Research Methods for Business

by Sekaran, Uma

• ISBN13: 9780471331667
• ISBN10: 047133166X
• Edition: 3rd
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1999-08-01
• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons Inc

Summary

Make Better Managerial Decisions Through Scientific Research! With the third edition, you'll gain the skills necessary to carry out research projects that will greatly improve decision making for all areas of business. Through its clear and straightforward presentation of ideas, you'll learn the practical usefulness of business research to managers. And you'll easily be able to focus on the theory behind scientific research and immediately apply it to research projects. Key Features of the Third Edition * A new chapter on Technology and Business Research highlights the use of the Internet and Intranet, e-mail, enterprise resource planning, video conferencing, data mining, and more. * New Managerial Relevance sections are integrated throughout the text to provide a real-world perspective on how research is applied in actual business situations. * The use of software for data collection, data analysis, and report presentation is fully explained. The uses of SPSS and EXCEL for data analysis are comprehensively illustrated. * Ethical issues relating to research and the aspects of business, data collection, and data analysis are integrated throughout the book * Examples and projects throughout each chapter help build the essential skills for managerial success. * The issues in cross-national research in sampling and data collection are thoroughly discussed. * The qualitative-quantitative aspects of research are brought together through a case study on the final chapter.

Author Biography

Uma Sekaran is Professor Emerita of Management, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale

Table of Contents

Introduction to Research	1	(18)
What Is Research?	2	(1)
The Excitement of Research and Why Managers Should Know about Research	3	(1)
Business Research	3	(3)
Definition of Research	4	(1)
Research and the Manager	4	(2)
Types of Business Research: Applied and Basic	6	(4)
Applied Research	7	(1)
Basic or Fundamental Research	8	(2)
Managers and Research	10	(1)
The Manager and the Consultant-Researcher	11	(2)
How to Locate and Select a Researcher	12	(1)
The Manager-Researcher Relationship	12	(1)
Internal versus External Consultants/Researchers	13	(3)
Advantages of Internal Consultants/Researchers	14	(1)
Disadvantages of Internal/Researchers	14	(1)
External Consultants/Researchers	15	(1)
Knowledge About Research and Managerial Effectiveness	16	(1)
Ethics and Business Research	17	(1)
Summary	17	(1)
Discussion Questions and Points to Ponder	17	(2)
Scientific Investigation	19	(17)
The Hallmarks of Scientific Research	21	(4)
Purposiveness	21	(1)
Rigor	21	(1)
Testability	22	(1)
Replicability	22	(1)
Precision and Confidence	23	(1)
Objectivity	23	(1)
Generalizability	24	(1)
Parsimony	25	(1)
Some Obstacles to Conducting Scientific Research in the Management Area	25	(1)
The Building Blocks of Science	26	(2)
Deduction and Induction	26	(2)
The Hypothetico-Deductive Method	28	(6)
The Seven-Step Process in the Hypothetico-Deductive Method	28	(3)
Two Examples of the Application of the Hypothetico-Deductive Method in Organizations	31	(3)
Review of the Hypothetico-Deductive Method	34	(1)
Summary	34	(1)
Discussion Questions and Points to Ponder	34	(2)
Computer Technology and Business Research	36	(16)
Information Needs in Business	38	(1)
Computer Technology and Business	38	(1)
Advantages of Computers	39	(1)
PC Applications Using Software	40	(3)
Groupware	41	(1)
Neural Networks	41	(1)
CAM/CAD	41	(1)
ERP	41	(1)
Data Analytic Software Programs	42	(1)
Growth of Core Business Applications of the PC	43	(2)
The Internet and the Intranet	43	(1)
Browsers	44	(1)
Web Sites	44	(1)
Electronic Mail (e-mail)	45	(1)
Other PC Advances Useful to Business, Research, and Data Presentation	45	(1)
The Role of Information Systems in Managerial Decision Making	46	(1)
Data Warehousing, Data Mining, and Decision Support	47	(1)
Management Information System	48	(1)
The Future of Computer Technology	49	(1)
Managerial Implications of Technological Advancements	49	(1)
Ethics in Handling Information Technology	50	(1)
Summary	50	(1)
Discussion Questions and Points to Ponder	50	(2)
The Research Process: Steps 1 to 3: The Broad Problem Area, Preliminary Data Gathering, Problem Definition	52	(37)
The Research Process for Applied and Basic Research	53	(2)
Broad Problem Area	55	(1)
Preliminary Data Collection	56	(5)
Nature of Data to Be Collected	56	(1)
Background Information of the Organization	57	(1)
Information on Structural Factors and Management Philosophy	58	(1)
Perceptions, Attitudes, and Behavioral Responses	59	(2)
Literature Survey	61	(6)
Reasons for Literature Survey	61	(2)
Conducting the Literature Survey	63	(1)
Identifying the Relevant Sources	63	(1)
Extracting the Relevant Information	64	(1)
Writing up the Literature Review	64	(1)
Examples of Two Literature Surveys	65	(2)
Problem Definition	67	(2)
Examples of Well-Defined Problems	68	(1)
Managerial Implications	69	(1)
Ethical Issues in the Preliminary Stages of Investigation	69	(1)
Summary	70	(1)
Discussion Questions and Points to Ponder	70	(1)
Practice Projects	71	(1)
Appendix	72	(17)
Some On-Line Databases Useful for Business Research	72	(3)
Bibliographical Indexes	75	(2)
APA Format for Referencing Relevant Articles	77	(2)
Referencing and Quotation in the Literature Review Section	79	(2)
Frequently Cited Business Journals	81	(8)
The Research Process: Steps 4 and 5: Theoretical Framework Hypothesis Development	89	(31)
The Need for a Theoretical Framework	90	(1)
Variables	90	(12)
Types of Variables	92	(5)
The Distinction Between an Independent Variable and a Moderating Variable	97	(2)
Intervening Variable	99	(3)
Theoretical Framework	102	(6)
The Components of the Theoretical Framework	102	(2)
Theoretical Framework for Example 5.13	104	(4)
Hypotheses Development	108	(6)
Definition of Hypothesis	108	(1)
Statement of Hypothesis: Formats	108	(1)
Directional and Nondirectional Hypotheses	109	(1)
Null and Alternate Hypotheses	110	(4)
Hypothesis Testing with Qualitative Research: Negative Case Analysis	114	(3)
Summary	117	(1)
Discussion Questions and Points to Ponder	117	(1)
Practice Project	118	(2)
The Research Process: Step 6: Elements of Research Design	120	(24)
The Research Design	121	(2)
The Purpose of the Study: Exploratory, Descriptive, Hypothesis Testing (Analytical and Predictive), Case Study Analysis	123	(6)
Exploratory Study	123	(2)
Descriptive Study	125	(2)
Hypotheses Testing	127	(1)
Case Studies	128	(1)
Review of the Purpose of the Study	129	(1)
Type of Investigation: Causal versus Correlational	129	(2)
Extent of Researcher Interference with the Study	131	(2)
Study Setting: Contrived and Noncontrived	133	(2)
Unit of Analysis: Individuals, Dyads, Groups, Organizations, Cultures	135	(3)
Time Horizon: Cross-Sectional versus Longitudinal Studies	138	(2)
Cross-Sectional Studies	138	(1)
Longitudinal Studies	139	(1)
Review of Elements of Research Design	140	(1)
Managerial Implications	140	(1)
Summary	141	(1)
Discussion Questions and Points to Ponder	141	(1)
Exercises	142	(2)
Experimental Designs	144	(32)
The Laboratory (Lab) Experiment and the Field Experiment	147	(1)
The Lab Experiment	147	(1)
Control	147	(1)
Manipulation of the Independent Variable	148	(1)
Controlling the Contaminating Exogenous or ``Nuisance'' Variables	149	(2)
Matching Groups	149	(1)
Randomization	150	(1)
Internal Validity	151	(1)
External Validity or Generalizability of Lab Experiments	152	(1)
The Field Experiment	152	(1)
External Validity	153	(1)
Trade-Off between Internal and External Validity	153	(1)
Factors Affecting Internal Validity	154	(4)
History Effects	154	(1)
Maturation Effects	155	(1)
Testing Effects	155	(1)
Instrumentation Effects	156	(1)
Selection Bias Effects	157	(1)
Statistical Regression	157	(1)
Mortality	158	(1)
Identifying Threats to Internal Validity	158	(2)
Internal Validity in Case Studies	160	(1)
Factors Affecting External Validity	160	(1)
Review of Factors Affecting Internal and External Validity	161	(1)
Types of Experimental Designs and Internal Validity	161	(5)
Quasi-Experimental Designs	161	(2)
True Experimental Designs	163	(1)
Solomon Four-Group Design and Threats to Internal Validity	164	(2)
Double-Blind Studies	166	(1)
Ex Post Facto Designs	166	(1)
Simulation	166	(2)
Ethical Issues in Experimental Design Research	168	(1)
Managerial Implications	169	(1)
Summary	170	(1)
Discussion Questions and Points to Ponder	171	(1)
Appendix: Further Experimental Designs	172	(1)
The Completely Randomized Design	172	(1)
Randomized Block Design	173	(1)
Latin Square Design	174	(1)
Factorial Design	175	(1)
Measurement of Variables: Operational Definition and Scales	176	(20)
How Variables Are Measured	176	(2)
Operational Definition: Dimensions and Elements	178	(9)
What an Operational Definition is Not	183	(3)
A Measurement of Student Learning	186	(1)
Review of Operational Definition	186	(1)
Scales	187	(7)
Nominal Scale	187	(1)
Ordinal Scale	188	(1)
Interval Scale	189	(2)
Ratio Scale	191	(3)
Review of Scales	194	(1)
Summary	194	(1)
Discussion Questions and Points to Ponder	194	(1)
Exercises	195	(1)
Measurement: Scaling, Reliability, Validity	196	(23)
Rating Scales	197	(5)
Dichotomous Scale	198	(1)
Category Scale	198	(1)
Likert Scale	198	(1)
Semantic Differential Scale	198	(1)
Numerical Scale	199	(1)
Itemized Rating Scale	199	(1)
Fixed or Constant Sum Scale	200	(1)
Stapel Scale	200	(1)
Graphic Rating Scale	201	(1)
Consensus Scale	201	(1)
Other Scales	202	(1)
Ranking Scales	202	(1)
Paired Comparison	202	(1)
Forced Choice	203	(1)
Comparative Scale	203	(1)
Goodness of Measures	203	(1)
Item Analysis	204	(1)
Reliability	204	(3)
Stability of Measures	205	(1)
Internal Consistency of Measures	206	(1)
Validity	207	(3)
Content Validity	207	(1)
Criterion-Related Validity	207	(1)
Construct Validity	208	(2)
Summary	210	(1)
Discussion Questions and Points to Ponder	210	(1)
Exercise	210	(1)
Appendix: Examples of Some Measures	211	(1)
Measures from Management Research	211	(3)
Measures from Marketing Research	214	(5)
Data Collection Methods	219	(45)
Data Collection Methods, Settings, and Sources of Data	221	(1)
Data Collection Methods	221	(1)
Setting	221	(1)
Sources	221	(1)
Interviewing	222	(1)
Unstructured and Structured Interviews	222	(11)
Unstructured Interviews	222	(2)
Structured Interviews	224	(1)
Training Interviewers	225	(1)
Review of Unstructured and Structured Interviews	225	(1)
Some Tips to Follow in Interviewing	226	(1)
Establishing Credibility and Rapport, and Motivating Individuals to Respond	227	(1)
The Questioning Technique	228	(1)
Review of Tips to Follow in Interviewing	229	(1)
Face-to-Face and Telephone Interviews	229	(2)
Additional Sources of Bias in Interview Data	231	(1)
Computer-Assited Interviewing	231	(2)
Advantages of Computer Packages	233	(1)
Review of Interviewing	233	(1)
Questionnaires	233	(2)
Personally Administered Questionnaires	234	(1)
Mail Questionnaires	234	(1)
Guidelines for Questionnaire Design	235	(7)
Principles of Wording	235	(5)
Classification Data or Personal Information	240	(2)
Cross-Cultural Research	242	(1)
Special Issues in Instrumentation for Cross-Cultural Research	242	(1)
Issues in Data Collection	242	(1)
Principles of Measurement	243	(1)
General Appearance or ``Getup'' of the Questionnaire	244	(1)
Important Aspects of Questionnaires	244	(5)
A Good Introduction	244	(1)
Organizing Questions, Giving Instructions and Guidance, and Good Alignment	245	(1)
Personal Data	245	(1)
Information on Income and Other Sensitive Personal Data	246	(1)
Open-Ended Questions at the End	247	(1)
Concluding the Questionnaire	248	(1)
Review of Questionnaire Design	248	(1)
Pretesting of Structured Questions	248	(1)
Electronic Questionnaire and Surveys	249	(2)
Other Methods of Data Collection	251	(3)
Observational Surveys	251	(1)
Structured versus Unstructured Observational Studies	252	(1)
Advantages and Disadvantages of Observational Studies	252	(1)
Biases in Observational Studies	253	(1)
Summary of Observational Studies	254	(1)
Data Collection Through Mechanical Observation	254	(1)
Projective Methods	254	(1)
Secondary Data	255	(1)
Some Special Data Sources	256	(1)
Focus Groups	256	(1)
Other Secondary Sources of Information	256	(1)
Panels	257	(1)
Static and Dynamic Panels	257	(1)
Multimethods of Data Collection	258	(1)
Review of the Advantages and Disadvantages of Different Data Collection Methods and When to Use Each	258	(1)
Managerial Advantage	259	(1)
Ethics in Data Collection	260	(1)
Summary	261	(1)
Discussion Questions and Points to Ponder	262	(1)
Exercises	262	(2)
Sampling	264	(37)
Population Element, Population Frame, Sample, and Subject	266	(1)
Population	266	(1)
Element	266	(1)
Population Frame	266	(1)
Sample	267	(1)
Subject	267	(1)
Sampling	267	(2)
Reasons for Sampling	268	(1)
Representativeness of Samples	268	(1)
Normality of Distributions	269	(1)
Probability and Nonprobability Sampling	270	(1)
Probability Sampling	271	(6)
Unrestricted or Simple Random Sampling	271	(1)
Restricted or Complex Probability Sampling	271	(6)
Review of Probability Sampling Designs	277	(1)
Nonprobability Sampling	277	(10)
Convenience Sampling	277	(1)
Purposive Sampling	278	(1)
Review of Nonprobability Sampling Designs	279	(1)
Examples of when Certain Sampling Designs are Appropriate	280	(7)
Sampling in Cross-Cultural Research	287	(1)
Issues of Precision and Confidence in Determining Sample Size	287	(2)
Precision	288	(1)
Confidence	289	(1)
Sample Data, Precision, and Confidence in Estimation	289	(1)
Trade-Off Between Confidence and Precision	290	(1)
Sample Data and Hypothesis Testing	291	(2)
Determining the Sample Size	293	(3)
Importance of Sampling Design and Sample Size	296	(1)
Efficiency in Sampling	296	(1)
Sampling as Related to Qualitative Studies	297	(1)
Review of Sample Size Decisions	297	(1)
Summary	297	(1)
Discussion Questions and Points to Ponder	298	(1)
Exercises	299	(2)
Data Analysis And Interpretation	301	(39)
Getting Data Ready for Analysis	302	(5)
Editing Data	303	(1)
Handling Blank Responses	303	(1)
Coding	304	(2)
Categorization	306	(1)
Entering Data	307	(1)
Data Analysis	307	(3)
Basic Objectives in Data Analysis	307	(1)
Feel for the Data	307	(1)
Testing Goodness of Data	308	(1)
Reliability	308	(1)
Validity	309	(1)
Hypothesis Testing	309	(1)
Data Analysis and Interpretation	310	(1)
Research Done in Excelsior Enterprises	310	(14)
Some Preliminary Steps	312	(1)
Checking the Reliability of Measures: Cronbach's Alpha	312	(1)
Obtaining Descriptive Statistics: Frequency Distributions	313	(2)
Inferential Statistics: Pearson Correlation	315	(1)
Hypothesis Testing	316	(7)
Overall Interpretation and Recommendations to the President	323	(1)
Use of Expert Systems in Choosing the Appropriate Statistical Tests	324	(1)
Summary	324	(1)
Discussion Questions and Points to Ponder	325	(2)
Appendix: Data Analysis Using Excel	327	(1)
Analysis of the Accounting Chair Data Set Using Excel	327	(1)
Analysis Using Excel	328	(12)
The Research Report	340	(33)
The Written Report	341	(6)
The Written Report and Its Purpose	342	(3)
The Written Report and Its Audience	345	(1)
Characteristics of a Well-Written Report	346	(1)
Contents of the Research Report	346	(1)
Integral Parts of the Report	347	(7)
The Title Page of the Research Report	347	(1)
Table of Contents	348	(1)
Authorization Letter	348	(1)
The Executive Summary or Synopsis	348	(1)
The Introductory Section	349	(1)
The Body of the Report	350	(1)
The Final Part of the Report	350	(2)
Acknowledgment	352	(1)
References	352	(1)
Appendix	353	(1)
Oral Presentation	354	(2)
Deciding on the Content	354	(1)
Visual Aids	355	(1)
The Presenter	355	(1)
The Presentation	356	(1)
Handling Questions	356	(1)
Summary	356	(1)
Discussion Questions and Points to Ponder	357	(1)
Exercise	357	(1)
Appendix	358	(15)
Report 1: Sample of a Report Involving a Descriptive Study	358	(4)
Report 2: Sample of a Report Where an Idea Has to Be ``Sold''	362	(3)
Report 3: Sample of a Report Offering Alternative Solutions and Explaining the Pros and Cons of Each Alternative	365	(2)
Report 4: Example of an Abridged Basic Research Report	367	(6)
Managerial Decision Making and Research	373	(19)
Scientific Research and Managerial Decision Making	373	(3)
Purposive Research	375	(1)
Decision-Making Processes in Applying Results from Different Types of Research	375	(1)
Case Study of the Cradle of Indian Handcrafts	376	(3)
Background Information	376	(1)
Method of Operation	377	(1)
Some Issues Facing the Company	378	(1)
The Consulting Team and Its Approach	379	(6)
Problem Delineation	379	(1)
The Team's Method of Approach for Collecting Information	380	(1)
The India Experience	380	(1)
The Customs Issue	380	(1)
David's Conversations with Others	381	(1)
The U.S. Clients	381	(1)
Conversations with the Vice President Regarding Reallocation of Responsibilities When a New Manager Is Recruited	382	(1)
List of the Team's Recommendations	383	(1)
Reallocation of Duties and Responsibilities When a New Manager Is Hired	384	(1)
Assessment of the Quality of Research Done	385	(2)
Nature of the Investigation	385	(2)
How Scientific Is This Study?	387	(1)
What Else Could Have Been Done?	387	(2)
Domestic	387	(1)
India	388	(1)
How Has the Research Facilitated the Decision-Making Process for the President of the Cradle of Indian Handcrafts?	389	(1)
Summary	390	(1)
Discussion Questions and Points to Ponder	390	(2)
A FINAL NOTE TO THE STUDENT	392	(2)
MODULE A REFRESHER ON SOME STATISTICAL TERMS AND TESTS	394	(22)
Descriptive Statistics	395	(6)
Frequencies	396	(1)
Measures of Central Tendencies and Dispersion	397	(4)
Inferential Statistics	401	(7)
Correlations	401	(2)
Relationship Among Two Nominal Variables: X2 Test	403	(1)
Significant Mean Differences between Two Groups: The t-Test	404	(1)
Significant Mean Differences among Multiple Groups: Anova	405	(1)
Multiple Regression Analyses	406	(2)
Other Tests and Analysis	408	(2)
Analysis of Qualitative Data	410	(3)
Managerial Relevance	413	(1)
Summary	413	(1)
Discussion Questions	414	(2)
GLOSSARY OF TERMS	416	(12)
SUPPLEMENTARY READINGS	428	(8)
REFERENCES	436	(6)
STATISTICAL TABLES	442	(9)
Table I: Cumulative Normal Probabilities	442	(3)
Table II: Upper Percentage Points of the t Distribution	445	(1)
Table III: Upper Percentage Points of the X2 Distribution	446	(2)
Table IV: Percentage Points of the F Distribution	448	(3)
Index	451