Introduction to managerial research for masters students. This is their first talk on correlation and causation. It also deals with Kuhn and the notion of a paradigm.

1. Business Research Methods
for Masters students: Lecture 5
Dr Robert Shaw
School of Management
Guangdong University of Foreign Studies

2. Today
1. Course progression
2. Assessment 2 is due last day of course (week
15, December 15 December)
3. Lecture: Four research methods

3. Course objectives
At the completion of this course students will be able to:
1.Identify and use research that is available through a university library and
other online academic databases.
2.Write a cogent argument about some issue that relates to public policy,
management or business and support their reasoning with quality research.
ASSIGNMENT ONE
3.Produce basic scientific research which is of a good standard and shows the
characteristics of research that is published in the business and management
academic literature. ASSIGNMENT TWO

4. Task for 12 December
1. Completion of Assignment 2:
- submit it both by email and in hard copy.
1. Send an email to your professor (“Business Research” in subject line)
i. Attach your final paper.
ii. Include the university cover page.
iii. Your paper will be submitted to plagiarism software so make sure
references are correct and you do not include anything taken from
the internet without proper use and acknowledgement.

5. Lecture: Four research methods
1. Social science research methods & their links
to business research
2. We consider:
a. Historical method
b. Descriptive / correlational methods
c. Case study methodologies
d. Experimental methods

6. Historical research
Uses in social science research
Uses in business research
Criteria to judge such research
Objectivity - Subjectivity
Interpreation

7. Correlational research
1. Most common type of field study.
2. Description is a starting place.
3. Correlational coefficient, r
4. Two dangers:
1. Conceptual confusions (tautologies)
2. Causation claims

8. Correlational research
1. Relationships between variables. There are
three possible results of a correlational study:
a. a positive correlation
b. a negative correlation, and
c. no correlation.
2. The correlation coefficient is a measure of
correlation strength and can range from –1.00
to +1.00.

9. Correlational research
1.Bivariate data
2.Types of correlational studies
(how, advantages & disadvantages)
a. Naturalistic observation
b. Survey methods
c. Archival research

10. Correlational research
- Pearson’s r
An example follows:
Raw values (X, Y)
Calculate means for raw
Deviation scores (value less mean) (x,y)
Multiply the deviation scores
Square each of the deviation scores
Add everything up
Calculate mean for deviation products

14. Height of the salesperson
Height Number Sold
120 34
130 20
98 32
111 43
121 34
124 87
165 23
278 34
154 45
142 37
Do tall salesperson sell more?
Watch out for the little trap.

15. Case studies
What is the naturalistic method?
Qualitative research
Social science
Business
Purpose is everything
Theory – real-world

16. Experimental research
Scientific research(misnomer)
Cause and effect
Aristotle and the sacramental chalice
Begins with a theory
Variables –
Independent (manipulated)
Dependent (result)

17. Experimental research - bias
Selection bias
Placebo Effect
Experimenter bias
Control for bias
Randomize
Blind study – placebo, subject blind
Double blind study – experimenter also blind
Standardization, replication

18. Experimental research - bias
Beliefs
Cinematic photography

19. Experimental research - progress
Paradigms
How does science advance?
Normal science – Revolutionary Science
1962 Thomas S Kuhn

20. Experimental research - progress
Paradigms

21. Experimental research - progress
Role of hypothesis
Newton’s struggle
What is a hypothesis today
Law / theory
Prediction
Null hypotheses

22. End of Lecture 5
Wednesday 5 December 2012