HIKM 3104: Research Methodology
INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH
1.0 Research Defined
Different authors have defined research as follows:
Research is carrying out a diligent inquiry or a critical examination of a given phenomenon.
Research involves a critical analysis of existing conclusions or theories with regard to newly
discovered facts i.e. it’s a continued search for new knowledge and understanding of the
world around us.
Research is a process of arriving at effective solutions to problems through systematic
collection, analysis and interpretation of data.
Research is the application of scientific methods to the study of a phenomenon. It is objective
and systematic and aims to acquire dependable, useful and factual information. It aims to test
a hypothesis and discover answers to meaningful questions through application of scientific
procedures.
What is Business Research?
It is a systematic inquiry whose objective is to provide information to solve managerial
problems (Cooper and Schindler, 2003).
Research and Scientific Method
The scientific method encourages a rigorous, impersonal mode of procedure dictated by the
demands of logic and objective procedure. It is based on the following basic postulates:
It relies on empirical evidence
It utilizes relevant concepts
, HIKM 3104: Research Methodology
It is committed to only objective considerations
It presupposes ethical neutrality i.e. it aims at nothing but making only adequate and correct
statements about population objects
It results into probabilistic predictions
Its methodology is made known to all concerned for critical scrutiny and for use in testing
the conclusions through replication.
It aims at formulating scientific theories.
2.0 Purpose of Research
To discover new knowledge
To describe a phenomenon
To enable prediction.
To enable control i.e. the ability to regulate the phenomenon under study.
To enable explanation of a phenomenon i.e. accurate observation and measurement of a
given phenomenon.
To enable theory development and validation of existing theories. Theory development
involves formulating concepts, laws and generalizations about a given phenomenon.
Research provides one with the knowledge and skills needed for the fast-paced decision-
making environment
Why Managers need Better Information
Global and domestic competition is more vigorous
Workers, shareholders, customers, government and the general public are demanding to be
included in company decision-making.
Organizations are increasingly practicing data mining and data warehousing.
INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH
1.0 Research Defined
Different authors have defined research as follows:
Research is carrying out a diligent inquiry or a critical examination of a given phenomenon.
Research involves a critical analysis of existing conclusions or theories with regard to newly
discovered facts i.e. it’s a continued search for new knowledge and understanding of the
world around us.
Research is a process of arriving at effective solutions to problems through systematic
collection, analysis and interpretation of data.
Research is the application of scientific methods to the study of a phenomenon. It is objective
and systematic and aims to acquire dependable, useful and factual information. It aims to test
a hypothesis and discover answers to meaningful questions through application of scientific
procedures.
What is Business Research?
It is a systematic inquiry whose objective is to provide information to solve managerial
problems (Cooper and Schindler, 2003).
Research and Scientific Method
The scientific method encourages a rigorous, impersonal mode of procedure dictated by the
demands of logic and objective procedure. It is based on the following basic postulates:
It relies on empirical evidence
It utilizes relevant concepts
, HIKM 3104: Research Methodology
It is committed to only objective considerations
It presupposes ethical neutrality i.e. it aims at nothing but making only adequate and correct
statements about population objects
It results into probabilistic predictions
Its methodology is made known to all concerned for critical scrutiny and for use in testing
the conclusions through replication.
It aims at formulating scientific theories.
2.0 Purpose of Research
To discover new knowledge
To describe a phenomenon
To enable prediction.
To enable control i.e. the ability to regulate the phenomenon under study.
To enable explanation of a phenomenon i.e. accurate observation and measurement of a
given phenomenon.
To enable theory development and validation of existing theories. Theory development
involves formulating concepts, laws and generalizations about a given phenomenon.
Research provides one with the knowledge and skills needed for the fast-paced decision-
making environment
Why Managers need Better Information
Global and domestic competition is more vigorous
Workers, shareholders, customers, government and the general public are demanding to be
included in company decision-making.
Organizations are increasingly practicing data mining and data warehousing.
