Learning Objectives

Philosophy of Research
Introduction to Research
Characteristics of Good Research
Decision Making Process
Formulating Research Problem

Types of Research
 Philosophy
 Philo ?????
 Sophia ?????
 So Philosophy means?????
 Philosophy
 Philo Love
 Sophia wisdom
 So Philosophy means love of wisdom.
 Love Emotion of strong affection &
personal attachment.
 Wisdom The right use of Knowledge
by Charles.
 Knowing your self is called biggest wisdom
by Arstrotile.
 How can I understand Reality
(Epistemology)
Reality : ??????
Epistemology: ??????
Knowledge: ??????
 Source of Knowledge: ??????
 How can I understand Reality
Epistemology
Reality : Something which actually Exist.
Epistemology: Study of Human Knowledge.
Knowledge: correlation b/w Knower & Known
 Source of Knowledge:
1. Experience: five Senses.
2. Reason / Rationality: Inductive & Deductive.
3. Intuition: 6th Sense. Gut feeling.
4. Authority: God, Religion, Culture, Tradition.
5. Inherent: by Birth.
 What is RESEARCH?

RESEARCH is composed of 2 words.

RE :??????
SEARCH :??????
 What is RESEARCH?

RESEARCH is composed of 2 words.

RE is a prefix meaning again, anew or

over again.
SEARCH a verb meaning to examine
closely and carefully, to test and try, or
to probe or study thoroughly.
 Why Study Research?

 The study of research methods

provides us with the knowledge and
skills we need to solve the problems
and meet the challenges of a fast-
paced decision-making environment.
 Definition of Research

 Research is a systematic activity to achieve the

truth.
OR

 Research is a procedure of collection of data,

analyzing the data and finding the
conclusions.
Qualities of a Good
RESEARCHER

• Research- • Resourceful
oriented • Creative
• Efficient • Honest
• Scientific • Economical
• Effective • Religious
• Active
What It Takes?

• Creativity
• Open mind
• Curiosity
• Positive Attitude
• Discipline and focus
The Hourglass of Research
Characteristics of Good
Research
 Purpose clearly identified.
 Research process detailed.
 Research design thoroughly
planned.
 High ethical standards applied.
 Limitation revealed.
 Adequate analysis for decision
maker’s needs.
 Findings presented .
 Conclusions justified.
 Decision Making

Decision Making in industry is now a

popular subject for discussion and
research.

Recognizing that the wrong decision

may cost thousands, sometimes even
millions of pounds, top management is
searching for ways of improving its
score of bulls eyes.
An Introduction to Decision Making
Process (DMP)

• the variables related to each phase of

the process of making decision, such
as:
• (i) Rational decision making/
management science/managerial
economics: decision making based on
the scientific method.
• (ii) behavioral decision making: decision
making based on human behavior.
Decision Making level
Formulating Research
Problem
 “The formulation of the problem is
often more essential than its solution.”

Albert Einstein
Starting Off…

What is your research about?

General
 Research Interest
 Research Topic
 Research Problem
 Research Purpose

Specific  Research Question

 Distinguishing the Research
Problem From Other Research
Steps

Differences Among Topic, Problem,

Purpose and Questions
General
Topic • A research topic is the broad subject
matter or interest being addressed in a
study.
Research
• A research problem is a specific issue
Problem
or concern to be studied.

Purpose • A purpose is the major intent or

objective of the study… Why should you
Statement
do it?

Research • Research questions are questions the

researcher would like specifically
Question
Specific answered or addressed in the study.
Examples

General Topic Employee Turnover

Research Why Employee leave

Problem the organizations.

Purpose To determine factors To increase

Statement employee’s turnover rate.

Research Which factors play an important

Specific Question role in the increasing employee’s
turnover rate in Pakistan
Pharmaceutical industry ?
WH QUESTIONS.
• Poetry and Research: An Odd Couple?
• I keep six honest serving men.
• (they taught me all I knew),
• Their name are:
• WHAT
• WHY
• WHEN
• WHERE
• WHO
• HOW
Theory Building. ????
Theory Building. By William G.
Zikmund.
• Level of Abstraction
Theories

Propositions

Concept

Observation of Objects &Events

(Reality)
What kind of research are we
doing?

• Builders
• Expanders
• Qualifiers
• Testers
• Reporters
 Types of research

Research can be classified from three

perspectives:
1. Application of the research study;
2. Objectives in understanding the
research;
3. Inquiry mode employed.
 Types of research
Types of research
From the viewpoint of

Application Objectives Inquiry mode

Pure Correlation Exploratory Quantitative

research research research research
Explanatory
Applied research Qualitative
research research
 Application Research

Pure research:
This type of research is all about studying and improving the ways we do
research. Imagine it as the science of doing science. It focuses on developing,
testing, and perfecting research methods, tools, and techniques. The goal here is
to expand overall knowledge without directly trying to solve a practical problem
right away. In simpler words, pure research helps us understand things better
without immediately fixing something in the real world.
Applied Research:
Applied research is like the problem-solving side of research. It
happens when there's a real-life problem that needs a quick solution,
like a manager facing a challenge at work. It looks into different
aspects of the situation, gathers information, and tries to figure out
what can be done. Applied research is all about making decisions and
finding answers to specific problems we encounter in our daily lives
or work.
 Objective Research

Exploratory Research
Exploratory Research is a type of research that
is conducted when a researcher wants to
investigate a topic or problem that is not well-
understood or lacks sufficient previous
information. It's like setting out on an
exploration to gather preliminary insights and
better understand the subject.
 Objective Research

Explanatory Research
Explanatory Research is a type of research
conducted to provide a deeper understanding
of a particular phenomenon or to clarify the
relationships between variables. It aims to
explain why something happens or how
different factors are connected.
 Correlation Research

It is the study to discover or establish the existence

of a Relationship/interdependence between two or
more Aspects or Variable of a situation.
Example:
1. What is the impact of an advertising campaign on a
sale of a product?
2. What is the relationship between technology and
unemployment?
Deduction and Induction

Deduction

Induction
 Deduction
Top-Down:
Deductive reasoning starts with a general theory, hypothesis, or premise and
then uses logical reasoning to derive specific predictions or hypotheses
that can be tested through research or observation.
Theory-Driven:
Deductive research is theory-driven, meaning it begins with established
theories or principles and aims to test their validity or applicability through
empirical research.
Confirmatory:
It is typically used to confirm or refute existing theories or hypotheses.
Researchers start with a clear expectation and aim to collect data that
either supports or contradicts the initial premise.
Hypothesis Testing:
Deductive reasoning is well-suited for hypothesis testing. Researchers start
with a hypothesis and seek to gather evidence to either confirm or reject
it.
 Induction
Bottom-Up:
Inductive reasoning involves moving from specific observations or data to
broader generalizations and theories. It starts with collecting and
analyzing data and then formulating a hypothesis or theory based on
patterns or trends observed in the data.
Data-Driven:
Inductive research relies heavily on empirical evidence and observations.
Researchers gather data, look for patterns or commonalities, and use
these observations to develop general principles or theories.
Exploratory:
It is often used when there is little prior knowledge about a topic or when
researchers want to explore new areas. It is a way to generate new ideas
and hypotheses.
Hypothesis Generation:
Inductive reasoning is especially useful for generating hypotheses, which can
later be tested through further research using deductive methods.
 Inquiry Mode Research
Comparison
Quantitative Qualitative
 Explanation,  Exploratory,
prediction description
 Test theories  Build theories
 Known variables  Unknown variables
 Large sample  Small sample
 Standardized
instruments  Observations,
 Deductive interviews
 Inductive
 Inquiry Mode Research
Two Approaches to Research
Quantitative Qualitative
– Emphasizes numbers, – Emphasizes natural
measurements, control, settings, observations,
and experimentation verbal narratives, and
– This is the traditional interpretations
approach in business & – Emerged in the mid-
economics research 1970s as an approach to
educational research
 Inquiry Mode Research
Comparison on Goal
Quantitative Qualitative
– Test theory – Understand theory
– Establish facts – Develop understanding
– Show relationships – Describe multiple
– Predict realities
– Statistically – Capture naturally
describe occurring behavior
 Inquiry Mode Research
Design
Quantitative Qualitative
– Structured – Flexible
– Predetermined – General
– Formal
– Specific
 Inquiry Mode Research
Sample
Quantitative Qualitative
– Large – Small
– Representative – Nonrepresentative
– Random Selection – Purposeful
– Control Groups
– Stratified
 Inquiry Mode Research
Comparison on Data
Quantitative Qualitative
– Quantities – Verbal descriptions
– Counts – Field Notes
– Measures – Observations
– Instruments – Documents
– Numbers – Photographs
– Statistics – People’s own words
 Inquiry Mode Research
Comparison on Methods
Quantitative Qualitative
– Experiments – Observation
– Quasi-experiments – Open-ended
– Surveys interviewing
– Structured – Review of documents
Interviews and artifacts
– Structured
Questionnaire
Which Approach is Best?

• The problem you are studying determines

which approach to take.

• One is not better than the other.

“Mixed Methods”

• Some researchers used both qualitative

and quantitative methods in a single study.
This is known as a “mixed method”
approach.
Main Steps in Quantitative
Research:
1. Theory
2. Hypothesis
3. Research design
4. Measures of concepts
5. Select research site(s)
6. Select research subjects/respondents
7. Administer research instruments/ collect data
8. Process data
9. Analyse data
10. Write up findings and conclusions
Main Steps in Qualitative
Research:
1. General research question
2. Select relevant sites and subjects
3. Collection of relevant data
4. Interpretation of data
5. Conceptual and theoretical work
6. Specification of the research question
7. Collection of further data
8. Conceptual and theoretical work
9. Write up findings
Examples of Quantitative
Research Methods:
• Experiments
• Social surveys
• Closed ended Questionnaire
• Secondary Statistical Analysis
• Official Statistics
• Structured Interviews
Examples of Qualitative
Research Methods :
• In-depth Interviews
• Focus Groups
• Field Research
• Historical-Comparative Research
• Media Analysis