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Course: PEBL 101: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY & DESIGN FOR BUSINESS > Section: UNIT 1: INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH AND THE NATURE OF RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Unit 1 Learning Outcomes

Indicative Content

Meaning and Importance of research, The Nature Of Research, Business Research and managers, Ethics in business research, General Problems In Research, Characteristics of good Research, Qualities Of A Good Researcher

Intended learning outcomes for unit 1:

By the end of Unit 1, you will be able to:

1. define research
2. distinguish business research from other types of research
3. explain the benefits/ importance of business research
4. discuss the ethical issues in business research

Unit 1 E-tivities

Outcome(s)/Value(s) addressed: Unit 1 supports overall Module Learning Outcomes 1 & 2.

Purpose: We all do research on a daily basis and each of us has some form of research experience which you will bring to this course. Unit 1 aims to help you develop a substantial understanding of the theoretical foundations and concepts of research and business research in particular.

Over to you: In this Unit, we are going to learn what research is and what makes business research different from other forms of research. It is an introductory unit and it will thus establish a strong foundation on which all other units of this course shall be based. In this unit we shall cover key definitions in research and business research, learn how research is beneficial to managers, ethics in business research, hallmarks of business research as well as applicability of business research.

Preparatory research: To learn the theoretical foundations or research and the nature of business research,

a)      Read minilecture about introduction of research available here.

b)      Read pages 1 -7, pages 11 – 13 and then pages 17 of Research Methods for Business by Sekarani (2003) here. These will enable you learn Definition and types of research, research and manager, managers and research.

c)      Read minilecture about ethics in research available here.

d)     Read about ethics in business research on pages 17 – 18 of Research Methods for Business by Sekarani (2003) available here and pages 26 – 34 of Business Research Methods by Cooper & Schindler (2014) available here.

e)      Watch video on introduction to research titled ‘Business research: An Introduction’ available here

f)       Watch video on introduction to research by Dorbala (2017) titled ‘Introduction to business research’ available here

E-tivity 1.1: Make a summary of 100 - 200 words containing a brief explanation of what business research is and its importance. Upload your summary on your group’s discussion forum. Create a new discussion topic named ‘Unit 1 Discussion forum (E-tivity 1.1)’ for your group. Every member of the group should comment on at least two people’s summaries on the forum. You can improve your summary after reading through the summaries of others. Please post your final summary by 6^th February 2019.

E-tivity 1.2: Read about Hallmarks of business research on page 22 – 26 of Sekarani (2003) available here. Make a summary of 200 words indicating the hallmarks of good research and upload to the group forum. Remember to include other hallmarks that are not included in the text you read. Create a new discussion topic named ‘Unit 1 Discussion forum (E-tivity 1.2) for your group. Comment on other people’s summaries and improve your summary by adopting some new/good ideas from your peers.

Post your improved summary by 10^th February 2019.

Link with other units: Unit 1 sets the pace for the course on research methodology that you will be covering for the next 15 weeks. It therefore links to all the other units.

Anticipated time required for Unit 1 activities: 6 hours

Deadlines for Unit 1 activities:

E-tivity 1.1: Individual summary on meaning and importance of research: 6^th February 2019.

E-tivity 1.2: Individual summary on hallmarks of business research: 10^th February 2019.

Definition and Meaning of Research

What is research?

You have probably heard of the word research and have sometimes carried out activities that you have referred to as research. You may have been involved in many activities that you refer to as research. For example, when someone is watching another's movements or when some students go to the library to read and be able to answer an assignment, they say that they are researching.

REVISION QUESTION / ACTIVITY

RESPOND TO THESE QUESTIONS ON THE FORUM

Qn: What do you think research is?

Qn: How is research carried out?

Definition of research

Research is an organized, systematic, data based, critical, objective and scientific inquiry or investigation into a specific problem undertaken with the purpose of finding answers or solutions to it (Sekaran, 2000).

Albert Szent-Gyorgyi says that Research is to see what everybody else has seen, and to think what nobody else has thought.

From the above definition, you notice that research is;

1. organised - it has an orderly way of being carried out.

2. systematic- it has steps that one has to follow and one step depends on another.

3. data based- the problem being investigated is solved using facts collected from the field.

4. critical- one has to think about the problem over and over again and try to relate it to the theories in the literature.

5. objective- the conclusions and recommendations made depend on the data collected strictly. One must not change the conclusions and recommendations simply because the data does not agree with what the person wants or believes.

6. scientific- the methods used are known and systematic. The results can be tested again and again to see if the conclusions do not change. Further, the methods can also be tested in different circumstances.

NB; Research is aimed at finding solutions to a problem. Therefore, never start doing research without a problem.

The objectives of research

There are 5 general objectives that research - in general and more specifically about processes - may attempt to achieve. They are;

1. description

2. explanation

3. forecasting

4. control

5. modelling

[Kendall (1990):

The Nature Of Research

Research is both a science and an art in nature. It is a science because it has a systematic way of collecting data and analyzing it. It has a systematic way of how it should be done. It also has a body of knowledge and theories

It is an art because one has to know a specific skill of doing research. Further more it’s an art because the researcher needs to decide of which method is appropriate in what situation.

Business Research

It can be described as a systematic and organized effort to investigate a specific problem encountered either in the work setting or business and economic environment that needs a solution.It comprises a series of steps designed and executed with a goal of finding answers to the issues that are of concern to the manager or other interested party.

Importance of Business Research.

At an abstract level the answer to the question ‘why carry out business research?’ is likely to be along the lines of - 'to advance knowledge, increase understanding and to evaluate effectiveness'. More specifically reasons may include:

Research helps in providing information to assist managers make better decisions.

- Helps to identify management problems.
- Research helps to identify opportunities in business.
- To evaluate day to day practice within teams, with a focus on the usefulness and outcomes of different forms of service provision and intervention.

- For internal monitoring and evaluation by organisations to improve efficiency or productivity, or find ways of making savings.
- To improve 'consumer relations', perhaps linked to a Citizen’s charter or to agency policies about how service users should be treated.
- To contribute to staff appraisal and development processes.
- To review and update existing information or to fill gaps. Information is now viewed as a vital resource in the personal social services and, with the arrival of computers and telecommunications, organisations are expected to be 'information-rich', with staff able to have access to a range of information at their fingertips.
- To feed into national policy review and development.

Business Research 2

Research and the Manager
A common aspect of all organizations is that the managers thereof encounter problems big and small on a daily basis which they have to solve by making the right decisions. Business research is primarily conducted to resolve problematic issues in, or interrelated among, the areas of finance, accounting, Purchasing and Supplies Management, marketing, management, Human Resource, and ICT (Information and Communication Technology).
In accounting, budget control systems, accounting practices and procedures, Inventory costing methods, depreciation, time series behavior of quarterly earnings, and taxation are some of the many areas that are frequently researched.

In finance, the operations of financial institutions, optimum financial ratios, mergers and acquisitions, credit policies, loan performance, behavior of the stock exchange and the like become the focus for investigation.
In purchasing and supplies management, research involves analysis and effectiveness of procurement procedures, procurement laws and practices, supply chain issues, etc.

Management research could encompass the study of employee attitudes and behaviors, human resource management, the effect of changing demographics on management practices, production and operations management, strategy formulation, information systems and such.
Marketing research could address issues pertaining to product image, advertising, sales promotion, distribution, packaging, pricing, after sales service, consumer preferences, new product development and other marketing aspects,

ICT research could encompass the study of how introduction of ICTs enhances efficiency, effectiveness, productivity, employee performance and overall firm or industry performance.

Adapted from Sekarani (2003)

Business Research 3

Managers and Research

Managers who are familiar with research have an advantage over those who do not. As a manager, though you yourself may not be doing any major research, you will have to understand, predict and control events that are diverse. With the ever-increasing complexity of modern organizations and the uncertainty of the environment they face, the management of organizational systems has become one of constant trouble shooting in the work place. It would be helpful if managers could sense, spot and deal with problems before they get out of hand. Therefore being knowledgeable about research and research methods helps professional managers to;

a) identify and effectively solve minor problems in the work setting

b) know how to discriminate good from bad research

c) appreciate and be aware of the multiple influences and multiple effects of factors impinging on the situation.

d) Take calculated risks in decision making knowing fully well the probabilities attached to the different possible outcomes.

e) Prevent possible vested interests from exercising their interests in a situation.

f) Relate to hired researchers and consultants more effectively.

g) Combine experience with scientific knowledge while making decision.

Adapted from Sekarani (2003)

General Problems In Research

1. Problem of collecting data: in most cases the research collects information from human beings. In some cases people are not cooperative with the researchers. They usually lack interest in the research and in the researcher they find no justification in giving out information which they think could be misused by the researcher.

2. Problems of finding good researchers.

 No researcher can be successful unless the investigator is sincere. A good researcher should have some qualities. It’s a usual complaint in research that investigators forge information and they do not take trouble going to the field to get first hand information. The research must be devoted to the cause and a due while the research is being done.

3. Dependency on others.

 A researcher can not do everything by himself or herself. It usually tempts to employ others to work with. At the same time the researcher also depends on the respondents who may not be willing to cooperate hence puts dependency on other people in the process of research, requires collective seriousness to which the researcher may not have strong Controls.

4. Problem of the questionnaire.

 If the researcher is using a questionnaire to collect information, in most cases the problem of construction of a questionnaire arises. The researcher is expected to formulate a questionnaire that will give desirable responses from the respondents. The questionnaire should not be too long. It should have a high hygienic factor so as to motivate the respondents to fill it.

5. Analysis of data.

 When data has been collected, it must be analyzed and findings interpreted. The method of analyzing data must be efficient to bring out good findings also the methods of measurement used in analyzing data should be appropriate. Many analyzers tend to introduce personal biases when interpreting and analyzing data which is unethical.

6. Cultural diversity.

 because of a big cultural diversity it becomes practically difficult to carry out meaningful research in LDCs. The wide variations make it very difficult to interpret findings across the variations section of population. This is even made worse because of the dual nature of the life style of the people.

7. The communication aspect: the communication infrastructure in LDCs is under developed and as a result it becomes very difficult to successfully carryout research. The collection of data and the analysis of data maybe difficult and expensive. The communication infrastructure is poor e.g. roads, computer networks, telephone facilities, the internet etc.

8. Lack of funds. Most organizations in LDCs are very small with Ltd capital and may not have adequate funds available to finance research projects as a result research is not popular in those organizations. Research is costly and researchers with no research funds are likely not to be successful. The lack of funds for research is also attributes to the value that many organizations act to research.

9. Lack of information: organizations in LDCs are characterized with a problem of poor record keeping. This creates a problem in securing information. This will imply a problem when looking for research information which is not available.

9. Lack of information and organized statistics: organizations in LDCs are characterized with a problem of poor record keeping. This creates a problem in securing information. This will imply a problem when looking for research information which is not available.

10. Insecurity in some areas: Wars and conflict in some countries discourage the ease of doing research. It is very risky to carry on research in such areas for the fear for one’s life.

11. Loss of data due to viruses, theft, fire and other nature calamities.

 12. Public health problems: like an outbreak of Ebola is some areas.

 13. Influence from funders or initiators of the research or the public.

 14. Choice of methods and instruments.

 15. Weather conditions

 16. Not knowing when to stop. On a large scale or long-term project it can be hard to know where to start. However, as research progresses, one realises that the hardest part is actually knowing when to stop. At some point the constant reading has to stop (or at least be paused!) for the writing to begin. So one needs to decide or learn to stop (or pause) the reading and start writing. The stop the writing and present.

CHARACTERISTICS/ HALLMARKS OF GOOD RESEARCH

1. Purposiveness: The researcher must have a definite aim or purpose of the research. It could be aimed at improving commitment of employees to the organization. The improvement in commitment will mean less turnover, less absenteeism, and probably increased profitability, all of which will benefit the organization.

2. Rigor:- Research must have a good theoretical and methodological base. The researcher has to read widely on the subject and get the stand of other researchers as regards the subject and the methods used for investigation. Rigor connotes carefulness, scrupulousness and the degree of exactitude in research investigations. For example, if the manager of an organization asks 10 – 12 employees to indicate what would increase their level of commitment to it. If, on the basis of their responses alone, the manager reaches several conclusions on how employee commitment can be raised, the whole approach to the investigation would be unscientific. It would lack rigor because, to mention just a few reasons

a) the conclusions would be incorrectly drawn since they would be based on the thoughts of a few.

b) The manner in of framing and addressing the questions could have introduced bias or incorrectness in the responses.

c) There might be many other important influences on organizational commitment that this small sample did not or could not verbalise during the interview.

Because of the above, conclusions drawn from an investigation that lacks good theoretical foundation and methodological sophistication would be unscientific. Rogorous research involves a good theoretical base and a carefully thought-out methodology.

3. Testability:- After a random selection of respondents and a study of the previous research done in that area, the researcher develops certain hypotheses (or beliefs) on the relationship between the variables or aspects being processed, and these can be tested by applying certain statistical tests to the data collected. Scientific research thus lends itself to testing logically developed hypotheses to see whether or not the data support the educated hypotheses that are developed after a careful study of the problem situation.

4. Replicability:- The findings of the research should be supported again and again when the same type of research is repeated in other similar circumstances. If the results are replicated or repeated, we will have confidence in our research being scientific.

5. Precision:- The results obtained from the sample interviewed should be as close as possible to the reality. In other words, precision reflects the degree of accuracy of the results based on the sample to what really exists in the universe.

6. Confidence:- It refers to the probability that our estimations are correct. It is not enough to be precise, but it is also important that we can say that 95% of the time, we are going to find our results to be true and there is only a 5% chance of us being wrong. This is also known as confidence level.

7. Objectivity:- The conclusions drawn through the interpretation of the results of data analysis should be based on the facts resulting from the findings from actual data and not based on our own subjective or emotional values.

8. Generalisability:- It refers to the scope of applicability of the research findings in one setting to other settings. The wider the range of applicability of the solutions generated by research, the more useful the research is to the users.

9. Persimony:- Simplicity in explaining the phenomena or problems that occur and in generating solutions of the problems. It is always preferred that in complex research frameworks that consider an unmanageable number of factors, the factors are reduced to a few (factor reduction). Economy in research models is achieved when we can build into our research framework a lesser number of variables that would explain the variance far more efficiently than a complex set of variables that would add little to the variance explained.

Adapted from Sekarani (2003)

Question

Referring to a research study that you have been doing during the assignments on this course, describe the research process.

More questions

1. What are some features of good scientific research?

2. What does it mean if a researcher claims that a particular result is statistically significant?

3. Explain any eight hallmarks of good business research.

Qualities Of A Good Researcher

Research is becoming a very important aspect in management and hence its professionalism needs to be developed. This implies that we need to consider the qualities a good researcher should;

a. be able to collect information without any prejudice.

b. have the capacity and ability to have and get independent information from the people.

c. have a desire for accuracy and keen observation of research findings.

d. be prepared to analyze the data collected in the timely limit prescribed for the research. The process of the research is tedious and mostly researchers end up abandoning the data collected.

e. have a nature that vibrates in unison (union) in whatever is being researched.

f. Have an alert mind and capable enough to listen to the respondents irrespective of any situation.

g. Have ability not to be easily discouraged because there are so many difficulties in carrying out research e.g. bad weather conditions financial problem, etc.

h. do a lot of literature review to get information about what other researchers have said about the subject and make good interpretations.

i. have a clear idea about the terminology being used i.e. there should be uniformity. Don’t use complicated terminologies because people will get confused and you will not get the information you want.

j. You should be able to establish good contacts with people and keep them in good humor.

k. be able to use different research tools available e.g. tools like questionnaires, interviews, guide, and personal discussions, observations etc.

be able to make findings available to society even in the face of social disapproval ie do not care to what is approved or disapproved in society.

Ethics in Research

Introduction to Ethics in Research

As was introduced in the previous lesson, you must have tried to establish and write what you think ethics are. Here we shall have more information on ethics.

What are Ethics?

Ethics refer to a code of conduct or expected societal norm of behavior. While conducting research, ethical conduct is expected of the organization and the members that sponsor the research, the researchers who undertake the research, and the respondents who provide them with necessary data.

Ethics refers to a system of moral values or the way people distinguish right from wrong.

Qn: In the research that you are about to carry out, write some of the unethical acts that can possibly be performed by any one of the following participants in research:

1. The researcher
2. The data collector
3. The sponsor of the research
4. The Respondents

Unethical practices include the following

1. Initially deceiving the respondents on the purpose of the research. This denies them full and truthful information about the study. Deception in research arises because the researcher has to balance costs and benefits leading to the ethical dilemma. Sometimes researchers face a conflict between two rights; the right of the researcher to conduct research and to acquire knowledge and the right of individual research participants to privacy and dignity.

2. Exposing respondents or participants to extreme stress. They become seriously upset and nervous.

3. Making the respondents known or exposing their identity or their information moreover confidentiality was promised. This makes some shy and others guilty. Protect confidential communications, such as papers or grants submitted for publication, personnel records, trade or military secrets, patient records and personal information about respondents and institutions.

4. Some studies may affect the participants’ trust in authority. A research has social responsibility. Strive to promote social good and prevent or mitigate social harms through research, public education, and advocacy. Know and obey relevant laws and institutional and governmental policies.

5. Some researchers involve respondents who have not accepted to take part in the study, ie, when there is no consent. Informed consent is absolutely essential whenever participants are exposed to substantial risks or asked to forfeit their personal rights. Respondents can be made to sign consent forms to show that by the time they participated in the study, they were aware of the risk and accepted willingly to participate in the research.

6. Creating distrusts among respondents hence making it difficult for other researchers (and yourself) to collect data from the same individuals presently and in future. Integrity is a key requirement. Keep your promises and agreements; act with sincerity; strive for consistency of thought and action and focus on the task.

7. Invasions of privacy are of great concern to all, especially in an era when computerized databanks, both governmental and commercial are so accessible. The right to privacy ie the freedom of the individual to pick and choose for him/herself the time, and circumstances under which, and most importantly, the extent to which, his/her attitudes, beliefs, behavior, and opinions are to be shared with or withheld from others, may easily be violated during a study or after its completion.

8. Plagiarism must be avoided. It is citation devoid of showing the source of information. It is a serious offence that can lead to a penalty like prosecution in court or discontinuation from studies. Some forms of plagiarism, in order of seriousness from the least to the most serious are;

a) Citing one’s own past work without acknowledgement

b) Citing a secondary source as a primary one

c) Summarizing someone else’s ideas or findings without acknowledgement

d) Lifting parts of another persons work verbatim without citing the reference

e) Publishing someone else’s work in your own name.

Avoiding plagiarism supports responsible publication. Publish in order to advance research and scholarship, not to advance just your own career. Avoid wasteful and duplicative publication.

9. Failing to respect Intellectual Property like violating copyright laws. Copying, duplicating or reproducing someone else’s work without express permission. Honor patents, copyrights, and other forms of intellectual property. Do not use unpublished data, methods, or results without permission. Give credit where credit is due. Give proper acknowledgement or credit for all contributions to research. Never plagiarize.

10. Respondents telling lies. This will lead to the researcher making a wrong decision basing on wrong facts.

11. Analysts, reporters and the researcher giving information not related ot data collected. Strive for honesty in all scientific communications. Honestly report data, results, methods and procedures, and publication status. Do not fabricate, falsify, or misrepresent data. Do not deceive colleagues, granting agencies, or the public. This may lead to recommendations that are not suitable for the current problems faced. Researchers and reporters should not skew their conclusions based on funding.

12. Causing harm to humans. A researcher should not harm anybody (him/herself, the respondents or other participants) involved in the study. Ethical lapses in research can significantly harm human and animal subjects, students, and the public. For example, a researcher who fabricates data in a clinical trial may harm or even kill patients, and a researcher who fails to abide by regulations and guidelines relating to radiation or biological safety may jeopardize his health and safety or the health and safety of staff and students. When conducting research on human subjects, minimize harms and risks and maximize benefits; take special precautions with vulnerable populations; and strive to distribute the benefits and burdens of research fairly.

13. Bias in research. Strive to avoid bias in experimental design, data analysis, data interpretation, peer review, personnel decisions, grant writing, expert testimony, and other aspects of research where objectivity is expected or required. Avoid or minimize bias or self-deception. Disclose personal or financial interests that may affect research.

14. Carelessness should be avoided. Avoid careless errors and negligence; carefully and critically examine your own work and the work of your peers. Keep good records of research activities, such as data collection, research design, and correspondence with agencies or journals.

15. Failing to share information with the parties involved. Openness is important in research. Share data, results, ideas, tools, resources. Be open to criticism and new ideas.

16. Senior researchers not training other people. Senior researchers and head of research teams should carry out responsible mentoring. They should help to educate, mentor, and advise others, promote their welfare and develop them into independent researchers.

17. Discrimination. Avoid discrimination against participants and research team members on the basis of gender, race, ethnicity, or other factors that are not related to their scientific competence and integrity.

18. Not caring for animals. Show proper respect and care for animals when using them in research. Do not conduct unnecessary or poorly designed animal experiments.

19. The organisation and/or sponsors not giving sufficient funds

20. The organisation and/or sponsors not giving funds in time

21. The organisation and/or sponsors influencing findings of the  research

22. The organisation and/or sponsors preventing dissemination of findings

23. The organisation not providing a conducive environment for the researcher to carry out his/her tasks efficiently.

Situations That May Lead To A Research Being ‘Unethical’

Ethical issues arise from the kind of problems managers and business scholars investigate and the methods used to obtain valid and reliable data. They may be evoked by

a) the research problem itself (eg program evaluation where respondents manage programs),

b) the setting in which the research takes place (eg hospital, government agencies),

c) the procedure required by the research design (eg exposure of the experimental group to conditions that may have negative effects on participants),

d) the method of data collection (interviews may lead to forging answers),

e) the kinds of persons serving as research participants (eg busy managers, inaccessible people), and

f) the type of data collected (eg recruitment practices in some organizations or agencies).

Importance of adherence to ethical norms in research

1. They promote the aims of research, such as knowledge, truth, and avoidance of error. For example, prohibitions against fabricating, falsifying, or misrepresenting research data promote the truth and avoid error.

2. Since research often involves a great deal of cooperation and coordination among many different people in different disciplines and institutions, ethical standards promote the values that are essential to collaborative work, such as trust, accountability, mutual respect, and fairness. For example, many ethical norms in research, such as guidelines for authorship, copyright and patenting policies, data sharing policies, and confidentiality rules in peer review, are designed to protect intellectual property interests while encouraging collaboration. Most researchers want to receive credit for their contributions and do not want to have their ideas stolen or disclosed prematurely.

3. Many of the ethical norms help to ensure that researchers can be held accountable to the public. For instance, policies on research misconduct, conflicts of interest, the human subjects protections, and animal care and use are necessary in order to make sure that researchers who are funded by public money can be held accountable to the public.

4. Ethical norms in research also help to build public support for research. People are more likely to fund research project if they can trust the quality and integrity of research.

5. Many of the norms of research promote a variety of other important moral and social values, such as social responsibility, human rights, animal welfare, compliance with the law, and health and safety.

REVISION QUESTIONS ON ETHICS IN RESEARCH

Now that we have looked at the unethical issues;

Post your responses on the forum

Qn. How would you avoid the above issues in the area where you are going to do research?

QN: Visit any 10 shops in your neighborhood and ask the shopkeepers 5 challenges that they are having with difficult customers during busy times.

Qn. Discuss the view that it is possible to follow ethics in research all the time?

Resources

1. Resnik, D. B.What is Ethics in Research & Why is it Important? Available online at

http://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/resources/bioethics/whatis/

2. Shamoo A and Resnik D. 2009. Responsible Conduct of Research, 2nd ed. (New York: Oxford University Press).

3. Research Methods Knowledge Base. Ethics in Research. Available online at

http://www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/ethics.php

3. Ethics in Research. Adopted from the Experiment Resources.com website at

http://www.experiment-resources.com/ethics-in-research.html

TOPIC SUMMARY

In this section you have learnt that

1. Research is a systematic data-based process aimed at solving a specific problem.

2. Business research helps in providing information to assist managers make better decisions, helps to identify management problems, helps to identify opportunities in business, helps managers evaluate day to day practice within teams, helps internal monitoring and evaluation by organisations to improve efficiency or productivity, helps to improve 'consumer relations', contributes to staff appraisal and development processes, and can feed into national policy

Review questions on Introduction to Research.

1. What is business research?
2. How does business research enhance the effectiveness of a manager.
3. As a researcher in any area of business, what are the problems you are likely to encounter from inception to report writing?
4. Comment on the statement that since research in the management area cannot be 100% scientific, we should not bother to do it at all.

5. What are the objectives of research?

6. Would you say that research is an art or a science? Justify your position.

7. You have just been appointed the Managing Director of a large corporation. How does your knowledge of research make you a better manager that one who does not have knowledge of research.

8. As a managing director of a big company, in which areas of the company would you apply research and how?

INTRODUCTION TO TOPIC 2 - ETHICS IN RESEARCH

Now that you know what research is, it is high time we discussed ethical issues in research. Please go to the forum and post your responses to the following issues.

Qn1: What do you think ethics are?

Qn2: Do you think it is important to follow ethics in research?

Qn3: Thinking of your own research work, give reasons why you think it is important for everybody involved to be ethical.

NB: As soon as you finish the assignment, the next session will be opened.