Summary Research Methods for Business

scientific research focusses on?

Réponse: solving problems, pursue a step by step logical, organisational and rigorous method to identify the problems. It enables those interested in the same or similar issues to come up with comparable findings when data is analysed.

scientific research is not based on

Réponse: experience, hunches and intuitions. However, this can play a part in the decision making. (with strict rules and regulations).

Is scientific investigation objective or subjective?

Réponse: It tends to be more objective than subjective. It helps managers to highlight the most critical factors at the workplace, that need specific attention. Managerial decision making and scientific investigation are integral parts of effective problem solving.

What are the main characteristics of scientific research?

Réponse: - purposiveness - rigor (strengheid) - testability - replicability - precision and confidence - objectivity - Generalisability - parsimony (spaarzaamheid)

purposiveness

Réponse: a specific aim or goal

Rigor

Réponse: A good theoretical base and methodology design add rigor to a purposiveness study. It implies exactness to a research investigation. - is based on the whole group - how a question is asked - looks at influences

Methodology and theoretical foundation

Réponse: enables the researcher to collect the right kind of information from the appropriate sample with the minimum degree of bias and facilitate logical issues.

testability

Réponse: is a property that applies to the hypothesis of a study. A hypothesis is a testable statement which predicts what to expect to find in a research investigation. Hypothesis is based on results of previous scientific research. A hypothesis should be testable. non testable hypothesis (god created the world)

Replication

Réponse: shows that a hypothesis is not supported by chance but are replicated in another study. It is the extend to which restudy is made possible by the provision of the design details of a study in the research report. The result of the tests of a hypothesis should be reported again and again when the same type of research is repeated in similar circumstances. This will gain confidence in the research.

precision and confidence

Réponse: It is almost impossible to draw definitive conclusions in management. However, we would like to design the research in a manner that it is as close to reality as possible so that we can place reliance and confidence in the results.