Business research classification and types

1. Dr S S N Raju Indukoori

2. Research Methods and Methodology
• Research Methods
– Details of how to accomplish research tasks?
– Procedure of how to initiate, carry out and
complete a research task.
• Research Methodology
– Approach or guidelines to conduct research
– Provides principles for organizing, planning,
designing and conducting research.
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3. Types of Studies for Research
# Based On Type of Study
1 Approach Deductive Vs Inductive
2 Nature Exploratory Vs Explanatory
3 Policy Decisions Descriptive Vs Analytical
4 Need Basic Vs Applied
5 Structure Quantitative Vs Qualitative
6 Time One time Vs Longitudinal
7 Location Laboratory (Simulation) Vs On Field
8 Medicinal Test Vs Diagnostic
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4. 1. Deductive Research – What?
• Purports to be conclusive based on reasons which
agree with real world.
• Reasons are said to imply conclusion representing
proof which are valid.
Example
• Sales were down
• All employees of the company can be trusted for
ethical code
• Sangeeta is the company’s employee
• Sangeeta can be trusted
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5. 1. Inductive Research – Why?
• No strength of relationship between reasons and
conclusions.
• Conclusion are drawn from one or more particular facts or
pieces of evidence.
• Conclusion explain facts and facts support conclusion.
• Hypothesis is constructed and conclusions are compared
with hypothesis.
Example
• A firm spends Rs 1 Crore on promotional campaign
• Sales didn’t increase
• Why sales didn’t increase?
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6. 2. Exploratory Vs Explanatory Research
# Exploratory Explanatory
Objective To gain familiarity with a
phenomenon and to
achieve new insights.
Formulate hypothesis
and test it.
Problem
Definition
Key variables not defined Key variables and
relationships are defined
Example Review of literature, Focus
group interviews
Consumer preferences,
customer satisfaction
with a survey.
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7. 3. Descriptive Vs Analytical
• Descriptive Research : What?
– Based on surveys and fact finding enquiries using Ex post
facto.
– No control over variables.
– Portray accurately the characteristics of a particular
individuals, situation or a group.
Ex: Observation, Case Study, Survey, Data mining,
• Predictive / Analytical research : Why?
– Concerned with cause-effect relationship.
– Uses statistics models
Ex: Trends, Growth, etc.
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8. 4. Basic Vs Applied Research
• Basic Research
– Generalization with formulation of theory.
– Gathering knowledge for the sake of knowledge.
• Applied Research
– Aims at finding solution for an immediate
problem.
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9. 5. Quantitative Vs Qualitative Research
# Quantitative Qualitative
Objective To test hypothesis To discover and encapsulate
meaning.
Concepts in the
form of
Distinct variables Themes, motifs, generalizations,
taxanomies and still to generate
concepts
Measures and
Process are
Systematically created before
data collection and standardized
Specific to the individual setting
Data in the
form of
Numbers Words, observations,
transcripts,..
Theory Causal and deductive Causal or non causal and
inductive
Analysis
proceeds
Using statistics, tables, charts and
their relationship with hypothesis
By extracting themes from
evidence and data organization.
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10. 6. One time Vs Longitudinal Research
• One Time / Cross sectional
– Data gathered once
– Exploratory or descriptive in purpose
• Longitudinal
– Continual / continuous process
– Multiple points of time: Trend study, Cohort study,
Panel study
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11. 7.Laboratory Vs On-field Research
• Laboratory
– Contrived setting
– On desk or In Office research
– Based on facts or historic information
– Primary or secondary sources.
• On-field
– Non contrived setting
– Survey or interviews with geographical distribution
– Primary Sources
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12. 8. Test Vs Diagnostic Research
• Test Research
– Follows a single test or univariable approach
– Focus on a specific test to quantify its sensitivity, specificity,
likelihood ratio
– Quantifies the characteristics
• Diagnostic Research
– Quantifies a tests contribution to estimate probability of disease
presence or absence.
– Aims to quantifies a tests added contribution beyond test
results
– Determine the frequency with which it is associated with
something else: Medicine and Health Care
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13. What is Good Business Research?
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# Characters of a Research Things to look for
1
Purpose clearly defined
Differentiate organization problem, manager’s problem
and researcher’s problem
2
Research process detailed
Provide complete research proposal
3 Research design thoroughly planned Outlined procedures, Sample unit, Data collection
procedures
4
High ethical standards applied
Stakeholders interest, recommendations within the scope
of study, Practical limitations and methodology.
5
Limitations frankly revealed
Actual and desired procedure, sample compared with
impact on conclusions
6 Adequate analysis for decision
maker’s needs
Findings link with data or information collected.
7
Findings presented unambiguously
Logically organized, outline executive summary of
conclusions, Table of content is linked to findings
8
Conclusions justified
Match with detailed findings
9 Researcher’s experience reflected Provide with report

14. QUESTIONS?
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