Chapter 2Scientific

Investigation and the Research

Process

Chapter Objectives

• Explain what is meant by scientific investigation

• Explain the eight hallmarks of science• Briefly explain why research in the

organisational behaviour and management areas cannot be completely scientific

• Compare and contrast quantitative and qualitative research.

• Discuss the eleven steps of the research process

Scientific Investigation

• The need for an honest, truthful, accurate and complete investigation

• Focused on the goals of problem-solving

• Pursues a step-by-step, logical, organised and rigorous method

The Hallmarks of Scientific Research

1. Purposiveness

2. Rigour

3. Testability

4. Replicability

The Hallmarks of Scientific Research (cont.)

• Accuracy

• Objectivity

• Generalisability

• Parsimony

Limitations to Scientific Research in Management

• Difficulties in measurement and collection of data

• Obtaining a representative sample

Some Basic Definitions

Observations – perceptions of reality and can be expressed in the form of ‘facts’ or ‘opinions’

Concepts – an idea expressed as a symbol or in words

Constructs – abstract representation of a phenomenon

Approaches to Research

Quantitative research

Qualitative research

Deduction

Induction

Quantitative research Qualitative research Reality is objective and singular,

and apart from the researcher

Reality is subjective and multiple,as seen by participants in a study

Researcher is independent of thatbeing researched

Researcher interacts with that beingresearched

Research is assumed to be value-free and unbiased

Research is value-laden and biased,with values generally made explicit

Theory is largely causal anddeductive

Theory can be causal or non-causal,and if often inductive

Hypotheses that the researcherbegins with are tested

Meaning is captured and discoveredonce the researcher becomesimmersed in the data

Concepts are in the form ofdistinct variables

Concepts are in the form of themes,motifs, generalisations, taxonomies

Measures are systematicallycreated before data collection andare standardised

Measures are created in an ad hocmanner and are often specific to theindividual setting or researcher

Quantitative research (cont.) Qualitative research Data are in the form of numbers

from precise measurement

Data are in the form of wordsfrom documents, observationsand transcripts

There are generally many casesor subjects

There are generally few cases orsubjects

Procedures are standard, andreplication is assumed

Research procedures areparticular, and replication is rare

Analysis proceeds by usingstatistics, tables or charts, anddiscussing how what they showrelates to hypotheses

Analysis proceeds by extractingthemes or generalisations fromevidence and organising data topresent a coherent, consistentpicture.

Sources: Cresswell (1994:5); Neuman (1997:14, 329).

Deductive and Inductive Reasoning in Business Research

Insert figure 2.2

The Business Research Process

The Research Process

1. Catalyst for research

2. Preliminary information gathering and literature search

3. Problem definition

4. Framework development

The Research Process (cont.)• Research objectives

• Research design

• Data collection

• Data analysis

• Interpretation of findings

• Report

• Management action