Business Research Methods

1. In the name of Allah Kareem,
Most Beneficent, Most Gracious,
the Most Merciful !

3. What is Research ?
In simple words Re-search mean “Search Again”
OR
“It is a process of gathering information to answer a
question”

4. What is Business Research ?
“Business Research is a systematic and objective
process of gathering, recording and analyzing data
for making good business decisions”

5. Examples of Business Research
 What is the best strategy to promote a particular product? (Marketing)
What is the main reasons for employee turnover? (HRM)
 What is the rate of return on particular investment? (finance)

6. WHY WE SHOULD STUDY RESEARCH METHOD?
The best reason for learning about research methods is that these methods are used
by the Managers to answer the questions regarding day to day business problems.
Following are some other implications of the research:
1- Management Is A Science: Management is a science to
gather and interpret information in order to make effective decisions.
2- Reduce Uncertainty: The prime managerial value of business
research is that it reduces uncertainty by providing required information
and improves the following four stages of decision making:
 Identifying problems and opportunity.
 Diagnosing and assessing problems or opportunities.
 Selecting and implementing a course of action.
 Evaluating the course of action.

7. 3- Conducting A Study: Research method course is very useful
for you as you have to do your master’s thesis in order to complete
your degree requirement and it is also helpful to you at some time in
future because being a professional everyone wants to read and
understand the most recent research in order to be up date in his
profession.
4- Reading And Evaluating Other People’s Study: A
grasp of research terminology will allow you to read and understand
research articles and critically evaluate it. Rather than reading a
summary of someone else’s research in a magazine, news paper, or
textbook, you can read the original article your self and draw your
own conclusion.
5- Understanding Brief Description Of Studies: A
research method course will help you understanding abbreviated
description of studies given as evidence supporting some conclusion
or theory.

8. 6- Thesis is based on Research : besides all the
business related benefits of the research studies, it is also useful for
your academic requirement of thesis as being compulsory for your
degree
7- Making Decisions In Our Daily Lives:
Besides becoming a researcher, to be an effective, participating
member of 21st century one must understanding the research
process in order to evaluate and act on research results.
8- Being A Better Thinker: The research methodology will also
improve your thinking as it is a logical and objective method of
finding answer to a question which may apply to all aspects of life.
9- Secret Of Success: “The secret of success is to know
something nobody else knows” .

9. Classification of
Research
Time Inquiry
Application Objective
Dimension Mode
Basic or Cross-
Exploratory Qualitative
Pure sectional
research research
Research research
Applied Explanatory Longitudinal Quantitative
Research research research research
Mixed
Descriptive
Methods
research
research

10. THEORY
Theory is a standardized principle on which basis we can
explain the relationship between two or more concepts or
variables.
PURPOSE OF THEORY
Prediction and understanding are the two purpose of theory.
LEVELS OF THEORY
1. Abstract level
At the abstract level. Concepts and propositions are the
elements of theory
2. Empirical level
At the empirical level theory is concerned with variables and
testable hypothesis, the empirical counterparts of concepts and
propositions.

11. More Satisfaction increases the Higher Temperature reduces the
Motivation level Productivity
Theory
Satisfaction & Motivation Temperature & Productivity
hard work & thirst Proposition Hypothesis Height & Weight,
Honesty and success Distance & Speed
Height, Weight,
Motivation, thirst, concept variable Temperature, Di
stance
honesty, satisfac
tion
Abstract Empirical
level level

12. THEORY DEVELOPMENT PROCESS
1. Induction process
2. Deduction process
Theory
All rosebushes have thorns
Deduction Induction
Predicted Observation Actual Observation
If I check my neighbor’s rose bushes, I notice that the five rosebushes
I should find that they all have thorns in my backyard all have thorns

13. DEDUCTION AND INDUCTION
1. Theory
2. Hypothesis 1. General Research Questions
Deduction
Induction
3. Data Collection 2. Data Collection
4. Findings 3. Findings
5. Hypothesis confirmed or 4. Generation of Theory
rejected
6. Revision of theory

14. Research Process
1.Select a Topic / Problem
2.Literature review
3.Research design
4.Data Collection
5. Data Preparation
6.Data Analysis
7.Discussion and Conclusion
8.Report Writing

15. 1. Select a Topic
•Chose Area for research
1 (Management Sciences)
•Select field of research
2 (Finance, HRM, Marketing)
•Select topic of research
3 (Advertising in Marketing)
•Refine topic of research
4 (Refining topic)
5
• Decide about the industry / sector

16. You are required to select a research topic of your interest, develop a
theoretical framework on selected topic and write down one page
description for the selection of your topic.
In undertaking the assignment the students are expected to justify their
rationale for the Research Topic and also for selected variables.

17. Guidelines
Your one page description (excluding Model and end-list references) should contain:
• Topic/ Title
• The Justification of the topic selection
• A description of the data – definitions of the selected variables and Conceptual
Model
• Accuracy of Document
• Font Size (12)
• Heading (14 + Bold)
• Sub-Heading (12 + Bold)
• Font Style (Times New Roman)
• Line Spacing (Single)
• Alignment (Justified)
• Spelling and Grammatical Accuracy
• Referencing (In-text and End-list)
• Minimum Words Limit (500)

18. SUPERIOR GROUP OF COLLEGES 18