CHAPTER
xvi Research Methodology: Methods, Techniques, Practices
CHAPTER 15 QUALITATIVE DATA ANALYSIS: GROUNDED THEORY
CHAPTER 16 QUALITATIVE DATA ANALYSIS: CASE STUDIES
Research Design and Process
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
After studying this chapter, the readers will be able to:
CHAPTER OUTLINE 2.1
2.6 Multiple Choice Questions 2.7
2.8 Bibliography
Research Methodology: Methods, Techniques, Practices
2.1 Introduction
Problem Identi cation
Literature Review
Formulating Research Questions
Planning for Research Design
Sampling Design
Fieldwork and gathering Data
Data Processing and Analysis
Drawing Conclusions and Writing a Report
Managerial problem vs. research problem
Review of Theories, Previous works, reports, websites
Formulating suitable research questions, Research objectives
Selection of research methods, sampling, and Tools
Probability vs. non-probability sampling, sample size, sampling units
Primary data/Secondary data/Both
Data cleaning, editing, analyzing
Interpretation of result, inferring conclusions and communication of result
2.1: Research Process
Research Design and Process 17
2.2 Steps in Research Process
arise owing to the cause that the researchers want
2.2.1 Research Problem Identification
Steps in Research Process
18 Research Methodology: Methods, Techniques, Practices
TABLE 2.1: Managerial Problems vs. Research Problems
Managerial Problems Research Problems
2.2.2 Literature Review
2.2.3 Formulating Research Questions
2.2.3.1 Suitable Research Questions
unfocused research and will not be sure of what that the researchers search for answers in their
Research Design and Process 19
Research Objectives
2.2.3.1.1 Significance of Research Questions
decision about appropriate research design, the decision about data collection and target audience,
Sources of Research Questions
Criteria of Effective Research Questions
Research Methodology: Methods, Techniques, Practices
Research Area
Training
Research questions examples.
Selection of Speci c topic for research
Impact of training on performance
Does training have any positive or negative impact on organizational performance?
Does training have any impact on employee performance?
Does training help in acquiring new knowledge, skills and abilities?
Does training lead to the empowerment of employees?
Does training motivate the employees?
Is training actually being used by trainees/Is training transferred at the workplace?
What are the factors that will enhance actual training transfer at the workplace?
Selection of Research Questions
Does training have any positive or negative impact on organizational performance?
Does training have any impact on employee performance?
Does training help in acquiring new knowledge, skills and abilities?
Does training lead to the empowerment of employees?
Does training motivate the employees?
Is training being used by trainees/Is training transferred at workplace?
What are the factors that will enhance actual training transfer at the workplace?
2.2.4 Planning the Research Design
2.2.4.1 Hypotheses Development
Age, Family status
Research Design and Process 21
2.3: Hypotheses Development
22 Research Methodology: Methods, Techniques, Practices
2.2.5 Sampling Design
2.2.6 Fieldwork and Gathering Data
Research Design and Process 23 to describe the financial investment behavior of existing customers will use secondary data. At this stage, the researchers need to ensure the reliability and validity of the data obtained for the study.
2.2.7 Data Processing and Analysis
After data gathering, the data needs to be converted or properly coded to answer the research question under study. The information gathered in the data collection phase should be mined from the primary raw data. Data processing starts with data editing, coding, and tabulation. First, it is vital for the researchers to check the data collection forms for missing data, clarity, and consistency in categorization. The editing process involves problems associated with data, such as respondents’ response errors. Editing improves the quality of the data and makes the data usable for tabulation, analysis, and interpretation. Tabulation is a technical process in which classified data are presented in tables. Researchers use computers to feed data to a computer spreadsheet for data analysis. The preparation of a spreadsheet also requires lots of expertise and experience. After coding the data, the next step is to analyze the data. Data analysis is the utilization of reasoning to make sense of data gathered. Ample statistical techniques are available for the researchers to analyze the data. Based on the research questions, objectives, study types, sampling framework used, data types, and degree of accuracy involved in the research, one can choose from parametric or nonparametric techniques for data analysis. Researchers may adopt univariate, bi-variate or multi-variate methods for data analysis. The analysis may include simple frequency analysis, multiple regression, or structural equation modeling. Different techniques are available for qualitative data, presented in Part 3 of this book.
2.2.8 Drawing Conclusion and Preparing a Report
After data analysis, the final stage in the research process is the interpretation of the results. The researcher requires analytical skills to interpret the statistical results, link the output with the research objectives, and state the implications of the result.
Research Design
Research design is the blueprint/systematic steps to carry out research smoothly.
Finally, researchers must communicate the result in the form of a report. The preparation of the final report needs to be done with the utmost care. The final report should include the identified research questions, research approach, data collection method, data analysis techniques, study findings, and implications for theory and practice. The structure of the report will be discussed in the last section of this book. The report should be prepared comprehensively to be usable by management or organizations for decision-making.
2.3 Classification of Research Design
This section highlights the classification of research design. As mentioned in the previous section, research design is the framework for carrying out management and other research. After the identification of a problem, the researchers formulate the research design. A good research design ensures the effectiveness of the research work. The choice of selecting an appropriate design relies on the research objectives. The broad categorization of research design with sub-categorization is detailed in various sub-sections.
24 Research Methodology: Methods, Techniques, Practices
2.3.1 Exploratory Research Design
Methods to Conduct Exploratory Research
Secondary sources of data
Case Studies
Methods to Conduct Descriptive Research
2.3.2 Descriptive Research Design
is that researchers rarely get specific answers to
2.3.3 Causal Research Design
Intake of Ice cream
Death due to drowning
Season/temperature
Intake of Ice cream
2.4: Spurious Causal Relationship
Death due to drowning
Research Methodology: Methods, Techniques, Practices
2.3.4 Experimental Research Design
Experimental Research Design
2.3.4.1 Correlation, Causation and Cofounds
2.3.4.1.1 Experimental and Control Group
2.3.4.1.2 Independent and Dependent Variables
Research Design and Process 27
2.3.4.1.3 Pre- and Post-test
