BDO 373
Study Unit 1- ch3 Introduction to the scientific method
Diff ways of knowing: Example: Advantage: Disadvantage:
Scientific method
→ Gathering info & gaining knowledge on specific topic
Scientific method is better because:
• It is a systematic and controlled process
• Tests ideas against other alternatives
• There is a clear process of investigation
If science is the best way of knowing, why not always use it?
▪ May be costly ito time and resources
▪ Only empirical questions can be answered
▪ Certain questions are NOT answerable through scientific inquiry for instance value questions
such as: Should the death penalty be used as punishment or not?
The scientific model/ process:
The conclusions are published
Only questions answered through empirical
in “peer reviewed” journals and
observations can be used in this process,
the findings are scrutinized
Process of observation is conducted through a
carefully planned process through which observations
are made, recorded and analysed.
An open process During this process, possible alternative explanations
A closed process-methodology
©Megan Meiring are identified, and controlled for as far as possible
,Logical process:
Problem
Literature review
Data collection Gather
evidence
Data analysis & interpretation
Expand knowledge
Draw
conclusion
Gain new insights
Find truth
Information gathering is not scientific research
Google search
Randomly asking opinions
Discussion with fellow student
Random reading
Knowledge carried over from generations
Opinions form experts
Underlying principles of the scientific process
▪ Starts with a question or a problem that you want to solve
▪ Ends with a conclusion/answer to the research question
▪ Entire process is based on observable facts called data
▪ The process is logical
▪ The process is orderly
▪ It is guided by a reasonable guess (also called hypothesis in quantitative research)
▪ The conclusion is based on the data only
The basic research process:
©Megan Meiring
,Different views
• Process differs depending on the approach qualitative or quantitative or mixed methods designs
Quantitative and qualitative methodologies (approaches in scientific method):
➢ Scientific method = also known as, science, scientific knowledge, social research
➢ Two main approaches to getting to know the world with science:
1. Qualitative methodology
2. Quantitative methodology
➢ Qualitative and quantitative methods can be combined= Mixed Methods approach
Study Unit 2- ch4
Phase 1 of the research process: Framing the study
Identify a topic
Evaluate the suitability of a topic
Formulate a research question/questions
State the purpose of the study
Scope the literature
Select a unit of analysis
Decide on the best approach to answer the research question
©Megan Meiring
, More information on: How would we find a topic to research?
• Sources of research topics
• The process of refining and formulating the research topic
• Differentiate between basic and applied research
• The criteria of a researchable research topic
What is the research topic?
- Broad area of HR that you want to know more about
Sources for topics:
Previous Personal
Practice Theory
research interest
Why do we conduct research?
1. Build out knowledge >basic
2. Solve practical problem > applied
Basic and applied research
Basic- contributes to the scholarship of knowledge in that field. Mostly conducted by scholars
(students and university professors)
Applied- research that solves a practical problem in a specific practical context (practical business
research)
Research is often both applied & basic:
▪ Solves a business issue and is applicable to that specific context:
o In business A, workers are frequently on sick leave. The question is whether the
workplace culture of business A has an impact on their levels of absenteeism?
▪ Provides and answer that will build workplace/organisational behaviour/HR/IOP theory:
o Focus on building out the theory of absenteeism at work. The results are not applicable
to any specific workplace.
Basic research Applied research
Results applies to all situations where the related Results applies to the specific situation
theory can be used to explain behaviour
Used to test/expand/enlighten/develop theory of Used to solve a practical real-life problem
human behaviour
May not have immediate/ clear implication for practice Contains answer to a specific real-life problem in org
Conducted within an academic context Conducted in practice
E.g. The nature of memory or learning E.g. Steps to improve memory or learning
©Megan Meiring
Study Unit 1- ch3 Introduction to the scientific method
Diff ways of knowing: Example: Advantage: Disadvantage:
Scientific method
→ Gathering info & gaining knowledge on specific topic
Scientific method is better because:
• It is a systematic and controlled process
• Tests ideas against other alternatives
• There is a clear process of investigation
If science is the best way of knowing, why not always use it?
▪ May be costly ito time and resources
▪ Only empirical questions can be answered
▪ Certain questions are NOT answerable through scientific inquiry for instance value questions
such as: Should the death penalty be used as punishment or not?
The scientific model/ process:
The conclusions are published
Only questions answered through empirical
in “peer reviewed” journals and
observations can be used in this process,
the findings are scrutinized
Process of observation is conducted through a
carefully planned process through which observations
are made, recorded and analysed.
An open process During this process, possible alternative explanations
A closed process-methodology
©Megan Meiring are identified, and controlled for as far as possible
,Logical process:
Problem
Literature review
Data collection Gather
evidence
Data analysis & interpretation
Expand knowledge
Draw
conclusion
Gain new insights
Find truth
Information gathering is not scientific research
Google search
Randomly asking opinions
Discussion with fellow student
Random reading
Knowledge carried over from generations
Opinions form experts
Underlying principles of the scientific process
▪ Starts with a question or a problem that you want to solve
▪ Ends with a conclusion/answer to the research question
▪ Entire process is based on observable facts called data
▪ The process is logical
▪ The process is orderly
▪ It is guided by a reasonable guess (also called hypothesis in quantitative research)
▪ The conclusion is based on the data only
The basic research process:
©Megan Meiring
,Different views
• Process differs depending on the approach qualitative or quantitative or mixed methods designs
Quantitative and qualitative methodologies (approaches in scientific method):
➢ Scientific method = also known as, science, scientific knowledge, social research
➢ Two main approaches to getting to know the world with science:
1. Qualitative methodology
2. Quantitative methodology
➢ Qualitative and quantitative methods can be combined= Mixed Methods approach
Study Unit 2- ch4
Phase 1 of the research process: Framing the study
Identify a topic
Evaluate the suitability of a topic
Formulate a research question/questions
State the purpose of the study
Scope the literature
Select a unit of analysis
Decide on the best approach to answer the research question
©Megan Meiring
, More information on: How would we find a topic to research?
• Sources of research topics
• The process of refining and formulating the research topic
• Differentiate between basic and applied research
• The criteria of a researchable research topic
What is the research topic?
- Broad area of HR that you want to know more about
Sources for topics:
Previous Personal
Practice Theory
research interest
Why do we conduct research?
1. Build out knowledge >basic
2. Solve practical problem > applied
Basic and applied research
Basic- contributes to the scholarship of knowledge in that field. Mostly conducted by scholars
(students and university professors)
Applied- research that solves a practical problem in a specific practical context (practical business
research)
Research is often both applied & basic:
▪ Solves a business issue and is applicable to that specific context:
o In business A, workers are frequently on sick leave. The question is whether the
workplace culture of business A has an impact on their levels of absenteeism?
▪ Provides and answer that will build workplace/organisational behaviour/HR/IOP theory:
o Focus on building out the theory of absenteeism at work. The results are not applicable
to any specific workplace.
Basic research Applied research
Results applies to all situations where the related Results applies to the specific situation
theory can be used to explain behaviour
Used to test/expand/enlighten/develop theory of Used to solve a practical real-life problem
human behaviour
May not have immediate/ clear implication for practice Contains answer to a specific real-life problem in org
Conducted within an academic context Conducted in practice
E.g. The nature of memory or learning E.g. Steps to improve memory or learning
©Megan Meiring
