Methods

• Business Research


  A process of acquiring detailed information of all new areas of business and using such information in maximizing the sales and profit of the business
• Importance of Business Research

  • It is the first step that any business owner needs to set up his business, to survive or to excel in the market
  • It is one of the most effective ways to understand customers, the market and the competitors
  • It helps companies to understand the demand and supply of the market
  • It helps companies to reduce costs, create solutions or products that are targeted to the demand in the market and right audience
  • It enables senior management to build an effective team or train when needed
  • It helps companies to track its competitors resulting comparative advantage
• Types of Business Research

  • Quantitative Research
  • Qualitative Research
• Quantitative Research


  A systematic investigation of phenomena by gathering quantitative data and performing statistical, mathematical, or computational techniques
• Types of Quantitative Research


  • Survey Research
  • Correlational Research
  • Causal Comparative Research
  • Experimental Research
• Survey Research


  The most fundamental tool for all quantitative research methodologies and studies. Surveys used to ask questions to a sample of respondents, using various types of data collection such as online polls, online surveys, paper questionnaire, and others
• Cross-sectional surveys


  Observational surveys conducted in situations where the researcher intends to collect data from a sample of the target population at a given point in time
• Longitudinal surveys


  Observational surveys, but unlike cross-sectional surveys, longitudinal surveys are conducted across various time durations to observe a change in respondent behavior and thought processes
• Correlational Research


  Conducted to establish relationship between two or more variables and how one impacts the other and what are the changes that are eventually observed
• Causal Comparative Research


  Mainly depends on the factor of comparison and is also known as quasi-experimental research. This type of research is used to conclude cause-effect equation between two or more variables, where one variable is dependent on the other independent variable
• Experimental Research


  Also known as "true experimentation." This research method is reliant on a theory (a statement that can be verified or refuted) and is used in natural sciences. The theory has not been proven and is merely a supposition. In experimental research, an analysis is done around proving or disproving the assumption
• Qualitative Research


  A method that involves obtaining data through open ended conversational means of communication. It enables the researcher to not only understand what the audience thinks but also why he thinks it
• Types of Qualitative Research


  • Ethnography
  • Narrative
  • Historical study
  • Phenomenology
  • Grounded theory
  • Case study
• Mixed Methods Research


  Both a method and methodology for conducting research that involves collecting, analyzing, and integrating quantitative and qualitative research in a single study or a longitudinal program of inquiry. The purpose of this form of research is that both qualitative and quantitative research, in combination, provide a better understanding of a research problem or issue than either research approach alone
• Types of Mixing Quantitative and Qualitative Data


  • Connecting
  • Merging
  • Embedding
• Types of Research Variables


  • Independent variable (IV)
  • Dependent variable (DV)
  • Moderating variable
  • Intervening variable
• Independent variable (IV)


  The variable that is manipulated by the researcher and the manipulation causes an effect on the dependent variable
• Dependent variable (DV)


  The variable that is measured or predicted and is expected to be affected by the manipulation of the independent variable
• Moderating variable


  The seconded independent variable and is believed to have significant contribution to both IV and DV
• Intervening variable


  Factor which theoretically affects the observe phenomenon but cannot be seen or measured
• Basic Components of a Research Paper (IMRAD Format)

  • Introduction
  • Methods
  • Results
  • Discussion
  • References
  • Appendices
• Research Title


  Summarizes the main idea or ideas of a research study. It is the part of a paper that is read the most, and is usually read first
• Research Problem Statement


  A set of questions that must be answered in order to determine the solutions of the current research dilemma. It is a specific issue, difficulty, contradiction, or a gap in knowledge that you will address in your research
• Describing a Good Research Background or Rationale

  1. Establish an area to research

  2. Identify research gaps

  3. Place the research within the research gap
• Research Question


  One of the most important parts of your research paper. It is important to spend some time assessing and refining your question before you get started
• Null Hypothesis


  A statement that must be proven in the study and stated in the negative form
• Scope of a Study


  Explains the extent to which the research area will be explored in the work and specifies the parameters within which the study will be operating
• Theoretical Framework


  A theory or set of theories that serves as the anchor for the research study. The theory or set of theories that supports a research study
• Conceptual Framework


  A schematic diagram showing the relationship between the variables in the study. It represents the researcher's understanding of how the particular variables in his study connect with each other
• Significance of the Study


  Provides information to the reader on how the study will contribute and who will benefit from it
• Types of Definition of Terms

  • Conceptual definition
  • Operational definition
• Conceptual Definition of Terms


  Refers to accepted definition of the terms coming from a dictionary or from books and literatures
• Operational Definition of Terms


  Refers to how the terms are being used in the research study
• Literature


  Any printed material that can be used as a reference in conducting a research investigation that includes books, journal articles, official documents and reports, newspaper clippings among others
• Review of Related Literature (RRL)


  A systematic, explicit, reproducible method for identifying, evaluating and synthesizing the existing body of completed and recorded work produced by researchers, scholars, and practitioners
• Types of Review of Related Literature

  • Simple
  • Applied
  • Academic
• Attribution


  Also known as "indirect citation," is recognizing and acknowledging literature as sources of original ideas. It can be done by rephrasing or paraphrasing an idea coming from an original author
• Citation


  A form of directly making use of the original idea of the author. Direct quotations of words and sentences are borrowed using open and close quotation marks
• Citation Styles


  • ASA (American Sociological Association)
  • APA (American Psychological Association)
  • AMA (American Medical Association)
• Plagiarism


  Using the work of another and claiming to be yours