PREFACE
Business Research Methodology
This book is the result of my teaching experience in the subject BUSINESS RESEARCH METHOLDOGY and
working experience in RESEARCH & STATISTICS to Sikkim Manipal University,Udupi students for about 8
years.It is designed to meet the requirements of students at Bachelor’s, Masters and Ph D levels in
Engineering and Management(M E, MCA MBA and Ph D in Project Management,Engg,Computer
Applications and Business Administration).
The main highlight of the book is the theoretical and numerical solved problem approach framed by the
author with many theoretical concepts .This book has a large number of problems solved in some
chapters & many questions with answers and explanations.
I thank various International software makers in the field of Statistics which made me enable to work on tricky NUMERICAL PROBLEMS involving data and almost all theoretical concepts r covered in this book
related to Business Research Methodology.
There are many problems and all theoretical concepts related to Statistics framed by myself and can be best suitable for Bachelors,Masters & Ph D students during their RESEARCH WORK in the three fields mentioned below:
ENGINEERING-ALL FIELDS.(BACHELOR LEVEL,MASTERS LEVEL AND DOCTORS LEVEL)
COMPUTER APPLICATIONS. (BACHELOR LEVEL,MASTERS LEVEL AND DOCTORS LEVEL)
BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION. (BACHELORLEVEL,MASTERS LEVEL AND DOCTORS LEVEL)
SRINIVAS R RAO
EDUNXT CERTIFIED LEVEL III FACULTY FOR MBA
TRACKS INDIA INFOTECH LTD,UDUPI
SIKKIM MANIPAL UNIVERSITY,MANIPAL
ABOUT THE BOOK
This book is on BUSINESS RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
which is a compulsory subject for Commerce students .Even the higher level students and bachelor level students can also read it as it contains a lot of numerical problems framed by me.
Chapter-I
Research – Qualities of Researcher – Components of Research Problem – Various Steps In
Scientific Research – Types of Research – Hypotheses Research Purposes - Research Design –
Survey Research – Case Study Research.
Chapter-II
Data Collection – Sources of Data – Primary Data – Secondary Data
- Procedure Questionnaire – Sampling Methods – Merits and Demerits – Experiments –
Observation Method – Sampling Errors - Type-I Error & Type-II Error.
Chapter-III
Statistical Analysis – Introduction To Statistics – Probability Theories – Conditional Probability,
Poisson Distribution, Binomial Distribution and Properties of Normal Distributions – Hypothesis
Tests
– One Sample Test – Two Sample Tests / Chi-Square Test, Association of Attributes - Standard
Deviation – Co-Efficient of Variations .
Chapter-IV
Statistical Applications – Correlation and Regression Analysis – Analysis of Variance – Partial
and Multiple Correlation – Factor Analysis and Conjoint Analysis – Multifactor Evaluation –
Two-Factor Evaluation Approaches.
Chapter-V
Research Reports – Structure and Components of Research Report
– Types of Report, Characteristics of Good Research Report, Pictures and Graphs, Introduction
To SPSS.
are the 5 chapters with various sub-topics covered in this book. All theories are given and explained and all formulae are also covered in this book in Statistics section of the subject.
I feel that this is a unique book as there are theory,formulae & numerical problems solved with all possible steps.
HAPPY READING.
THANKS
REGARDS
AUTHOR
(SRINIVAS R RAO)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Author’s name is Srinivas R Rao, born and done his school level education in Mangalore,Karnataka in a
reputed private school Canara High School and PUC(+2) from Canara PUC in Science stream with PCMB
as main subjects.
Later, pursuing LL.B(5 Years) course passed the degree in 1999 and done Diploma in Export
Management ,Diploma in Customs and Central Excise , Diploma in Business Administration and some
important IT subjects like MS-Office,Internet/Email,Visual Basic 6.0,C,C++,Java,Advanced Java,Oracle
with D2K,HTML with Javascript,VBscript and Active Server Pages.
Joined as a FACULTY for students in a small computer Institute in 2002 July and later after 4 months
worked in a company by name CRP Technologies(I) .P.Ltd as Branch Manager(Risk Manager) for
Mangalore,Udupi and Kasargod areas from January 26 2003 to June 11 2007.In the year 2005 pursued
MBA distance education course. Currently working as a FACULTY in Sikkim Manipal University , Udupi
centre for BBA & MBA students and teaching numerical subjects like Statistics/Operations Research(Mgt Science/Quant. Techniques for Mgt)/Accounting and several numerical and difficult oriented subjects
for distance education students in their weekend contact classes from July 2010 till present day.
Thanks
Regards
Author
(SRINIVAS R RAO)
BUSINESS RESEARCH METHODOLGY
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Chapter-I
Research – Qualities of Researcher – Components of Research Problem – Various Steps In
Scientific Research – Types of Research – Hypotheses Research Purposes - Research Design
– Survey Research – Case Study Research.
Chapter-II
Data Collection – Sources of Data – Primary Data – Secondary Data
- Procedure Questionnaire – Sampling Methods – Merits and Demerits – Experiments –
Observation Method – Sampling Errors - Type-I Error & Type-II Error.
Chapter-III
Statistical Analysis – Introduction To Statistics – Probability Theories – Conditional
Probability, Poisson Distribution, Binomial Distribution and Properties of Normal
Distributions – Hypothesis Tests
– One Sample Test – Two Sample Tests / Chi-Square Test, Association of Attributes -
Standard Deviation – Co-Efficient of Variations .
Chapter-IV
Statistical Applications – Correlation and Regression Analysis – Analysis of Variance –
Partial and Multiple Correlation – Factor Analysis and Conjoint Analysis – Multifactor
Evaluation – Two-Factor Evaluation Approaches.
Chapter-V
Research Reports – Structure and Components of Research Report
– Types of Report, Characteristics of Good Research Report, Pictures and Graphs,
Introduction To SPSS.
BUSINESS RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Chapter-I
Research – Qualities of Researcher – Components of Research
Problem – Various Steps In Scientific Research – Types of Research –
Hypotheses Research Purposes - Research Design – Survey Research –
Case Study Research.
Chapter-II
Data Collection – Sources of Data – Primary Data – Secondary Data
- Procedure Questionnaire – Sampling Methods – Merits and Demerits –
Experiments – Observation Method – Sampling Errors - Type-I Error &
Type-II Error.
Chapter-III
Statistical Analysis – Introduction To Statistics – Probability
Theories – Conditional Probability, Poisson Distribution, Binomial
Distribution and Properties of Normal Distributions – Hypothesis Tests
– One Sample Test – Two Sample Tests / Chi-Square Test, Association of
Attributes - Standard Deviation – Co-Efficient of Variations .
Chapter-IV
Statistical Applications – Correlation and Regression Analysis –
Analysis of Variance – Partial and Multiple Correlation – Factor Analysis
and Conjoint Analysis – Multifactor Evaluation – Two-Factor Evaluation
Approaches.
1
Chapter-V
Research Reports – Structure and Components of Research Report
– Types of Report, Characteristics of Good Research Report, Pictures and
Graphs, Introduction To SPSS.
------
2
CHAPTER – I
Introduction
1 Meaning, Objectives And Types Of Research
2 Qualities Of Researcher
3 Significance Of Research
4 Research Process
5 Research Problem
6 Features, Importance, Characteristics, Concepts And Types Of
Research Design
7 Case Study Research
8 Hypothesis And Its Testing
9 Sample Survey And Sampling Methods
1.1 Meaning Of Research:
Research in simple terms refers to search for knowledge. It is a
scientific and systematic search for information on a particular topic or
issue. It is also known as the art of scientific investigation. Several social
scientists have defined research in different ways.
In the Encyclopedia of Social Sciences, D. Slesinger and M.
Stephension (1930) defined research as “the manipulation of things,
concepts or symbols for the purpose of generalizing to extend, correct
or verify knowledge, whether that knowledge aids in the construction of
theory or in the practice of an art”.
According to Redman and Mory (1923), research is a “systematized
effort to gain new knowledge”. It is an academic activity and therefore the
term should be used in a technical sense. According to Clifford Woody
(kothari, 1988), research comprises “defining and redefining problems,
formulating hypotheses or suggested solutions; collecting, organizing
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and evaluating data; making deductions and reaching conclusions; and
finally, carefully testing the conclusions to determine whether they fit the
formulated hypotheses”.
Thus, research is an original addition to the available knowledge,
which contributes to its further advancement. It is an attempt to pursue
truth through the methods of study, observation, comparison and
experiment. In sum, research is the search for knowledge, using objective
and systematic methods to find solution to a problem.
1 Objectives Of Research:
The objective of research is to find answers to the questions by
applying scientific procedures. In other words, the main aim of research
is to find out the truth which is hidden and has not yet been discovered.
Although every research study has its own specific objectives, the research
objectives may be broadly grouped as follows:
1. To gain familiarity with new insights into a phenomenon (i.e.,
formulative research studies);
2. To accurately portray the characteristics of a particular individual,
group, or a situation (i.e., descriptive research studies);
3. To analyse the frequency with which something occurs (i.e.,
diagnostic research studies); and
4. To examine the hypothesis of a causal relationship between two
variables (i.e., hypothesis-testing research studies).
2 Research Methods Versus Methodology:
Research methods include all those techniques/methods that are
adopted for conducting research. Thus, research techniques or methods
are the methods that the researchers adopt for conducting the research
studies.
on the other hand, research methodology is the way in which
research problems are solved systematically. It is a science of studying how
research is conducted scientifically. Under it, the researcher acquaints
himself/herself with the various steps generally adopted to study a
research problem, along with the underlying logic behind them. Hence, it
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is not only important for the researcher to know the research techniques/
methods, but also the scientific approach called methodology.
3 Research Approaches:
There are two main approaches to research, namely quantitative
approach and qualitative approach. The quantitative approach involves
the collection of quantitative data, which are put to rigorous quantitative
analysis in a formal and rigid manner. This approach further includes
experimental, inferential, and simulation approaches to research.
Meanwhile, the qualitative approach uses the method of subjective
assessment of opinions, behaviour and attitudes. Research in such a
situation is a function of the researcher’s impressions and insights. The
results generated by this type of research are either in non-quantitative
form or in the form which cannot be put to rigorous quantitative analysis.
Usually, this approach uses techniques like indepth interviews, focus group
interviews, and projective techniques.
4 Types Of Research:
There are different types of research. The basic ones are as follows.
1.
Descriptive Versus Analytical:
Descriptive research consists of surveys and fact-finding enquiries
of different types. The main objective of descriptive research is describing
the state of affairs as it prevails at the time of study. The term ‘ex post
facto research’ is quite often used for descriptive research studies in social
sciences and business research. The most distinguishing feature of this
method is that the researcher has no control over the variables here. He/she
has to only report what is happening or what has happened. Majority of
the ex post facto research projects are used for descriptive studies in which
the researcher attempts to examine phenomena, such as the consumers’
preferences, frequency of purchases, shopping, etc. Despite the inability
of the researchers to control the variables, ex post facto studies may also
comprise attempts by them to discover the causes of the selected problem.
The methods of research adopted in conducting descriptive research are
survey methods of all kinds, including correlational and comparative
methods.
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Meanwhile in the Analytical research, the researcher has to use the
already available facts or information, and analyse them to make a critical
evaluation of the subject.
2.
Applied Versus Fundamental:
Research can also be applied or fundamental in nature. An attempt
to find a solution to an immediate problem encountered by a firm, an
industry, a business organisation, or the society is known as applied
research. Researchers engaged in such researches aim at drawing certain
conclusions confronting a concrete social or business problem.
On the other hand, fundamental research mainly concerns
generalizations and formulation of a theory. In other words, “Gathering
knowledge for knowledge’s sake is termed ‘pure’ or ‘basic’ research”
(Young in Kothari, 1988). Researches relating to pure mathematics or
concerning some natural phenomenon are instances of Fundamental
Research. Likewise, studies focusing on human behaviour also fall under
the category of fundamental research.
Thus, while the principal objective of applied research is to find a
solution to some pressing practical problem, the objective of basic research
is to find information with a broad base of application and add to the
already existing organized body of scientific knowledge.
3.
Quantitative Versus Qualitative:
Quantitative research relates to aspects that can be quantified or
can be expressed in terms of quantity. It involves the measurement of
quantity or amount. Various available statistical and econometric methods
are adopted for analysis in such research. Which includes correlation,
regressions and time series analysis etc,.
On the other hand, Qualitative research is concerned with
qualitative phenomena, or more specifically, the aspects related to or
involving quality or kind. For example, an important type of qualitative
research is ‘Motivation Research’, which investigates into the reasons
for certain human behaviour. The main aim of this type of research is
discovering the underlying motives and desires of human beings by using
6
in-depth interviews. The other techniques employed in such research
are story completion tests, sentence completion tests, word association
tests, and other similar projective methods. Qualitative research is
particularly significant in the context of behavioural sciences, which aim
at discovering the underlying motives of human behaviour. Such research
helps to analyse the various factors that motivate human beings to behave
in a certain manner, besides contributing to an understanding of what
makes individuals like or dislike a particular thing. However, it is worth
noting that conducting qualitative research in practice is considerably a
difficult task. Hence, while undertaking such research, seeking guidance
from experienced expert researchers is important.
4.
Conceptual Versus Empirical:
The research related to some abstract idea or theory is known as
Conceptual Research. Generally, philosophers and thinkers use it for
developing new concepts or for reinterpreting the existing ones. Empirical
Research, on the other hand, exclusively relies on the observation or
experience with hardly any regard for theory and system. Such research
is data based, which often comes up with conclusions that can be verified
through experiments or observation. Empirical research is also known as
experimental type of research, in which it is important to first collect the
facts and their sources, and actively take steps to stimulate the production
of desired information. In this type of research, the researcher first
formulates a working hypothesis, and then gathers sufficient facts to prove
or disprove the stated hypothesis. He/she formulates the experimental
design, which according to him/her would manipulate the variables, so as to
obtain the desired information. This type of research is thus characterized
by the researcher’s control over the variables under study. In simple term,
empirical research is most appropriate when an attempt is made to prove
that certain variables influence the other variables in some way. Therefore,
the results obtained by using the experimental or empirical studies are
considered to be the most powerful evidences for a given hypothesis.
5.
Other Types Of Research:
The remaining types of research are variations of one or more of
the afore-mentioned type of research. They vary in terms of the purpose
of research, or the time required to complete it, or may be based on some
7
other similar factor. On the basis of time, research may either be in the
nature of one-time or longitudinal time series research. While the research
is restricted to a single time-period in the former case, it is conducted over
several time-periods in the latter case. Depending upon the environment
in which the research is to be conducted, it can also be laboratory research
or field-setting research, or simulation research, besides being diagnostic
or clinical in nature. Under such research, in-depth approaches or case
study method may be employed to analyse the basic causal relations.
These studies usually undertake a detailed in-depth analysis of the causes
of certain events of interest, and use very small samples and sharp data
collection methods. The research may also be explanatory in nature.
Formalized research studies consist of substantial structure and specific
hypotheses to be verified. As regards to historical research, sources like
historical documents, remains, etc. Are utilized to study past events or
ideas. It also includes philosophy of persons and groups of the past or any
remote point of time.
Research has also been classified into decision-oriented and
conclusion-oriented categories. The decision-oriented research is always
carried out as per the need of a decision maker and hence, the researcher has
no freedom to conduct the research according to his/her own desires. On
the other hand, in the case of Conclusion-oriented research, the researcher
is free to choose the problem, redesign the enquiry as it progresses and
even change conceptualization as he/she wishes to. Operations research is
a kind of decision-oriented research, where in scientific method is used in
providing the departments, a quantitative basis for decision-making with
respect to the activities under their purview.
5 Importance Of Knowing How To Conduct Research:
The importance of knowing how to conduct research are listed below:
i. The knowledge of research methodology provides training to new
researchers and enables them to do research properly. It helps them
to develop disciplined thinking or a ‘bent of mind’ to objectively
observe the field;
ii. The knowledge of doing research inculcates the ability to evaluate
and utilize the research findings with confidence;
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iii. The knowledge of research methodology equips the researcher with
the tools that help him/her to make the observations objectively;
and
iv. The knowledge of methodology helps the research consumers to
evaluate research and make rational decisions.
6 Qualities Of A Researcher:
It is important for a researcher to possess certain qualities to
conduct research. First and foremost, he being a scientist should be firmly
committed to the ‘articles of faith’ of the scientific methods of research.
This implies that a researcher should be a social science person in the
truest sense. Sir Michael Foster cited by (Wilkinson and Bhandarkar, 1979)
identified a few distinct qualities of a scientist. According to him, a true
research scientist should possess the following qualities:
(1) First of all, the nature of a researcher must be of the temperament
that vibrates in unison with the theme which he is searching. Hence, the
seeker of knowledge must be truthful with truthfulness of nature, which
is much more important, much more exacting than what is sometimes
known as truthfulness. The truthfulness relates to the desire for accuracy
of observation and pr