Introduction to Research

Lecturer: Dr. Harif Amali Rivai

Source: Sekaran (2003)
 Planned Sequence of Topics
and/or Learning Activities:
1.
2.
Introduction to Research.
Scientific Investigation.
• 1. A scientific approach to
3. Technology and Business Research. business research
4. The Research Process: Steps 1 to 3: The
Broad Problem Area, Preliminary Data
Gathering, Problem Definition.
• 2. Initial stages and design
5. The Research Process: Steps 4 and 5: of a research project
Theoretical Framework Hypothesis
Development. • 3. Qualitative business
6. The Research Process: Step 6: Elements
of Research Design. research
7. Experimental Designs.
8. Measurement of Variables: Operational • 4. Quantitative business
Definition and Scales.
9. Measurement: Scaling, Reliability, research
Validity.
10. Data Collection Methods. • 5. Research reporting and
11. Sampling. managerial decision
12. Data Analysis and Interpretation.
13. The Research Report. making
14. Managerial Decision Making and
Research.
 Course Textbook

• Uma Sekaran (2003), Research Methods for

Business: A Skill Building Approach, 4th
Edition, John Willey & Sons, Ltd.
 What is Research ?

• Just close your eyes for a moment

to think about that ? ?
 Why Should I Care About Research?

• Answering questions and making decisions

• We encounter research every day
• Common sense (intuition) is often wrong
 What is Research ?
Research is simply the process of thoroughly
studying and analysing the situational factors
surrounding a problem in order to seek out
solutions to it.
Basically, Research is the process of problem-
solving.
Research = Re　 + 　Search
　
 Business research
• A systematic and organized effort to
investigate a specific problem encountered
in work setting, that needs solution
• Encompassing the process of inquiry,
investigation, examination, and
experimentation.
 Can be defined as
• An organized, systematic, data-based,
critical, objective, scientific inquiry or
investigation into a specific problem
• Various areas in management: e.g.
marketing, finance, HR, strategic
What is the purpose to do
Research?
 What is the purpose to do
Research?
• 1. Finding problems
• 2. Analyzing the problems (Analyzing Data) (Let
data do the talking and serve as the departure point
of analysis)
• 3. Solving the problems
• 4. Proposing solutions (Erasing the problems and
Predicting problems)
 Types of business research
• Applied research
To solve a current problem faced by the
manager in work setting
• Basic research
To generate a body of knowledge by trying
to comprehend how certain problems that
occur in organization can be solved
 Manager and Research
• Some reasons why professional manager
should be knowledgeable about research
• Managers can hire consultants or researcher
• Internal or external consultant
 Some Tips for making study a
success
• Choose your supervisor carefully: Be bold, be polite and get to know
your supervisor. A good supervisor welcomes interaction and treats
students as collaborators.
• Get a good group: Nothing helps more than finding a nice bunch of
people to work with, either in a study group or as a part of the
subject’s assessment. While you will be tempted to work with friends
or people from similar disciplines or cultures, some of the best group
are those with people in them from completely different backgrounds.
• Set aside study time and the right location: Set aside regular study time
and set up a home office to allow you to work effectively.
• Network: Establish a network among your peers and teaching staff.
• Visit the library: The library will become your best friend. You can
search the world in seconds and download all the information you
need.
• Have fun
Have fun and a gratifying experience
learning this course!