The Institute of Accountancy

Arusha(IAA)

BUSINESS RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

 LECTURE ONE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Dr. Christopher Marushwa

Lecturer in the Department of Computer science
and Mathematics
Institute of Accountancy Arusha

2
Research Designs - Broad purposes
of academic research
• To explore the phenomenon under study
• To describe the phenomenon under
study
• To explain the phenomenon under study

3
Exploring the phenomenon under
study
• A research with the purpose of
exploring is conducted when studying a
new topic

• Such a research addresses the question

about the phenomenon, seeking to
understand what it is really about.

4
Exploring the phenomenon under
study Cont..
• This is done when the subject is very
new, we know very little or nothing
about, and no one has yet explored it.

5
Exploring the phenomenon under
study cont..
• Neuman (2011) summarizes the goal of
an exploratory research as follows:
• Seeking to establish familiarity with the
basic facts, setting and concerns
• Create a general mental picture of
conditions

6
Exploring the phenomenon under
study cont..
• Generate new ideas, conjectures, or
hypotheses
• Determine the feasibility of conducting
research
• Develop techniques for measuring and
locating future data

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Describing the phenomenon under
study
• A descriptive research focuses on
“what” and “who” questions.
• Neuman (2011) summarizes the goal of
a descriptive research as follows:
• Provide a detailed, highly accurate
picture

8
Describing the phenomenon under
study cont..
• Locate new data that contrast past data
• Create a set of categories or classify
types
• Clarify a sequence of steps or stages

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Describing the phenomenon under
study Cont..
• Document a causal process or
mechanism.
• Report on the background or context of
a situation.

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Explaining the Phenomenon under
study
• The third purpose of research is to
explain why something occurs
(Neuman 2011).

11
Explaining the Phenomenon under
study Cont..
• This is done where an issue
(phenomenon) is known with a
description of it but without an
understanding of why things are the way
they are with that issue.

12
Explaining the Phenomenon under
study Cont..
• Thus addressing the “why” question is
the purpose of the explanatory
research.

13
Explaining the Phenomenon under
study Cont..
• It is important to note that an
explanatory research builds on
exploratory and descriptive research to
identify the reason or reasons why
something happens.
• Thus it identifies reasons or causes.

14
Explaining the Phenomenon under
study Cont..
• Neuman (2011) summarizes the goal of
an explanatory researches follows:
• To test theory predictions or principles

15
Explaining the Phenomenon under
study Cont..
• To elaborate and enrich a theory’s
explanation
• Extend a theory to new issues or topics
to a general principle
• Determine which of several
explanations is possible

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Scope of academic research

• Basic research
• Applied research

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Basic research
• Basic research is also called academic
research or pure research (Neuman
2011)

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Basic research cont..
• It is designed to advance fundamental
knowledge about how the world works.
• It builds or tests theoretical
explanations by focusing on the why
question.

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Basic research cont..
• The scientific community is its primary
audience.

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Basic research cont..
• Basic research is aimed at generating
fundamental knowledge and theoretical
understanding about basic human and
other natural processes.

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Basic research cont..
• An example here would be such a
question as “Why does failure occur
among learners?”

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Basic research cont..
• The researcher here would be more
concerned with establishing reasons for
failure. However answering a basic
research question stimulates new ways
of thinking and answers might
revolutionize and dramatically improve
what practitioners do in the sector under
which the research question falls.
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Applied Research

• Applied researches are designed to offer

practical solutions to concrete problems.
• They address immediate and specific
needs of practitioners in any given field
(Neuman, 2011).
• Most studies in applied research are
short term and on a small scale.

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Applied Research cont…

• It is rare in applied research to “try to

build, test or make connections to a
theory” (Neuman 2011).

25
Applied research cont..

• However, applied research also builds

knowledge but for immediate use.
• Findings are used by practitioners to
make decisions. Thus applied researches
shape many decisions.

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Applied research cont..

• For example a research seeking to

identify reasons for mass failure among
secondary school leaners may trigger a
decision to begin a program that will
reduce such failure.

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Applied research cont..

Examples of applied research

•Evaluation research
•Action research
•Orientational research
•Social impact assessment research

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Evaluation research

• Evaluation research involves

determining the worth, merit, or quality
of a program.
• Evaluation research can be formative or
summative.

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Evaluation research cont..

• Formative evaluation is used for the

purpose of program improvement.

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Evaluation research cont..

• Summative evaluation is used for the

purpose of making summary judgments
about a program and decisions to
continue or discontinue the program.

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Action Research

• Action research focuses at solving

practitioners’ local problems with the
aim of improving practice.
• It is generally conducted by practitioners
after they have learned about methods of
research and research concepts.

32
Action research cont..

• The primary goal in action research is to

improve practice through action and
reflection on one’s self action.
• Practitioners can do this to improve their
practice.

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Action research cont..

• It can also be done in collaboration with

other people as participants
(participatory action research)
• Participants actively help in the design
and conduct of the study.

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Action research cont..

• The knowledge creation process is

democratized by engaging in collective
action.

35
Action research cont..

• It may also seek to reveal injustices,

highlight social inequality and conflict
and engage in collective action to
improve conditions.

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Action research cont..

• As the research participants engage in

direct action they become aware of their
situation, more informed and
empowered to improve it.

37
Action research cont..

In action research, participants:

•Take an active role in formulating,
designing, and carrying the research
•Cogenerate findings with professional
researchers in collaborative process
•Are involved in problem definition and
study implementation.

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Action research cont..

• Because most researcher participants are

unfamiliar with professional research,
the trained researcher acts as a
consultant or collaborator who assists
and provides expertise in the study
design, data gathering, and data analysis
and interpretation.

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Orientation research

• It focuses at advancing an ideological

position
• It is a form of advocacy research and
focused on some form of inequality,
discrimination, or stratification in
society

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Social Impact Assessment
Research
• Social Impact Assessment Research
estimates the likely social consequences
in advance of a planned change.
• It documents the likely consequences for
various areas of social life if a major
new change is introduced in a
community.

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Social impact assessment cont..

• It “assesses both positive and negative

impacts” (Neuman, 2011, p. 31).
• For example social impact assessment
can be conducted to determine a
location for a shopping center.

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 SETTING TOPIC
• Research topic in your respective fields

11/16/24 43
 Researchable Topic

1. SUBJECT: Which is your subject area of

interest from which your topic is based? – E.g
Marketing Mgt, Human Resource Mgt, Cyber
Security, etc.
2. TOPIC: Specifically which topical area within
that subject? – E.g Marketing Mix
3. CLARITY:Is your topic too long or too short?
4. ACCEPTABILITY: Have you convinced your
peer?
5. Is your supervisor convinced?
11/16/24 44
 Balancing Questions Cont ..

6. PHILOSOPHY: Which Epistemic Stance do

you belong to?
7. DATA: Will you be able to access data?
8. ANALYSIS: Can you do the analysis
mapping?
9. Does your topic suggest a research work?
10. Can every one easily identify ‘dependent’
Vs ‘Independent Variable’ ?
11/16/24 45
 Selection of a Topic/Title

• IDEA(subjects)>>TOPIC(Subject)>>TITLE(
Specific)
• Identify your areas of competence and
interest (subjects)
• Focus on a certain subject, then a certain area
in order to be more specific
• Just think and write on a paper three different
topics on the same area of your interest.
• Not too long not too short (say two lines)
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Topic Cont..

• Try to share with your peer group if it

makes sense.
• Submit to your supervisor (the topic)
before you invest resources in writing
any detailed work
• Avoid taking ‘off shelf topics’ – Made
by others!!!!
• Never wish to be given a ‘cheap topic’
by someone.
11/16/24 47
Topic cont….

• There is no good Vs bad topic, it all

depends on how you become
methodologically sophisticated before the
research work.
• Even if a topic has been done before but
you can do it since it is at a different time
(Time triangulation) of different Data (Data
Triangulation) but avoid plagiarism.
• Know that, a topic is a Prime mover of your
research work.
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 Topic Cont..

• Get a practical topic whenever possible. This

helps to avoid writing a thesis which will die
after your graduation!. AND…
• The Topic should suggest a research work
and must have proper balance of
‘Independent’ and ‘Dependent’ variables:

• E.g: Effects of Marketing Mix on Customer

Satisfaction for Cocacola products in
Dodoma Region.
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 Science of creating a good Topic
• The Independent Variable (which normally is
mentioned the first) should be in such a way
that, it can be split to at least three elements.
• Dynamic Independent Variable which
Supported by Literature. E.g ‘Marketing Mix’
• There must be a ‘Research relation’ between
the Independent and Dependent Variable.
• Be sure you can develop analysis mapping
based on the said Relations (Mainly; Ranking,
Comparison & Forecasting) 50
 Statement of the Problem
• Statement of the Problem (normally developed
from the topic for research? Will that research solve
it?).
• Express the possible defined gap between
Independent and dependent Variable with citation
(Either from reports or authentic sources).
• Normally not more than half a page or at most one
page. It should be succinct (Precise and clear).

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Statement of the problem
cont…
• The statement of the problem is the focal point of the research
which guides the theme of the problem.
• It is a clear and concise description of the research problem,
where by the researcher should state clearly what he/she
intends to do
• A researcher should be able to tell the purpose of the study
e.g. to discover, to understand, to provide new
interpretations, to analyze, to assess etc.
• A researcher should give dramatic and concrete
illustrations/indication of the problem.
• A good statement of the problem should be two paragraphs
only or a page. 52
Statement of the problem cont…
• To write a persuasive problem statement, you need to
describe (a) the ideal, (b), the reality (c) the consequences.
• It should:
1.Put the problem in context (what do we already know?)
2. Describe the precise issue that the research will address
(what do we need to know?) Support with very current
literature
3. Show the relevance of the problem (why do we need to
know it?) Literature needed
Set the objectives of the research (what will you do to find
out?)
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Identifying a thesis problem
You need to be an expert in your area
• Read papers
• Use papers’ references to get to original papers
• Keep an annotated bibliography of papers, note
Main contribution, Open questions ,
How it relates to your interests, work
• Talk to experts
• When they visit you
• At conferences and workshops
• Attend talks, etc.
• Carry a notebook to record notes, thoughts, etc.
• Question previous works’ assumptions
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Identifying a Thesis Problem
You need to consider potential
problems
 Consider hot topics carefully
 Thoroughly understand the problem
 Break problem into manageable pieces
 Develop methods that work for you
When to work deeply, broadly; when to put
aside
Set aside blocks of time to focus on research
Work consistently on the problem

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Objectives of the proposal
 Research objectives describe concisely what the research is
trying to achieve.
 They summarize the accomplishments a researcher wishes to
achieve through the project and provides direction to the study.
 A research objective must be achievable, i.e., it must be framed
keeping in mind the available time, infrastructure required for
research, and other resources.
 Before forming a research objective, you should read about all
the developments in your area of research and find gaps in
knowledge that need to be addressed.
 This will help you come up with suitable objectives for your
research project.
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Objectives
• These are description of what the researcher intends
to achieve or to accomplish. These are expressed as
general and specific objectives
• Specific objectives should be measureable, realistic
and attainable
• The action verb normally used to state these
objectives include: to assess, to examine, to
identify, to find out etc.
• After knowing the objectives one should be able to
know questions to be asked and expected answers
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Importance of Setting the
Objectives
Research objectives should be closely related to the
statement of the problem and summarise what you
hope will be achieved by the study.
 Define the focus of your study
 Clearly identify variables to be measured
 Indicate the various steps to be involved
 Establish the limits of the study
 Avoid collection of any data that is not strictly
necessary.

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Specific Objectives
Six important guidelines that should be observed when developing
research objectives are:
1. They should be presented briefly and concisely
2. They should be presented in logical sequence
3. They should be realistic (e.g., achieved within the expected timeframe,
achieved within the available resources)
4. They should be phrased in operational terms (i.e., in a way that brings
the organization closer to its business objectives)
5. They should use action verbs that are specific enough to be evaluated or
measured (e.g. determine, compare, verify, calculate etc).
6. They should be static once the study work begins (i.e., objectives
should not be moving targets)

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Effect of environmental factors on financial
performance in manufacturing firms in Tanzania

General objective
•To investigate the effect of environmental factors on
financial performance in manufacturing firms in Tanzania
Specific objectives
•To examine the effect of policy on financial performance
•To examine the effect of governance on financial
performance
•To examine the effect of personal difference on financial
performance
•To examine the effect of marketing mix on financial
performance
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The general objective is to investigate the hydromagnetic nanofluid
convective flow past a porous stretching cylinder in an artificial kidney

Specific Objectives
The specific objectives of this study are to determine the
[i.] Model of the hydromagnetic convective flow through the artificial kidney
past a porous stretching cylinder
[ii.] Flow variables such as velocity, temperature and concentration profiles on
hemodialysis in an artificial kidney.
[iii.] Skin friction, rate of heat and mass transfer coefficients of the flow past a
porous stretching cylinder in the mechanism of dialysis of blood through artificial
kidney.
[iv.] Effects of the non-dimensional parameters and time on the velocity, temperature
and concentration profiles, wall skin friction coefficient, heat and mass transfer
during filtration of blood in an artificial kidney.
[v.] Effects of Hall and ions-slips currents on the flow variables.

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HYPOTHESES/RESEARCH
QUESTION
• Questions and hypotheses are testable explanations
that are proposed before the methodology of a
project is prepared.
• Although research questions and hypotheses are
different in their sentence structure and purpose, both
seek to predict relationships.
• Deciding whether to use questions or
hypothesis depends on facts such as the purpose of
the study, the approach and design of the
methodology, and the expected audience for the
research proposal
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Research Questions
The two methodologies of research, known as
quantitative and qualitative research, explore
topics with different objectives.
If you're exploring meaning and experience, you're
using qualitative research.
If you want to use empirical evidence to explain an
occurrence, quantitative research is your process.
 Quantitative research questions prove or disprove
a researcher's hypothesis through descriptions,
comparisons, and relationships.
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Examples of Research
Questions
 A research question proposes a relationship between two or more
variables. It is structured in a form of a question. There are three types
of research questions:
 A descriptive research question seeks to identify and describe some
phenomenon e.g. What is the effect of COVID-19 in the development
of tourism in Arusha Municipality?
 A differences research question asks if there are differences between
groups on some phenomenon e.g. Do patients who receive massage
experience more relief from sore muscle pain than patients who take a
hot bath?
 A relationship question asks if two or more phenomena are related in
some systematic manner e.g. If one increases his level of physical
exercise does muscle mass also increase?

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Research Questions
Types of research questions. (i) Descriptive (ii) Comparative (iii) Causal types
(i)Descriptive: Descriptive researches are used to assist a study that aims to
describe something, that help researcher in quantifying the variables, Sometimes
questions help to calculate the proportions and percentages. For example, polls
conducted on public opinions.
The aim of this study is to understand the public various opinions, which are
mainly descriptive. Questions starting with “What amount?”, “what is”, “what
are” etc.
Example:
a) What percent of Sukuma population is below the national average in calorie
consumption? Variables: Calorie intake; Group: Sukuma population.
b) What proportion of Sukuma students makes into top Tanzanian and Kenyan
universities? Variables: Top Tanzanian and Kenyan universities. Group: Sukuma
Students.
 (ii). Comparative Research Questions
To analyze the difference between two or more groups, on the dependent variables,
we use comparative research questions.
Comparative research questions begin with “what is the difference between?’’.
Example: A study to determine the proportion of males and females, who would vote
for two different political parties (CCM and UDP), is a comparative research.
Now, here are some examples for comparative research questions;
(i)Question: What is the difference the daily caloric intake of Tanzanian men and
Tanzanian women? Dependent Variable: Caloric intake Groups: Tanzanian men and
Tanzanian women
(ii)What are the difference in the perceptions on online shopping among young
people and older people? Dependent Variable: Perception towards online shopping
Groups: Younger generation, Older generation
 (iii)Causal Research or Relationship Research
Questions
Research is aimed to find out whether a variable causes one or more outcome variables.
It is the study of cause and effect. Normally stated as “What is the relationship
between”,
Example 1: What is the relationship between age and attitudes towards online
learning among youth?
Dependent Variable: Attitudes towards online learning.
Independent Variable: Age
Group: Youth
Example 2: What is the relationship between leisure time and mental health
among teens?
Dependent Variable: Mental health
Independent variable: Leisure time
Group: Teenagers
The causal research questions are interested in association relationship, interactions and
trends (Impact!!!!).
 Quality of Research Questions
A research question is the question around which you center
your research. It should be:
1.Clear: It provides enough specifics that one’s audience can
easily understand its purpose without needing additional
explanation.
Example: Unclear: How should social networking sites
address the harm they cause? Problem: which social
networking sites or suggest what kind of harm the sites might
be causing?
Clear: What action should social networking sites like
MySpace and Facebook take to protect users’ personal
information and privacy?
“Never leave room for ambiguity or interpretation ”
 Research Question Cont…
Concise: it is expressed in the fewest possible words.
Complex: It is not answerable with a simple “yes” or “no,”
but rather requires synthesis and analysis of ideas and sources
prior to composition of an answer.
Example: Bad: Is there a higher power in the universe?
Answer is yes/No
Good: What factors affect people's belief in a higher power?
Example: Bad: Does owning a pet improve quality of life for
older people?
Good: In what ways does owning a pet improve quality of life
for older people?
arguable: Its potential answers are open to debate rather than
Hypotheses
• A hypothesis represents a declarative
statement, a sentence instead of a question, of
the cause-effect relationship between two or
more variables.
• Make a clear and careful distinction between
the dependent and independent variables and
be certain they are clear to the reader..
Hypotheses cont…
• These are sometimes referred to as tentative
explanations of certain behavior, phenomenon that
had occurred or will occur.
• They are formulated after a review of literature.
• The entire study revolves around these hypotheses.
• They are derived through (logical thinking) either
inductive methods – generalization derived from
specific observation or deductive method –
generalization derived from general theories.