1 Slide Research

“Research can be described as a systematic and organized effort to investigate or scientific inquiry of a specific problem that needs a solution or answer”

Importance of Research in Business

To help managers make the right decisions

To help managers clearly define and assess the impact of a problem, big or small

To forecast the future of an organization

To determine a particular trend

To evaluate any marketing strategies

Examples of Research

Employee behaviors such as performance, absenteeism and turnover

Validation of performance appraisal system

Location analysis

Product positioning, product modification or new product development

Use of expert systems in daily decision making

Producing a research paper at degree level is not the same as writing assignments.

A research paper is a piece of academic writing that requires a more critical and thoughtful level of inquiry or investigation than you might be used to.

Doing secondary research i.e. familiarising yourself with the work of “experts” – this process is known as a Literature Review.

Doing a primary research – to build upon what you have already found out about a subject.

Comparing the findings and drawing your own conclusions.

Two purposes:

To generate more knowledge and understanding of the phenomena of interest and to build theories based on the research results.

- Basic or Fundamental Research

Example: The Malaysian public’s perception of the effectiveness of its Police Department in tracking people released on bail.

2. To solve a current problem faced by the manager in the work setting, demanding a timely solution.

- Applied Research

Example: The Police Department has asked a research company to come up with a new system of tracking people released on bail.

Two main types: to analyse or to argue?

Analytical Paper

Argumentative (or Persuasive) Paper

You do research to become an expert on a topic so that you can present the topic from your own perspective.

In the end, you will be able to contribute your own thoughts to the academic discussion by drawing some conclusions about the topic you have analysed.

Your approach here is to take a stand on an issue and use evidence to back-up your stance and not to explore a topic.

Quantitative vs. Qualitative research

Selection of research area

Preliminary information gathering (Secondary Research)

Literature Review

Hypothesising

Further data collection (Primary Research)

Data analysis

Deduction (conclusion)

Benefits of Knowing Research and Research Methods

Able to identify and effectively solve minor problems

Able to differentiate good research from bad research

Appreciate and be aware of the various factors that influences a situation

Allows one to take calculated risk

Enables an effective communication with hired researchers or consultants

Internal and External Consultants/Researchers

Internal

Own consulting or research department within the organization

e.g Management Service Department or R&D Department

External

consultants/research agencies who have had relevant experience in a particular area.

Hired based on project basis

Internal vs. External Consultants/Researchers

Advantages of internal research team

Being readily accepted

Aware of the organization and its missions

Available for implementation and post-evaluation

The cost of an internal team might be lower than the external team

Internal vs. External Consultants/Researchers

Disadvantages of internal research team

May be stereotype due to the long tenure in the organization

Influence is possible by concerned parties within the organization

Not regarded as qualified parties for recommendation

biased

Internal vs. External Consultants/Researchers

Advantages of external research team

Can draw on wealth of experience since they would have worked on various projects and several alternatives in solving the problems

Able to consider various method of research especially current sophisticated problem-solving models

Not biased

Internal vs. External Consultants/Researchers

Disadvantages of external research team

The cost of hiring is high

Time is required for one to understand the organization

Organizational members might not be very cooperative

If implementation and post-evaluation assistance are required then extra charges and charged

2 slide Research and ethics

• Ethics are norms or standards of behavior that guide our behavior and our relationships with others (Cooper and Schindler 2003)

• The goal of ethics in research is to ensure that no one is harmed or suffers adverse consequences from research activities.

• Ethics in Research

• Subject’s/participants rights

• Academic Fraud

• Academia or Researcher’s code of conduct

• To choose whether or not to participate To be aware of opportunity to end participation any time

• To not to receive physical or psychological harm, including stress or deception

• To not to be denied of beneficial treatment

• To privacy (anonymity of results)

• To be informed of the research results

Fabrication

- the actual making up of research data and (the intent of) publishing them

Falsification

• manipulation of research data

• omitting critical data or results

• Plagiarism

• Plagiarism is the use of another person’s work (this could be his or her words, products or ideas) for personal advantage, without proper acknowledgement of the original work.

Code of Ethics for Academia and Researchers

• Honesty:

  • Strive for honesty in all scientific communications. 

  • Honestly report data, results, methods and procedures, and publication status. 

  • Do not fabricate, falsify, or misrepresent data. 

  • Do not deceive colleagues, granting agencies, or the public.

• Objectivity:

  • Strive to avoid bias in experimental design, data analysis, data interpretation, peer review, personnel decisions, grant writing, expert testimony, and other aspects of research where objectivity is expected or required. 

  • Avoid or minimize bias or self-deception. 

  • Disclose personal or financial interests that may affect research. 

• Integrity:

  • Keep your promises and agreements.

  • Act with sincerity.

  • Strive for consistency of thought and action.

• Carefulness:

  • Avoid careless errors and negligence

  • Carefully and critically examine your own work and the work of your peers. 

  • Keep good records of research activities, such as data collection, research design, and correspondence with agencies or journals.

• Openness:

  • Share data, results, ideas, tools, resources. 

  • Be open to criticism and new ideas.

• Respect for Intellectual Property:

  • Honour patents, copyrights, and other forms of intellectual property. 

  • Do not use unpublished data, methods, or results without permission. 

  • Give credit where credit is due.  Give proper acknowledgement or credit for all contributions to research. 

  • Never plagiarize. 

• Confidentiality:

  • Protect confidential communications, such as papers or grants submitted for publication, personnel records, trade or military secrets, and patient records.

• Responsible Publication:

  • Publish in order to advance research and scholarship, not to advance just your own career. 

  • Avoid wasteful and duplicative publication. 

• Responsible Mentoring:

  • Help to educate, mentor, and advise students. 

  • Promote their welfare and allow them to make their own judgments