Lecture Notes: Characteristics of Good Research PDF

22/08/2024 CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD RESEARCH CHARACTERISTICS OF 1. Research gathers new data from primary or seconda...

22/08/2024 CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD RESEARCH CHARACTERISTICS OF 1. Research gathers new data from primary or secondary sources. GOOD RESEARCH 2. Research is directed towards the solution of a problem and does not make use of dogma(code of belief) or revelation as reliable sources of information. It accepts only verifiable observations. CHARACTERISTICS OF CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD RESEARCH GOOD RESEARCH 3. Research is systematic and logical. 6. Research is objective, unbiased, and logical It follows an orderly and sequential 7. Research employs hypothesis/ses. The procedure that leads to the discovery purpose is to guide the investigation of truth, solution to a problem, or process. whatever is aimed to be discovered. 8. Research is done by an expert. 4. Research is controlled. 9. Research activities are not hurried and the 5. Research is empirical. Research is researcher is patient and not easily based on direct experience and discouraged when expectations are contrary to results obtained from the experimental subject to verification by observation. tests. CHARACTERISTICS OF DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GOOD RESEARCH RESEARCH AND PROBLEM- SOLVING 10. Research demands courage. RESEARCH 11. Research is replicable. 1. There may not be a problem, only 12. Research is cyclical. It starts with interest in answering a question or a problem and ends with a problem. query 2. A research problem is more rigorous and broader in scope 3. The research problem is not necessarily specifically defined 1  22/08/2024 DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RESEARCH AND PROBLEM- RESEARCH AND PROBLEM- SOLVING SOLVING PROBLEM-SOLVING 4. Research is conducted not primarily 1. There is always a problem to be solved to solve a problem, but to make a 2. A problem to solve is less rigorous and contribution to general knowledge. less broad 5. Research is concerned with broad 3. The problem to be solved has to be problem and wide applications. It defined specifically and definitely defined generates more problems to explore. DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RESEARCH AND PROBLEM- SOLVING 4. Problem solving is always intended to Identification and Selection solve a problem. of the Research Problem 5. Problem solving is concerned with a specific problem and once the problem is solved it is the end. For a beginning researcher the most Problem identification requires the difficult part is the identification of the researcher to be sensitive to, and observant research problem for investigation. of, what is happening within the firm, its environment, and the larger business community. Sekaran (1992) characterizes a research problem as "a situation where a gap exists between the actual and the desired ideal The Researcher must be able to ask the state." right questions at the right time to generate research problems. With sufficient motivation, the researcher must be able to perceive events in the business world as possible sources of research problems. 2  22/08/2024 A researcher within the firm may easily identify possible research problems. The researcher's task becomes more of prioritizing the firm's numerous problems, given the available resources and time constraint. However, a student researcher “Strategies to Identify might find identifying the research problem cumbersome, for lack of exposure to Research Problems” authentic business operations or inadequate environment exploration. 2. Search Using Computer 1. Read the literature Technology Read the literature. Books, journal, theses, dissertations, monographs, and similar research publications provide information on areas that Search Using Computer Technology are frequently studied; those that are new, being Because of the advancements in explored, or just started; those that are off- technology, it is possible to get shoots of previous studies, and areas recommended for future undertaking. Reviewing ideas in less time and find out what related literature is the most important step for have already been done in the purposes of identifying the research problem. various fields related to business by Inability to undertake this step will result in the failure of the entire study. surfing the internet. Search Engines Commonly Used Search Engines A useful activity is doing research through the www.google.com www.netcraft.com internet particularly with the help of search www.yahoo.com www.abcsearch.com www.msn.com www.mamma.com engines. Search Engines are web page www.excite.com www.looksmart.com directories that provide a listing of general areas www.altavista.com www.netscape.com that one wants to look for (people, events, www.cyber411.com www.overture.com places, subjects, country and a lot of other www.search.com www.business.com categories). It has a search function that www.yehey.com www.alleba.com enables one to specify the area that one wants www.askjeeves.com www.search.aol.com to research. In turn, the search engine provides www.northernlight.com www.wisenut.com a listing of all the websites that can be visited www.alltheweb.com www.search.epnet.global.com related to the area of interest indicated. www.metacrawler.com www.supercrawler.com 3  22/08/2024 3. Inquire from Business Search engines, however , are Practitioners preferably used if one is certain and Inquire from Business Practitioners – Many specific about a particular topic to business practitioners (i.e., managers, technical research. The said search engines could staff, or entrepreneurs) have a good grasp of not immediately narrow down the list of what happens in the industry because of their recommended websites addresses and exposure and actual involvement. Their success/failure stories provide many venues for cannot lead to a listing of thousands of research. Many of these entrepreneurs and websites that the researcher may not business people are very willing to share their need. success stories and other ideas which can stimulate further research. 4. Ask Technocrats Ask Technocrats – Civil service professionals from government agencies and other departments affecting the RESEARCH PROBLEMS business sector can also give suggestions, especially those that will involve policy formulation. A technical expert, especially one in a managerial or administrative position. An investigator knows that a problem is really Characteristics of a Research Problem researchable when 1) there is no known solution to the problem S - SPECIFIC 2) the solution can be answered by using statistical methods and techniques; 3) there are probable solutions but they are M - MEASURABLE not yet tested; or 4) the occurrence of phenomena require A - ACHIEVABLE scientific investigation to arrive at precise solution R - REALISTIC T - TIME-BOUND 4  22/08/2024 How To Select A Research Problem How To Select A Research Problem The following are the factors or The following are the factors or criteria in the selection of a criteria in the selection of a research problem: research problem: 1) Novelty and avoidance of 1) Novelty and avoidance of unnecessary duplication unnecessary duplication 2) Practical value of the problem 2) Practical value of the problem 3) Investigator’s interest in the 3) Investigator’s interest in the problem problem How To Select A Research Problem Sources of Problems 4) Availability of data and choice 1) Actual problems encountered method 2) Technological changes and 5) Training and special qualifications curricular development 6) Time required to investigate the 3) The graduate academic experience problem 4) Consultation 7) Cost involved in conducting the 5) Specialization research 8) Institutional or administrative cooperation Sources of Problems What is the relationship? 6) Consideration of existing practices and needs Methods of Research 7) Repetition or extension of investigation Thesis Writing 8) “Off-shoots” of studies under way Student 5 22/08/2024 6