Business Information Research – Lecture 2

Purposiveness Rigor Testability Replicability Precision and Confidence Objectivity Generalizability Parsimony

Not always possible to conduct investigations that are completely scientific as physical sciences

Human behavior – difficult to quantify ( 女人心，海底針 ) – will not be entirely exact and error-free

Difficult to obtain representative sample in management areas

Making generalization, comparison and consistence can be restricted

So…. it is not always possible to meet all the hallmarks of science in full

Deduction and Induction

Deduction(推論法 ) is the process by which we arrive at a conclusion by logical(邏輯 ) generalization of a known fact.

Deduction and Induction

Induction(歸納法 ) is a process where we observe certain phenomena(現象 ) and on this basis arrive at a conclusion

Observation Problem identification Theoretical framework(架構 ) Hypotheses Concepts operational definitions Research design Data collection Analysis of data Interpretation(解釋 ) of data Deduction

1. Observation2. Preliminary information gathering3. Theory formulation4. Hypothesizing5. Further scientific data collection6. Data analysis7. Deduction

Observation A phenomena is seen (observed) to have

potentially important consequences(結果 )

For example: The Manager is aware of (observes) the changes in communication pattern in the office and senses the staff disinterestedness (i.e. the problem) in the new MIS system.

Preliminary information gathering Seek preliminary information of what is

observed

For example: by talking informally to several staff or clients on what is happening and why

Theory formulation Integrate all the information in a logical

manner; conceptualize the problem and formulate a theoretical framework.

Examine critical variables why the problem occurs and how it can be solved.

For example: The new MIS system is not well received due to the lack of user training and resistance to changes (variables).

Hypothesizing Generate testable statement (hypotheses)

from the connection of the variables

For example: Hypothesize (in a testable statement) that the staff disinterestedness will be reduced if strong management endorsement(支持 ) to the system is seen.

Further scientific data collection Obtain data with respect(注視 ) to each

variable in the hypotheses Collect further scientific data to test the

hypotheses

For example: Measure the staff acceptance level in respect to current MIS system. Collect further data on staff acceptance level when MIS system user training and management endorsement are available.

Data analysis Analyze all the data collected statistically

to see if the hypotheses are supported.

Correlation analysis(相關分析 ): Determine the relationship between two

variables (e.g. to see if user training influence staff acceptance level, use correlation analysis and determine the relationship between the two variables.)

Data analysis Analyze all the data collected statistically to

see if the hypotheses are supported.

Quantitative analysis and Qualitative analysis:

data that are collected through interviews, e.g. staff’s response to new MIS system interface

can be done and determine if certain conjectures (assumptions) exist.

Deduction Draw conclusions by interpreting the

results of the data analysis.

For example: If it was found that user training was positively correlated to higher staff acceptance, we can deduce that if new MIS system is to be implemented well, adequate user training must be provided.

Case studies involve in-depth and contextual analyses of the other organizations where similar problem is experienced as in the current situation.

case studies are seldom undertaken in organizations because despite of similar setting (such as organization size, type of problem) the solution are difficult to come by.

Researcher begins with an already-identified problem, gathers relevant data and provide a tentative(暫時的 ) solution

This solution is then implemented with

the knowledge that unplanned consequences can occur

Action research carries on and the effects are evaluated regularly until the problem is resolved

Action research methodology is most

appropriate when planned changes (e.g. ways to handle staff resistance) are introduced to an organization.