Business Research Methods

Syllabus

Course Code: MB25C08

Business Research Methods

Foundations of Business Research and Scientific Inquiry

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.

Research Design and Measurement Techniques

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.

Data Collection Methods and Sampling Techniques

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.

Data Preparation and Analytical Techniques

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.

Report Writing and Research Communication

Research Report –Types – Contents of Report – Need for Executive Summary – Chapterization – 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.

Integrity and Trends in Business Research

Research Integrity – Emerging Trends: Digital Surveys, AI in Research, Online Panels, Real-Time Analytics – Case Studies on Ethical Dilemmas in Research.