Business Research Methods

Syllabus

BA4205: BUSINESS RESEARCH METHODS

Unit I: Introduction                                                                                                                                 9

Business Research – Definition and Significance – the Research Process – Types of Research – Exploratory and Causal Research – Theoretical and Empirical Research – Cross –Sectional and Time – Series Research – Research Questions / Problems – Research Objectives – Research Hypotheses – Characteristics – Research in an Evolutionary Perspective – the Role of Theory in Research.

Unit II: Research Design and Measurement                                                                                         9

Research Design – Definition – Types of Research Design – Exploratory and Causal Research Design – Descriptive and Experimental Design – Different Types of Experimental Design – Validity of Findings – Internal and External Validity – Variables in Research – Measurement and Scaling – Different Scales – Construction of Instrument – Validity and Reliability of Instrument.

Unit III: Data Collection                                                                                                                          9

Types of Data – Primary Vs Secondary Data – Methods of Primary Data Collection – Survey Vs Observation – Experiments – Construction of Questionnaire and Instrument – Types of Validity – Sampling Plan – Sample Size – Determinants Optimal Sample Size – Sampling Techniques – Sampling Methods.

Unit IV: Data Preparation and Analysis                                                                                               9

Data Preparation – Editing – Coding –Data Entry – Validity of Data – Qualitative Vs Quantitative Data Analyses – Applications of Bivariate and Multivariate Statistical Techniques, Factor Analysis, Discriminant Analysis, Cluster Analysis, Multiple Regression and Correlation, Multidimensional Scaling – Conjoint Analysis – Application of Statistical Software for Data Analysis.

Unit V: Report Design, Writing and Ethics in Business Research                                                      9

Research Report –Types – Contents of Report – Need for Executive Summary – Chapterisation – Contents of Chapter – Report Writing – the Role of Audience – Readability – Comprehension – Tone – Final Proof – Report Format – Title of the Report – Ethics in Research – Ethics in Research – Subjectivity and Objectivity
in Research.