Research Skills – Kylian Walthuis – Master Strategic Management Entrepreneurship
Inhoud
Qualitative part......................................................................................................................................................2
Week 1...............................................................................................................................................................2
Chapter 2: Research in Business Studies – Ghauri, et al. (2020)....................................................................2
Chapter 3: The Research Process – Ghauri, et al. (2020)...............................................................................5
Chapter 4: Research Problems – Ghauri, et al. (2020)...................................................................................7
Article week 1: Writing integrative literature reviews (guidelines & examples) – Torraco (2005).................8
Tutorial 1 – Literature review......................................................................................................................10
Week 2.............................................................................................................................................................11
Chapter 5: Research Design – Ghauri, et al. (2020)......................................................................................11
Chapter 7: Data collection for qualitative research – Ghauri, et al. (2020)..................................................13
Tutorial 2 – Semi-structured interviews.......................................................................................................19
Week 3.............................................................................................................................................................20
Chapter 8: Qualitative data analysis – Ghauri, et al. (2020).........................................................................20
Article week 3: The evolution of founder identity as an authenticity work process – O’Neil, et al (2022)...25
Tutorial 3 – Qualitative data analysis...........................................................................................................26
Week 4.............................................................................................................................................................28
Chapter 14: Writing the final report – Ghauri, et al. (2020).........................................................................28
Article week 4: Tips on writing up qualitative research – Pratt (2009).........................................................30
Tutorial 4 – recap of tutorials.......................................................................................................................32
Quantitative part.................................................................................................................................................33
Week 5.............................................................................................................................................................33
Knowledge clips...........................................................................................................................................33
Tutorial 5: Stata rudiments..........................................................................................................................35
Week 6.............................................................................................................................................................36
Knowledge clips...........................................................................................................................................36
Tutorial 6: Measurement and data analysis.................................................................................................39
Week 7.............................................................................................................................................................41
Knowledge clips...........................................................................................................................................41
Tutorial 7 – Panel data analysis....................................................................................................................45
1
,Research Skills – Kylian Walthuis – Master Strategic Management Entrepreneurship
Qualitative part
Week 1
Chapter 2: Research in Business Studies – Ghauri, et al. (2020)
Research papers/theses at Masters level should demonstrate that the candidate can systematically handle and
analyse a problem, arriving at valid conclusions.
2.1 The Nature of Knowledge Development
Theory of knowledge is called epistemology.
Epistemology is the theory of kowledge (nature of knowledge).
Ontology is the nature of reality (questioning own assumptions).
Scepticism we cannot be certain that individual knows what he claims to know.
Knowledge should have three components: justification, truth, and belief.
Priori knowledge is based on sense.
A posteriori knowledge is based on experience.
Common sense is beliefs of a group of people about a certain thing.
2.2 Why We Do Research
Research can be considered as process of problem solving for a specific problem under specific conditions.
Business research purpose is to understand how and why things happen.
2.3 Research versus Common Sense
Research process is deciding what to do, collecting information, discarding irrelevant information, analysing
relevant information and arriving at a conclusion or decision in systematic approach.
It has been proved that old view of common sense may be quite wrong, as rewards seem more effective in
aiding learning. According to this belief, science and common sense differs in several ways:
- Laypersons use concepts and theories loosely. They accept explanations that fit with their beliefs and
values. Scientists systematically build up theories and test them for internal as well as external
consistency.
- Laypersons select theories and test hypotheses, but evidence comes from their own hypotheses.
Scientists test their assumptions and hypotheses systematically and tend to be more careful in their
selection and drawing of conclusions.
- Laypersons do not bother to control their explanations of observed phenomena. They do not try to
control external influences, and accept assumptions that are consistent with their preconceived biases.
Scientists are constantly looking for relations among different phenomena, try to study and control these
relations.
- Laypersons believe in metaphysical explanations (some people are poor because GOD wants them to be
poor). Scientists do not accept metaphysical explanations.
2
,Research Skills – Kylian Walthuis – Master Strategic Management Entrepreneurship
2.4 Different Research Orientations
A research orientation prescribes the relationship between methods, data, theories and values of the
researcher.
Originality describes studies that create a new dimension to already existing knowledge:
- Some novel twist, fresh perspective
- New hypothesis or assumption
- New and innovative methods of handling an existing topic/knowledge
Scholars discuss five research orientations:
- Positivism – knowledge is objective and based on observable and measurable facts and relationships that
can predict behavior.
- Critical realism – variety of data and methods are acceptable as long as researcher is as objective and
realistic as possible.
- Pragmatism – knowledge should be relevant and useful to practice. Researcher should provide solution to
practical problems.
- Interpretivism – aims to present full richness with diverse interpretational stories along with contextual
factors to enhance our understanding.
- Post-modernism – where the researcher is radically reflexive and critically sensitive in his/her role.
2.5 Induction, Deduction and Abduction
Two ways of establishing what is true or false and to draw conclusion: induction and deduction.
- Induction is based on empirical evidence (mostly qualitative research) arrow 2.
o Draw general conclusions from our empirical observations.
o Observations Analysis Findings Theory building
o Logical process of deriving a conclusion from a known premise or
something known as true
- Deduction is based on logic (mostly quantitative research) arrow 1.
o Builds/decudes hypotheses from existing knowledge, which can be subject
to empirical scrutiny (testing theory) and thus can be accepted or rejected.
o The systematic process of establishing a general proposition on the basis of
observation or particular facts.
o Consequences of theory.
- Abduction refers to a theoretical interpretation of an empirical problem that can lead to development of
new theories.
o Continuous process that takes place in all phases of the research process where the researchers
observations are confronted with theoretical assumptions and generate a new view of the
phenomenon.
2.7 Knowledge Skills and Research
Different ways of knowing (about ourselves and the world around us):
- Method of tenacity (=vasthoudendheid) example: the world is flat
- Method of authority established by authority
- A priori method or method of intuition knowing based on propositionsthat are self-ecident or
agreeable to reason.
- Method of science way of knowing in which everybody’s final conclusion is the same
2.9 Research and Ethics
Ethics are moral principles and values that influence the way researchers conduct their research activities.
Ethics apply to all situations and activities in which there may be actual or potential harm of any kind to
anybody.
3
, Research Skills – Kylian Walthuis – Master Strategic Management Entrepreneurship
Wheel of research:
2.10 The Researcher and the Respondent
Researcher-participant (subject) relationship is most sensitive one in business studies research.
Best way to improve the researcher-participant relationship is to consider the following:
1. Preserving participants anonymity
2. Avoiding exposing participants to mental stress
3. Not asking participants questions detrimental (negative) to their self-interest
4. Being responsible in our use of special equipment and techniques (tape-recorder, video, etc)
5. Allowing participants to withdraw at any time during the research process / data collection
6. Not involving participants in research without their consent
7. Being honest with participants
8. Not using coercion (=dwang) to get information
9. Ensuring we don’t deprive participants of their rights, e.g. of self-determination
10. Allowing participants to see the results of the research
2.11 The Researcher’s Moral Responsibility
Factors that influence how research is conducted and the acceptance, rejection, concealing, or revailing of its
results.
The moral responsibility of the researcher deals with social guidelines and constraints upon research
techniques and measurements.
Factors influencing research:
- Public interests and biases
- Company interests and biases
- Government rules and regulations
- Researchers own interests and biases
- Peer pressures
4
Inhoud
Qualitative part......................................................................................................................................................2
Week 1...............................................................................................................................................................2
Chapter 2: Research in Business Studies – Ghauri, et al. (2020)....................................................................2
Chapter 3: The Research Process – Ghauri, et al. (2020)...............................................................................5
Chapter 4: Research Problems – Ghauri, et al. (2020)...................................................................................7
Article week 1: Writing integrative literature reviews (guidelines & examples) – Torraco (2005).................8
Tutorial 1 – Literature review......................................................................................................................10
Week 2.............................................................................................................................................................11
Chapter 5: Research Design – Ghauri, et al. (2020)......................................................................................11
Chapter 7: Data collection for qualitative research – Ghauri, et al. (2020)..................................................13
Tutorial 2 – Semi-structured interviews.......................................................................................................19
Week 3.............................................................................................................................................................20
Chapter 8: Qualitative data analysis – Ghauri, et al. (2020).........................................................................20
Article week 3: The evolution of founder identity as an authenticity work process – O’Neil, et al (2022)...25
Tutorial 3 – Qualitative data analysis...........................................................................................................26
Week 4.............................................................................................................................................................28
Chapter 14: Writing the final report – Ghauri, et al. (2020).........................................................................28
Article week 4: Tips on writing up qualitative research – Pratt (2009).........................................................30
Tutorial 4 – recap of tutorials.......................................................................................................................32
Quantitative part.................................................................................................................................................33
Week 5.............................................................................................................................................................33
Knowledge clips...........................................................................................................................................33
Tutorial 5: Stata rudiments..........................................................................................................................35
Week 6.............................................................................................................................................................36
Knowledge clips...........................................................................................................................................36
Tutorial 6: Measurement and data analysis.................................................................................................39
Week 7.............................................................................................................................................................41
Knowledge clips...........................................................................................................................................41
Tutorial 7 – Panel data analysis....................................................................................................................45
1
,Research Skills – Kylian Walthuis – Master Strategic Management Entrepreneurship
Qualitative part
Week 1
Chapter 2: Research in Business Studies – Ghauri, et al. (2020)
Research papers/theses at Masters level should demonstrate that the candidate can systematically handle and
analyse a problem, arriving at valid conclusions.
2.1 The Nature of Knowledge Development
Theory of knowledge is called epistemology.
Epistemology is the theory of kowledge (nature of knowledge).
Ontology is the nature of reality (questioning own assumptions).
Scepticism we cannot be certain that individual knows what he claims to know.
Knowledge should have three components: justification, truth, and belief.
Priori knowledge is based on sense.
A posteriori knowledge is based on experience.
Common sense is beliefs of a group of people about a certain thing.
2.2 Why We Do Research
Research can be considered as process of problem solving for a specific problem under specific conditions.
Business research purpose is to understand how and why things happen.
2.3 Research versus Common Sense
Research process is deciding what to do, collecting information, discarding irrelevant information, analysing
relevant information and arriving at a conclusion or decision in systematic approach.
It has been proved that old view of common sense may be quite wrong, as rewards seem more effective in
aiding learning. According to this belief, science and common sense differs in several ways:
- Laypersons use concepts and theories loosely. They accept explanations that fit with their beliefs and
values. Scientists systematically build up theories and test them for internal as well as external
consistency.
- Laypersons select theories and test hypotheses, but evidence comes from their own hypotheses.
Scientists test their assumptions and hypotheses systematically and tend to be more careful in their
selection and drawing of conclusions.
- Laypersons do not bother to control their explanations of observed phenomena. They do not try to
control external influences, and accept assumptions that are consistent with their preconceived biases.
Scientists are constantly looking for relations among different phenomena, try to study and control these
relations.
- Laypersons believe in metaphysical explanations (some people are poor because GOD wants them to be
poor). Scientists do not accept metaphysical explanations.
2
,Research Skills – Kylian Walthuis – Master Strategic Management Entrepreneurship
2.4 Different Research Orientations
A research orientation prescribes the relationship between methods, data, theories and values of the
researcher.
Originality describes studies that create a new dimension to already existing knowledge:
- Some novel twist, fresh perspective
- New hypothesis or assumption
- New and innovative methods of handling an existing topic/knowledge
Scholars discuss five research orientations:
- Positivism – knowledge is objective and based on observable and measurable facts and relationships that
can predict behavior.
- Critical realism – variety of data and methods are acceptable as long as researcher is as objective and
realistic as possible.
- Pragmatism – knowledge should be relevant and useful to practice. Researcher should provide solution to
practical problems.
- Interpretivism – aims to present full richness with diverse interpretational stories along with contextual
factors to enhance our understanding.
- Post-modernism – where the researcher is radically reflexive and critically sensitive in his/her role.
2.5 Induction, Deduction and Abduction
Two ways of establishing what is true or false and to draw conclusion: induction and deduction.
- Induction is based on empirical evidence (mostly qualitative research) arrow 2.
o Draw general conclusions from our empirical observations.
o Observations Analysis Findings Theory building
o Logical process of deriving a conclusion from a known premise or
something known as true
- Deduction is based on logic (mostly quantitative research) arrow 1.
o Builds/decudes hypotheses from existing knowledge, which can be subject
to empirical scrutiny (testing theory) and thus can be accepted or rejected.
o The systematic process of establishing a general proposition on the basis of
observation or particular facts.
o Consequences of theory.
- Abduction refers to a theoretical interpretation of an empirical problem that can lead to development of
new theories.
o Continuous process that takes place in all phases of the research process where the researchers
observations are confronted with theoretical assumptions and generate a new view of the
phenomenon.
2.7 Knowledge Skills and Research
Different ways of knowing (about ourselves and the world around us):
- Method of tenacity (=vasthoudendheid) example: the world is flat
- Method of authority established by authority
- A priori method or method of intuition knowing based on propositionsthat are self-ecident or
agreeable to reason.
- Method of science way of knowing in which everybody’s final conclusion is the same
2.9 Research and Ethics
Ethics are moral principles and values that influence the way researchers conduct their research activities.
Ethics apply to all situations and activities in which there may be actual or potential harm of any kind to
anybody.
3
, Research Skills – Kylian Walthuis – Master Strategic Management Entrepreneurship
Wheel of research:
2.10 The Researcher and the Respondent
Researcher-participant (subject) relationship is most sensitive one in business studies research.
Best way to improve the researcher-participant relationship is to consider the following:
1. Preserving participants anonymity
2. Avoiding exposing participants to mental stress
3. Not asking participants questions detrimental (negative) to their self-interest
4. Being responsible in our use of special equipment and techniques (tape-recorder, video, etc)
5. Allowing participants to withdraw at any time during the research process / data collection
6. Not involving participants in research without their consent
7. Being honest with participants
8. Not using coercion (=dwang) to get information
9. Ensuring we don’t deprive participants of their rights, e.g. of self-determination
10. Allowing participants to see the results of the research
2.11 The Researcher’s Moral Responsibility
Factors that influence how research is conducted and the acceptance, rejection, concealing, or revailing of its
results.
The moral responsibility of the researcher deals with social guidelines and constraints upon research
techniques and measurements.
Factors influencing research:
- Public interests and biases
- Company interests and biases
- Government rules and regulations
- Researchers own interests and biases
- Peer pressures
4
