RESEARCH METHODS (MGT 331/242)
Module I
Department of Management
Faculty of Business and Economics
Mekelle University
October 2020
Mekelle
, RESEARCH METHODS (MGT 331/242) Mekelle University
TABLE OF CONTENT
Title Page
I RESEARCH MERHODS: AN OVERVIEW …………………………………………… 1
1.1. Meaning of Research …………………………………………… 1
1.2. Objectives and Significance of Research ………………………………………. 3
1.3. The Process, Purposes and classifications of research……………………...…. 6
1.4. Business Research ………………………………………...... 9
1.5. Major Topics for Research in Business ..…………………………………..……..18
1.6. Characteristics of a Good Research ……………………………………………. 21
1.7. Problems Encountered by Researchers in Developing Countries …………... 25
II FORMULATION OF RESEARCH PROBLEMS & RESEARCH HYPOTHESES . 30
2.1. Formulation of Research Problems in Business ……………………………….. 30
2.2. Formulation of Research Hypotheses ………...……………………….……... 39
III RESEARCH DESIGN ………………………………….. 44
3.1. The Research Process: An Overview …………………………………...….. 44
3.2. Important Concepts Relating to Research Design ………...……..…….……. 48
3.3. Research Design Classifications and Steps …………………….……… . 52
3.4. Decision Alternatives in the Research Process …………………..….………… 58
3.5. Research Proposal ………………….………... 73
3.6. Ethical Issues in Business Research ………………………….………... 95
Bibliography
Appendix ( Code of Professional Ethics and Practice: American Association
For Public Opinion research
Page 2 of 110
,RESEARCH METHODS (MGT 331/242) Mekelle University
INTRODUCTION
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is survey course intended to develop the student’s ability in scientific
analysis and to provide opportunity for application of concepts and tools in the study
of socio-economic problems. Topics covered include the concepts and purposes of
social research, types of research, formulating research problems and hypothesis,
planning research design; collection, analysis and interpretation of data, and term
project.
The course Research Methods is preceded by two courses on statistics: Basic
Statistics and Managerial Statistics that deal with the fundamentals of statistics and
applications of statistics in management respectively.
As a result the statistical tools and techniques required for research are not treated
in detail in this course. The course assumes students have basic knowledge on the
required statistical techniques. However students are required to apply appropriate
statistical tools in the course, particularly, in preparing research proposal in module I
and in conducting the mini-research in module II.
Activities that are compulsory and self test questions are prepared for each chapter.
Page 3 of 110
, RESEARCH METHODS (MGT 331/242) Mekelle University
COURSE OBJECTIVE
At the end of the course students will be able to:
Understand and explain the concepts, purposes and types of research.
Determine when business research should be conducted and choose
appropriate research methodology
Formulate research problems and hypothesis
Plan and conduct business research using different methods
Conduct research in various fields of business and other socio–economic
activities.
Tentative Evaluation
Test 15%
Research Proposal 15%
Mini–research 25%
Final Exam 45%
100%
About This Module
This consists of three chapters:
Introduction to Research methods
Formulation of Research Problems and Research hypotheses
Research Design and Research Proposal
Page 2 of 110
Module I
Department of Management
Faculty of Business and Economics
Mekelle University
October 2020
Mekelle
, RESEARCH METHODS (MGT 331/242) Mekelle University
TABLE OF CONTENT
Title Page
I RESEARCH MERHODS: AN OVERVIEW …………………………………………… 1
1.1. Meaning of Research …………………………………………… 1
1.2. Objectives and Significance of Research ………………………………………. 3
1.3. The Process, Purposes and classifications of research……………………...…. 6
1.4. Business Research ………………………………………...... 9
1.5. Major Topics for Research in Business ..…………………………………..……..18
1.6. Characteristics of a Good Research ……………………………………………. 21
1.7. Problems Encountered by Researchers in Developing Countries …………... 25
II FORMULATION OF RESEARCH PROBLEMS & RESEARCH HYPOTHESES . 30
2.1. Formulation of Research Problems in Business ……………………………….. 30
2.2. Formulation of Research Hypotheses ………...……………………….……... 39
III RESEARCH DESIGN ………………………………….. 44
3.1. The Research Process: An Overview …………………………………...….. 44
3.2. Important Concepts Relating to Research Design ………...……..…….……. 48
3.3. Research Design Classifications and Steps …………………….……… . 52
3.4. Decision Alternatives in the Research Process …………………..….………… 58
3.5. Research Proposal ………………….………... 73
3.6. Ethical Issues in Business Research ………………………….………... 95
Bibliography
Appendix ( Code of Professional Ethics and Practice: American Association
For Public Opinion research
Page 2 of 110
,RESEARCH METHODS (MGT 331/242) Mekelle University
INTRODUCTION
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is survey course intended to develop the student’s ability in scientific
analysis and to provide opportunity for application of concepts and tools in the study
of socio-economic problems. Topics covered include the concepts and purposes of
social research, types of research, formulating research problems and hypothesis,
planning research design; collection, analysis and interpretation of data, and term
project.
The course Research Methods is preceded by two courses on statistics: Basic
Statistics and Managerial Statistics that deal with the fundamentals of statistics and
applications of statistics in management respectively.
As a result the statistical tools and techniques required for research are not treated
in detail in this course. The course assumes students have basic knowledge on the
required statistical techniques. However students are required to apply appropriate
statistical tools in the course, particularly, in preparing research proposal in module I
and in conducting the mini-research in module II.
Activities that are compulsory and self test questions are prepared for each chapter.
Page 3 of 110
, RESEARCH METHODS (MGT 331/242) Mekelle University
COURSE OBJECTIVE
At the end of the course students will be able to:
Understand and explain the concepts, purposes and types of research.
Determine when business research should be conducted and choose
appropriate research methodology
Formulate research problems and hypothesis
Plan and conduct business research using different methods
Conduct research in various fields of business and other socio–economic
activities.
Tentative Evaluation
Test 15%
Research Proposal 15%
Mini–research 25%
Final Exam 45%
100%
About This Module
This consists of three chapters:
Introduction to Research methods
Formulation of Research Problems and Research hypotheses
Research Design and Research Proposal
Page 2 of 110
