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Before We Begin the Lecture Session!

This lecture session provides an introduction to business research methods, including the purpose and focus of management research, the stages of the research process, and common challenges. Topics covered include methodologies, supervisor-student relationships, and terminology.

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Before We Begin the Lecture Session!

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  1. Before We Begin the Lecture Session! • Introductions • Syllabus Review • Class Discipline (Attendance and Student Conduct) • Class CR? • Email Address

  2. Understanding The Course Title BUSINESS RESEARCH METHODS

  3. By the end of this session you will • Be able to outline the purpose and distinct focus of management research; • Be able to place your research project on a basic-applied research continuum according to its purpose and context; • Understand the stages you will need to complete (and revisit)as part of your research process

  4. Introduction to the research process Things to consider • Realities and pitfalls of research • Methodologies and methods • Supervisor/Mentor-Student Relationship • Personal Challenges

  5. Terminology Methods - The techniques and procedures used to obtain and analyse data Methodology - The theory of how research should be undertaken

  6. Some ways in which the term “research” is used wrongly • Just collecting facts or information with no clear purpose • Reassembling and reordering facts or information without interpretation • As a term to get your product or idea noticed and respected

  7. What is Research? • “The systematic investigation into and study of materials, sources, etc., in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions” Oxford English dictionary • “A process of finding out information and investigating the unknown to solve a problem” Maylor and Blackmon (2005) • “Something that people undertake in order to find out thingsin a systematic way, thereby increasing their knowledge” Saunders et al (2007, p.5)

  8. “Systemic” and “find out things”: What do they mean? • “Systematic” suggests that research is based on logical relationships and not just beliefs. • “To find out things” suggests there are a multiplicity of possible purposes of your research. These may include describing, explaining, understanding, criticizing, and analyzing.

  9. The nature of research Characteristics: • Data are collected systematically • Data are interpreted systematically • There is a clear purpose to find things out

  10. Features of business and management research • Managers draw on knowledge from other disciplines • Managers are more likely to allow access if they see commercial or personal advantage • Managers now tend to be as educated as the researchers • Managers require research to have some practical consequence Easterby-Smith et al. (2008)

  11. Features of business and management research Key debates • Knowledge production – (Modes 1, 2 & 3 knowledge) • The ‘relevance gap’ • Basic and applied research

  12. Modes of knowledge creation • Mode I: questions set and solved by academic interests, fundamental nature, little emphasis on utilisation (Gibbons et al., 1994) – ‘pure research’ • Mode II: context governed by practice, collaborative, need for practical consequences (Gibbons et al., 1994) – ‘applied research’ • Mode III: focus on the human condition – ‘assure survival and promote the common good’ (Huff and Huff, 2001 via Saunders et al, 2007) Basic Research Vs. Applied Research

  13. Features of business and management research Basic and applied research Sources: authors’ experience; Easterby-Smith et al.(2008); Hedrick et al. (1993)

  14. The Research Process Formulate & Clarify Your Research Topic Critically Review The Literature Choose Research Paradigm/Approach and Strategy Negotiate Access & Address Ethical Issues Plan Data Collection and Collect Data Using One or More of: (i) Sampling (ii) Secondary Data (iii) Observations (iv) Interviews (v) Questionnaires Analyze Your Data Using One or Both of: (i) Quantitative Methods (ii) Qualitative Methods Forward Planning Write Your Thesis Report Reflection & Revision Prepare & Appear for Viva Reference: Course Textbook

  15. Summary Business and management research • Is transdisciplinary • Engages with both theory and practice • Involves undertaking systematic research • Should be undertaken with rigour

  16. And finally…….. “there is no one best way for undertaking all research” Saunders et al.(2009)

  17. Before we meet next week! • Read Chapter 2 • Come prepared for discussion next week • Read the “Sample Research Proposal” to be emailed by your instructor

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