Research methods

WELCOME

The Research Report

By.,ARUNACHALAM

MAGHILAN11BF1E0001

MBA

WHAT IS RESEARCH?

• Research is simply the process of finding solutions to a problem after a thorough study and analysis the situational factors. Managers in organizations constantly engage themselves in studying and analyzing issues and hence are involved in some form of research activity as they make decisions at the workplace.

WHY MANAGERS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT RESEARCH?

• As a manager can face the competitive global market with its multitude of complex and confusing factors with greater confidence.

• Knowledge of research not only helps one to look at the available information in sophisticated and creative ways in the fast paced global environment that businesses face.

Eg;- modern technology.

BUSINESS RESEARCH

• Business research can be described as a systematic and organized effort to investigate a specific problem encouraged in the work setting that needs a solution. It comprises a series of steps designed and executed, with the goal of finding answers to the issues that are of concern to the manager in the work environment.

DEFINITION OF RESRARCH

• "In the broadest sense of the word, the definition of research includes any gathering of data, information and facts for the advancement of knowledge.“

-- by Martin Shuttle worth

• "Research is a process of steps used to collect and analyze information to increase our understanding of a topic or issue".

--given by Creswell

• Now We can define business research as an organized, systematic , data-based , critical ,objective , scientific or investigation into a specific problem, undertaken with the purpose of finding answers or solutions to it.

• In essence, research provides the needed information that guides managers to make informed decisions to successfully deal with problems.

RESEARCH AND THE MANAGER

• A common experience of all organizations is that the managers there of encounter problems big and small on a daily basis, which they have to solve by making the right decision, in business, research is usually primarily conducted to resolve problematic issues in, or interrelated among, the areas of accounting, finance, management, and marketing.

THE RESEARCH PROPOSAL:

• Before any research study is undertaken, there should be an agreement between the person who authorizes the study and the researcher as to the problem to be investigated, the methodology to be used, the duration of study, and its cost. This ensures that there are no misunderstandings or frustrations later for both parties.

The research proposal contains the following

• The board goals of the study• The specific problem to be investigated• Details of the procedures to be followed• The research design offering details on

• The sampling design• Data collection methods• Data analysis

• Time frame of the study, including information on when the written report will be handed over to the sponsors

• The budget, detailing the costs with reference to specific items of expenditure

THE REPORT

• It is important that the result of the study and the recommendations to solve the problem are effectively communicated to the sponsor, so that the suggestions made are accepted and implemented.

• Otherwise, all the effort with the expanded on the investigation on the vain.

THE WRITTEN REPORT

• The written report enables the manager too weigh the facts and arguments presented there in, and implement the acceptable recommendations, with a view to closing the gap between the existing state of affairs and the desired state. To achieve its goal the written report has to focus on the issues discussed below.

Characteristics of a well-written report

• Meaningful organization of paragraphs, smooth transition from one topic to the next , apt choice of words, and specificity are all important features of a good report. the report should to the extent possible, be free of a technical or statistical nature. Care should also be taken to eliminate grammatical and spelling errors.

COMPONENTS OF THE RESEARCH REPORT

• what the study is about. It should have at the beginning a table of contents , the research proposal , a copy of the authorization to conduct the study , and an executive summary.

• All reports should have an introductory section detailing their purpose of the study ,giving some background of what it relates to, and the problem studied, setting the stage for what the reader could expect in the rest of the report.

INTEGRAL PARTS OF THE REPORT

The title page Table of contents The research proposal and the

authorization letter The executive summary The introductory section The body of report The final part of the report Acknowledgments References Appendix

The title page

• The title of the report should sufficient indicate what the study is all about,

• In addition to the title of the project, the title page will indicate the name of the sponsor of the study , the names of the researchers and their affiliations , and the date of the final report.

Table of contents

• The table of contents with page references usually lists the important headings and subheadings in the report . a separate list of table and figures should also be in the table of contents.

The research proposal and the authorization letter

• A copy of the letter of authorization from the sponsor of the study approving the investigation and detailing its scope will be attached at the beginning of the report along with the research proposal, the authorization makes clear to the readers.

The executive summary

• provides an overview and highlights the following important information related to it the problem statement ,sampling design data collection methods used, result of data analysis, findings , and recommendations, with suggestions for their implementation.

The introductory section

• The introductory section starts with a statement of the problem under investigation . the research objective , together with background information of why and how the study was initiated

The body of report

• The details of the interviews conducted ,the literature survey , the theoretical frame work , and the hypotheses are furnished. The design details such as sampling and data collection methods , as well as the nature and type of the study , the time horizon . the field setting , and the unit of analysis , will be described.

The final part of the report

• The final part of the report will contain the conclusion drawn from the findings, in most cases a list of recommendations for implementation will follow. Frequently a cost-benefit analysis will also be provided.

Acknowledgments

• Help received from other is next acknowledged. Usually the people who assisted in the study by collecting the questionnaires , acting as liaison persons, helping in data analysis, and so on….are recognized and thanked.

References

• Immediately after the acknowledgments, starting on a fresh page, a list of the references cited in the literature review and at other places in the report will be given. If any in the text, are referenced either separately at the end of the report, or at the bottom of the page

Appendix

• the appendix, which comes last, is the appropriate place for the organization chart, newspaper clippings or other materials that substantiate the text of the report, detailed verbal narration of interviews with members, it should also contain a copy of the questionnaire administered to the respondents.

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