BUSINESS RESEARCH Ways/Bases in Classification Research

LECTURE 01 06/14/17 & 06/21/17

Definitions of Research

Good defines research as a careful, critical, disciplined inquiry, varying in

technique and method according to the nature and conditions of the
problem identified, directed toward the clarification or resolution (or both)
of a problem.
Aquino has a more detailed definition of research. He says that research
is simply the systematic search of pertinent information on a specific
problem.
Research has been defined as the process of gathering data or
information to solve a particular or specific problem in a scientific manner.
Parel defines research as a systematic study or investigation of
something for the purpose of answering questions posed by the
researcher.
Treece and Treece commented that research in its broadest sense is an
attempt to gain solutions to problems. More precisely, it is the collection of
data in rigorously controlled situation for the purpose of prediction and Based on Methodology or Research Design (useful as basis for
explanation. categorizing research)
Formulated in a more comprehensive research may be defined as a
purposive, systematic and scientific process of gathering, analyzing, Descriptive Research endeavors to describe systematically, factually
classifying, organizing, presenting and interpreting data for the solution of and objectively a situation, problem or phenomenon
a problem, for prediction, for invention, for the discovery of truth, or for the Correlational/Associational Research the investigator tries to probe
expansion or verification of existing knowledge, all for the preservation and the significance of relationship between two or more factors or
improvement of the quality of human life. characteristics
Explanatory Research the researcher seeks to clarify why and how a
Definitions of Business Research relationship exists between two or more aspects of a situation or
phenomenon
It is the bridge that links the organization to its business activities through Exploratory Research undertaken when the investigator is after
the gathering of information. probing or exploring areas where little is known about the research
It is a more recent origin and it is largely supported by business problem
organizations that hope to achieve a competitive advantage among other Experimental Research the researcher probes into the cause of an
business organizations. effect by exposing one or more experimental groups to one or more
Research is either basic or applied. Basic Research seeks to contribute to treatments or conditions
knowledge through the development of a theory or concept, while Applied Ex-post Facto/Causal-Comparative Research when the investigator
Research seeks to provide solutions to problems through the development delves on analyzing the possible effect of a factor which cannot be
and evaluation of processes, policies and other activities that require manipulated or controlled
specific courses of action. Historical Research the researcher attempts to reconstruct the past
Business Research is a systematic process of answering a question or objective accurately or explain an incident, that happened in the past with
problem involving the methodical formulation of a theoretical framework the use of data in the past
and methodology; collection, analysis and interpretation of pertinent data Ethnographic Research explaining/describing a phenomenon
and presentation of recommendations from which courses of action can
be taken.
Comparison on the Types of Business Research Characteristics of a Good Research Problem
Should be of great interest
TYPE PURPOSE SCOPE RESPONDENT ANALYSIS Useful for the concerned people in the field of concentration
Feasibility Determines the Usually covers one Selected through Percentage,
Study variability of a project/service and sampling, this is Regression,
Must possess novelty
product/service/ looks at the marketing, done for the market Ratios, T-test, z- Must not be over studied
project which is not production, study test or Chi-square Has complex design and allows the introduction of more variables
yet operational management, legal test
and financial aspects Must be completed in an allocated time
Industry Analyzes the past Covers the industry Selected either Frequency,
Study and present and looks at the through total Percentage,
performance of marketing, production, enumeration or Time-series,
Characteristics of Research
companies and management and sampling of firms Ratios, Empirical based on direct experience or observation
predicts the future of financial aspects, and within the industry Regression Logical based on valid procedures and principles
the firms in industry legislations affecting
the industry Cyclical starts with a problem and ends with a problem
Corporate Aims to propose Covers one firm and Key informants Content analysis, Analytical utilizes proven analytical procedure in gathering data
Strategy strategies to improve looks at a combination Percentage,
company or all of the functional Frequency Critical exhibits careful and precise judgment
performance areas Methodical conducted in a methodical manner without bias
Case Study Describes/ explores Covers a particular Key informants Content analysis, Replicable design and procedures are repeated to enable the
patterns or events in topic of interest of a Percentage,
an in-depth manner person or company Frequency researcher to arrive at valid and conclusive results
Other types Objectives can be Depends on the Selected either Parametric, Non-
of Applied descriptive, objective of the study through total parametric
Research correlative, enumeration or statistics Characteristics of the Researcher
comparative, to offer sampling (not Intellectual curiosity undertakes deep thinking and inquiry of things,
solutions or expand applicable if
knowledge purpose is for
problems and situations around him
theory Prudence careful to conduct his study at the right time and at the right
development) place wisely, efficiently and economically
Basic Aims to develop Covers on specific Mathematical,
Research theory or concept theory or concepts or Modelling, Healthy criticism always doubtful as to the truthfulness of the results
group of related Econometric Intellectual honesty honest to collect or gather data or facts in order
theories and concepts Techniques
to arrive at honest results
Intellectual creativity always creates new researches, enjoys
Major Steps in Research inventing unique, novel and original researches
1. Identification of the Research Problem Classification of Research
2. Formulation of Research Problem and Objectives Library Research done in the library where answers to specific
3. Development of Theoretical Framework questions or problems of the study are available
4. Designing of the Research Methodology Field Research conducted in a natural setting
5. Collection, Analysis and Interpretation of Data Laboratory Research conducted in artificial or controlled conditions
6. Presentation of Conclusions and Recommendations by isolating the study in a thoroughly specified and equipped area
7. Taking of Course of Action
VARIABLE
The Research Process - defined as a quantity susceptible of fluctuation or change in value or
magnitude under different conditions
Identification of Review of Designing of the Collection, Presentation of
Chapter 5
Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

the research Related Research Analysis and Conclusions

problem (topic) Literature Methodology
Interpretation of and Types of Variable
Research design Data Recommend-
Formulation of Sources of
research Collection of ations
Information
problem and Techniques of data Taking of Independent Variable the stimulus variable which is chosen by the
objectives data collection Processing of Course of
Action
researcher to determine its relationship to an observed phenomenon
Development of The scheme or data
tools for Analyzing data
theoretical analyzing data
framework
 Dependent Variable the response variable which is observed and THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
measured to determine the effect of the independent variable. It changes - a symbolic construction which uses abstract concepts facts or laws,
when independent variable changes variables and their relations that explains and predicts how an
Moderator Variable a secondary or special type of independent observed phenomenal exists and operates; an investigator is required
variable chosen by the researcher to determine if it changes or modifies to formulate existing theories which link his study because theories are
the relationships between the independent and dependent variables useful devices for interpreting criticizing, and unifying established
Control Variable a variable controlled by the investigator in which the scientific laws or facts that guide in discovering new generation
effects can be neutralized by eliminating or removing the variable
Intervening Variable a variable which interferes with the independent FIGURE 2 Conceptual Framework of Conflict and Conflict Resolution
and dependent variables, but its effects can either strengthen or weaken
the independent and dependent variables External Internal
Environment Subsystems
FIGURE 1 presents the independent, intervening & dependent variable political Goal
economical Structure Organizational
Conflict
cultural Process Effectiveness
Illustration 1 (experimental) technological Human-Social
Technology
Independent Intervening Dependent
Variable Variable Variable

pellets (feeds) oxygen Survival date

5% salinity OPERATIONAL FRAMEWORK
10% temperature - offers a functional and workable model in undertaking the
15% pH investigation; the researcher formulates a doable representation of the
interrelationships of the variable in the context of the entire research

Illustration 2 (descriptive) FIGURE 3 Operational Framework of Organizational Culture

Independent Intervening Dependent
Variable Variable Variable
Independent Dependent Intervening
Variable Variable Variable
Academic Age, Gender, Reserach
Rate Civil Status, Performance Organizational Employee Company Profile
Experience, Culture Behavior Nature of
Characteristics Job satisfaction business
Socio-Economic Innovation and Job performance No. of years in
Status, Values, risk-taking Organziational operation
Attitudes Attention to detail commitment Form of
Outcome Organizational ownership
orientation Performance Type of
People Financial ownership
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK orientation condition No. of employees
Team orientation Sales Present size of
- presents specific and well-defined concepts which are called Aggressiveness Productivity capital
constructs; its function is similar with theoretical framework because Stability Turnover
the constructs used are derived from abstract concepts of the
theoretical framework
- offers the rationale and fundamental basis of the entire research; as a
basis, it presents the interrelationships of the theories, principles and
beliefs that are essential to the investigation of the present problem;
researcher must be able to identify the relevant theories and principles
from the existing literature which can serve as theoretical underpinning
of the study
 PLM Undergraduate Students Compliance to Research Ethics
Direction: Please indicate the level of compliance of your former and/or
preset students in general by ticking the box after each item. Be guided by
the following scales:
4 High compliance 1 No compliance
3 Moderate compliance NA Not applicable
2 Low compliance
Dimension and Hem
I. Ethical Standards on Data Collection
1. Respect for Person (obtaining voluntary
consent from participants)
2. Beneficence (maximizing benefits
among participants)
3. Non-maleficence (minimizing harm
among participants)
4. Justice (equal distribution of risk and
benefits)
II. Ethics Standards on Data Treatment and
Reporting Results
5. Honesty in the Treatment (avoiding
falsification, disclosure and conflict of
interest)
6. Objectivity in Drawing Inferences
(minimizing bias and erroneous
interferences)
7. Confidentiality and Anonymity (secrecy
of information and identity of
participants)
8. Adherence to Intellectual Property
Rights (proper citation, no plagiarism,
self-plagiarism, recycling)
III. Ethical Standards in Publishing Research
9. Avoidance of duplicate and multiple
publication
10. Evasion from salami-slicing and cherry-
picking
11. Conduct data sharing, validation and
retention
12. Honor authorship in research
TITLE OF THE RESEARCH PROPOSAL
I. Purpose of the Proposed Research Project
This includes a clear expression of the decision problem,
information (research problem), and specific research projects.
II. Type of Study
This includes the discussions of the type of research design
(i.e. exploratory, descriptive, causal), and secondary versus primary
data requirements, with some justification of science.
III. Definition of the Target Population and Sample Size
4 3 2 1 NA This describes the overall target population to be studied and
determination of the appropriate sample size, including the justification
of the size.
IV. Sample Design, Technique and Data Collection Method
A substantial discussion regarding the sampling technique
used to draw the required sample, the actual method for collecting the
data (i.e. observation, survey and experiment), incentive plans and
justification.
4 3 2 1 NA
V. Specific Research Investment
This discusses the method used to collect the needed raw
data and includes discussions of the various types of scale
measurement requirements.
VI. Potential Managerial Benefits of the Proposed Study
This discusses the expected values of the information to
management and how the initial problem might be resolved; includes
a separate discussion on the possible limitations of the study.
VII. Proposed Cost Structure
This itemizes the expected cost associated with conducting
the research project; include a total cost figures and any pricing policy
for changes, as well as appropriate completion time frames (of specific
4 3 2 1 NA
tasks and/or total projects).
VIII. Profile of the Researcher and Company
This briefly describes the main researchers and their
qualifications; includes a general assessment of the companys
people.
IX. It offers examples of how the data might be presented in the
final report.