REVIEW COURSE ON RESEARCH
Research Problem
 unsatisfactory situation in need of solution or improvement
 question needing answer
Sources of problems in business research:
 customer complaints
 conversation with company employees
 observations of inappropriate behavior or conditions
in a firm
 deviation from the business plan
 success of firm’s competitor
 company records and reports
 published materials (which may reveal changes in market or environmental
trends, new government regulations, anticipated changes in the economy
etc.)
Research Problem Title
 does away with “when,” “a study of,” “an
investigation of,” “a research on, “an
analysis of”
 meticulously devised phrase that
conveys the topic (variable) and
population of interest (preferably not
more than 15 words
Wordy: Analysis of Factors Affecting the
Movements of the Philippine Stock
Composite Index, Fiscal Year
1999-2000
Improved: Factors Affecting Movements of
the Philippine Stock Composite
Index
Characteristics of business research:
 almost always applied research
(problem-oriented)
 tends to have shorter time limit
 done in an environment in which
conditions change rapidly
 a for-profit enterprise, so must have cost
limit
THE PARTS OF CHAPTER ONE
(HNU Format)
Rationale
 introduces the general topic of interest
 establishes the scenario
 justifies the need to conduct the study
Theoretical Background
schematic diagram and its brief
explanation
 theories / models that support the
research problem
 legal basis (optional)
 review of related literature and related
studies
 synthesis of the concepts lifted from
theories and studies

What is a theory?
 abstract generalization that presents a view of
a phenomenon which has been verified to
some degree
What is a model?
 symbolic representation of a phenomenon or
a diagram of a theory or conceptual
framework
Example: Goal Theory (The goals we set for
ourselves affect our level of motivation).
Descriptive
• integrated set of concepts
• shows dimensions, characteristics or
commonalities of phenomenon
Theory
Explanatory
• depicts how concepts or phenomena are related
• composed of concepts and propositions
What is a concept?
 mental image of an object or
phenomenon
 word or phrase that labels an abstract but
commonly understood object or
phenomenon
Examples: effectiveness, development,
economic support, productivity,
system etc.
What is a proposition?
 relational statement
 specifies relationship between two or more
concepts
Examples: The systems theory assumes that the
original culture of an organization is
derived from the founder’s philosophy
which influences the criteria used in
hiring (Robbin in Edralin, 2002).
Examples of descriptive theory:
Howard Gardner’s Multiple
Intelligences Theory
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
Examples of explanatory theory/model
Systems and Behavioral Approach in Conflict
Management Model (Flippo, 1994)
- A system is composed of internal subsystems and
external environment which affect conflict in an
organization. In turn, conflict resolution influences
organizational effectiveness.
Demographic Transition Theory (in Padua, 2000)
- Socioeconomic development has a suppressing
effect on natural increase of population.
These theories and models are assembled to create the research framework.
What is a framework?
- A researcher’s perspective about how the concepts and variables in a study fit
together.
Theoretical
-based on existing explanatory theory
-contains propositions
Framework
Conceptual
-set of related concepts assembled because of their relevance to a
phenomenon but lacks propositions
-indicates rudimentary or untested theory
-used when no theory exists and researcher constructs one to
depict relationship
What to do when utilizing a theory?
 specify theory used as basis for the study
 mention the proponents
 cite the main points
 support claims of the theory by ideas from
other experts
 illustrate framework through diagram /
paradigm
 end up by reiterating the researcher’s
theoretical perspective in the study
APPLICATIONS
Research Title: Economic Development in Relation to
the Natural Growth of Population
This study is anchored on the Demographic Transition
Theory which maintains that the decline in the natural
increase in population can be explained by tracing the
socioeconomic development of countries, which
includes a) economic aspect (e.g. income increase); b)
social aspects (e.g. equal distribution of opportunities
for social mobility); c) health aspects (e.g. availability
of advanced medical technology and medicine); and
d) psychological aspects (e.g. enhancement of selfesteem (in Padua, 2000).
General
(Abstract)
Theory : Demographic Transition Theory
Concepts: socioeconomic development, natural increase of population
Propositional Statement: Socioeconomic development has a suppressing
effect on natural increase of population.
Translate Concepts into Variables
Socioeconomic Development = economic development
(per capita income)
Natural Increase of Population = difference between number of
crude births number of crude deaths
Rate of Natural Increase (RNI) = CBR - CDR
Formulate Hypothesis
Specific
(Concrete)
Countries that have high increase in per capita income experience
decline in the natural increase of population.
Research Title:Supervisors’ Human Resource
Management Skills and Personal
Characteristics in Relation to
Supervisory Effectiveness of Food
Centers
Theoretical Framework:
This study is anchored on Parson’s and Merton’s
Personality Systems Theory which maintains that
supervisory effectiveness and organizational
performance is influenced by the human resource
management skills and personal characteristics of
the leader.
General
(Abstract)
Theory : Supervisory effectiveness in influenced by the human resource management
skills and personal characteristics of a leader.
Concepts : supervisory effectiveness
human resource management skills
personal characteristics of a leader
Translate Concepts into Variables
Supervisory Effectiveness = number of complaints, better attendance, high morale of
subordinates, ability of supervisory units to meet deadlines
Human Resource Management Skills = skills in handling conflict, in organizing the right
workforce for the right type of job, in
establishing and maintaining empathy
Personal Characteristics of a Leader = training, years of work experience and mental
ability
Specific
(Concrete)
Formulate Hypothesis
There is a significant correlation between supervisory effectiveness and human resource
management skills measured in the aspects of the leader’s skill in:
a. handling conflict;
b. organizing the right workforce for the right type of job;
c. establishing and maintaining empathy: (variables may be expanded to include)
d. training;
e. years of work experience; and
f. mental ability.
Statement of the Problem
Structure: ▪ general statement of aim(s) or objective(s) containing variable / phenomenon
measured, environment and time
▪ specific questions
Research Designs
Sample Verbs
Descriptive Research
------------------------------------- describe, analyze, determine, illustrate
Exploratory Research
------------------------------------ explore, examine, investigate
Experimental Research ----------------------------------
determine the effects
examine differences
compare the results
analyze the effect
Action Research
develop, propose, suggest, recommend,
determine alternative approaches
identify solutions
formulate policies
----------------------------------
Comparative Research ---------------------------------
compare
determine similarities, differences
Correlational Research ----------------------------------- determine (positive , negative) correlation
ExampleStatement of the Problem
This study compares the volatility
transmission of Philippine peso and
Indonesian rupiah.
Specifically, it answers the following specific
questions:
1. How does peso and rupiah volatility
respond to shocks originating in their
respective countries?
2. Which currency is more dominant in
transmitting volatility to other countries?
3. How did the Asian currency crisis change
the dynamics of volatility transmission
between the peso and rupiah?
4. Is there a significant difference in volatility
transmission between the peso and
rupiah before and during the crisis years?
Criteria in Writing Problem Statement
▪ preferably written in question form
▪ identifies specific area
▪ phrased in workable and manageable terms
▪ unbiased and not emotion-laden
▪ relationship between variables clearly cited
▪ identifies data and technique
▪ stated in correct grammatical forms
The Hypothesis
▪ statement of expected relationship stated in null or
alternative form using the following formats:
Relational format (directional or non-directional
relationships such as difference or
correlation)
Example: There is no significant difference in volatility
transmission between the peso and rupiah before
and during the crisis years.
Explanatory / Causal Format: The Asian financial crisis has
no effect on the volatility of the peso and
the rupiah.
N.B. Hypothesis is required in experimental research but may be
optional in other types of research.
Significance of the Study
▪ brief introduction
▪ description (in concrete terms) who benefited and how
Study–derived benefits may benefit any or all of the following:
Individual Level
Organizational Level
▪ researchers
▪ students
▪ employees
▪ managers
▪ entrepreneurs
▪ firms
▪ industry
▪ associations
▪ schools
▪ funding agencies
Others
▪ government
▪ communities
▪ consumers
▪ suppliers
▪ investors
Example:
Broad: The study will provide information for improving management of hotels.
Specific: The study will provide hotel managers updated information on grievance
procedures that can be used for reviewing and possibly improving the hotels’
present grievance machinery.
Scope and Limitation
▪ indicates study coverage and limitations with
concrete reference to:
√ variables
√ sources of data
√ methods employed in data collection and analysis
√ time frame
√ constraints encountered in the investigation
E.g. non-availability of data, uncooperativeness of
respondents, inability of respondents to recall
accurate responses, confidentiality of some
relevant info
METHODOLOGY
Research Design
General Definition: Schema that maps out the sources of data, type of data to collect,
how data will be collected, methods in data analysis, time
constraints and the environment
HNU Definition: type or category of research according to objective and method of
data collection
Research Design
Descriptive
Correlational
Comparative
Exploratory
Action
Evaluative
Causal / Explanatory
weak
Experimental
quasi
true
Research Environment
▪ identifies the specific place where data will be
collected brief history
▪ may include brief history
▪ states reason for choice of place
▪ provides description of the special features
that relate to the variables / problem
▪ may include geographical sketch or map
Research Respondents
▪ identifies number and characteristics of
respondents
▪ may include table if respondents are
stratified
▪ includes reason(s) for choice of
respondents
▪ the sampling technique
Probability
simple random
stratified random
systematic
multi-stage or cluster
Sampling
Non-probability
quota
purposive / judgment
convenience
accidental
snowball
Research Instrument
▪ technique / tool used to gather data
▪ scoring / measuring system
▪ if test or questionnaire it includes
description of what the part
measures
▪ validation technique
▪ if standardized or borrowed indicate how
permission was secured
Types:
Questionnaire
Interview Schedule
Observation Form
Opinionaires
Inventories
Document Analysis Forms
Sociometric
Achievement Tests
Aptitude Tests
Ability Test
Interest
Projective Tests
Electronic Tools
Data Gathering Procedure
Steps:
Preparatory Process
1. Ask permission well in advance.
2. Send a copy of the outline of the research proposal and
instruments.
3. Research proposal and instruments.
4. Time the visit to cover all aspects.
5. Ensure sufficient copies plus extras.
Arrival in the Research Environment
1. Report to the head of the institution.
2. Involve them in the research (if possible).
3. Be tactful at all times.
4. Fit into their normal schedules.
5. Check that equipment is in good working order.
6. Thank them for their assistance.
In the Field Setting
1. Put respondents at ease.
2. Reassure them that it is not an examination.
3. Tell them that responses will be confidential.
4. Tell them the aims of the study (if appropriate).
5. Ensure an easy rapport.
6. Answer any questions or queries.
Definition of Terms
Conceptual – “thinking” or dictionary based
Operational – describes how variables are measured
Example:
Job Satisfaction
The term refers to a “set of favorable or unfavorable feelings and emotions with
which employees view their work” (Newton and Davis, 1993). To measure the
level of job satisfaction of survivors, specific satisfaction, scales of the job
diagnostic survey were utilized in the Attitude Questionnaire, wherein
respondents were asked to rate on a 7-point Likert scale (1 = extremely
dissatisfied to 7 = extremely satisfied) their feelings towards the different aspects
of jobs) namely, job security, pay and compensation, peer and co-workers,
supervision and opportunity for personal growth and development.
Note: Only the variables and key terms in the title and statement of the problem are
included the definition of terms. Other terms are defined or described in parts where they
are found.