Summary of the book Business Research Methods by Boris Blumberg. Input on Chapters 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 12, 14. In addition, we included information from the PowerPoint slides from the Technical University of Eindhoven. Especially beneficial for the course: 1ZV00.
CHAPTER 1 – NATURE OF BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT RESEARCH
Business research may be defined as a systematic inquiry (empirical cycle) within an
organizational context whose objective is to provide evidence-based information (solution is
data-driven) that will allow managerial problems (specific context) to be solved.
Management dilemma is any 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 as 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 must the researcher accomplish?
The different types of study can be classified as:
1. Reporting - at the most elementary level, a reporting study may be
produced simply to provide an account or summation of some
data, or to generate some statistics.
2. Descriptive - tires to discover answers to the questions who, when, what,
where, and sometimes, how. The researcher attempts to
describe, or define, a subject, often by creating a profile of a
group of problems, people, or events.
3. Explanatory - goes beyond description and attempts to explain the reasons for
the phenomenon that the descriptive study has only observed.
It is also referred to as a correlational study.
4. Predictive - is rooted as much in theory as in explanation. We want to
explain and predict a phenomenon, but we would also like to be
able to control it. Being able to replicate a scenario and dictate a
particular outcome is the objective of control.
Type onderzoek Doel Kenmerken
Descriptive Doel van dit type - Verzamelen van informatie zonder de
research onderzoek is het omgeving te veranderen.
beschrijven van een - Berekenen van gemiddelde scores,
relatie. samenhang (correlaties), en het uitvoeren
van een regressieanalyse.
- Geen uitspraak over causale relatie – wie,
wat, wanneer, waar
Explanatory Doel van onderzoek - Verzamelen van informatie door de
research is het verklaren van omgeving te veranderen (interventie).
een relatie. - Uitspraak over causale relatie – waarom en
hoe
Predictive research Doel van onderzoek - Modelleren van complex samenspel van
is het voorspellen relaties in het voorspellen van een bepaald
van een relatie. fenomeen
- Uitspraak over causale relatie – waarom en
hoe
,1.3 Is research always problem-solving based?
1. Puur wetenschappelijk onderzoek (pure research or basic research)
Theorieontwikkeling door het verklaren van relaties
It aims to solve perplexing questions (i.e. problems) of a theoretical nature that have
little direct impact on action, performance or policy decisions.
Vaak in universiteiten (of onderzoeksinstituten) maar steeds vaker in bedrijfsleven
(Facebook, Microsoft, Disney)
2. Toegepast onderzoek (applied research)
Toepassing van theorie (evidence-based solutions)
Has a practical problem-solving emphasis, although the need for problem-solving is
not always generated by a negative circumstance.
It is conducted in order to reveal answers to specific questions related to action,
performance or policy needs.
Is directed much more to making immediate managerial decisions.
In bedrijven, maar ook in universiteiten
3. Scientific research
A systematic, controlled, empirical, and critical investigation of natural phenomenon
guided by theory and hypotheses about the presumed relations among such
phenomena.
This definition refers to the degree to which the observations are controlled and
alternative explanations of the outcome are ruled out.
Any of the four types of study – reporting, descriptive, explanatory or predictive – can
properly be called research. We also can conclude that research is a systematic inquiry aimed
at providing information to solve managerial problems. This defines the basic requirements
that any effort must meet in order to be called research.
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 the scientific method.
,Characteristics of (scientific) How can researcher achieve it?
research:
1. Purpose clearly defined In applied research, the researcher distinguishes
between defined symptom of organization’s
problem, the manager’s perception of the problem,
and the research problem.
In pure research, it is also wise to clearly separate
the research dilemma addressed and the research
problem actually investigated.
2. Research process detailed Researcher provides complete research proposal
3. Research design thoroughly Exploratory procedures are outlined with constructs
planned defined.
Sample unit is clearly described, along with sampling
methodology.
Data collection procedures are selected and
designed.
4. High ethical standards applied Safeguards are in place to protect study participants
Recommendations do not exceed the scope of the
study
5. Limitations frankly revealed Desired procedure is compared with actual
procedure in report
Desired sample is compared with actual sample in
report
Impact on findings and conclusions is detailed.
6. Adequate analysis for Sufficiently detailed findings are tied to collection
decision-maker’s needs instruments
7. Findings presented Findings are clearly presented in words, tables, and
unambiguously graphs.
Executive summary of conclusion is outlined.
8. Conclusions justified Decision-based conclusions are matched with
detailed findings
9. Researcher’s experience Researcher provides experiences/credentials with
reflected report.
, 1.5 Research philosophies
Research is based on reasoning (theory) and observations (data or information). How
observations and reasoning are related to each other is an old and still ongoing philosophical
debate on the development of knowledge.
Verschillende filosofieën over onderzoek:
1. Positivism
2. Interpretivism
3. Realism
Centrale dilemma:
Kunnen wij de wereld kennen (objectief) of is onze kennis altijd een subjectieve weergaven
van de realiteit?
Positivism
Positivism is a research philosophy adopted from the natural sciences. Its three basic
principles are:
1. The social world exists externally and is viewed objectively
2. Research is value-free
3. The researcher is independent, taking the role of an objective analyst.
Interpretivism
Unlike positivists, interpretivists hold the view that the social world cannot be understood by
applying research principles adopted from the natural sciences and propose that social
sciences require a different research philosophy. The three basic principles of interpretivism
are:
1. The social world is constructed and is given meaning subjectively by people
2. The researcher is part of what is observed
3. Research is driven by interests
Realism
Realism is a research philosophy sharing principles of positivism and interpretivism.
Like positivism, its exponents believe that social sciences can rely on the research
approach dominant in the natural sciences. More specifically, it accepts the existence
of a reality independent of human beliefs and behavior.
However, it also concedes that understanding people and their behavior requires
acknowledgement of the subjectivity inherent to humans.
Induction
Het afleiden van algemene regel uit een beperkte verzameling specifieke gevallen
(observaties). Conclusie is voorlopig waar.
To induce something is to draw a conclusion from one or more particular facts or
pieces of evidence. The conclusion explains the facts, and the facts support the
conclusion.
First swan is white, second swan is white, third swan is white. Conclusion: all swans
are white.
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