Basic Concepts of Research Methods and Process

Exam Tip: If a question asks you to differentiate between "information gathering" and "research," remember that research requires interpretation and contribution to knowledge, whereas gathering is just the collection of existing data.

Methodology vs. Methods

Students often use the terms "method" and "methodology" interchangeably, but in a formal research context, they represent very different concepts.

Research Methods

Methods are the specific tools or techniques you use to obtain and analyze your data. They are the "how-to" of your data collection. Examples include:

• Questionnaires and surveys.
• Interviews and observations.
• Statistical or non-statistical analysis.

Research Methodology

Methodology is much broader; it is the theoretical foundation of your study. It is the "theory of how research should be carried out." Methodology encompasses the overarching strategies, the philosophy behind your choices, and the logic used to ensure that your chosen methods actually solve the research problem.

Business and Management Research

Research within the business and management sectors has unique requirements that distinguish it from pure scientific or social research. It is a systematic inquiry designed to solve business problems while simultaneously contributing to management knowledge.

Trans-disciplinarity

Business research is inherently trans-disciplinary. Because business problems are complex, researchers must draw on various disciplines—such as sociology, psychology, economics, geography, and statistics—each of which may bring different underlying assumptions to the study.

Relevance and Utility

Unlike some academic pursuits that exist solely for theoretical advancement, business research must balance two needs:

1. Theoretical Needs: Satisfying the requirements of academic rigor and knowledge expansion.
2. Practical Utility: Addressing real-world managerial issues and impacting actual business practice.

The Importance of Rigour

To be taken seriously, business research must demonstrate "rigour" (or standing) through two specific lenses:

• Theoretical Rigour: The clarity and thoroughness with which the research is grounded in existing explanations of how things work.
• Methodological Rigour: The strength and quality of the planning, data collection, and analysis, which ensures that the conclusions drawn are reliable and can be trusted.

Responsible Research

Finally, business research is considered responsible when it is useful to society. This requires a dual approach: the findings must be credible (achieved through rigorous execution) and applicable (relevant to real-world problems).

The Iterative Research Process

Research is not a straight line; it is an iterative (circular) process. It typically begins with a problem identified as a question in the researcher's mind. From there, the researcher moves through several stages, which may overlap or require revisiting:

1. Formulating and clarifying a topic.
2. Reviewing the literature.
3. Designing the research.
4. Collecting data.
5. Analysing data.
6. Writing up the results.

Because the process is circular, the conclusions drawn from one study often lead to new questions, sparking the next cycle of research.

Summary Table: Research Attributes