Summary of the most important elements of the course Advanced Research Methods of the bachelor Business Administration / Bedrijfskunde at the RSM, Erasmus University.
1. Formulate a knowledge question
2. Collect relevant existing knowledge
3. Collect new, additional data
4. Analyse and interpret
5. Formulate the answer to the question
Principles of scientific data:
1. The basis are testable hypotheses and evidence
2. Research does not take place in a vacuum
3. Do not trust other people’s science without your own critical analysis
4. Confidence in a theory grows as more and more studies support the theory
Evidence-based management (EBMgt): the conscientious use of multiple sources of evidence in organizational
decisions. Before following evidence, investigate:
1. The logic
2. The context
3. How your context is different or the same
In essence, how generalizable is the evidence/knowledge/theory?
Three levels of theory:
1. Local theories
2. Mid-range theories
3. Grande theories
- Own research and experimentation
- One-off scientific studies (by others)
- Replicated scientific studies (stronger since more people have shown the result)
- Systematic review or Meta-analysis (+calculations) of scientific studies (very strong)
Critically assess quality of evidence on:
- Strength of research design
- Quality of outlet
- Your own assessment
1
,Constructs: theoretical concepts that may or may not be observable and measurable (abstract).
Variables: theoretical concepts that are observable and measurable.
The construct can be divided in different variables so that they can measure the organizational interdependence.
Proposition: a researcher’s statement about relationship between two or more theoretical constructs.
- Can be based on empirical data
- Does not have to be measurable or testable
Hypothesis: a statement about the relationship between two or more variables.
- Informed by underlying propositions
- Testable
- Show the direction of the relationship/effect between the variables
Theory: a statement of relationships between constructs observed or approximated in the empirical world. Every
theory has boundaries: assumptions about values, time and space.
Research objective explains the main purpose of conducting a research project.
Research question is the focal point of the research objective- and project.
Research method or strategy is the ‘plan of action’.
Four types of research approaches:
1. Exploratory / descriptive: output is a description of a phenomenon or a process.
2. Theory-building: outputs are theoretical propositions that explain a certain phenomenon or process.
3. Theory-testing: output is ‘proof’ and quantifications of relationships between the established variables.
4. Decision science: output is techniques, algorithms, models for optimization of process, etc.
Science is concerned with knowing the world round us. This knowledge develops using four main ingredients:
1. Theory
2. Expectations
3. Studies
4. Observations
Three main logics of scientific reasoning:
1. Inductive reasoning: given a series of observations, we derive an explanation/generalization that is
probably true.
2. Deductive reasoning: based on premises that are true, we logically come to a conclusion that it is true.
3. Abductive reasoning: based on interactions between observations and theories, we come to a likely
explanation for what we see.
Mind the language:
- Inductive: generalization is probably true
- Deductive: the conclusion is logically true
- Abductive: the explanation is likely correct
2
, Research cycle:
Critical reflection means that everything you read or do is never optimal and never perfect.
Managerial problem:
- A performance problem
- Multiple interrelated problem and a complex cause-and-effect network
- Different problems as perceived by different stakeholders
Knowledge question:
- Start collecting literature
- Refine questions until main research question and sub-questions (3 to 5)
- If theory-testing, also formulate hypotheses
- Four types of knowledge (aka research questions):
i. Descriptive (how things are)
ii. Explanatory (why things are that way)
iii. Predictive (how things will be)
iv. Prescriptive (how things should be done)
→ if you want to reach level four, you need to gather info about lower levels etc.
Review of evidence:
- Start a more systematic search for relevant literature
• Academic literature
• Professional literature
- Your results are captured in a critical literature review
Research design:
- Determine research type: exploratory, theory-building, theory-testing or decision science
- Check that research objective, research questions and research type are consistent
- Determine research strategy/method
- It will describe:
• Plans for data collection
• Plans for data analysis
• Threats to validity and how to deal with those
• Time plan / project plan
Research outcomes:
- Distinction between the results itself (results/findings) and your discussion of the results (discussion).
3
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller AmberOosterling. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $6.90. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
