1. BAEB601
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
CHAPTER 1 (PART 2)
INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH
PREPARED BY:
Nur Suhaili Ramli
School of Marketing and
Entrepreneurship (SoME)
FACULTY OF BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT

2. CHAPTER 1 (PART 2): INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH
Chapter Aims
TOPIC
This chapter aims to:
1.Define the importance of research as a management decision-making tool;
2.Define research
3.Differentiate between basic and applied research;
4.Define meaning of theory
5.Discuss the term concept, proposition, variables and hypothesis;
6.Classify research as exploratory research, descriptive research and causal
research.
7.List the stages in the business research process
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Topics

3. CHAPTER 1 (PART 2): INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH
Problem Statement
TOPIC
Identify the
scenarios
Issues that lead
to the
formulation of
the problem
statement
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4. CHAPTER 1 (PART 2): INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH
Process of Problem Definition
TOPIC
Discover the
Understand the Isolate and
decision
background of identify the
maker’s
the problem problem
objectives
State the
research Determine the Determine the
questions and relevant unit of analysis
research variables
objectives
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5. CHAPTER 1 (PART 2): INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH
Discover the decision maker’s objectives
TOPIC
MUST have a clear
understanding of
MUST attempt to
the purpose of
satisfy the decision
undertaking the
maker’s objectives
research.
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6. CHAPTER 1 (PART 2): INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH
Understand the background of the problem
TOPIC
The
background
of the
problem is
vital
A situation
analysis is
the logical
first step in
defining
Analysis problem
involve the
informal
gathering of
background
information
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7. CHAPTER 1 (PART 2): INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH
Isolate and identify the problem
TOPIC
Anticipating the many
influences and
dimensions of a
problem is impossible
for any researcher.
Certain occurrences
that appear to be the
problem may only be
symptoms of a deeper
problem.
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8. CHAPTER 1 (PART 2): INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH
Determine the unit of analysis
TOPIC
MUST specify the unit
of analysis
Will the individual
consumer be the source
of information?
Industries,
organization,
departments or
individual may be the
focus data collection
and analysis.
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9. CHAPTER 1 (PART 2): INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH
Determine the relevant variables
TOPIC
A variable is a quality
that can exhibit In statistical analysis, a
differences in value, variable is identified by a
usually magnitude or symbol such as X, Y.
strength
A category or Example:
classificatory variable Gender – Male or
has a limited number of Female, Age – 20‟s, 30‟s
distinct variables Income – Low, Middle,
High
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10. CHAPTER 1 (PART 2): INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH
Clarity in Research Questions and Hypotheses
TOPIC
Research question should be specific, clear, and
accompanied by a well formulated hypothesis.
Hypothesis is an unproven proposition or possible solution
to a problem. In its simplest form, a hypothesis is a guess!
Null Hypothesis (H0) Alternate Hypothesis (H1)
Problem and Hypothesis are similar. Both state relationship.
BUT Problems are interrogative, Hypotheses are declarative
and more specific to testing.
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11. CHAPTER 1 (PART 2): INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH
Hypotheses
TOPIC
 A hypothesis can be defined as a logically conjectured relationship between two
or more variable expressed in the form of a testable statement.
 There are TWO (2) important hypothesis in quantitative research.
1. Null Hypothesis (H0)
2. Alternate Hypothesis (H1)
Null hypothesis is typically corresponds to a general or default position. For
example, the null hypothesis might be that there is no relationship between two
measured phenomena or that a potential treatment has no effect. It is important to
understand that the null hypothesis can never be proven.
Alternate hypothesis is a definite statement of the relationship between two
variables. The hypothesis which is accepted when the null hypothesis has been
rejected is called the alternative hypothesis.
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12. CHAPTER 1 (PART 2): INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH
Research Objective
TOPIC
Research objective is the researcher‟s version of
the business problem.
Research objective is derived from the problem
definition.
Research objective explain the purpose of
research in measureable terms as well as
defining what standard the research should
accomplish.
Research objective should be limited to a
manageable number so that each one can be
addressed fully.
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13. CHAPTER 1 (PART 2): INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH
Examples of Research Objectives
TOPIC
 The example of Research Objectives:
1. To identify the factors of social problem among teenagers in
Kuala Lumpur.
2. To investigate the effects of smoking among youngster in Malacca
town.
3. To prepare an effective business plan to expand the business.
Tips:
Simple and concise statement.
Clear and understandable
Direct and straight to the point
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14. CHAPTER 1 (PART 2): INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH
Examples of Research Questions
TOPIC
 Example of Research Questions:
1. What are the factors that contribute to social problem among
teenagers in Kuala Lumpur?
2. Why are some people decided to jump into business?
3. How can environment influence this problem?
Tips:
 Simple and concise statement.
 Statement must end with question mark (?)
 Direct and understandable.
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15. CHAPTER 1 (PART 2): INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH
Examples of Hypotheses
TOPIC
 Examples of Hypotheses:
1. Hypothesis 1: Health
H0: Smoking not contribute to bad health.
H1: Smoking contribute to bad health.
2. Hypothesis 2: Environment
H0: Environment not influenced to smoking habit.
H1: Environment influenced to smoking habit.
Tips:
 Take one keyword for title.
 Write both null hypothesis (H0) and alternate hypothesis (H1).
 Simple, concise, and straight forward.
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16. CHAPTER 1 (PART 2): INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH
Relationship Between Research Objectives, Research Questions,
Hypothesis –VERY IMPORTANT
TOPIC
 In Chapter 1, relationship between objectives, questions and hypotheses
are related. You have to identify each clearly and relate them each
other. For example:
 Research Objective
1. To identify factors that contribute social problems among teenagers
in Kuala Lumpur.
 Research Question
1. What are the factors that contribute to social problems among
teenagers in Kuala Lumpur?
 Hypothesis
1. Hypothesis 1: Environment
H0: Environment is one of a factor that not contribute to social
problems among teenagers in Kuala Lumpur.
H1: Environment is one of a factor that contribute to social problems
among teenagers in Kuala Lumpur.
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17. CHAPTER 1 (PART 2): INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH
Types of Business Research
TOPIC
Causal or Descriptive Exploratory
Completely Uncertainty Absolute
Certain Ambiguity
Decisions are not all same: A continuum of decision making
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18. CHAPTER 1 (PART 2): INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH
Types of Business Research
TOPIC
Conducted to classify the nature
problems. It is not intended to provide
Exploratory research conclusive evidence from which a
particular course of action can be
determined.
Conducted to discover and determine
Descriptive research the characteristics of a population. It
Seeks o determine to answer “Who”,
“What”, “When”,”Where” and “How”.
Conducted accurately because the
Evidence it provides will be used to
determine a course of action.
Causal research To identify cause-and effect relationship
between variables. Causal research
Attempts to establish that when we do
One thing (increase advertising), another
Will follow (increased sales)
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19. CHAPTER 1 (PART 2): INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH
Research Proposal
TOPIC
Purpose of the study
The research
proposal is a Define s the problem
written statement explains
of the research
Outlines the research
design..
methodology
Details the procedures
to be followed
State all costs and
deadlines
Proposal should be
precise, specific and
concrete
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20. CHAPTER 1 (PART 2): INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH
TOPIC
 Completed for chapter 1
 You‟re now can start your project:
Chapter 1 - Introduction
Chapter 2 – Literature Review
Chapter 3 – Research Methodology
Chapter 4 – Data Analysis & Result
Chapter 5 – Conclusion & Recommendation
 What you MUST have in your Chapter 1 – Introduction?
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21. CHAPTER 1 (PART 2): INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH
Format in Chapter 1
TOPIC
1) Introduction
• Briefly discuss about your topic, what your topic is all about, giving big
picture of your topic.
2) Background of study
• Background of the study is the part of any research where in the particular
topic is placed. This may contain the general description, and may include
the broader description of the topic. Other include a brief preview of the
topic to discuss such as the subjects, variables, sample size, history, etc.
3) Purpose of Study. Identify directly why you do this research? For example:
The purpose of this research is because to examine the factors of smoking
behavior among secondary school in Bangsar, and to identify the relationships
occurred among variables.
4) Problem Statement
•A problem statement is the description of an issue currently existing which
needs to be addressed. It provides the context for the research study and
generates the questions which the research aims to answer.
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22. CHAPTER 1 (PART 2): INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH
Format in Chapter 1
TOPIC
5) Research Objectives
• Identify the objectives of your study. Make sure the objectives identified
are relevant to your topic. E.g. of objectives:
1) to identify the factors of smoking behavior among secondary
school student s in Bangsar.
2) to investigate the factors of smoking behavior among
secondary school student s in Bangsar.
6) Research Questions
•Design research questions based on the problem statement and
research objective. For example, your problem statement is about a
smoking behavior problem among secondary school students in Bangsar.
There is an article and issue discussed earlier, so your research questions
must relate to it. E.g. of research question:
1) What are the factors that influenced secondary school
students in Bangsar to smoke?
2) How can the factors influenced secondary school student s
in Bangsar to smoke?
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23. CHAPTER 1 (PART 2): INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH
Format in Chapter 1
TOPIC
7) Hypotheses.
•In this chapter you have to briefly identify what are your hypotheses.
There are two types of hypotheses to be tested. For example:
Hypothesis 1: Environment
H0: There is no relationship between environment and smoking behavior.
H1: There is a relationship between environment and smoking behavior.
Hypothesis 2: Family background
H0: There is no relationship between family background and smoking
behavior.
H1: There is relationship between family background and smoking
behavior.
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24. CHAPTER 1 (PART 2): INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH
Format in Chapter 1
TOPIC
8) Significant of study
• You have to explain why your topic is important? Why it is relevant topic to
research? For example:
“This research is important because to prepare reports for those responsible
to solve this issue. Moreover, it is important for future researcher to extend
this study. Smoking is also………..”
9) Limitation of study
•You must clearly state what are the limitations of your research. What area that
you will not cover. Elaborate for each of your point identified. For example:
“This study will only research on factors of smoking among secondary
school. This is because the timeframe given is very limited. Furthermore, the
author identified that lack of research skills …. “
10) Keywords.
The keywords are frequent words that appear in your research. For example:
“Smoking, Behavior, Factors…..”
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25. CHAPTER 1 (PART 2): INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH
Source of download
TOPIC
Download directly from this link:
http://www.4shared.com/file/NKRrzAJC/Baeb601_01_part_2_.html
http://www.4shared.com/file/jNJYCOB9/Baeb601_01.html
Or If you have facebook, please go to my page, click on
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26. CHAPTER 1 (PART 2): INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH
Project - Checklist for Chapter 1
TOPIC
Sub Topics Checked
Do not use „I‟, „We', 'Us‟,
1) Introduction
In research use ‘The
2) Background of Study author’, ‘The researcher‟.
3) Purpose of Study Normally, for Chapter 1, the
minimum page is 5 pages
4) Problem Statement
and maximum unlimited.
5) Research Objectives Font: Times New Roman,
6) Research Questions Font Size: 12, Paragraph
spacing: 1.5 lines.
7) Hypotheses
8) Significant of Study
9) Limitation of Study
10) Keywords
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