Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the primary focus of objective research conclusions?
What is the primary focus of objective research conclusions?
Which term describes the ability of research results to be reproduced under similar conditions?
Which term describes the ability of research results to be reproduced under similar conditions?
What enhances the credibility of research findings across different organizational contexts?
What enhances the credibility of research findings across different organizational contexts?
Which of the following best describes parsimony in research?
Which of the following best describes parsimony in research?
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Why is replicability important in scientific research?
Why is replicability important in scientific research?
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What is an implication of a hypothesis not being supported by research results?
What is an implication of a hypothesis not being supported by research results?
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Which example showcases low generalizability in research findings?
Which example showcases low generalizability in research findings?
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What typically strengthens the generalizability of research findings?
What typically strengthens the generalizability of research findings?
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What is the primary focus of applied research?
What is the primary focus of applied research?
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Which of the following is not a component of the scientific research process?
Which of the following is not a component of the scientific research process?
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Why is it important for managers to know about research methods?
Why is it important for managers to know about research methods?
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What characterizes basic research?
What characterizes basic research?
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What is the role of hypothesis in scientific research?
What is the role of hypothesis in scientific research?
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Which statement best describes the importance of research ethics?
Which statement best describes the importance of research ethics?
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What type of research primarily addresses practical applications of science?
What type of research primarily addresses practical applications of science?
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What is the primary objective of the data analysis phase in research?
What is the primary objective of the data analysis phase in research?
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What is a well-defined problem statement in research?
What is a well-defined problem statement in research?
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What is the primary purpose of a literature review?
What is the primary purpose of a literature review?
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Which of the following is NOT a benefit of conducting a good literature survey?
Which of the following is NOT a benefit of conducting a good literature survey?
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Which of the following is an example of primary data?
Which of the following is an example of primary data?
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What is the role of secondary data in research?
What is the role of secondary data in research?
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Which of the following best defines tertiary sources?
Which of the following best defines tertiary sources?
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Which characteristic mainly distinguishes primary sources from secondary sources?
Which characteristic mainly distinguishes primary sources from secondary sources?
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What is the significance of ensuring that the problem statement is clear in research?
What is the significance of ensuring that the problem statement is clear in research?
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What type of scale categorizes individuals or objects into mutually exclusive groups?
What type of scale categorizes individuals or objects into mutually exclusive groups?
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Which scale allows for measurement of the distance between two points?
Which scale allows for measurement of the distance between two points?
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Which of the following is an example of an interval scale?
Which of the following is an example of an interval scale?
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What distinguishes ordinal scales from nominal scales?
What distinguishes ordinal scales from nominal scales?
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In what scenario is a Likert scale typically used?
In what scenario is a Likert scale typically used?
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Which scale may use a rating from 1 to 5 to express agreement or disagreement?
Which scale may use a rating from 1 to 5 to express agreement or disagreement?
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What is a key feature of a ratio scale not found in other types of scales?
What is a key feature of a ratio scale not found in other types of scales?
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Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of an ordinal scale?
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of an ordinal scale?
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What is the primary goal of focusing on the dependent variable in research?
What is the primary goal of focusing on the dependent variable in research?
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Which of the following best describes a moderating variable?
Which of the following best describes a moderating variable?
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Which resource type would best provide background information for literature searching?
Which resource type would best provide background information for literature searching?
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What is the role of a mediating variable in a research context?
What is the role of a mediating variable in a research context?
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Which of the following statements about independent and dependent variables is correct?
Which of the following statements about independent and dependent variables is correct?
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Which data source is considered most reliable for obtaining empirical research findings?
Which data source is considered most reliable for obtaining empirical research findings?
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What is a common use of electronic full-text databases in research?
What is a common use of electronic full-text databases in research?
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The primary purpose of conducting a secondary search involves which of the following objectives?
The primary purpose of conducting a secondary search involves which of the following objectives?
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What is the purpose of formulating a null hypothesis in research?
What is the purpose of formulating a null hypothesis in research?
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Which of the following best defines measurement in research?
Which of the following best defines measurement in research?
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What distinguishes a directional hypothesis from a non-directional hypothesis?
What distinguishes a directional hypothesis from a non-directional hypothesis?
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Which minor research question focuses on employee satisfaction?
Which minor research question focuses on employee satisfaction?
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What does the alternative hypothesis (H_A) suggest?
What does the alternative hypothesis (H_A) suggest?
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Which method is NOT mentioned as a way to obtain demographic characteristics of office personnel?
Which method is NOT mentioned as a way to obtain demographic characteristics of office personnel?
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Which of the following would NOT be classified as an object in research?
Which of the following would NOT be classified as an object in research?
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Which characteristic of an object does NOT fall under typical measurements in research?
Which characteristic of an object does NOT fall under typical measurements in research?
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Study Notes
Research Methodology
- Covers research and the research process
- Includes critical appraisal of literature review
- Discusses quantitative and qualitative research methods
- Includes research design
- Covers critical appraisal of different research methods
- Includes data analysis and interpretation
- Includes research ethics and integrity
Scientific Research Process
- Consists of problem definition, literature review, hypothesis & research design, data collection, data analysis, and conclusion
Definition of Business Research
- Scientific research is an organized, systematic, data-based, critical, objective, scientific inquiry or investigation into a specific problem, undertaken with the purpose of finding answers or solutions to it.
- It is a process of determining, acquiring, analyzing, synthesizing, and disseminating relevant business data, information, and insights.
Applied vs. Basic Research
- Basic research generates knowledge by understanding organizational phenomena.
- Applied research solves current problems needing a timely solution.
Engineering Research
- Based on scientific method
- Focuses on practical application of science to products, services, and infrastructure.
- Often begins with a hypothesis, a statement that can be proven or disproven.
Why Managers Should Know About Research
- Helps identify and solve workplace problems effectively.
- Enables discrimination between good and bad research.
- Helps understand multiple influences and effects of factors in a situation.
- Enhances decision-making by taking calculated risks.
- Improves communication with researchers and consultants.
- Combines experience with scientific knowledge for better decisions.
Why Engineers Should Study Research
- Keeps engineers current with scientific and technological advances.
- Provides the knowledge and tools for designing and developing new technologies.
- Enables the solution of complex problems requiring practical and innovative solutions.
- Provides methods to evaluate and gather information for informed solutions.
Research Areas in Business
- Absenteeism
- Communication
- Motivation
- Consumer decision making
- Customer satisfaction
- Budget allocations
- Organizational Performance
Internal Researchers
- Advantages: Better staff acceptance, knowledge of the organization, integral to implementation/evaluation.
- Disadvantages: Less fresh ideas, potential power politics, perhaps not valued as experts.
External Researchers
- Advantages: Divergent/convergent thinking, experience from various organizations, often better technical training.
- Disadvantages: Takes time to understand the organization, rapport/cooperation with staff might be difficult, not available for evaluation/implementation, costs.
Scientific Investigation, Thinking Like a Researcher
- (Diagram illustrating the research process)
Stakeholders of the Organization
- (Diagram showing various stakeholders and their connections to the organization)
Language of Research
- Concepts, constructs, variables, operational definitions, propositions/hypotheses, models, theory (diagram illustrating relationships)
Constructs and Concepts
- Concepts have varying levels of abstraction.
- Constructs may be simple or a combination of related concepts.
Theory and Model
- A theory is a set of systematically interrelated constructs and propositions intended to explain and predict a phenomenon.
- A model represents all or part of a system for study.
Variables
- A variable is a measurable representation of an abstract construct.
- IQ score is a variable measuring the construct of intelligence.
Deduction and Induction
- Deductive reasoning applies general theories to specific cases.(e.g., hypothesis testing)
- Inductive reasoning observes specific phenomena to draw general conclusions.(e.g., counting white swans)
Sound Reasoning
- Deductive reasoning and inductive reasoning are branches of sound reasoning
Deductive Reasoning Example
- (Example demonstrating deductive reasoning in a survey context)
Inductive Reasoning Example
- (Example demonstrating inductive reasoning in a sales context)
Employee's Performance
- (Diagram showing deduction and induction in analyzing employee performance)
Hypothetico-Deductive Research
- Seven-step process in the hypothetico-deductive method:(1) Identifying a broad problem area, (2) Defining the problem statement, (3) Developing hypotheses (theoretical framework), (4) Determining measures, (5) Data collection, (6) Data analysis, (7) Interpretation of data
Hypotheses
- A hypothesis is a testable statement predicting empirical data findings.
- It can be a conjectured relationship among two or more variables.
- Testing hypotheses leads to solutions.
The Role of Hypotheses
- Guides research direction
- Identifies relevant data
- Suggests research design
- Organizes conclusions
Hallmarks of Scientific Research
- Purposiveness, rigor, testability, replicability, precision and confidence, objectivity, generalizability, parsimony
Purposiveness
- Research initiated with a clear aim (e.g., increasing employee commitment)
Rigor
- Research using a well-defined theoretical framework and sound methodology (avoiding unscientific methods like relying on 10 employees' opinions only).
Testability
- Hypotheses can be tested through statistical methods.
Objectivity
- Conclusions based only on actual data, not personal biases or emotions.
Replication
- Supports findings when repeated in similar circumstances.
- Demonstrates findings are not due to chance.
Generalizability
- Findings' applicability in various settings.
- More generalizable findings increase usefulness.
Parsimony
- Explanations and solutions are kept simple.
- Using the least number of variables possible to explain variance in data.
Precision and Confidence
- Precision: closeness of findings to reality from sample.
- Confidence: probability that estimations are correct.
Research Document
- Title page, contents page, acknowledgments, executive summary/abstract, introduction, literature review, research method, data, discussion, conclusions, references, bibliography, appendices
Title of the Research
- Concise, descriptive, informative title.
- Clearly indicates independent, dependent, or mediating variables and targeted population.
The Broad Problem Area
- List of broad problems managers might encounter in the workplace.
Preliminary Information Gathering
- Nature of info to be gathered (background/prevailing knowledge)
The Problem Statement
- Examples of well-defined problem statements (e.g., influence of factors on MIS use by managers).
Literature Review
- Selection of available documents about a topic.
- Used to evaluate existing research on the topic.
Levels Of Information
- Primary, secondary , and tertiary resources for research (e.g., textbooks, journals, internet).
Sources of Data
- Primary (gathered firsthand)
- Secondary (existing data sources)
Objectives of Secondary Searches
- Gathering background information.
- Identifying sources for questions and sample frames.
Searching for Literature
- Use of electronic resources (journals, databases).
Data Sources
- (List of sources)
Google Scholar
- A search engine for scholarly literature.
APA Format
- Guidelines for citing sources (endnote, Mendeley, MS Word)
Variables
- Definitions of IV, DV, moderating, and mediating variables
Questions and/or Hypotheses
- Defines hypothesis as a tentative prediction of relationship between variables.
- Explains ambiguous predictions and null and alternative hypotheses.
Measurement
- Assignment of numbers or symbols to characteristics of objects and their related rules.
How Variables are Measured
- Methods for measuring variables.
Objects and Characteristics
- Types of entities/subjects and topics.
- (list of characteristics)
Types of Variables
- Two types of variables (objective and precise, nebulous/vague)
Concepts and Constructs
- Three parts of a scientific concept (concept labels, theoretical definition, operational definition)
Operational Definitions
- Translation of concepts into measurable terms
- Defining concepts in observable and measurable terms
Operationalizing Concepts
- Methods of operationalizing concepts (e.g., by looking at their dimensions and facets)
Scales
- Tools to distinguish how people differ on specific variables
- List of different scales (ordinal, nominal, interval, ratio)
Nominal Scale
- Categorization of items into mutually exclusive and collectively exhaustive groups.
Ordinal Scale
- Not only categorizes and ranks items
Interval Scale
- Measures distances between points on the scale.
- Examples and use cases.
Ratio Scale
- Overcomes the arbitrary origin of interval scales.
- Uses meaningful zero point.
Levels of Measurement
- Relationships between various measurement types (hierarchical)
Properties of Four Scales
- Summary table of properties of various measurement scales.
Statistical Methods
- List of descriptive statistical methods.
- List of inferential statistical methods.
Research Design Elements
- Overview of research design techniques.
- Lists of different types of research designs.
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Description
This quiz explores the fundamental concepts of research methodology, including research design, data analysis, and ethical considerations. It covers both quantitative and qualitative research methods and distinguishes between applied and basic research. Test your understanding of scientific inquiry in business and the critical appraisal of literature.
