Lecture 3 (Week 2)
Lecture 3 (Week 2)
Lecture 3 (Week 2)
Qualitative Research
Methods
Introduction
Week 1
What is research?
Research is the careful consideration of study regarding a particular
concern or research problem using scientific methods.
● Basic research is research that fills in the knowledge we don't have; it tries
to learn things that aren't always directly applicable or useful immediately.
For instance, a university professor may be interested in investigating the
factors that contribute to absenteeism as a matter of mere academic
interest.
Research is conducted with a purpose to:
● Identify potential and new customers
● Understand existing customers
● Set realistic goals
● Develop productive market strategies
● Address business challenges
● Put together a business expansion plan
● Identify new business opportunities
Types of research methods and Examples
● Qualitative methods
Qualitative research is a method that collects data using conversational
methods, usually open-ended questions. The responses collected are
essentially non-numerical. This method helps a researcher understand what
participants think and why they think in a particular way.
• One-to-one Interview
• Focus Groups
• Text Analysis
• Case Study
Quantitative Methods
● Quantitative methods deal with numbers and measurable forms. It
uses a systematic way of investigating events or data. It answers
questions to justify relationships with measurable variables to
either explain, predict, or control a phenomenon.
• Survey research
• Descriptive research
• Correlational research
● Research Objective
● Qualitative Research: Explores and understands complex phenomena
through in-depth examination of experiences, perceptions, and behaviors.
● Quantitative Research: Aims to quantify relationships, patterns, and trends
using numerical data, seeking statistical associations.
● Data Types
● Qualitative Research: Involves non-numeric data such as words, images, or
observations.
● Quantitative Research: Utilizes numeric data, often collected through
structured surveys, experiments, or observations.
● Sample Size
● Qualitative Research: Employs smaller, purposive samples for depth of
understanding.
● Quantitative Research: Requires larger, random or stratified samples for
statistical validity.
● Analysis Approach
● Qualitative Research: Analyzes thematically, identifying patterns and trends
subjectively.
● Quantitative Research: Uses statistical analyses to identify relationships
objectively.
● Flexibility
● Qualitative Research: More flexible, adapting to emerging insights during
the study.
● Quantitative Research: Follows a predetermined design for objectivity and
replicability.
● Generalization
● Qualitative Research: Context-specific findings may not be easily
generalized.
● Quantitative Research: Aims for generalizability to larger populations
through statistical inference.
● Subjectivity vs. Objectivity
● Conclusion
● Both approaches have their strengths. Choosing between qualitative and
quantitative research depends on the research question, goals, and
available resources.
Process of Business Research
● 1. Literature Review:
● What to do: Conduct a comprehensive review of existing literature
related to the research topic, identifying key theories, concepts, and
methodologies used by other researchers. Analyze the gaps,
controversies, or areas where further investigation is needed.
● Why: Establish a theoretical foundation for the study by
understanding what is already known. This step helps in refining the
research question and ensuring that the study contributes to
existing knowledge.
Process of Business Research
● 2. Concepts and Theories:
● What to do: Define and explain core concepts and theories relevant
to the research. Develop a conceptual framework to guide the
study.
● What to do: Summarize key findings from the analysis and relate
them back to the research questions.