Chapter 2 Scientific Investigation 2009 John Wiley Sons

Chapter 2 Scientific Investigation © 2009 John Wiley & Sons Ltd. www. wileyeurope. com/college/sekaran 1

Scientific Research Recall…. . § Research: an organized, systematic, databased, critical, objective, scientific inquiry or investigation into a specific problem, undertaken with the purpose of finding answers or solutions to it. § Decisions based on results of well done scientific study tend to yield the desired results: © 2009 John Wiley & Sons Ltd. www. wileyeurope. com/college/sekaran 2

Scientific Research 1 -It follows a step by step process. 2 - Scientific research focuses on: Solving problems-pursuing a method (logical, organized, rigorous). 3 - Scientific research focuses on: identifying the problems, gathering data, analyzing them, and drawing valid conclusion. 4 - Thus…Scientific research is not based on hunches, experiences and intuition. © 2009 John Wiley & Sons Ltd. www. wileyeurope. com/college/sekaran 3

Scientific Research § Do organization always follow the rigorous step by step process? § Many implemented plans fail because not enough research has preceded their formulation. © 2009 John Wiley & Sons Ltd. www. wileyeurope. com/college/sekaran 4

Hallmarks of Scientific Research: § Hallmarks or main distinguishing characteristics of scientific research: – – – – Purposiveness Rigor Testability Replicability Precision and Confidence Objectivity Generalizability Parsimony © 2009 John Wiley & Sons Ltd. www. wileyeurope. com/college/sekaran 5

Hallmarks of Scientific Research: § Let’s apply an example into the 8 hallmarks: “ the manager is interested in investigating how employees’ commitments to the company(organization) can be increased. ” – Purposiveness: – Rigor: © 2009 John Wiley & Sons Ltd. www. wileyeurope. com/college/sekaran 6

Hallmarks of Scientific Research: -Testability: – Replicability: – Precision and Confidence : – Objectivity: – Generalizability: – Parsimony: © 2009 John Wiley & Sons Ltd. www. wileyeurope. com/college/sekaran 7

Hypothetico-Deductive Research § The Seven-Step Process in the Hypothetico. Deductive Method – – Identify a broad problem area Define the problem statement ( based on theory) Theory formulation Develop hypotheses(the hypothesis that can be tested to determine if the statement would be supported) – Data collection: – Data analysis: – Wiley Interpretation of data: © 2009 John & Sons Ltd. www. wileyeurope. com/college/sekaran – 8

Hypothetico-Deductive Research § Example: The quality of education in Kuwait. – – – – Identify a broad problem area: Define the problem statement ( based on theory): Theory formulation: Develop hypotheses : Data collection: Data analysis: Interpretation of data: © 2009 John Wiley & Sons Ltd. www. wileyeurope. com/college/sekaran 9

Hypothetico-Deductive Research § Think of your topic………Then follow the Seven-Step Process in the Hypothetico. Deductive Method – – – – Identify a broad problem area: Define the problem statement ( based on theory): Theory formulation: Develop hypotheses : Data collection: Data analysis: Interpretation of data: © 2009 John Wiley & Sons Ltd. www. wileyeurope. com/college/sekaran 10

Deduction and Induction § Deductive reasoning: application of a general theory to a specific case. – Hypothesis testing § Inductive reasoning: a process where we observe specific phenomena and on this basis arrive at general conclusions. – Counting white swans § Both inductive and deductive processes are often used in research. © 2009 John Wiley & Sons Ltd. www. wileyeurope. com/college/sekaran 11