Research Methodology

Lecture No : 2

(Broad Problem Area, Preliminary Information , Literature Survey)

Recap lecture 1• We examined what is research?

– Systematic effort to investigate a problem

• Introduced the Types of research– Applied (solve a current problem of org) – Basic (improve understanding of a problem)

• Why managers should know about research– Identify problems , discriminate b/w good and bad research,

appreciate the multiple influences of different factors ,etc.

• Hall Marks of Scientific Research.– Purposive, Rigor, Testability, Replicability, Precision/confidence,

Objectivity, Generalizbility, Parsimony

• Building Blocks of Scientific Research– Observation, identification of problem area, Theoretical Framework,

Hypothesis, Construct, Concepts operations definitions, Research Design, Data Collection , Analysis, Interpretation, implementation/refinement of theory

Lecture Objective

• To identify broad problem areas that are likely be studied in Organization

• What preliminary information in the work setting can be collected.

• To conduct a literature survey• To develop relevant and comprehensive

bibliography for any organization research area.• To write a literature review • To state research problems clearly and precisely

Outcomes

• We will examine ways to identify variables that would be relevant to the problem situation

• We would be able to develop a literature review.• We would be able to developing specific problems

statements.

Research Process Steps

1. Observation2. Preliminary Data collation3. Problem definition4. Theoretical Framework(variables identification)5. Generation of Hypothesis6. Research Design7. Data Collection & Interpretation8. Deduction 9. Report writing (or other wise)

The Research Process for Applied and Basic Research

• Step 1 to 5 are part of the process to identify the Broad Problem Area, literature review, problem statement,

conceptual framework and the hypothesis generation.

• Step 6 and 7 are part of the design which involves planning of the actual study , location, how to select sample, collect data, and analyze data.

• Step 8 and 9 denote the final deductions from the hypotheses testing. – If all hypothesis are substantiated and research questions

are fully answered we would try to find different ways to solve the problem.

– If not all hypotheses not support we try to examine the reasons for this

Broad Problem Area

• Identify the broad problem area( observation / focus)

• The broad problem area refers to the entire situation where one sees as a possible need for research and problem solving e.g.

– Training programs are perhaps are not effective as were anticipated.

– An increase in the dis-satisfaction of Customers

– Minority groups not making career progress

Broad Problem Area (cont..)

• The specific issue might not be very clear.• The issue could pertain to

– Problems currently existing in an organization– Areas where the managers believes can have

improvements– For better understanding of a Phenomena– Some empirically research is needed.

Types of problems Example(s):

• Current existing problem: (The removal is essential as it can effect the routine operations of the organization)– People are not regularly attending their work.

• Require Improvement: (The situation needs to enhanced to ensure a better performance of the organization)– People might come but do not always show a 100% commitment to

their work

• Conceptual Issue: (Define the concept, performance) – What is performance (org performance / Employee performance

– . How to measure )

• Empirical: (Test empirically )

– Attendance and performance related.

Broad Problem Areas

Career progress

Attendance

Flexi Time

Management of complex

project

Sales

Preliminary Information Collection

• The broad problem area is narrowed down to specific issues for investigation after some preliminary information gathering.

• This may take the forms of interviews and library research

• i.e. we try understand the problem in more detail and and develop a theory in which we try to illustrate the possible variables that might influence the problem.

Nature of preliminary information collected

• The preliminary information collected can be collected from

– Background info of the org/secondary information

– Prevailing Knowledge on the Topic

Background Info of the org/secondary Info

• Before conducting the first interview – Origin and history of the company -Size– Charter - Resources – Financial position etc

• For example information gathered on the financial status of organization can help identify if the organization cash flow are bad that might indicate a high rate of return of the products.

• This information could be used to gather further information

and discussion while interviewing .

• We need to use good judgment as to what kind of preliminary data is needed

• Main idea is to identify the real problems

• After the interviewing the researcher needs to tabulate the various types of information and determine if there are any patterns to the responses.

Prevailing Knowledge on the Topic

• Certain factors are frequently mentioned e.g. untrained personnel , un safe work environment etc

• This gives the researcher a good idea about how to proceed to the next step of surveying the prevailing knowledge on the topic through literature review

• The literature can help see how other have perceived these factors in other work settings.

Literature Survey

• Literature survey is the documentation of a comprehensive review of the published and unpublished work from secondary sources of data in the area of specific interest to the researcher.

• Library, books, WWW, magazines, conference proceedings, thesis, government publications, and financial reports.

Why have Literature Survey

• A good literature survey ensures that:– Distinction between symptoms and real problem– Important variables are identified– Develop theoretical framework and hypothesis– Problem statement can be made with more precision.– Avoid in reinventing the wheel.– Recognition in the scientific community

Conducting the literature Survey

1. Identify the relevant sources2. Extracting the relevant information3. Writing up the literature review

• Relevant source– Bibliographic database (article name, date, author..)– Abstract Database (all above + summary)– Full access Databases

Evaluating the Literature

• Searching might exhibit hundreds of articles and books• Careful selection is needed • We need to find (A)Relevance (B) Quality of the

literature• (A) Relevance

– Titles of articles/books– Abstracts of an article

• Overview of the purpose• General research plan• Findings• Conclusion

– Introduction in an article• Overview of the problem addressed • Specific research objectives• Ends with the summary research questions

– Table of contents in a book

• Quality– You need to ask

• Is the research question / problem clearly stated• Does this study build on previous research• Used appropriate quantitative and qualitative tool etc….

– You need to also check if it has been published in good journal• i.e peer reviewed , impact factor

Extracting the Relevant Information

• From the articles extract these following information– Problem– Variables– Sample– Data collection– Data analysis– Results– Conclusion

Writing up the literature Review

• Documenting of relevant studies citing the author and the year of the study is called literature review.

• Reference key studies , Reference books and article which are latest

• The literature survey is a clear presentation of relevant research work done thus far in the area of investigation.

• All relevant information should be in a coherent and logical manner instead of chronological manner

Writing up the literature Review(Cont..)

• Introduce the subject (Importance + Purpose of the study + define the key concepts)

• Identify the major research literature and the gaps

• Finally discuss the variables and their relationship to help you to formulate your frame work and hypothesis.

• Article “ Effects of Flexi Time on Employee Attendance and Performance”

Examples of Bibliography and References (APA)

• Lehsin, C. B. (1997). Management on the World wide Web. Engle wood Cliff, Prentice Hall.

• More examples on pg 61

Referencing and Quotation in Literature review

• Todd (1998) has show• In 1997, Kyle compared the dual careers and dual …• Perter Drucker (1986) “staff work should be limited to

few tasks of high priority.”

• More examples on page 64

Defining Problem Statement(Research Questions)

• After interviews and literature review the researcher are in better position to narrow down the problem from the broad problem area to more specific problem.

• A problem statement is a clear, precise statement of the specific issue that research intends to address.

• A problem could be an interest in a issues where finding the right answer might help to improve the existing situation.

• We need to be care full that we do not define Symptoms as problems

Examples of Well defined Problem Statements

• To what extent has the new advertising campaign been successful in creating a high quality , customer centered corporate image?

• How has new packaging affected the sales of the product?

• How do price and quality rate on consumer’s evaluation?

• Does better automation lead to greater investment ?

Example of Broad Problem Area, Lit Review, Problem

Statement.• Broad Problem Area: Low productivity of employee.

• Lit Review: faulty machines, low pay rate, low moral

• Problem Statement1: Is the low moral of employee at plant x the cause of low productivity?

• Problem Statement2: Is the low pay of employee at plant x the cause of low productivity?

Exercise

• Identify the Broad Problem area, define the problem statement, and how would you proceed further.

• Pioneers minivans and pickup take a big share of the truck market , while it’s cars lag behind those of its competitors. Quality issues like faulty electrical system, and head lights are a major concern to the management for declining sales.

• Broad problem area is : Decline market share of Pioneers cars.

• Problem Statement1: How can the Pioneer company increase it’s market share.

• Problem Statement2: Is quality issues of faulty electrical systems, head lights of declining sales

Summary

• Identify the first three steps in the research process• Identification of the broad problem area

– Preliminary information gathering through interviews and literature survey

– Problem definition

• APA format of referencing • Next lecture we would cover in some more detail the

section on conduction literature review. • You will be mailed an article, read the first 3 pages

before coming to the class.