MBA 508: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
LECTURE 1
INTRODUCTION
Master Business in Administration
Lecturer: I. Umaru TANIMU SAMINAKA, PhD
School of Business and Public Administration
University of The Gambia, 2020
OUTLINE
1. What Is Statistics?
2. Definition of Research
3. Research Methods
4. What is a Good Research ?
5. Types of methodologies
1. What Is Statistics?
1. Collecting Data Data Why?
e.g., Survey Analysis
2. Presenting Data
© 1984-1994 T/Maker Co.
e.g., Charts & Tables
Decision-
3. Characterizing Data
Making
e.g., Average
© 1984-1994 T/Maker Co.
What is Business Statistics?
• A collection of procedures and techniques
used to convert data into meaningful
information in a business environment
Statistical Procedures
• Descriptive Statistics
– Procedures and techniques designed to describe
data
• Inferential Statistics
– Tools and techniques that help decision makers to
draw inferences from a set of data
Descriptive Procedures
• Charts, graphs, and
tables
• Numerical measures
N
x i
Sum of all data values
Average i 1
N Number of data values
Inferential Procedures
• Estimation
– e.g., Estimate the average family income of all
families in a city based on the average income of
a sample of families in that city.
• Hypothesis Testing
– e.g., Use sample evidence to test the claim that
the average family income exceeds $45,000 per
year.
2. Definition of Research
French word ‘recherché’
Literally it means ….
The systematic process of collecting and
analyzing data (info) to:
• Discover new knowledge
• Verify existing knowledge
• Expand existing knowledge
The Scientific Method
3. Research Methods
• There are 4 methods of research
1. Experimental
2. Descriptive
3. Exploratory
4. Correlational
3. Research Methods
• Experimental Research is the only method of
the four that can identify cause and effect
• Experimental research consists of several
variables:
– Independent Variables: factors the
experimenter manipulates
– Dependent Variables: measurable
behaviors of the participants
3. Research Methods
• Experimental Research
–Experimental Group: group that
receives a treatment in an experiment
–Control Group: group that receives no
treatment in an experiment
3. Research Methods
• Descriptive Research: includes several types
of studies to gather data
– Observation is used to study behavior
– Surveys use questionnaires, and interviews to
sample a wide variety of behaviors and attitudes
(must choose people carefully)
– Case study
3. Research Methods
• Correlational Research
– Allows Researchers to determine the degree of
relationship between variables
– Positive, negative and zero correlations are
discussed when using this type of research
4. What is a Good Research ?
A good research follows the Standards of Scientific Research
Method: a systemic, empirical based procedures for
generating replicable research.
Tenets/Principles of Scientific methods
I. Direct observation of phenomena
II. Clearly defined variables, methods and procedures
III. Empirically (Observable) testable hypotheses
IV. The ability to rule out rival hypotheses
V. Statistical rather than linguistic justification of conclusion
VI. The self-correcting process
5. Types of methodologies
• QuaLitative Measures
–Descriptive
–Numbers not the primary focus
• QuaNtitative Measures
–N for numbers
–Statistical
–Quantifiable
QuaLitative Measures
• Interviews
• Observation
• Focus Groups
QuaNtitative measures
• Compare Things
– Comparison studies
• Experimental and control groups
• Program assessment using before/after
analysis
• Count Things
• Survey People About Things
• Pre & Post Tests
Be Critical About Numbers
(Best 2001)
• “Every statistic is a way of summarizing complex
information into relatively simple numbers.” (Best)
• How did the researchers arrive at these numbers?
• Who produced the numbers and what is their bias?
• How can key terms be defined & in how many
different ways?
Be Critical About Numbers
• How was the choice for the measurement
made?
• What type of sample was gathered & how
does that affect result?
• Is the statistical result interpreted correctly?
• If comparisons are made, are they
appropriate?
• Are there competing statistics?
