Chapter 1 Business research strategies

Question 1

What are the two main research methods?

Answer 1

Quantitative research & Qualitative research

Question 2

What is the role of theory in a Quantitative research?

Answer 2

The quantitative research method have a deductive approach to the relationship between theory and research, in which the accent is placed on the testing of theories.

Question 3

What is the role of theory in a Qualitative research?

Answer 3

The qualitative research method predominantly emphasizes an inductive approach to the relationship between theory and research, in which the emphasis is placed on the generation of theories.

Question 4

What does it mean if a research uses a deductive approach?

Answer 4

That the theory guides the research

Question 5

What does it mean if a research uses an inductive approach?

Answer 5

That the research creates new theory

Question 6

What is “evidence-based management”?

Answer 6

Evidence-based management is ‘the systematic use of the best available evidence to improve management practice’

Question 7

What is empiricism?

Answer 7

1. A general approach to the study of reality that suggests that only knowledge gained through experience and the senses is acceptable. In other words, this position means that ideas must be subjected to the rigours of testing before they can be considered knowledge.
2. A belief that the accumulation of ‘facts’ is a legitimate goal in its own right. It is this second meaning that is sometimes referred to as ‘naive empiricism’.

Question 8

What are the steps in the process of deduction?

Answer 8

1. Theory
2. Hypothesis
3. Data collection
4. Findings
5. Hypothesis confirmed or rejected
6. Revision of theory

Question 9

What is positivism? (simplified)

Answer 9

Positivism is an epistemological position that advocates the application of the methods of the natural sciences to the study of social reality and beyond.