200 Chapter 4

1

The Research ProcessSteps 1 to 3

CHAPTER 4

2

Chapter Objectives1. Identify the steps in the research process.2. Identify problem areas that are likely to be

studied in organizations3. Discuss how problem areas can be

identified 4. State research problems clearly and

precisely5. Develop relevant and comprehensive

bibliographies for any research topic6. Write a literature review on any given topic7. Apply all you have learned to a project that

might be assigned

3

The Steps of the Research Process

4

Steps 1 to 3

The broad problem area Preliminary data gathering Problem definition

5

Broad Problem Area

The broad problem area refers to the entire situation where one sees a possible need for research and problem solving. Such issues might pertain to:

1. Problems currently existing in an organizational setting that need to be solved. →

6

Broad Problem Area

2. Areas that a manager believes needs to be improved in the organization.

3. A conceptual or theoretical issue that needs to be tightened up for the basic researcher to understand certain phenomena.

4. Some research questions that a basic researcher wants to answer empirically.

7

Example of a Problem Currently Existing

A manager might receive written complains from women in some departments that they are not being “treated right” by the bosses.

8

Example of a Problem Currently Existing (Cont.)

From the generalized nature of these complains, the manager might become aware that he is facing a gender-related problem situation, but may not be able to pinpoint what exactly it is.

This matter calls for further investigation before the exact problem can be identified and attempts are made to resolve it.

9

Example of a Problem Requiring Improvement

If a company has already formulated policies on discrimination and sexual harassment, and legitimate complains of discrimination continue to come in.

It is obvious from the above problem, that the policies are ambiguous and need to be redefined either in how they have been framed, how they are understood, or how they are enforced.

10

Examples of Broad Problem Areas that Could be Observed at the Work Place

Training programs are perhaps not as effective as anticipated.

The sales volume of a product is not picking up.

Inventory control is not effective Some members in organization are not

advancing in their careers. The introduction of flexible work hours

has created more problems than it has solved in many companies.

11

Preliminary Data Collection The nature of data to be gathered could

be classified under three headings:1. Background information of the

organization.2. Managerial philosophy, company

policies, and other structural aspects.3. Perceptions, attitudes, and behavioral

responses of organizational members and client systems.

12

Preliminary Data Collection The background details of the company

can be obtained from available published records, the web site of the company.

Company policies, procedures, and rules can be obtained from the organization’s records and documents.

Data gathered through such existing sources are called secondary data.

13

Preliminary Data Collection Secondary data, are data that

already exist and do not have to be collected by the researcher.

Some secondary sources of data are statistical bulletins, government publications, information published or unpublished and available from either within or outside the organization, library records, data available from previous research, online data, web sites, and the Internet.

14

Preliminary Data Collection Other types of information such as the

perceptions and attitudes of employees are best obtained by talking to them; by observing events, people, and objects; or by administering questionnaires to individuals.

Such data gathered for research from the actual site of occurrence of events

are called primary data.

15

Employees’ Perceptions, Attitudes, and Behavioral Responses

The attitudinal and behavioral responses can be tapped by talking to the employees, observing them, and seeking their responses through questionnaires.

A general idea of people’s perceptions of their work, the organizational climate, and other aspects of interest to the researcher can be obtained through both unstructured and structured interviews with the respondents.

16

Literature Survey

Literature survey is the documentation of a comprehensive review of the published and unpublished work from secondary sources of data in the areas of specific interest to the researcher.

17

Literature Survey

The library is a rich storage base for secondary data through books, journals, newspapers, magazines, conference proceedings, doctoral dissertations, master’s theses, government publications, and financial marketing, and other reports.

18

Literature Survey

The computerized databases is now readily available and accessible, which makes the literature search much easier, and can be done without entering the portals of a library building.

19

Reasons for the Literature Survey

1. Helps to find the important variables that are likely to influence the problem situation are not left out of the study.

2. Helps the development of the theoretical framework and hypotheses for testing.

3. The problem statement can be made with precision and clarity.

20

Reasons for the Literature Survey

4. Testability and replicability of the findings of the current research are enhanced.

5. One does not run the risk of wasting efforts on trying to rediscover something that is already known.

6. The problem investigated is perceived by the scientific community as relevant and significant.

21

Conducting the Literature Survey

The literature review needs to be done on the specific issues of concern to the researcher and the factors identified during the interview process.

The first step in this process involves identifying the various published and unpublished materials that are available on the topics of interest, and gaining access to these.

22

Conducting the Literature Survey

The second step is gathering the relevant information either by going through the necessary materials in a library or by getting access to online sources.

The third step is writing up the literature review.

23

Identifying the Relevant Sources

There are three forms of databases:

1. The bibliographic databases, which display only the bibliographic citations, that is, the name of the author, the title of the article (book), source of publication, year, volume, and page numbers.

24

Identifying the Relevant Sources

2. The abstract databases, which in addition provide an abstract or summary of the articles.

3. The full-text databases, which provide the full text of the article.

Databases are also available for obtaining statistics- marketing, financial, and so on- and directories are organized by subject, title, geographic location, trade opportunities, industrial plants, and so on.

25

Identifying the Relevant Sources Online search provides the following

advantages:1. Saving enormous amount of time.2. Are comprehensive in their listing and

review of references.3. The researcher can focus on materials

most central to the research efforts.4. Finding access to references is

relatively inexpensive.

26

Extracting the Relevant Information

Accessing the online system and getting a printout of all the published works in the area of interest from the bibliographical index will provide a comprehensive bibliography on the subject, which will form the basis for the next step.

27


From the bibliography on the subject, the researcher should do the followings:

A look at the titles of the articles or books will indicate which of these may be important.

The abstract of such articles that seem to be relevant will give an idea of the article that need to be looked into in depth.

The full text of which can then be printed out.

28


While reading these articles, take notes about the problem that was researched, the design details of the study (such as the sample size and data collection methods), and the ultimate findings of the study.

These notes will facilitates the writing up of the literature review with maximum efficiency.

29

Writing Up the Literature Review

The documentation of the relevant studies citing the author and the year of the study is called literature review or literature survey.

The literature survey is a clear and logical presentation of the relevant research work done thus far in the area of investigation.

30


The purpose of the literature survey is: To identify and highlight the important

variables. To document the significant findings

from earlier research that will serve as the foundation on which the theoretical framework for the current investigation can be built and the hypotheses developed.

31


Such documentation is important to convince the reader that:

1. The researcher is knowledgeable about the problem area.

2. The theoretical framework will be structured on work already done and will add to the solid foundation of exiting knowledge.

32

accepted methods of citing references in the literature survey section

There are several accepted methods of citing references in the literature survey section and using quotation.

The Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association

(APA) (2001) offers detailed information regarding citations,

quotations, references and so on.

33

Examples of Literature Surveys: Example 4.1

Risk-Taking Behaviors and Organizational Outcomes

Managers handle risks and face uncertainties in different ways. Some of these styles are functional and others adversely impact on corporate performance. Living in times of dramatic organizational changes, and with the company performance varying vastly in this turbulent environment, it is important to investigate risk-taking behaviors of managers and organizational outcomes.

34

Examples of Literature Surveys

A vast body of knowledge exists regarding risk-taking behaviors in decision making. Some studies have shown that the context that surrounds the decision maker exerts an influence on the extent of risk the individual is prepared to take ( Shpira, 1995; Starbuck and Milken, 2000). Other studies, such as those done by Sankar (1997) and Velcher (1998) indicate that the position of the risk taker is the result of group effort.

35


Additionally, MacCrimmon and Wehrung (1995, 1998, 2001) suggest that the differences in the measurement tools used in research studies account for the differences in the findings of managerial risk attitudes.

36


From the above example, notice the followings:

1. It first introduces the subject of risk-taking behaviors and

corporate performance, and why it is important topic to be studied.

37


2. It indicates the important factors to be considered in the research, which

would enable the researcher to formulate a theory, based on which hypotheses can be formulated and

tested.3. Report the citations in the body of

the research by mentioning the family names and the year of

publication only.

38

االصول الفكرية والمعلوماتية في اتخاذ القرار االداري من قبل

مديري المدارس في االردن

من التحديات التي تواجه اتخاذ القراراتتعد عملية التنظيمات االدارية وعلى مختلف المستويات. فهي عملية تتعامل مع متغيرات ال ترتبط بالمجال التنظيمي فحسب,

وانما تخرج عنه لتأخذ بنظر االعتبار البيئة المحيطة به, والضغوط االجتماعية والقوى الخارجية التي تؤثر وتتأثر

).1992بها (حسبة, ومع اتساع نطاق التكنولوجيا والحاسوب نالحظ ارتفاع

قدرة تقنيات المعلومات واالتصال في ادارة التنظيمات. وهنا تبرز الحاجة الى تطوير سلوكيات متخذي القرارات

ليكون باستطاعتهم التعامل مع التطبيقات المختلفة ).1998لتكنولوجيا المعلومات (عبد الوهاب وشيحا,

39

Problem Definition

A problem does not necessarily mean that something is seriously wrong with a current situation that needs to be solved immediately.

40

Problem Definition

A problem is any situation where a gap exists between the actual

and the desired ideal states. It could pertain to:

1 .existing business problems where a manager is looking for a solution.

41

Problem Definition

2. situations that may not pose any current problems but which the manager feels

have scope for improvement.3. areas where some conceptual clarity is

needed for better theory building.4. situations in which a researcher is trying

to answer a research question empirically because of interest in the

topic.

42

Problem Definition

The first two fall within the realm of applied research, and the latter two under basic research.

43

Examples of Well-Defined Problems

Has the new advertising message resulted in enhanced recall?

How do price and quality rate on consumers' evaluation of products?

44


What network system is best suited for Yarmouk University?

What are the components of "quality of life"?

What are the effects of downsizing on the long-range growth patterns of companies?

45


مديرو عليها يعتمد التي الفكرية االصول هي مااالدارية؟ القرارات اتخاذ في المدارس

التي المعلوماتية المصادر استخدامات مستوى مااالدارية؟ القرارات اتخاذ في العربية الجامعات تعتمدها

في المكلفين بين الضريبي الوعي نشر يساهم هلتقليل

االردن؟ في الدخل ضريبة مقدري تواجه التي المشاكل الجامعي؟ التعليم فاعلية في تؤثر التي العوامل هي ما

46

The Distinction Between Bibliography and References.

A bibliography is the listing of the work that is relevant to the main topic of research interest arranged in the alphabetical order of the last names of the authors.

47

The Distinction Between Bibliography and References.

A reference list is a subset of the bibliography, which includes details of all the citations used in the literature survey and elsewhere in the paper, arranged again, in the alphabetical order of the last names of the authors. These citations have the goals of crediting the author and enabling the reader to find the works cited.

48

Format for ReferencingRelevant Articles

At least three modes of referencing are followed in business research. These are based on the format provided on the publication manual of the American Psychological Association (APA) (2001), the Chicago Manual of Style (1993), and the Turabian Style (1996).

49

Format for ReferencingRelevant Articles

Each of these manuals specifies how books, journals, newspapers, dissertations, and other materials are to be referenced in manuscripts.

In this course, we will follow the APA format for referencing books, journals, newspaper articles, dissertations, and so on.

50

Specimen Format for CitingDifferent Types of References

Book by a single author Leshin, C.B. (1997). Management on

the World Wide Web. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.

Book by more than one author Cornett, M., Wiley, B.J., and Sankar,

S. (1998). The pleasures of nurturing. London: McMunster Publishing.

51


More than one book by the same author in the same year

Roy, A. (1998a). Trade theory. New York: McMillian Publishing Enterprises.

Roy, A. (1998b). Traditional Trade. San Francisco, CA: Jossey Bamar.

52


Journal Article Barry, H. (1996). Cross-cultural research

with matched pairs of societies. Journal of Social Psychology, 79, 25-33.

Jeanquart, S., & Peluchette, J. (1997). Diversity in the workforce and management models, Journal of Social Work Studies, 43, 72-85.

53


Conference proceedings Publication

Yeshwant, M. (1998). Revised thinking on Indian philosophy and religion. In S. Pennathur (Ed.), Proceedings of the Ninth International Conference on Religion, (pp. 100-107). Bihar, India: Bihar University.

54


Doctoral/Master Dissertations

Kiren, R.S. (1997). Medical advances and quality of life. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Omaha State University.

55


Paper Presentation at Conference

Bajaj, L. S. (1996, March 13). Practical tips for efficient work management. Paper presented at the annual meeting of Enterpreneurs, San Jose, CA.

56


Unpublished Manuscript

Pringle, P. S. (1991). Training and development in the 90s'. Unpublished manuscript, Southern Illinois University, Diamondale, IL.

57


Newspaper Article The new GM pact. ( 1998, July 28).

Concord Tribune, p.1.Referencing Electronic Sources Author, I. (1998). Technology and

immediacy of information [On-line] Available http://www.bnet.act.com

58

Examples of the Referencing In the Literature Review Section:

When a work is authored by two individuals, always cite both names every time the reference occurs in the text.

When a work has more than two authors but fewer than six authors, cite all authors the first time the reference occurs, and subsequently include only the surname of the first author followed by "et al." as the example in the next slide:

59


• Sekaran, U., Martin, T., Trafton, N., and Osborn, R.N., (1980) found…….(first citation).

• Sekaran et al. (1980) found…… ….(subsequent citation).

60


When a work is authored by six or more individuals, cite only the surname of the first author followed by et al. and the year for the first and subsequent citations.

Join the names in a multiple-author citation in running text by the word and. In parenthetical material, in tables, and in the reference list, join the names by an ampersand (&). Examples are in next slide

61


As Tucker and Snell (1989) pointed out…..

As has been pointed out (Tucker & Snell, 1989),…….

62


When a work's author is designated as "Anonymous", cite in text, the word Anonymous followed by a comma and the date: (Anonymous, 1979). In the reference list, an anonymous work is alphabetized by the word Anonymous.

63


When the same author has several works published in the same year, cite them in the same order as they occur in the reference list, with the in press citations coming last. For example:

• Research on the mental health of dual- career family members (Sekaran, 1985a, 1985b, 1985c, 1999, in press) indicates…

64


When more than one author has to be cited in the text, these should be in the alphabetical order of the first author's surname, and the citations should be separated by semicolons as the example below:

• In the job design literature (Aldag & Brief, 1976; Alderfer, 1977; Beatty, 1982; Jeanquart, 1998),…..

65

Quotations in Text

Quotations should be given exactly as they appear in the source. The original wording, punctuation, spelling, and italics must be preserved.

66

Quotations in Text

The citation of the source of a direct quotation should always include the page number(s) as well as reference

67

Quotations in Text

Use three ellipsis points (…) to indicate that you have omitted material from the original source.

68

Quotations in Text

If the quotation is of more than 40 words, set in a free-standing style starting on a new line and indenting the left margin a further five spaces.

Example: In trying to differentiate dual-earner and dual –career

families, Sekaran (1986) states:

Various terms are used to refer to dual-earner families: dual-worker families, two-paycheck families, dual-income families, two-job families, and so on. Spouses in dual-earner families may both hold jobs, or one of the partners may hold a job while the other pursues a career…

69

Quotations in Text

If you intend publishing an article in which you have quoted extensively from the copyrighted work, it is important to seek written permission from the owner of the copyright.

70

Chapter 4 Questions

While Chrysler’s minivans, pickups, and sports utilities take a big share at the truck market, its cars trail behind those of General Motors, Ford, Honda, and Toyota. Quality problems include, among other things water leaks and defective parts

( Business Week, No.10, 2007).

71

Answer the following questions

1. Identify the broad problem area. 2. Define the problem? 3. Explain how you would proceed

further.

72

Answers

1. The broad problem is that the Chrysler cars are lagging in market share.

2. The problem statement: How can the market share of Chrysler cars be improved?

73

answers

3. It is best to interview the users of GM, Ford, Honda, and Toyota car users and obtain from them their reaction – both positive and negative- to the cars they use, and why they prefer them.

Similar reactions from the users of Chrysler cars should also be gathered. One should proceed further based on the analysis of these responses.

74

الدراسات توثيق كيفية حول أسئلة

في باالرقام الواردة الدراسات وثق: التالية البحثية الفقرات متن

في االردني الفرد اسهام معدل انالى يصل العلمي البحث على االنفاق

5 , الذي الوقت في سنويا دوالراتاالنفاق في الفرد مساهمة فيه تبلغ

العلمي البحث سنويا 1000على دوالراالمريكية ) المتحدة الواليات (.1في

75

العلمي( 2وارجع ) البحث مستويات تدنيعدم أهمها عوامل مجموعة الى محليا

القرار صناعة في العلمي البحث تقدير , المخصصات وضعف وسياسيا اقتصاديا

. البحث الغراض الماليةالبحوث( 3أكد ) على التكيز ضرورة على

االنتاج تحسين الى تهدف التي العلميةوخاصة الطبيعية المصادر استخدام وتطوير

. والصناعة والزراعة المياه مجال في

76

دراسة ) أكدت الشركات( 4لقد انتولي التي تلك هي نجاحا االكثر

, انه سيما ال اهماما العلمي للبحثاليه توصلت ما اخر تقديم في يسهم

, الوقت في الشركات لهذه العلومالدراسة ) فيه تثبت ثمة( 5الذي ان

المالي االداء تحسن بين عالقة. العلمي البحث على واالنفاق

77

المراجع

( 1 : المؤلف( Nial Bolgerاسم

: البحث The Effect ofاسمResearch on Productivity.

: المجلة Management Journalاسم : النشر وتاريخ ,Vol.69 No.5عدد

2006

: 35- 20الصفحات

78

( 2 : عبد( رفعت محمد المؤلف اسم. شيحا العزيز عبد ابراهيم و الوهاب , : العامة االدارة اصول الكتاب اسم

. الجامعية: المطبوعات دار مصر : 2003السنة

. : الثانية الطبعة : 311الصفحة

79

( 3 : المؤلف( Daniel A. Girdanoاسم

George S. EverlyDorothy E. Dusek

: البحث ControllingاسمProductivity

: المجلة Applied Economicsاسم

: والتاريخ Vol.2, no.1, 2001العدد

: 30- 15الصفحات

80

( 4 ) , , : محمد و الشريف علي بدوي محمد المؤلف اسمالشامي.

: زيادة في تساعد التي العوامل البحث اسمالتنافسية.

:) ( : االدارية العلوم دراسات المجلة 44- 30اسم

: المجلد والتاريخ 2004, 2العدد, 20العدد

( 5 : المؤلف( Jordan Investment Boardاسم

: البحث Investing in Jordanاسم

: والتاريخ 2000العدد

www.jordaninvestment.com

81

الدراسة متن في المراجع توثيق

البحث على االنفاق في االردني الفرد اسهام معدل انالى يصل , 5العلمي الذي الوقت في سنويا دوالرات

البحث على االنفاق في الفرد مساهمة فيه تبلغالمتحدة 1000العلمي الواليات في سنويا دوالر

(.Bolger, 2006) االمريكية

, وارجع وشيحا) الوهاب تدني (311صفحة, 2003عبدعوامل مجموعة الى محليا العلمي البحث مستويات

القرار صناعة في العلمي البحث تقدير عدم أهمها , المالية المخصصات وضعف وسياسيا اقتصاديا

. البحث الغراض

82

الدراسة متن في المراجع توثيق) تابع)

على( Girdano et. al, 2001أكد ) التكيز ضرورة علىوتطوير االنتاج تحسين الى تهدف التي العلمية البحوث

المياه مجال في وخاصة الطبيعية المصادر استخدام . والصناعة والزراعة

, واخرون ) بدوي دراسة أكدت الشركات( 2004لقد ان , ال اهماما العلمي للبحث تولي التي تلك هي نجاحا االكثر

العلوم اليه توصلت ما اخر تقديم في يسهم انه سيما , الدراسة فيه تثبت الذي الوقت في الشركات لهذه

(Jordan Investment Board, 2000 )عالقة ثمة ان. العلمي البحث على واالنفاق المالي االداء تحسن بين

83

قائمة في السابقة المراجع توثيقالمراجع

العربية المراجع , الشامي ومحمد الشريف؛ على محمد؛ بدوي

(2004 . التنافسية(. زيادة في تساعد التي العوامل ,) االدارية ) العلوم .44-30(: 2)20دراسات

, العزيز عبد وابراهيم رفعت محمد الوهاب عبد, 2003شيحا ) , الثانية(. الطبعة العامة االدارة أصول

. , مصر الجامعية المطبوعات دار

84

قائمة في السابقة المراجع توثيق) تابع ) المراجع

االجنبية المراجع 1.Bolger, Nial (2006). The Effect of Research

on Productivity. Management Journal, 69(5): 20-35.

2.Girdano, Daniel A.; George S. Everly; and Dorothy E. Dusek (2001). Controlling Productivity, Applied Economics, 2(1): 15-30.

3. Jordan Investment Board (2000). Investing in Jordan. www.jordaninvestment.com.

Documents

200 Chapter 4