The forced decline in focus of gas vehicles in the car industry
Prof. Reinford
Khal_BUSI_301_Ch_2_2021.pptx
Scientific Investigation
Chapter 2
Hallmarks of Scientific Research: see P 19-23 in the book
Hallmarks or main distinguishing characteristics of scientific (good) research:
Purposiveness
Rigor
Testability
Replicability
Precision and Confidence
Objectivity
Generalizability
Parsimony
Slide 2-2
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Deduction and Induction
Deductive research: a process where one starts with a general theory (often in the form of a hypothesis or proposition) and then collects specific data to test this theory.
Hypothesis testing
Inductive research: a process where we observe specific phenomena and on this basis arrive at general conclusions.
Counting white swans
Both inductive and deductive processes are often used in (fundamental and applied) research.
Deduction and Induction
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E-to-P
Expectancy
P-to-O
Instrumentality
Outcomes
(Rewards) & Valences
Outcome 1
+ or -
Effort
Performance
Outcome 3
+ or -
Outcome 2
+ or -
Expectancy Theory of Motivation
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Induction and Deduction
Inductive reasoning: a process where we observe specific phenomena and on this basis arrive at general conclusions.
Deductive reasoning: application of a general theory to a specific case.
Both inductive and deductive processes are often used in research.
Successful managers are punctual
Slide 2-6
Punctuality will lead to success or there is a positive relationship between punctuality and success.
Punctuality is an important feature for successful manager
Student who sit in the front of the class will participate more than those who sit in the back
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Hypothetico-Deductive Research
The Seven-Step Process in the Hypothetico-Deductive Method
Observation (Identify a broad problem area)
Preliminary information gathering (Define the problem statement)
Theory formulation and development of hypotheses (based on the literature and theory)
Determine measures
Data collection
Data analysis
Interpretation of data
Slide 2-7
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Hypothetico-Deductive Research The CIO Dilemma
The Seven-Step Process in the Hypothetico-Deductive Method for the MIS at CIO
Identify a broad problem area
The newly installed Management Information System (MIS) is not being used by middle managers as much as was originally expected.
Define the problem statement/research question
What are the factors that causing middle managers not to use the newly MIS?
“To what extent do knowledge-related factors and openness to change affect the use of the MIS by middle managers?”
Develop hypotheses
Knowledge of the usefulness of the MIS would help managers to put it to greater use.
Determine measures
Measure of usefulness
Measure of MIS use
Data collection
a short questionnaire measuring the various factors theorized to influence the use of the MIS
what kinds of information the MIS provides, how to gain access to the information, and the level of openness to change of managers, and, finally, how often managers have used the MIS in the preceding three months.
Data analysis
Correlation Analysis ( r )
Regression Analysis ( B )
Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)
SEM
Interpretation of data
Slide 2-8
Hypothetico-Deductive Research
The Seven-Step Process in the Hypothetico-Deductive Method - Example 2
Identify a broad problem area
decline in product sales
Define the problem statement
why price promotions have a negative – instead of a positive – effect on sales
Develop hypotheses (based on a theory)
frequent price promotions will have a negative effect on product sales
frequent price promotions will have a negative effect on a product reputation
a negative product reputation will have a negative effect on product sales
Determine measures (develop or find measures/questions to measure the various factors in your hypotheses)
Measure of price promotions ( how frequent)
Measure of sales levels
Reputation of the product
Data collection
a short questionnaire measuring (a) price promotions frequencies, 9b) reputation of the product, and (c) sales levels
Data analysis
Correlation Analysis ( r )
Regression Analysis ( B )
Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)
Interpretation of data
Slide 2-9
Research Paradigms /Approaches
Ontology: beliefs about reality/truth
Slide 2-10
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCOsY5rkRs8
Paradigm
A paradigm is a shared mindset that represents a fundamental way of thinking about, perceiving, and understanding the world.
It is the lens through which we see the world
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Alternative Approaches to Research/ To Understand a phenomenon
Positivism (realism)
Constructionism (relativism)
Critical realism (post realism)
Pragmatism
Slide 2-12
Positivism
There is an external reality (truth) and scientific research is the way to get to the truth
Role of researchers: to develop theories and test these theories
Rigor, objectivity, and replicability, reliability, and generalizability
Key approach: Experiment and the use of quantitative data
Slide 2-13
Constructionism
The world as we know it is fundamentally mental
Aim to understand the rules people use to make sense of the world
Research methods are often qualitative in nature
Slide 2-14
Critical Realism
There is an external reality but we cannot always objectively measure this external reality
The critical realist is critical of our ability to understand the world with certainty
Replication and building on the research of others is a way to move closer to the truth
Slide 2-15
Pragmatism
Do not take a particular position on what makes good research
Research on both objective and subjective phenomena can produce useful knowledge
Relationship between theory and practice
Purpose of theory is to inform practice
Slide 2-16
Data
Quantitative data are data in the form of numbers as generally gathered through structured questions or gathered from various sources such as the Internet.
Qualitative data are data in the form of words as generated from the broad answers to questions in interviews, or from responses to open-ended questions in a questionnaire, or through observation, or from already available information gathered from various sources such as the Internet.
Primary Data are data that the researcher gathers first hand for the specific purpose of the study
Secondary Data are data that have been collected by others for another purpose than the purpose of the current study.
Slide 2-17
CRITERIA FOR EVALUATING SECONDARY DATA
Slide 2-18
Timeliness of the data.
When were the data collected? It is important that the data are up-to-date. Check the dates on all of your secondary data to make sure that you have the newest information available.
Accuracy of the data.
What was the purpose of (presenting) the data? Web pages are created with a specific purpose in mind. Commercial organizations often post information online that might favor them in some way or represent their own interests. Who collected the data? How were the data collected? What are the author's credentials on this subject? The accuracy of data can be impacted by who collected it and how the data were collected. Are the data consistent with data from other sources? If specific information varies from source to source, you need to find out which information is more accurate.
Relevance of the data.
Not all of the secondary data you find will be relevant to your particular needs. Data may be accurate and up-to-date but not applicable to your research objective(s) and research questions.
Costs of the data.
How much do the data cost? Do the benefits outweigh the costs? Are you better off collecting other data? Are you better off using other (primary?) methods of data collection?
The research proposal
The research proposal drawn up by the investigator is the result of a planned, organized, and careful effort.
© 2012 John Wiley & Sons Ltd. www.wiley.com/college/sekaran
Research Proposal contains (1)
Working title.
Background of the study (literature review)
The problem statement.
- The purpose of the study.
- Research questions.
The scope of the study.
The relevance of the study.
The research design offering details on:
a. Type of study
b. Data collection methods
c. The sampling design.
d. Data analysis.
Time frame of the study
Budget
Selected bibliography.
© 2012 John Wiley & Sons Ltd. www.wiley.com/college/sekaran
What is a Problem
Slide 14-21
Problem: any situation where a gap exists between an actual and a desired ideal state
A “problem” does not necessarily mean that something is seriously wrong with a current situation that needs to be rectified immediately. A problem could also indicate an interest in an issue where finding the right answers might help to improve an existing situation.
Examples of problem statement
ABC’s staff turnover is much higher (14%) than the average staff turnover (6%) in the industry.
Minority group members in organizations are not advancing in their careers.
The current instrument for the assessment of potential employees for management positions is imperfect.
The newly installed information system is not being used by the managers for whom it was primarily designed.
The introduction of flexible work hours has created more problems than solutions.
Young workers in the organization show low levels of commitment to the organization.
© 2012 John Wiley & Sons Ltd. www.wiley.com/college/sekaran
Theory of planned behaviour (Taylor & Todd, 1995)
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