9. Then What is Bad Research? The opposites of what have been discussed. Looking for something when it simply is not to be found. Plagiarizing other people's work. Falsifying data to prove a point. Misrepresenting information and misleading participants.

10. DEFINITION OF RESEARCH Hunting for facts or truth about a subject. Organized scientific investigations to solve problems, test hypotheses, develop or invent new products.

11. Why do we need research? To get PhDs, Masters and Bachelors degree To provide solutions to complex problems To investigate laws of nature To make new discoveries To develop new products To save costs To improve our life Human desires

12. What Research Is Research is: “…the systematic process of collecting and analyzing information (data) in order to increase our understanding of the phenomenon about which we are concerned or interested.” 1

13. What is a Business Research It is a systematic Inquiry that provides information to guide business decision. The systematic and objective process of gathering recording and analysing data for aid in making business decisions

14. Research Characteristics 1. Originates with a question or problem. 2. Requires clear articulation of a goal. 3. Follows a specific plan or procedure. 4. Often divides main problem into subproblems. 5. Guided by specific problem, question, or hypothesis. 6. Accepts certain critical assumptions. 7. Requires collection and interpretation of data. 8. Cyclical (helical) in nature.

15. Scope of Business Research It covers a wide range of phenomenon For managers: the purpose of research is to fulfill the need for knowledge of the organization, the market, the economy, or any other area of uncertainty For development and implementation of plans and strategies

16. It helps decision makers to shift from intuitive information gathering to systematic and objective investigation Business research encompasses all functional specialties: financial, economic, marketing, production

17. Managerial value for Business Research To gather more information before selecting a course of action To do a high-level research study To understand research design To evaluate and resolve a current management dilemma To perform Diagnosis and Assessment

18. Managerial value of Business Research Selecting and implementing a course of action Evaluating the course of action To establish a career as a research specialist

19. Evaluation research is the formal, objective measurement and appraisal of the extent to which a given activity, project, or program has achieved its objectives.

20. PERFORMANCE-MONITORING RESEARCH RESEARCH THAT REGULARLY PROVIDES FEEDBACK FOR EVALUATION AND CONTROL INDICATES THINGS ARE OR ARE NOT GOING AS PLANNED RESEARCH MAY BE REQUIRED TO EXPLAIN WHY SOMETHING “WENT WRONG”

21. Why Managers need Better Information Global and domestic competition is more vigorous Organizations are increasingly practicing data mining and data warehousing

22. Concepts If one has to communicate information about any objects and events there must be a common ground on which to do it. Concept is for this purpose. Concept is a bundle of meanings or characteristics associated with certain events, objects, conditions, situations etc. Words or phrases that represent some phenomenon Theories contain a variety of concepts

23. Importance to research Hypotheses are designed using concept Measurement concepts are devised to test the hypothetical statements Data is gathered by using this measurement concept

24. The success of research is on How clearly conceptualize And how well others understand the concepts we use

25. Example Qs. Give the estimate of your (respondents) family income.

26. This question may seem simple but we will get varying and confusing answers unless we restrict and narrow the concept by specifying. Time period-weekly, monthly, annually Before or after Income tax For head of the family only or for all the members.

27. Constructs A construct is an image or idea specifically invented for a given research or a theory building purpose Construct is formed by combining the simpler concepts

28. Example A human resource analyst in a software company that employs technical writers is analysing task attributes of a job in need of a redesign She knows that job description of a technical writer consist of three components- presentation quality, language skill, and job interest

29. Construct composed of concepts in a job redesign Vocabulary Syntax Spelling Typing speed Format accuracy Manuscrpit error Job Interest Construct Lang. Skill Construct Presentation quality Construct Most Concrete Most Abstract Level of Abstraction

30. Definitions Nominally definitions are “dictionary” definitions of concepts Operationally definitions describe how concepts are or will be measured for research purposes

31. Operational Definition A very clear and very precise explanation of the items being measured or the terms that are used to ensures comprehensible knowledge of the terminology and the ability to operate a process, procedure, or service and/or collect data consistently and reliably.

32. Operational Definitions Before we can test our hypotheses we need to establish operational definitions for our variables. This is the next step after defining concepts in our hypotheses. Operational definitions are very specific. There can be disagreement over these operational definitions across researchers. This is permissible as long as the definitions are clear

33. Operational Definition Example #1 Hypothesis: "Higher rates of literacy make democracy more likely." Defining concepts: Literacy: "the completion of enough education to be expected to read." Democracy: "a system of government in which public officials are selected in competitive elections.“ Operational definitions: Literacy: "the % of people in a country that have completed at least 6 years of formal education." Democracy: "a country where the 2nd place finisher for the most powerful political office received at least 25% of the vote."

34. Operational Definition Example #2 Hypothesis: "Highly educated people tend to be liberal." Defining concepts: Highly educated: "at least some college education." Liberal: "believing the government should help those who are less well- off." Operational definitions: Highly educated: "has completed at least 2 years of education at a college or university." Liberal: "answers 'yes' to the question 'Should the government provide low income housing for poor citizens?'"

35. variables is a symbolic representation used to denote a quantity or expression.

36. Independent Variable the variable that is manipulated either by the researcher or by nature or circumstance independent variables are also called “stimulus” “input” or “predictor” variables analogous to the “cause” in a cause- effect relationship

37. Dependent variable the variable that is manipulated either by the researcher or by nature or circumstance independent variables are also called “stimulus” “input” or “predictor” variables analogous to the “cause” in a cause- effect relationship

38. Does a participative leadership style influence job satisfaction of the employees.

39. Mediating variable a.k.a. moderating, intervening, intermediary, or mediating variables a 2 nd or 3 rd variable that can increase or decrease the relationship between an independent and a dependent variable. for example, The introduction of the four day work week will lead to increased office productivity.

40. The introduction of the four day work week will lead to increased office productivity especially among young workers

41. Hypothesis The Objective of the Hypothesis Phase is to propose a solution to achieve the task objective, a set of goals and hypothesis for this solution, and the factors and performance metrics for testing the validity of the solution. Specify Solution; Set Goals; Define Factors; and Postulate Performance

42. Hypotheses Hypotheses are tentative, intelligent guesses as to the solution of the problem. Hypotheses can direct later research activities since they can help determine the nature of the research and methods applied.

43. Hypothesis is described as staetements in which we assign variables to cases A Case is defined in the sense as the entity or thing that the hypothesis talks about Eg. Executive James has a higher than average achievement motivation

44. If our hypo. Is based on more than one case-Generalization. Eg. Executives in company Z have a higher than avg achievement motivation

45. Descriptive hypo. These are statements that typically state existence, size, form, or distribution

46. Relational Hypo These are statements that describe a relationship two variables with respect to some case Eg. Foreign cars are perceived by Indian consumers to be of better quality than domestic cars

47. Explanatory Hypo A change in one variable causes an effect on the other Eg. An increase in family income leads to an increase in income saved

48. Research Process Formulating the Research Problem Extensive Literature Survey Developing the hypothesis Preparing the research Design Determining sample Design Collecting the Data Execution of the Project Analysis of Data Hypothesis testing Generalisation & Interpretation Preparation of report