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Summary Blumberg, Cooper, Schindler - Business Research Methods, 4th edition
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A useful and clear summary of 33 pages. Summarizes chapters: 1,2,3,5,6,9,7,12,14,4.
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TBKLeo1. The nature of business and management research (pg. 3-44)
1.1 Why study research?
Business research refers to studies dealing with phenomena in the business world including
non-profit and (semi) governmental organizations to guide their decisions
Management dilemma a symptom of a management problem or an early indication of a
management opportunity; a problem or opportunity that requires a
management decision
Three factors have stimulated an interest in this scientific approach to decision-making:
1. the need for more and better information and decisions become more complex
2. the availability of improved techniques and tools to meet this need
3. the resulting information overload if discipline is not employed in the process
1.2 What is research?
Different types of study can be classified as:
1. reporting study
2. descriptive study
3. explanatory study
4. predictive study
Reporting study provides an account or summation of some data, perhaps the generation
of some statistics but requires little inference or conclusion drawing
Descriptive study describes or defines a subject by revealing who, what, when, where or
how much
Explanatory study attempts to explain the reasons for phenomena by using theories or at
least derived hypotheses (why and how?)
Research that studies the relationship between two or more variables is also referred to as a correlational study.
Predictive study builds on theory and attempts to provide answers to the question what (is
likely to) happen in the future
Control the ability to replicate a scenario and dictate a particular outcome
1.3 Is research always problem-solving based?
Applied research research with emphasis on solving practical problems (real life
phenomena)
Pure research / basic research attempts to understand processes and their outcomes, provides the
theoretical framework used in applied research
Research is a systematic inquiry aimed at providing information to solve managerial problems.
1.4 What makes good research?
Good research generates dependable data, which is derived through practices that are conducted professionally and that
can be used and relied upon.
Good research follows the structure of this scientific method.
Scientific method disciplined procedures for generating quality research (see the nine
criteria below)
The following nine criteria make up desirable, decision-oriented research:
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1. purpose clearly defined
2. research process detailed (it should be replicable)
3. research design thoroughly planned
4. high ethical standards applied
5. limitations frankly revealed
6. adequate analysis for decision-maker’s needs
7. findings presented unambiguously
8. conclusions justified
9. researcher’s experience reflected
1.5 Research philosophies
Research is based on reasoning (theory) and observations (data or information). Three research philosophies are:
1. positivism
2. interpretivism
3. realism
Positivism a research philosophy that builds on the principles that the social world
can be viewed objectively, research is value free and the researcher is
independent
Interpretivism a research philosophy that builds on the principles that the social world is
constructed and given subjective meanings by humans, and that the
researcher is driven by interests and part for what is observed
Positivism Interpretivism
Basic 1. the world is external and objective 1. the world is socially constructed and subjective
principles 2. researcher is independent 2. researcher is part of what is observed and
sometimes even actively collaborates
3. research is value-free 3. research is driven by human interest
Assumptions • objective, often quantitative facts • subjective interpretations of meanings
• reducing phenomena to simple • taking a broad and total view of phenomena to
elements representing general detect explanations beyond the current
laws knowledge
Realism a research philosophy that shares principles of positivism and
interpretivism
1.6 Scientific reasoning
Characteristic of scientific research is the inclusion of theory. Two different reasoning approaches are:
• deduction
• induction
Deduction a form of inference in which the conclusion must necessarily follow from
the reasons given
For a deduction to be correct, it must be both true and valid:
• premises (reasons) given for the conclusion must agree with the real world (true)
• the conclusion must necessarily follow from the premises (valid)
Induction to draw a conclusion from one or more particular facts or pieces of
evidence; the conclusion explains the facts
Double movement / reflective thought the sequential use of induction and deduction in research reasoning to
develop a plausible hypothesis
1.7 Understanding theory: components and connections
Concepts a generally accepted bundle of meaning or characteristics associated with
certain events, objects, conditions, or situations
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