Research Methodology An Introduction

Alice: 'would you tell me, please, which way i ought to walk from here?' Cat: 'that depends a good deal on where you want to get to' Alice: 'I dont much care where' Cat: 'then it doesn't matter which way you walk'
2

What Research is NOT?

Research is not just information gathering.

A student going to the library and reading information on African Elephants is not research No contribution to new knowledge
A student writing a report on behavior of pendulums is not research. A new improved toothpaste developed for increasing sales is not research.
3

Research is not rearranging facts.

Research is not a sales pitch.

 Knowledge gained from

experience forms an essential aid to our understanding and activities in everyday life

Why Research?

To understand something better To identify root of the problem Find ways and solutions Data for decision making and policy formulation Generate more information Explanation for certain happenings Guides in formalizing strategies Improve existing products and services Invent, develop new product / service
5

What Research is?

Research originates with a question or a problem. Research requires a clear articulation of a goal. Research follows a specific plan of procedure review of literature Research usually divides the principal problem into more manageable subproblems. Research is guided by the specific research problem, question, or hypothesis.
6

What Research is?

Research accepts/rejects certain
critical assumptions. These assumptions are underlying theories or ideas about how the world works. Research requires the collection and interpretation of data in attempting to resolve the problem that initiated the research.
7

Research is
Research is often described as an
active, diligent, and systematic process of inquiry aimed at discovering, interpreting, and revising facts. This intellectual investigation produces a greater knowledge of events, behaviors, theories, and laws and makes practical applications possible.
8

Business Research
Business Research is the function that
links organisation with its environment, stake holders and public through information that support appropriate decisions and actions. Systematic and objective process of gathering, recording and analysing data for aid in making business decisions.
9

Application of Research in Business

Reduce uncertainty Improve decision making in four
relevant areas:
Locating problems and identifying opportunities Diagnosing problems and assessing potentials and priorities Selecting and implementing a course of action Evaluating the chosen course of action
10

Relevance of Research in Business

Time constraints Is sufficient time available before a decision YES has to be made? NO Data Availability Is information already on hand inadequate? Nature of Decision Is the decision of considerable strategic or tactical importance? YES Cost Vs. Benefits Does the value of research informatio n exceed the cost of doing research? NO Do Research

YES

Yes

NO

NO

DO NOT CONDUCT RESEARCH

11

Why Research in Managerial Decision Making?

Government policies and challenges due

to changes in the economy Strategic and operational concern of business and industry Socially relevant concern in managerial organisation Market related issues and concerns

12

Rationale of Business Research

Managers need more and better
information Improve the quality of the resulting decisions Management tool that companies use to reduce uncertainty Applying research methods in management and business issues
13

Rationale of Business Research

Equip managers and business related
persons to understand how research in this area is conducted and what are the processes involved.

Basic or Pure to increase knowledge

about theories and concepts Applied to facilitate managerial decision making

14

Few major areas of research in business

General business conditions Management and organisational behaviour Corporate responsibility Marketing and sales Financial management Application of ICT Productivity and efficiency analysis Human resource management International business Role of environment / gender / culture in business

15

16