Xã hội học - Introduction to business and management research

Introduction to Business and Management ResearchSamuel Kwadwo Frimpong (PhD)Outline presentationDefinition of ResearchAttributes of ResearchTypes of ResearchBusiness and Management ResearchResearch ProcessWriting a research proposalGuidelines for writing a good research/project workWhat is research?It is defined as something that people undertake in order to find out things in a systematic way, thereby increasing their knowledge (Saunders & Lewis, 2007)Simply, it is a systematic inquiry into a question or unsolved problem to arrive at justifiable answer or conclusion What research is notNot mere information gatheringNot transportation of factsNot reassembling and recording facts or information without interpretationNot a catchword to get attentionAttributes of researchInvolves some degree of originalityInvolves careful collection, organisation and articulation of what is already known about the problems and what is yet to be knownA structured processes and procedures - replicableInvolves rigorous application of logic and objectivityBased on observable experience or empirical evidenceDemands accurate observation and descriptionPurpose of researchReview or synthesize existing knowledge (i.e. advancing knowledge)Provide solution to existing problemsProvide explanation to new phenomenonConstruct or create new procedures or systemsGenerate new knowledgeBusiness and Management researchBusiness and management research is a systematic inquiry that helps to solve business problems and contributes to management knowledge. Generally, it tends to be applied and action researchTypes of researchBasic/fundamental/pure research: the primary purpose is to improve knowledgeApplied research: is conducted to solve practical problems. It is also called evaluation, utilization, appraisal, assessment or policy research Action: usually conducted to bring about improvement in an organization or its practicesOther classification of researchQuantitative/qualitative/mixExample of QuantitativeMeasurement of poverty 1Other classification of researchQuantitative/qualitative/mixExample of qualitative“‘For me, being poor is having to wear trousers that are too big for me.’ (Kofi, 8 years old, Accra)‘Poverty makes my children get sick and they get worse because we’re too poor to buy medicines.’ (Ama, 30 years old, Kumasi)‘It’s poverty that makes me drink until I fall over, and drinking until I fall over makes me poor.’ (George, 35 years old, Tamale).”Other classification of researchQuantitative/qualitative/mixQuantitative = numerical Qualitative = non-numerical (e.g. verbal/ written narrative; moving/ still images; diagrams)Qualitative data may be transformed into quantitative data. Cannot work the other way round. Other classification of researchDeductive/inductiveDeductive research moves from general ideas/theories to particular and situationInductive research moves from particular situation to make or infer broader general ideas/theoriesDescriptive/explanatory/exploratoryResearch processConceptualizationDefining/identifying a research problemStating the research questions/hypothesisSpecifying the research objectivesReviewing Literature: theoretical and empiricalMethodologyResearch DesignData collection Data Analysis and InterpretationConclusion & RecommendationReportingHow to identify an issue for researchThinking up the issue by:Observing a practical problemLooking at how to improve a systemExamining a theoryReviewing literature to identify gapsRequest for research proposalFor project work, 1a & 1b are recommended. The issue should be related to your programme of studyEvaluating your research/project idea Is the idea/topic relevant?Is it related to your programme of study?Can the project be carried out satisfactorily within the timescale and with available resources?What is a research proposal?A research proposal “is a document that outlines how you propose to undertake your research studies” (Mouton 2001:44). It outlines:what you will research (i.e. the problem); and how you will research it (i.e. the plan). Components of a research proposalThere is no single format; different disciplines, donor organisations and academic institutions may have different formats and requirementsThe key components may include: description of the research project including motivation,Statement of the research problem, questions and objectivesLiterature searchDescription of the methodologySources consulted to write the proposalProposal outline for UPSA researchCover page which provides the proposed topic, details of the candidateAbstractTable of contentsBackground of the Study/IntroductionProblem StatementResearch Questions and/HypothesesResearch ObjectivesRational/Justification/Relevance of the StudyBrief Literature Survey or reviewMethodologyOrganisation of the Study Time scaleReferencesUPSA MBA Project Work outlineProject Work OutlinePreliminary pages (declaration, dedication, acknowledgements, executive summary and table of contents)Chapter one: IntroductionChapter two: Project Execution and ExperienceChapter three: Application of theories to real life situationChapter four: Lessons Learnt and ChallengesChapter Five: Conclusion and RecommendationsReferencesAppendix (ces)Project Work OutlineMBA Project outlineGuidelines to writing a good project workStructure your work in advanceKnow what you want to say before trying to write itEach sentence must follow logically from the one before. A well written text is a "chain of ideas".keep your reader's needs in mind. This means providing a "verbal map" of your document so that your reader knows what to expect, and placing "verbal signposts" in your text to explain what is coming next.“Dos” of writing good project workproduce an original proposal/project that is Interesting and captivatingInformative write in a way that is easy to read and understanduse clear headings and sub-headingsbe concise and preciseconstruct clear and logical argumentscheck your spelling and grammarreference your work fully using an acceptable format“Don’ts” of writing good project workDon’t use words when you are not absolutely certain of their meaningDon’t use difficult words to impress your readerDon’t use overly simplistic languageDon’t repeat yourselfDon’t digress