Appendix A - Scientific Method in Organizational Research

Question 1

What makes a good theory? (5)

Answer 1

• internal consistency (theory free from contradiction)
• external consistency (theory consistent with real life observations)
• scientific parsimony (contain only concepts necessary to explain findings)
• generalizability
• verification (theory can be tested)

Question 2

what are the 5 basic research designs? (in order of rigor)

Answer 2

1. naturalistic observation
2. survey research
3. field study
4. field experiment
5. laboratory experiment

Question 3

what is naturalistic observation?

Answer 3

represents conclusion drawn from observing events. in form of authoritative (expert) opinions and case studies

Question 4

what is survey research?

Answer 4

questionnaires designed to measure quantitative variables
popular for assessing relative job attitudes

Question 5

what is a field study?

Answer 5

research interested in the relationship between a predictor and a subsequent criterion variable

Question 6

what is a field experiment?

Answer 6

like a field study but with one important exception
sample usually divided into control group and experimental group
and predictor variable is actually changed to see if it makes a difference

Question 7

What is a laboratory experiment?

Answer 7

manipulate the predictor variable in an artificial environment instead of a real one

Question 8

Is there a best scientific method? And 5 comparison criteria

Answer 8

No. Managers need to analyze their situation and determine what they are actually looking to find out and how much resources they have. Pros and cons to each.
comparison includes
- a priori hypotheses, qualitative vs quantitative, control, external validity, cost, level of rigorous

Question 9

what is the only scientific method that provides both qualitative and quantitative info?

Answer 9

survey research

Question 10

what is the only method that provides just qualitative info?

Answer 10

naturalistic observation

Question 11

why don’t laboratory experiments and naturalistic observation have high levels of external validity?

Answer 11

because there are questions to how realistic a work environment is actually create in a laboratory setting
and often structures of some organizations don’t apply to others regarding naturalistic observations