Reserach Metrhod
Chapter 1
Introduction to Research
BB204
Business Research
Method
1
Learning Outcomes
After studying Chapter ❶, you will be able to:
• Describe what research is and how it is defined.
• Distinguish between applied and basic research, giving examples, and discussing why they fall into one or the other of the two categories.
• Explain why managers should and should not do in order to interact most effectively with researchers
© 2009 John Wiley & Sons Ltd. www.wileyeurope.com/college/sekaran 2
Definition of Business Research
Business research: an organized, systematic, data-based, critical, objective, scientific inquiry or investigation into a specific problem, undertaken with the purpose of finding answers or solutions to it.
© 2009 John Wiley & Sons Ltd. www.wileyeurope.com/college/sekaran 3
Questions?
What you want to research?
Why you research it?
Who do you research?
Where do you research?
How you research it?
So WHAT?
4
Applied versus Basic Research
Basic research: generates a body of knowledge by trying to comprehend how certain problems that occur in organizations can be solved.
Applied research: solves a current problem faced by the manager in the work setting, demanding a timely solution.
© 2009 John Wiley & Sons Ltd. www.wileyeurope.com/college/sekaran 5
Examples Applied Research
Apple’s iPod fueled the company’s success in recent years, helping to increase sales from $5 billion in 2001 to $32 billion in the fiscal year 2008.
Growth for the music player averaged more than
200% in 2006 and 2007, before falling to 6% in
2008. Some analysts believe that the number of iPods sold will drop 12% in 2009. “The reality is there’s a limited group of people who want an iPod or any other portable media player,” one analyst says. “So the question becomes, what will Apple do about it?”
The existing machinery in the production department has had so many
Introduction to Research
BB204
Business Research
Method
1
Learning Outcomes
After studying Chapter ❶, you will be able to:
• Describe what research is and how it is defined.
• Distinguish between applied and basic research, giving examples, and discussing why they fall into one or the other of the two categories.
• Explain why managers should and should not do in order to interact most effectively with researchers
© 2009 John Wiley & Sons Ltd. www.wileyeurope.com/college/sekaran 2
Definition of Business Research
Business research: an organized, systematic, data-based, critical, objective, scientific inquiry or investigation into a specific problem, undertaken with the purpose of finding answers or solutions to it.
© 2009 John Wiley & Sons Ltd. www.wileyeurope.com/college/sekaran 3
Questions?
What you want to research?
Why you research it?
Who do you research?
Where do you research?
How you research it?
So WHAT?
4
Applied versus Basic Research
Basic research: generates a body of knowledge by trying to comprehend how certain problems that occur in organizations can be solved.
Applied research: solves a current problem faced by the manager in the work setting, demanding a timely solution.
© 2009 John Wiley & Sons Ltd. www.wileyeurope.com/college/sekaran 5
Examples Applied Research
Apple’s iPod fueled the company’s success in recent years, helping to increase sales from $5 billion in 2001 to $32 billion in the fiscal year 2008.
Growth for the music player averaged more than
200% in 2006 and 2007, before falling to 6% in
2008. Some analysts believe that the number of iPods sold will drop 12% in 2009. “The reality is there’s a limited group of people who want an iPod or any other portable media player,” one analyst says. “So the question becomes, what will Apple do about it?”
The existing machinery in the production department has had so many