Introduction to Business and
Management Research
Developing Business Practice
–302LON
Unit: 6 Knowledgecast: 1
Module Learning Outcomes
In this Knowledgecast, we will:
• Discuss the value of reflection and self-evaluation as a learner
• Identify the key skills and competencies involved in designing and
undertaking relevant business and management research
• Evaluate own skills, competencies and attitudes required for a
successful work experience
Module Overview
Unit
1
Developing as a learner
2
Working independently and with others
3
Academic writing
4
Critical thinking, reading and taking notes
5
Using data in your studies
6
Business and management research
7
Career development strategies
8
Effective self marketing tools
9
Successful work experience
10
Personal Development Planning
Purpose of Business and Management
Research
Why do business research? …because there is an aspect of our
understanding of what goes on in organisations that is to some
extent unresolved (Bryman & Bell, 2007)
The purpose of Business and Management Research is:
1. To improve organisational performance though increased
effectiveness and efficiency
2. To increase our understanding of how organisations work, and
their impact on individuals and society
Stages of Research
Identify Research Area
Formulate Research Questions
Create Research Design and Methodology
Write Research Proposal
Complete Literature Review
Collect and Analyse Data
Write Up Research Findings
Identifying Your Research Question
Puzzles &
contradictions
Disagree
with
theories
Topics from
previous
modules
Gap in the
literature
My
Burning
Question
Gap
between
theory and
reality
Anticommon
sense
Tutors and
Supervisors
Reasons
for
differences
Personal
experience
Based on:
Bryman & Bell (2007)
Defining Your Research Questions
1. Identify
Research Area
• Employee motivation at work
2. Select Aspect
of Research Area
• Reward as a motivator at work
3. Brainstorm
Research
Questions
• What types of rewards? Does it motivate? How much
motivation? What is the impact of change? How should
policies be implemented?
4. Select
Research
Question(s)
• What reward policies are used by Global Organisations
to motivate line managers to manage their teams?
Which are the most effective? How should they be
implemented?
6 Steps to Refine Research Questions
Research questions should:
1. Be Clear – understandable to you and others
2. Re researchable – relevant data is collectable
3. Relate to established theory and research – base your research
question on existing knowledge and show your contribution to
knowledge and understanding
4. Linked to each other – supports the development of an argument
5. Have potential to contribute to existing knowledge
6. Be neither too broad or too narrow
Source: Bryman & Bell (2007)
Designing your Methodology
Decisions to be made in your research design include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
The purpose of the study
The unit of analysis (population to be studied)
Consideration of how much researcher interference
The time horizon
The type of investigation
The setting for the study
Source:
Sekaran (2000)
Managing your Research Project
OCT
NOV
DEC
JAN
FEB
MAR
xxx
Identify research area
Formulate research questions
Design research methodology
Write research proposal
21st
Arrange access to sample
Write literature review
Collect data
Analyse data
First draft research report
Second draft research report
Deadline
31st
Samples
A good sample can be defined as:
• Chosen at random
• Large enough to satisfy the research goals
• Unbiased
In order to be able to generalise your findings from your sample to the
population from which it was selected, the sample must be
representative Bryman & Bell (2010:182).
Research Ethics
Research involving human subjects must be carried out in
accordance with accepted ethical standards.
These include:
• Justification
• Access to participants
• Informed consent
• Potential harm to participants
• Participants’ rights
• Conflicts of interest
Please see the CULC Research Ethics Policy.
Being a Reflexive Practitioner
The aims of reflexivity include:
‘An acknowledgement
of the implications
and significance of
a researcher’s choices
as designer, observer and
writer.’
-
-
-
Examine your unconscious
reactions to the research
methodology
Explore the dynamic between
the researcher and the
researched
Understand the role of the
researcher in the construction
of knowledge
What are we going to cover next?
• In our next Knowledgecast, we will look at:
• Evaluate current academic, self-marketing and personal skills and
present a plan for developing skills
• Identify the key skills and competencies involved in designing and
undertaking relevant business and management research
Knowledgecast Summary
In this Knowledgecast, we have looked at:
• Discuss the value of reflection and self-evaluation as a learner
– The skills and mindset to become a reflexive practitioner
• Identify the key skills and competencies involved in designing and
undertaking relevant business and management research
– The research stages from problem identification to the construction of
knowledge
• Evaluate own skills, competencies and attitudes required for a
successful work experience
– Prepare your own skills and knowledge to carry out business and management
research
Seminar: Research Questions
1.
Identifying a Research Question
2.
The Burning Issue Brainstorm
3.
Be ready to present your response to:
•
•
•
What worked well?
What would you do differently next time?
What were the factors that influenced your choice of research
questions?
Seminar: Identify Your Research Question
Puzzles &
contradictions
Disagree
with
theories
Topics from
previous
modules
Gap in the
literature
My
Burning
Question
Gap
between
theory and
reality
Anticommon
sense
Tutors and
Supervisors
Reasons
for
differences
Personal
experience
Based on:
Bryman & Bell (2007)
Group Activity: Research Plans
1. Create a project plan to deliver your Burning Issue Research
Project
2. Present your project plan to the group
3.
Be ready to present your response to:
•
•
•
What worked well?
What would you do differently next time?
What were the factors that influenced your decisions?
Managing your Research Project
OCT
NOV
DEC
JAN
FEB
MAR
xxx
Identify research area
Formulate research questions
Design research methodology
Write research proposal
21st
Arrange access to sample
Write literature review
Collect data
Analyse data
First draft research report
Second draft research report
Deadline
31st