Essay About Scientific Research Methods And Scientific Research Methodslecture Notescourse Instructor

Man 540 Scientific Research Methods – Lecture Notes
MAN 540 SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH METHODSLECTURE NOTESCourse instructor: Teoman Duman, Ph.D.Course Textbook: Saunders, Lewis and Thornhill (2007). Research Methods for Business Students. 4th Ed. Prentice Hall, New York, USA.Chapter 1: TheNature of Business and Management ResearchResearch is something that people undertake in order to find out things in a systematic way, thereby increasing their knowledge.Three modes of research:Knowledge creation for academic interests – fundamental, theory buildingThe production of practical relevant knowledgeKnowledge production for common good, for greater (social) concerns. The research process – Figure 1.2. shows the research process.Types of research study – desciptive, explanatory, predictive research.Approaches to business and social research:Qualitative research – Quantitative researchBasic (theoretical) research – Applied research (Figure 1.1.)Cross sectional studies – Longitudinal studiesChapter 2: Formulating and Clarifying the Research TopicAttributes of a good research topic – Box 2.2. gives attributes of a good research topic.Generating and refining research ideas – Table 2.1. gives techniques for generating and refining research ideas.Writing research questions – Table 2.2. gives examples of research ideas and questions. Difference between what and why questionsWriting research objectives – Table 2.3. gives examples of research questions and objectives.The importance of theory in writing research questions and objectivesTheory is a formulation regarding the cause and effect relationships between two or more variables, which may or may not have been tested. Why questions are usually theory questions.Exp: A marketing manager may theorize that the introduction of loyalty cards by his/her supermarket will lead to customers being less likely to shop regularly at competitor supermarkets.Writing research proposal – Content of the research proposal:TitleBackgroundResearch questions and objectivesMethodTimescaleResources – finance, data access and equipment – Figure 2.2. shows a Gantt chart.References