Business Research

Topic ~ Introduction

1

to Business

Research

Byend of this topic, you should be able to: "
I,

Define research;

2.

Describe the difference between basic and applied research;

3.

Discuss the importance of business research;

4.

Describe the needs to have ethics in conducting research;

5.

Discuss when business research is needed and when it should not be conducted; and

6.

Identify various areas in business research.

~' INTRODUCTION

Before we really understand what business research is all about, let us look at some of the definitions given by several authors of research methods.

2

~

TOPIC 1

INTRODUCTION

TO BUSINESS RESEARCH

Definition
There are many different definitions that can be found on research.
(i)

Cooper and Emory (1995) defined research as:

A systematic inquiry aimed at providing information' to solve problems.
(ii)

Kervin (1992) in his book entitled "Methods for Business Research" stated that: .

.

Researchis the process of systematically gathering end analysing information

in order to gain knowledge and understanding.l
(iii)

Sekaran (2003) defined it as:

An organised, systernJltic, databased, critical, objective, sdentiBc inquiry or

investigation into a specific problems.
(iv)

Zikmund (2003) defined business research as:

A systematic and objective process of gathering, recording and analysing data
I'foraid in zna!dng decision.
..,
•.

•

0'

As you can see from the given definitions, there are many different definitions on research, however, there appears to be a consensus among these authors that research is a process 01 investigation that is carried out in an organised and systematic manner to address a specific probJem or issue. When you investigate a phenomena of interest, it must be thorough and rigorous from the beginning untill the end of the research process. Besides that, you must also conduct it in a systematic way using