Business Research Process

Dr. Sasmita Mishra

Research Process Flow
Chart

Define research problem

Review concepts and theories

Review previous Research Findings

Formulate hypothesis

Design research

Data collection

Analyze data

Interpretation and report writing

 Define Research Problem
 A research problem in general refers to
some difficulty which a researcher
experiences in the context of either a
theoratical or practical situation and wants
a solution for the same.
 Research problem may be of two types:

Relates to states of nature

Related to relationship of variables
 Selecting the problem
The following points must be taken into
account while selecting a problem
 Subject which is overdone must not be selected.
 Controversial subject should not be chosen by an
average researcher.
 Too narrow or too vague problems should not be
chosen.
 The problem should be chosen in such a way that
the ingredients required for the study should be
within the reach of a researcher.
 The importance of the subject, time ,efficiency of
the researchers is also an essential requisite factor.
 Selection of problem must be preceded by a
preliminary study.
What is Research
Objective?

The objective of a research is like a torch

bearer for the researcher.
Formulation of objectives is of basic
importance because it determines the
data which are to be collected, the
characteristics of data which are
relevant, relations which are to be
explored, the choice of techniques to be
used in these explorations and the form
of final report….. W.A.Neiswanger.
Problem vs. Objectives
 Problem is the difficulty faced by the
researcher or a gap in the literature.
 Objective is the mission statement to

solve that difficulty or fill the gap in the

literature.
Ex. –
Prob: Why apple is falling from the tree?
Objective: To examine why apple is falling
from the tree.
Or to find out the possible cause (s) of this
phenomena.
Types of Objectives pg.1
Quantitative: It aims to optimize
certain measures of performances
of the system of study.
Ex. _ A study on advertising budget
aims to plan allocation of
advertising fund in relation to
other expenditure so that the
incremental sales revenue is
maximized.
Types of Objectives pg.2
Qualitative:It aims to test the
significance of hypotheses of a
study of importance
Ex. – A study on testing the effect of
the level of education of sales
force of a company on its sales
revenue.
Research Questions
Research questions are the problems not
solved till date. One should ask question
relating to the
 Purpose: What is the purpose of the

study
 Place: Where does the study take place?

 Present state: What is the present state

of the research issue?

 Means: How is the purpose achieved?

Why that particular method?

These questions helps in crystallizing the
Extensive literature survey
 Review the concept: what is the
meaning and definitions of the the
particular concept.
 Review earlier findings: what has
already been researched in that
area.
Formulating hypotheses
 Hypothesis are intelligent or
educated guess which can be put
to test to determine its validity.
 It is a tentative supposition about

the outcomes of a research.

Ex. Age has no influence over
achieving sales target of a sales
person.
Preparing Research Design
It is the blue print of a research.It may be
experimental or non experimental.
While preparing research design the
following points are taken into
consideration:
 The means of obtaining the information
 The availability of skills of the researchers and
his staff
 Explanation of the what method to adopt to
collect information and why this way not anything
else.
Data collection
 It is based upon the research
design and problem
 It may be by experimentation,
interview, questionnaire etc.
Analyze Data
 To analyze data different statistical
techniques are used such as
 ANOVA
 Regression Analysis
 Correlation, etc.
Interpretation and report
writing
 Analysis of data ends with a number
(Ex. .06)
 While interpreting we should ask the

question what finding we have got from

the analysis of the data and why we
have got this type of result.
At the end of the research the entire
process are documented in a written
form.
Report has Four broad sections:
Introduction and review of literature,