Business Research Methodology and Research Design

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering key definitions, methodologies, designs, sampling techniques, measurement scales, and reporting formats across Units 1 through 4 of Business Research Methodology.

Research Design

A structured blueprint or plan for conducting a research study that outlines procedures for collecting, measuring, and analyzing data, answering research questions, and minimizing bias.

Neutrality

A characteristic of research design requiring that the research results remain free from personal bias or opinion, with the researcher staying neutral during data collection and evaluation.

Reliability

The consistency of research results, demonstrated when repeated studies conducted under similar conditions produce consistent and similar outcomes.

Validity

The accuracy of measurement, defined as the extent to which research tools and instruments actually measure what they are intended to measure.

Generalization

The process of applying research findings obtained from a selected sample to the broader, larger population.

Qualitative Research

An exploratory research approach that focuses on understanding human experiences, opinions, behaviors, and perspectives using non-numerical data such as words, images, and observations.

Quantitative Research

A research approach focused on objectives, measurement, statistics, and numerical analysis to draw conclusions and support business decision-making.

Descriptive Research

A type of research concerned with portraying the characteristics of a specific situation, population, event, or phenomenon, primarily answering questions of what, when, where, and how.

Experimental Research

A research approach that systematically manipulates an independent variable under controlled conditions to determine its causal effect on a dependent variable.

Correlational Research

A non-experimental research technique used to determine the relationship between two closely connected variables without manipulating them.

Correlation Coefficient

A statistical metric ranging between $-1$ and $+1$ indicating the strength and direction of a relationship, where $+1$ represents a perfect positive relationship, $0$ represents no relationship, and $-1$ represents a perfect negative relationship.

Diagnostic Research

Research conducted to discover the underlying cause of a specific problem or situation and identify its appropriate solution.

Explanatory Research

Research designed to explore a subject more deeply and explain why and how two or more variables interact or cause an event to happen.

Exploratory Research

Preliminary, flexible research conducted when a problem is not clearly defined or understood, used to gain initial insights, explore new ideas, and generate testable hypotheses.

Conclusive Research

A formal, structured, typically quantitative research approach aimed at providing definitive answers to specific questions and testing hypotheses for decision-making.

Cross-Sectional Study

An observational study design that collects and analyzes data from a population or sample at a single, specific point in time.

Longitudinal Study

A research study that tracks changes by repeatedly observing and measuring the same subjects or fixed sample over an extended period of time.

Principle of Randomization

A core principle of experimental design where participants or subjects are assigned to different groups entirely at random to minimize bias.

Principle of Replication

A principle of experimental design that requires an experiment to be repeated multiple times to reduce the effect of chance and yield more reliable results.

Principle of Local Control

An experimental design principle where extraneous sources of variation not eliminated through randomization or replication are controlled using appropriate experimental techniques.

Quasi-Experimental Design

A research design that resembles an experimental design to evaluate an intervention but lacks full experimental control or random assignment.

Primary Data

Original, first-hand information collected directly by the researcher specifically for the immediate purpose of the research project.

Secondary Data

Information previously collected and published by another individual, organization, or institution that is reused for a current study.

Observation Method

A primary data collection technique in which the researcher directly watches, monitors, and records behaviors or events in natural settings without asking respondents questions.

Structured Observation

An observational technique carried out according to a carefully planned and standardized procedure with predefined units, conditions, and recording criteria.

Unstructured Observation

An exploratory observational technique where observation occurs flexibly without defining the characteristics or behavior categories in advance.

Participant Observation

An observational approach in which the observer becomes an active member of the group being observed in order to experience what the group members experience.

Non-Participant Observation

An observational technique where the researcher monitors and records the activities of subjects from a distance without participating in their group activities.

Controlled Observation

An observational method that follows definite, pre-arranged plans involving experimental procedures, typically conducted in a laboratory environment.

Naturalistic Observation

A method of observation where the researcher avoids interference and simply observes people behaving naturally in their ordinary environments.

Survey Method

The process of collecting information from a specific target group using questionnaires or structured prompts and organizing the responses into quantifiable data for analysis.

Closed-Ended Questionnaire

A questionnaire format that provides respondents with a predefined set of answers or categories (such as multiple-choice or scale options) from which to select.

Open-Ended Questionnaire

A questionnaire format that features open spaces allowing respondents to answer questions freely in their own words rather than ticking boxes.

Pilot Study

A small-scale preliminary test of a data collection instrument, such as a questionnaire, conducted to identify issues and verify its reliability and validity before full implementation.

Interview Schedule

A structured, pre-prepared list of questions, topics, or prompts used and filled out directly by the interviewer during an interview to ensure standardized data collection.

Situational Interview

An interview method that presents candidates with hypothetical scenarios or realistic problem situations to evaluate their problem-solving and decision-making capabilities.

Behavioral Interview

An interview technique focused on asking candidates to describe past behaviors and specific experiences to predict their future job performance.

Stress Interview

An interview format that intentionally creates an uncomfortable, high-pressure environment to assess how calmly and effectively a candidate handles pressure.

Measurement

The process of observing and assigning numbers or symbols to characteristics of people, objects, or events according to predefined rules.

Scaling

The assignment of objects, attitudes, or opinions to numbers or semantics along a continuous spectrum to measure the degree, intensity, or level of a characteristic.

Nominal Scale

The simplest measurement scale, used strictly for qualitative classification or labeling without indicating any order, ranking, or quantitative value.

Ordinal Scale

A measurement scale that ranks items in sequential order along a continuum of characteristics without quantifying the exact mathematical differences between ranks.

Interval Scale

A measurement scale characterized by ordered values with equal intervals between scale points, but lacking an absolute or true zero point.

Ratio Scale

The highest level of measurement scale, which possesses rank order, equal distances between intervals, and an absolute true zero representing the complete absence of the measured attribute.

Test-Retest Reliability

A measure of consistency calculated by administering the exact same construct measurement to the same sample at two distinct points in time.

Inter-Rater Reliability

A measure of consistency determined by evaluating the level of agreement between two or more independent raters or observers scoring the same construct.

Internal Consistency Reliability

The degree to which different items within a multi-item instrument measure the same underlying construct in a consistent manner.

Content Validity

An evaluation of how comprehensively and accurately a set of scale items covers the entire content domain of the construct it is designed to measure.

Criterion-Related Validity

A form of validity that assesses how well an operational measure estimates or correlates with an empirical external criterion, categorized into concurrent and predictive validity.

Population

The entire, comprehensive group of individuals, objects, or events that share common characteristics relevant to the researcher's investigation.

Sample

A smaller, manageable subset chosen from a broader population to participate in a study and represent the population's characteristics.

Sampling Frame

The actual physical list, directory, database, or map containing all available population elements from which a sample is directly drawn.

Sampling Error

The statistical discrepancy that naturally arises between a sample statistic and the true population parameter purely due to chance variations in sampling.

Simple Random Sampling

A probability sampling technique in which every member of the population has an equal and independent chance of being selected for the sample.

Systematic Sampling

A sampling method in which the first unit is selected randomly from an ordered frame and subsequent units are selected at fixed intervals ($R = N/n$).

Stratified Random Sampling

A probability sampling technique where a heterogeneous population is divided into distinct, homogeneous subgroups (strata) and random samples are selected from each stratum.

Cluster Sampling

A probability sampling technique where a population is partitioned into heterogeneous, naturally occurring groups or clusters, followed by randomly selecting whole clusters and surveying all units within them.

Convenience Sampling

A non-probability sampling technique where participants are selected primarily because they are readily accessible and easiest for the researcher to reach.

Purposive Sampling

A non-probability sampling method where participants are handpicked based on deliberate professional judgment or specific criteria, yielding a statistically unrecognized and biased estimate.

Quota Sampling

A non-probability sampling technique in which the population is segmented into groups and researchers fill predetermined quotas for each category using non-random selection.

Snowball Sampling

A non-probability recruitment technique where existing participants refer or recruit future participants from their personal networks, often used to access hidden or hard-to-reach populations.

Hypothesis

A clear, testable, and falsifiable predictive proposition or assumption stating an expected relationship between an independent variable and a dependent variable.

Null Hypothesis ($H_0$)

A formal statistical statement asserting that there is no true difference, effect, or relationship between the studied variables or populations.

Alternative Hypothesis ($H_1$)

The proposition accepted when the null hypothesis is rejected, stating that a genuine effect, difference, or relationship exists between variables.

Directional Hypothesis

A hypothesis that predicts not only the existence of a relationship between variables, but also specifies its positive or negative direction.

Market Research

A domain of business research that gathers and evaluates information about market conditions, customer preferences, and consumer purchasing behavior.

Operational Research

Research focused on evaluating internal workflows, pinpointing inefficiencies, and designing systemic improvements to enhance business processes and productivity.

Applied Research

A problem-oriented research category aimed directly at finding empirical solutions and practical applications for specific, real-life problems.

Basic (Fundamental) Research

Theoretical and original research aimed at expanding general knowledge and formulating scientific theories without direct concern for immediate practical application.

Evaluative Research

Research conducted to measure the impact, effectiveness, success, or outcome of an existing program, organizational policy, or intervention.

Research Report

A formal written document that communicates the objectives, methodology, empirical findings, conclusions, and implications of an investigation to an intended audience.

Abstract

A concise, comprehensive summary placed at the start of a research document that summarizes the study's problem, methodology, major findings, and conclusions.

Technical Report

A research report characterized by precise, objective, and specialized language detailing experimental procedures, statistical tests, and technical results for researchers and specialists.

Popular Report

A research report prepared for non-specialists and the general public, presenting main findings, practical implications, and simple explanations without complex technical jargon.

Interim Report

A progress report issued during an ongoing research project to report work completed so far, preliminary findings, and remaining project phases.

Plagiarism

The unethical practice of adopting and using another person's ideas, text, or research work without giving proper credit or formal acknowledgement.