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Summary Business Research Methods
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Summary of 19 pages for the course Business Research Methods at Avans
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1.1 IntroductionMethods = techniques and procedures used to obtain and analyse data. Includes
questionnaires, observation and interviews + quantitative (statistical) and qualitative (non-
statistical) analysis techniques.
Methodology = theory of how research should be undertaken.
1.2 The Nature of Research
Term Research is often used WRONGLY e.g.:
- Just collecting facts or info with no clear purpose;
- Reassembling and reordering facts or info without interpretation;
-As an esoteric activity with no or little relevance to everyday life;
-As a term to get your product or idea noticed and respected.
Research = something that people undertake in order “to find out things”(multiplicity of possible
purposes for your research) in a “systematic way” (logical relationships), thereby increasing their
knowledge. [ Purposes may include: describing, explaining, understanding, criticising and
analysing].
Characteristics of Research:
- Data are collected systematically;
- Data are interpreted systematically;
- There is a clear purpose: to find things out.
1.3 Business and Management Research
Business and management research needs to engage with both the World of theory and the
World of practice. The problems addressed should grow out of interaction between these two
worlds rather than either on their own.
Theoretical & Practical Relevance Quadrant
methodological rigour
Higher Lower Pedantic science
Lower Higher Popularist science
Lower Lower Puerile science
Higher Higher Pragamatic science
,Practitioner and management researcher orientations:
Management researcher Practitioner
Basic understanding Focus of interest Useable knowledge
General enlightenment Instrumental
Theoretical explanation Practical problem solutions
‘Why’ knowledge ‘How to’ knowledge
Substantive theory building Local theory in use
Theoretical and methodological Methodological imperative Timeless
rigour
Academic publication Key outcome Actionable results with practice
impact
Disdain of practitioner Views of other Deprecate or ignore
Desire to make a difference to Belief research can provide
practice relevant fresh insights to
managers problems
Basic Research Practical Research
Purpose: Purpose:
Expand knowledge of processes of business and Improve understanding of particular business or
management management problem
Results in universal principles relating to the Results in solution to problem
process and its relationship to outcomes
Findings of significance and value to society in New knowledge limited to problem
general
Findings of practical relevance and value to
managers in organisations
Context Context
Undertaken by people based in universities Undertaken by people based in a variety of
settings including organisations and universities
Choice of topic and objectives determined by Objectives negotiated with originator
the researcher
Flexible time scales Tight time scales
Applied research = Investigation of the findings of 'pure' or basic research, to determine if they could
be used to develop new products or technologies. Also, the research conducted to solve
specific problems or to answer specific questions.
1.4 The Research Process
Research process as a series of linked stages and gives the appearance of being organised in a
linear manner.
, 2.2 Attributes of good research topic
Choose a topic which you feel comfortable about. NOT vaguely interested.
Capability means you must be reasonably certain of gaining access to any data you might collect.
Start with ideas where access to data will prove difficult.
Most topics it is important that (1) the issue within the research are capable of being linked to
theory. (2) Ensure your questions and objectives are clearly related to the idea. Topic will have a (3)
symmetry of potential outcomes: your results will be of similar value whatever you find out.
(4) Important to consider your career goals.
2.3 Generating and refining research ideas
2.3.1 Generating research ideas: Not given an initial research idea techniques to find and select a
topic Rational Thinking or Creative Thinking. By using both techniques you are more likely to
ensure that your heart as well as your head is in your research project (use a variety of techniques).
Rational Thinking Creative Thinking
- Examining your own strengths and - Keeping a notebook of ideas
interest
- Looking at past project titles - Exploring personal preferences using
past projects
- Discussion - Relevance trees
- Searching the literature - Brainstorming
- Scanning the media
Generate 2 outcomes: - One or more possible project ideas that you might undertake; - absolute
panic because nothing in which you are interested / seems suitable has come to mind.
Rational Thinking:
Step 1: Examining own strengths and interests ;
Step 2: Looking at past project titles; Dissertations: undergraduate and taught masters degrees.
Theses: research degrees.
Step 3: Discussion;
Step 4: Searching the literature; Types of literature for generating research ideas: - Articles in
academic and professional journals; -Reports; and – Books.
Particular use are review articles: articles contain both a considered review of the state of
knowledge in that topic area and pointers towards areas where further research needs to be
undertaken.
Step 5: Scanning the media; keeping up to date with items in the news can be a very rich source of
ideas. Stories may also suggest other ideas which flow from the central story.
Creative Thinking
Step 1: Keeping a notebook of ideas; notebook of ideas noting down any interesting research ideas
as you think of them & what sparked off your thought.
Step 2: Exploring personal preferences using past projects; by examining the list of preferences you
will begin to understand project characteristics that are important to you and with which you feel
comfortable. And identified characteristics that you are uncomfortable with. possible research ideas
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