Research Overview

Chapter 1. Nature of Research

1.1. Why Business Research is Needed

To make a decision on business strategy To analyze market To understand and predict demand To learn about competition To improve marketing and sales efforts To introduce new products and services For many other reasons

1.2. Defining Research

1.2.1. What is Involved in Research

A research involves the following:

What is Involved in Research Activity What Kind Why observation inquiry investigation logical inference experimentation examination simulation objective systemic studious logical critical diligent exhaustive orderly to discover new knowledge to revise accepted principles or conclusions to avoid status quo

1.2.2. What is Research

Thus Research is

A systematic, studious inquiry to discover facts, to find new truths, and to avoid status quo. An orderly, exhaustive investigation to revise accepted principles or conclusions. A diligent, objective examination to find new truths and revise accepted principles or conclusions. Other …

1.2.3. Is There a Better Definition of Research?

One important element in research is that of curiosity!

Research requires of a person an attitude of inquisitiveness:

I wonder how … I wonder why … I wonder what … I wonder where … I wonder …

The researcher seeks to know reasons and causes behind events and behavior.

Research is an activity characterized by intellectual curiosity, using systematic planning to collect facts, performing objective analysis through logical thinking, and ending with a new truth or verification of an existing one.

Any Research starts with a question, an answer to which is unknown or not easily available.

Just collecting facts or data is a step in research rather than a complete research. Research must turn the facts and data into knowledge that includes relationship of new facts and data with the existing facts and data, explanations, and logical conclusions.

1.3. Fundamental and Applied Research

1.3.1. Definition of Fundamental and Applied Research

Research can be characterized by a wide range of goals, purposes, meaning and activities.

Traditionally, research has been classified by the researcher’s goal or purpose for undertaking research – that of fundamental or applied research:

Fundamental research is characterized as having a major goal of a deeper understanding of the universe and the processes in it. Applied research is characterized as having a practical goal which can be reached by application of fundamental or other applied knowledge.

1.3.2. Examples of Fundamental and Applied Research

Fundamental Research Applied Research String Theory in Physics Stem Cells in Biology Anthropology Cosmology New methods in Statistics New methods in Mathematics Cognitive Science Human Psychology Fuzzy Logic Game Theory Probabilities Theory of experiment Planning Business research Application of Mathematics for stress analysis Application human psychology for marketing Risk management by application of probabilities  Questionnaires optimization by application of experiment planning for business. Application of Game Theory for research in business strategy Research in Fuzzy Logic for camera automation.

1.3.3. Link Between Fundamental and Applied Research

By knowledge we understand a collection of results of fundamental and applied research. Most fundamental knowledge over time becomes applied knowledge as more results have been accumulated and practical applications of that knowledge become clear. Some fundamental research have been originated from applied research. Thus there is a close relationship between fundamental and applied research.

Fundamental Research Applied Research Mathematical Statistics Sampling research in marketing Cellular Biology Research in treating HIV Nuclear Physics Optimization of nuclear power plants Research in 3D Imaging and object reconstruction Research in 3D Tomography and MRI Geophysics Research on earthquake prediction

1.4. Continuity of Knowledge and Research

The knowledge that the mankind possesses has been accumulated throughout a long time for thousands of years piece by piece adding up on the top of “pyramid of knowledge.” Every new discovery, every new big and even small research results are adding up a piece of new knowledge on the top of the existing pool of knowledge (“pyramid of knowledge.”). Every research, which we conduct, is based on the previously existing knowledge and represents a continuation of knowledge accumulation process. Thus it is very important to be aware of previously conducted research and accumulated knowledge in the area of your research interests in order to provide continuation of knowledge and to do good and valuable research.

1.5. Research vs Search

1.5.1. Research Starts with a Question

Every research starts with a question and consists of the activities to find the answer.

There is no research without a question.

The research is completed, when the answer is found.

A research questions can be phrased as a question or in the form of a statement and is referred to as a “problem statement.”

An answer to the research question is referred to as a “conclusion.”

In the conclusion all questions posed in the problem statement must be addressed (answered).

Conclusion may answer more questions than asked in the problem statement.

1.5.2. Research Starts with a Question

Both, search and research start with a question and consists of the activities to find the answer.

Search is the activity to find an answer to the question if we believe that the answer is already known and somewhere available

Research is the activity to find an answer to the question if we believe that the answer is not yet known.

Both, search and research are completed, when the answer is found.

1.5.3. Every Research is Preceded by a Search

Research is a more complex activity than a search.

Before getting engaged in research, first try to find an answer to the question in a presumption that the answer has already known, i.e. first conduct search.

Thus every research should first be preceded by a search.

1.6. Credible Research

1.6.1. Determining the Nature of Credible Research

With all the definitions of research available, apparently something more is needed.  The wide ranges in quality evident in completed research projects, theses, and dissertations suggest criteria need to be established for credible research.

Credible research means praiseworthy research. It measures up to today’s accepted standards

When is research really research? Does the typical college term paper qualify as research? Does the market survey qualify as research?  Does simulation or model building qualify as research?

The depth of meaning of the word research varies with the person or group, even though the activity or process completed actually meets the broad definition of research given here.

1.6.2. Characteristics of Credible Research

Thus credible research must have a meaningful problem, be purposeful, employ appropriate procedures, have properly supported conclusions stemming from logical analyses, be presented in proper form, and be based upon the scientific method.

Seven Basic Characteristics of credible research:

A meaningful, limited, clearly defined problem. A needed purpose. An appropriate research design. Proper collection and treatment of the data. Original and non-trivial results. Clear and meaningful conclusions derived from the results. A complete, logical, and orderly report and presentation.

Test Questions and Home Tasks

Please provide written answers to the test questions and home tasks and submit them in the beginning of the next class. Late submission will result in the reduction of grade.

Test Questions for Checking Your Knowledge

What is research? With what does research begins and with what does research ends? Is collection of data research? What is the difference between search and research? What is the difference between fundamental and applied research? What comes first, fundamental or applied research? How do fundamental and applied research are related? How do researchers contribute to the pyramid of knowledge? What is credible research? What are the criteria of credible research? What is the difference between search and research?

In all answers provide definitions, elaborate on the concept and provide examples. Feel free to make up the entire example and all data for your examples.

From <http://elearning.lincolnuca.edu/aityan/ba312/01_nature_of_research.html>