Introduction to Business Research

Module I
What is Business Research?
 A systematic inquiry whose objective is to provide
information to solve managerial problems.
Why Study Research?
 Research provides you with the knowledge and skills
needed for the fast-paced decision-making environment.
Why Managers need Better Information?
 Global and domestic competition is more dynamic
 Organizations are increasingly practicing data mining and
data warehousing
The Value of Acquiring Research Skills
 To gather more information before selecting a course of
action
 To do a high-level research study
 To understand research design
 To evaluate and resolve a current management dilemma
 To establish a career as a research specialist
Types of Studies Used to do Research
 Reporting
 Descriptive
 Explanatory
 Predictive
Different Styles of Research
 Pure Research/Basic Research
 Applied Research
What is Good Research?
 Following the standards of the scientific method
 Purpose clearly defined
 Research process detailed
 Research design thoroughly planned
 Limitations frankly revealed
 High ethical standards applied
What is Good Research? (cont.)

 Following the standards of the scientific method (cont.)

 Adequate analysis for decision-maker’s needs
 Findings presented unambiguously
 Conclusions justified
 Researcher’s experience reflected
The Manager-Researcher Relationship
 Manager’s obligations
 Specify problems
 Provide adequate background information
 Access to company information gatekeepers
 Researcher’s obligations
 Develop a creative research design
 Provide answers to important business questions
Manager-Researcher Conflicts
 Management’s limited exposure to research
 Manager sees researcher as threat to personal status
 Researcher has to consider corporate culture and
political situations
 Researcher’s isolation from managers
When Research Should be Avoided
 When information cannot be applied to a critical
managerial decision
 When managerial decision involves little risk
 When management has insufficient resources to conduct
a study
 When the cost of the study outweighs the level of risk of
the decision
Types of Ethical Violations
Ethical Treatment of Participants

Explain study benefits

Explain participant
rights and protections

Obtain informed
consent
Ethical Responsibilities
 Special guidelines apply to children!
 Informed consent means parental approval
Deception
Debriefing
Participant Confidentiality
Right to Privacy
Confidentiality