MSC 521: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY · Scientific Research Process Scientific research is the application of scientific method to the investigation of relationships among different variables

MSC 521: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Prof. Bijaya G. Shrestha

The Nature and Context of Social Research

The concept of research Types of research Nature and purpose of research Scientific research - scientific research process Feature of scientific research Difficulties of applying scientific methods to social science research Management research - concept, types Value of research for decision making Ethical issues in management research

Research is the prime source of knowledge generation.

Acquiring reliable knowledge is not, however, one shot, finished business; it is a complex, challenging, and

continuous adventure (Van Dalen, 1973).

Human knowledge works at two levels:Primary (Existing) level and Incremental level.

For the incremental knowledge, research plays a greater role.

SEARCHRE

The Concept of Research


RESEARCH is an ORGANIZED and SYSTEMATIC way of FINDING ANSWERS to QUESTIONS or SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM

ORGANIZED, because, it is a planned procedure and it is a composed of definite steps.

SYSTEMATIC, because, there is a definite set of procedures and steps which we must have to follow.

FINDING ANSWERS to QUESTIONS is the end of research. Whether it is the answer to a simple question or even a hypothesis, research is successful when we find answers.

Research questions (problems) are central to a research. If there is no question (problem), then the answer (solution) will have no existence or relevance.

Questions Represent a Problem and Answer Means Solutions.

According to Sekaran (2000) “Research is an organized, systematic, data-based, critical, scientific enquiry or investigation into a specific problem, undertaken with

the objective of finding answers or solutions to it.”

Research improves learning.

The Concept of Research


Research is a creative and systematic work undertaken to increase the stock of knowledge.

According to Bassey (1999) “Research is a systematic and critical enquiry which aims to contribute to the advancement

of knowledge and wisdom.”

Research is one of the ways to find answers to questions.

According to Sekaran (2000) “Research is an organized, systematic, data-based,

critical, scientific enquiry or investigation into a specific problem, undertaken with

the objective of finding answers or solutions to it.”

Types of Research


Classification can be made on different perspective. However, from the perspective of application or utility, research can be classified

as APPLIED and FUNDAMENTAL.

Types of Research


Applied ResearchApplied research used to answer a specific question that has direct

application in solving the specific problem.

KNOWLEDGE FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEM

Suppose, Nepal Rastra Bank is conducting a research to solve the problem of NPL:How can Non-performing Loan (NPL) be controlled in Nepalese banking industry?

Fundamental (Basic or Pure) ResearchBasic research is driven purely by curiosity and a desire to expand our

knowledge in specific area. KNOWLEDGE FOR KNOWLEDGE

Suppose, a scholar wants to have answer to the question:What is the Situation of Non-performing Loan (NPL) in the Banking Industry?

Applied versus Fundamental Research


There is a symbiotic relationship between applied and fundamental research. These are not actually mutually exclusive. However, there are some differences.

Fundamental research Applied research

Purpose

➢To make a specific contribution to the academic body of knowledge in the subject.➢To expand knowledge of processes of society, business and management.

➢To understand and solve the particular problem of society, business or management.➢To use results in solution to the specific problem.

Usefulness

➢Result results have wider application in general.➢New knowledge can be a feeder for applied research.➢The horizon is much wider.➢Value specifically to the academic circle.

➢Research results limited to the specific problem but practically useful.➢Reduces uncertainty in decision making.➢Value specifically to the respective decision maker (s), e.g., manager(s) in organization(s).

Context

➢Undertaken by people based in universities.➢Choice of topic and objectives determined by the researcher.➢Flexible time scales.

➢Undertaken by people based in a variety of settings including organizations and freelanceresearchers.➢Objectives negotiated with originator or sponsor.➢Tight time frame based on the negotiation.

Nature of Research


Research is a systematic process of collecting and analyzing data and information to increase or revise current knowledge by discovering new facts.

It can be understood as the study undertaken by an individual or entity systematically, for finding out solutions to the problems (questions) under consideration.

Therefore, the formal research involves a systematic process. For example, sensing and defining the problem, formulating the hypotheses, planning the work, collecting data, analyzing data, and arriving at conclusion with findings. Basically, these are the facts

about nature of research.

The nature of research can be vary in terms of the jobs involved during the process for different kinds of research. For example, the nature of

qualitative research is quite different from the quantitative one.

However, every research must begins with sensing a problem and with some specified purpose. It must be planned accordingly. It must collect data and information as per the

problem and purpose. Analyzing those data and information, it must arrive into the valid conclusions with findings. These are the common nature of research.

Purpose of Research


The purpose could be validate a theory, add new knowledge, or solve a problem. It involves original work in answering a question or solving a problem.

Fundamentally, the purpose of research is to develop, refine, and expand a body of knowledge.

The purpose depends largely on the kind of research that a researcher carrying about.

DescriptionIf the researcher is carrying a well-defined subject and issue under it, then description will be itspurpose. It means, providing a detailed picture of the subject. There are many studies of this typein the social science. [Descriptive research]

ExplanationIf the researcher wants to elaborate and extend a theory’s explanation to a new issue,explanation will be its purpose. It aims to establish the causal relationship. [Explanatory research]

Generalization and PredictionMany researchers wants to generalize findings from sample to a larger population. In addition, researchers wants to make prediction in new situation. [Predictive research]

ExplorationIf the researcher is carrying a new and little understood issue (perhaps, no researchers hadwritten about it), then exploration will be the purpose of the research. It may be the first stage ina sequence of studies on the subject. [Exploratory research]

Purpose of Research


The purpose of research can also be explained in the ground of its utility. In this perspective, the purpose can also be explained in terms of

improving the existing condition or for the betterment of the situation.

RESEARCH

IMPROVED CONDITION/

WELFARE

New Knowledge

New Skills, Practices, Behaviors

New Technology

New tools, Devices,

Approaches

Scientific Research Process

Scientific research is the application of scientific method to the investigation of relationships among different variables to find out solutions of the problems or to develop new theory.

Scientific research pursues a step-by-step, logical, organized, and rigorous method to identify problems, gathering data, analyzing the data, and draw the valid conclusions there from.

Features of Scientific Research


Purposiveness: Scientific research must be guided by some specific purpose. The purpose is the foundation of research which influences all the steps of research process.

Replicability: If we use similar methods and procedures of data collection and analysisas compared to the previous study, the other research must also come out with similarresults.

Objectivity: Scientific research must be free from all biases and vested interests. Itmeans, the fact of being based on facts and not influenced by personal beliefs orfeelings.

Rigorous: Scientific research must be extremely thorough and careful investigation on the subject. In order to make a meaningful and worthwhile contribution to the field of knowledge, research must be carried out rigorously.

Testability: In scientific research, there is an important need to test the hypothesis tounderstand and find out the relationship between dependent and independentvariables.

Generalizability: The outcome of research must have the quality of generalization. It means, broad application in many connected disciplines. The value of research depends on the generable feature.

Difficulties of Applying Scientific Methods in Social Science

Research


Complexity of subject matter: The base of social science is human beings. Activities, attitudes, motives, beliefs, and values of human beings are very complex. It is a great problem in social science research. There are many uncontrollable variables.

Influence of the measurement process on results: The respondents answer questions in a mannerthey think will please the researcher. [“Howthrone Effect” The studies of Elton Mayo at theHowthorne Plant of Western Electric Company in the 1920s: Effect of lighting on productivity].

Difficulty of using experiments to test hypotheses: Social is not a pure science. Therefore, it is notpossible to establish meaningful laboratory condition. The accurate testing of hypothesis is a greatproblem. Replication is rarely possible.

Difficulty of making accurate predictions: Due to aforesaid causes accurate prediction is difficult.

Difficulty of obtaining accurate measurement: Due to the complexity in human behavior, theaccurate measurement and truthfulness of response is hardly possible.

Problematic objectives of the investigator: Impartiality and objectivity from the side of investigator is also a problem. Many ethical lapses are possible during data collection and analysis.

Social science is not a pure science, hence, it is difficult to conduct investigation that are totally scientific. Academics of social science always face a problem during collection and measurement of

data in the subjective areas of feelings, emotions, attitudes, and perceptions. The controlled laboratory condition is not possible in social science research.

Management Research


Management Research can be defined broadly as a form of systematic inquiry that contributes to knowledge in the field of management.

According to Cooper and Schindler (2003): “Business research is a systematic inquiry whose objective is to provide information to solve managerial

problems.”

Management research is widely used as synonym to business research. It is systematic and objective collection and evaluation of information about

specific aspects of business problems in order to assist managers to make effective decisions. It reduce the uncertainty in decision making.

Management is a vague phenomenon. Primarily, it exists in the periphery of the jungle of problems. Moving forward by solving the problems to attain the

organizational goal is the ultimate objective of management. During this course, it may need different types of research.

Types of Management Research


Policy Research: It refers to the research for the development of organizational policiesand strategy. It is concerned with the overall organizational situation for the planningand policy making purpose. It is related with top level management. Macro-level data,time series analysis, analyzing opportunity and threat are some of the importantaspects of policy research. As a main output it identifies the policy options.

Managerial research: It refers to the research for enhancing the operating efficiency of an organization. Specific and detailed data about the particular issues are most essential for managerial research. As a main output it identifies the decision options.

Action research: It is a systematic process of deep inquiry into one’s practices. The primary reason for engaging in action research is to assist the “actor” in improving and/or refining the actions. It may also be called a cycle of action, since it typically

follows a predefined process that is repeated over time. Continuous gathering and analysis of data is the core of this research. As a main output

it intends to feed the information to improve the functioning in a continuous basis.

Evaluation Research: Its main objective is to measure achievements against the objectives and suggest the improvements required. Micro level data and its analysis is the core of evaluation research. As a main output it identifies strengths and weakness.

Types of Management Research


From the application perspective, types of management research can also be presented as follows:

General Business Conditions and Corporate Research Financial and Accounting Research Management and Organizational Behavior ResearchSales and Marketing ResearchInformation Systems Research Corporate Responsibility Research

Value of Research for Decision Making


Management research is defined as the systematic and objective process of generating information for aid in making business decisions.

Research reduces the uncertainty in decision making.

Ethical Issues in Management Research


Honesty, integrity, fairness, justice, and trustworthiness are the basic terminologies those represents as right and good in common parlances.

Ethics refers to the study about human behavior regarding issues of right and wrong conduct. As a branch of philosophy it is also known as moral philosophy.

The ethical issues in management research involves all three players in a research project. All parties in research should exhibit ethical behavior.

➢ Ethical Issues Related with the Sponsor• Dishonesty in dealing with research suppliers e.g., “picking the brain”

• Misuse of research information• Immoral in purpose

➢ Ethical Issues Related with the Supplier (Researcher)• Violating client confidentiality• Improper execution of research

➢Respondents’ Rights must Respect by the Researches• The right to privacy• The righty to safety

• The right to know the true purpose of the research• The right to decide which questions to answer

The respondent can abstain from answering a sensitive question, but falsifying the answer is ethically improper.

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MSC 521: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY · Scientific Research Process Scientific research is the application of scientific method to the investigation of relationships among different variables