Research Methods Course Outline
TOPICS SUB-TOPICS
INTRODUCTION TO Concepts and Terminologies in Research
RESEARCH Overview of Business Research
Research vs Business research
Scientific Investigation
Types of Research
The Process of Research
Ethical Issues in Business Research
RESEARCH o Meaning and Importance of a Research Proposal
PROPOSAL o Format of an Academic Research Proposal
o Types of Research Proposals
o Problem Identification
o Sources of Problem
o Variables in Research
o Ethics in Research
FORMAT OF Write-up of introduction
RESEARCH Identification of Study Title
PROPOSAL Background to the Study
1) Chapter One Write up of Problem Statement.
Introduction Purpose of Study
Objectives of The Study
Hypothesis / Research Questions.
Rationale / Significance of the Study
Limitation to the Study
Definition of Terms
Abbreviations
2) Chapter Two Purpose of Literature Review
Literature Review Sources of Literature
Style of Presentation:
Introduction
Discussion
Quotations
Referencing
Procedures
Summary
Development of Reference List
3) Chapter Three o Introduction of the Study Design
Methodology o Types of Research Designs
o Population, Samples and Sampling Techniques.
o Data Collection
o Measurement Scales
o Instruments and Data Collection Procedures.
o Introduction of Data Analysis Procedures
o Development of A Time Plan, Schedule and Budget.
o Organization of appendices
RESEARCH METHODS CHAPT 1 INTRO TO RESEARCH PREPARED BY MR. ANTONY AMBIA 1
, CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH METHODS
What is Research?
Definition: Research is defined as careful consideration of study regarding a particular concern
or problem using scientific methods. According to the American sociologist Earl Robert Babbie,
“research is a systematic inquiry to describe, explain, predict, and control the observed
phenomenon. It involves inductive and deductive methods.”
Inductive research methods analyze an observed event, while deductive methods verify the
observed event. Inductive approaches are associated with qualitative research, and deductive
methods are more commonly associated with quantitative analysis.
Research is conducted with a purpose to:
Identify potential and new customers
Understand existing customers
Set pragmatic goals
Develop productive market strategies
Address business challenges
Put together a business expansion plan
Identify new business opportunities
What are the characteristics of research?
1. Good research follows a systematic approach to capture accurate data. Researchers need
to practice ethics and a code of conduct while making observations or drawing
conclusions.
2. The analysis is based on logical reasoning and involves both inductive and deductive
methods.
3. Real-time data and knowledge is derived from actual observations in natural settings.
4. There is an in-depth analysis of all data collected so that there are no anomalies
associated with it.
5. It creates a path for generating new questions. Existing data helps create more research
opportunities.
6. It is analytical and uses all the available data so that there is no ambiguity in inference.
7. Accuracy is one of the most critical aspects of research. The information must be
accurate and correct. For example, laboratories provide a controlled environment to
collect data. Accuracy is measured in the instruments used, the calibrations of
instruments or tools, and the experiment’s final result.
Types of research methods
Research methods are broadly classified as Qualitative and Quantitative both methods having
distinctive properties and data collection methods.
a) Qualitative methods
Qualitative research is a method that collects data using conversational methods, usually open-
ended questions. The responses collected are essentially non-numerical. This method helps a
researcher understand what participants think and why they think in a particular way.
Types of qualitative methods include:
RESEARCH METHODS CHAPT 1 INTRO TO RESEARCH PREPARED BY MR. ANTONY AMBIA 2
TOPICS SUB-TOPICS
INTRODUCTION TO Concepts and Terminologies in Research
RESEARCH Overview of Business Research
Research vs Business research
Scientific Investigation
Types of Research
The Process of Research
Ethical Issues in Business Research
RESEARCH o Meaning and Importance of a Research Proposal
PROPOSAL o Format of an Academic Research Proposal
o Types of Research Proposals
o Problem Identification
o Sources of Problem
o Variables in Research
o Ethics in Research
FORMAT OF Write-up of introduction
RESEARCH Identification of Study Title
PROPOSAL Background to the Study
1) Chapter One Write up of Problem Statement.
Introduction Purpose of Study
Objectives of The Study
Hypothesis / Research Questions.
Rationale / Significance of the Study
Limitation to the Study
Definition of Terms
Abbreviations
2) Chapter Two Purpose of Literature Review
Literature Review Sources of Literature
Style of Presentation:
Introduction
Discussion
Quotations
Referencing
Procedures
Summary
Development of Reference List
3) Chapter Three o Introduction of the Study Design
Methodology o Types of Research Designs
o Population, Samples and Sampling Techniques.
o Data Collection
o Measurement Scales
o Instruments and Data Collection Procedures.
o Introduction of Data Analysis Procedures
o Development of A Time Plan, Schedule and Budget.
o Organization of appendices
RESEARCH METHODS CHAPT 1 INTRO TO RESEARCH PREPARED BY MR. ANTONY AMBIA 1
, CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH METHODS
What is Research?
Definition: Research is defined as careful consideration of study regarding a particular concern
or problem using scientific methods. According to the American sociologist Earl Robert Babbie,
“research is a systematic inquiry to describe, explain, predict, and control the observed
phenomenon. It involves inductive and deductive methods.”
Inductive research methods analyze an observed event, while deductive methods verify the
observed event. Inductive approaches are associated with qualitative research, and deductive
methods are more commonly associated with quantitative analysis.
Research is conducted with a purpose to:
Identify potential and new customers
Understand existing customers
Set pragmatic goals
Develop productive market strategies
Address business challenges
Put together a business expansion plan
Identify new business opportunities
What are the characteristics of research?
1. Good research follows a systematic approach to capture accurate data. Researchers need
to practice ethics and a code of conduct while making observations or drawing
conclusions.
2. The analysis is based on logical reasoning and involves both inductive and deductive
methods.
3. Real-time data and knowledge is derived from actual observations in natural settings.
4. There is an in-depth analysis of all data collected so that there are no anomalies
associated with it.
5. It creates a path for generating new questions. Existing data helps create more research
opportunities.
6. It is analytical and uses all the available data so that there is no ambiguity in inference.
7. Accuracy is one of the most critical aspects of research. The information must be
accurate and correct. For example, laboratories provide a controlled environment to
collect data. Accuracy is measured in the instruments used, the calibrations of
instruments or tools, and the experiment’s final result.
Types of research methods
Research methods are broadly classified as Qualitative and Quantitative both methods having
distinctive properties and data collection methods.
a) Qualitative methods
Qualitative research is a method that collects data using conversational methods, usually open-
ended questions. The responses collected are essentially non-numerical. This method helps a
researcher understand what participants think and why they think in a particular way.
Types of qualitative methods include:
RESEARCH METHODS CHAPT 1 INTRO TO RESEARCH PREPARED BY MR. ANTONY AMBIA 2
