By Dr. Muhammad Ramzan mramzaninfo@gmail.com, 03004487844 Edited by Ahsan Khan Eco ahsankhaneco@yahoo.com 03008046243

1. Business Research Methods M. Phil The Superior University, Lahore

6. What is Business Research? Business research is the systematic and objective process of generating information for aid in making business decisions. It is the application of scientific method in searching the truth about business phenomena and includes defining business opportunities and problems, generating and evaluating alternative course of action and monitoring employee and organizational performance

8. Information Reduces Uncertainty I don’t know if we should offer on-site child care?

15. Determining When to Conduct Business Research Is sufficient time available before a managerial decision must be made? Is the infor- mation already on hand inadequate for making the decision? Is the decision of considerable strategic or tactical importance? Does the value of the research information exceed the cost of conducting research? Conducting Business Research Do Not Conduct Business Research Time Constraints Availability of Data Nature of the Decision Benefits vs. Costs Yes Yes Yes Yes No No No No

24. The Scientific Method: An Overview Assess relevant existing knowledge Formulate concepts & Propositions Statement of Hypotheses Design research Acquire empirical data Analyze & evaluate data Provide explanation- state new problem

30. Stages of the Research Process Problem Discovery and Definition Research Design Sampling Data Gathering Data Processing and Analysis Conclusions and Report Discovery and Definition and so on

31. Problem discovery Problem definition (statement of research objectives ) Secondary (historical) data Experience survey Pilot study Case study Selection of exploratory research technique Selection of basic research method Experiment Survey Observation Secondary Data Study Laboratory Field Interview Questionnaire Selection of exploratory research technique Sampling Probability Nonprobability Collection of data (fieldwork) Editing and coding data Data processing Interpretation of findings Report Data Gathering Data Processing and Analysis Conclusions and Report Research Design Problem Discovery and Definition

34. “ The formulation of the problem is often more essential than its solution” Albert Einstein

35. State the research questions and research objectives

37. Secondary ( historical ) Data Exploratory Research Pilot Study Experience Survey Case Study

39. Focus Group Interview

42. Selecting a Sample POPULATION SAMPLE Sample: Subset of a larger population .

44. Data Gathering Stage

45. Data Processing and Analysis

58. Theory Theory is the standard principle that defines the relationship of two or more variables Qualitative Research: In case of qualitative research theory is an outcome of the whole research process by finding the answers to the research questions Quantitative Research: In case of quantitative research theory is used as bases to be verified through the acceptance or rejection of hypothesis using statistical results. Mixed Methods Research: in case of Mixed Methods Research theory is both developed and also verified.

62. Classification of Research

63. A Classification of Research Designs Single Cross-Sectional Design Multiple Cross-Sectional Design Research Design Conclusive Research Design Exploratory Research Design Descriptive Research Causal Research Cross-Sectional Design Longitudinal Design

64. A Comparison of Basic Research Designs Objective: Characteristics: Methods: Discovery of ideas and insights Flexible, versatile Often the front end of total research design Expert surveys Pilot surveys Secondary data: qualitative analysis Qualitative research Describe market characteristics or functions Marked by the prior formulation of specific hypotheses Preplanned and structured design Secondary data: quantitative analysis Surveys Panels Observation and other data Determine cause and effect relationships Manipulation of one or more independent variables Control of other mediating variables Experiments Exploratory Descriptive Causal

76. Thank you Dr. Muhammad Ramzan [email_address] , 03004487844