BACHELOR OF HUMAN

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
II
(GSU 07405)
 1.0 INTRODUCTION
• Research is a systematic and organized
process of inquiry aimed at discovering,
interpreting, and applying knowledge to
address questions, solve problems, or gain
insights into phenomena.
• Research is the process of collecting/gathering
data and information by a scientific or logical
procedures that aims to solve a particular
scientific problem
 Importance of research
• to get familiarity with new insights into a phenomenon
• To accurately portray the characteristics of a particular
individual, group or situation
• To analyse the frequency with which something occurs
• To examine hypothesis of causal effect relationship
between two variables
• Research is essential for advancing knowledge,
• informing decision-making,
• solving practical problems,
• driving innovation in various domains.
 Objectives of Research
– Exploration: To explore and gain a deeper
understanding of a topic or phenomenon.
– Description: To describe the characteristics, features,
or attributes of a particular subject.
– Explanation: To explain the relationships, causes, or
mechanisms underlying phenomena.
– Prediction: To forecast future trends, outcomes, or
events based on existing data and patterns.
– Intervention: To evaluate the effectiveness of
interventions or treatments in addressing specific
problems.
 Motivation for Research

•Curiosity: The desire to explore unknown

phenomena or answer intriguing questions.
•Practical Needs: The need to solve practical
problems, address challenges, or improve existing
practices.
•Intellectual Pursuit: The pursuit of knowledge for
personal or professional development.
•Career Advancement: The desire to contribute to
the advancement of one's field and enhance
professional credentials.
 Qualities of a good researcher
A good researcher possesses a combination of
personal qualities, skills, and attributes that enable
them to conduct high-quality research effectively.
Here are some key qualities of a good researcher:
•Curiosity: Good researchers have a natural
curiosity and a passion for exploring new ideas,
asking questions, and seeking answers.
•Critical Thinking: They possess strong critical
thinking skills, allowing them to evaluate
information, identify biases, and analyze complex
problems from multiple perspectives.
• Creativity: Good researchers are often creative
thinkers who can generate innovative ideas and
approaches to solve research problems.
• Persistence: Research often involves setbacks and
challenges. Good researchers demonstrate persistence
and resilience in the face of obstacles, staying
committed to their goals and finding solutions to
overcome difficulties.
• Attention to Detail: They pay close attention to detail
in all aspects of their work, from designing
experiments to collecting and analyzing data, ensuring
accuracy and reliability.
• Analytical Skills: Good researchers are skilled at
analyzing data, identifying patterns, and drawing
meaningful conclusions from their findings.
• Communication Skills: Effective communication
is essential for sharing research findings with the
broader community. Good researchers can
communicate their ideas, methods, and results
clearly and persuasively through writing,
presentations, and discussions.
• Collaboration: Research often involves
collaboration with colleagues, mentors, and
other stakeholders. Good researchers are able to
work well in teams, share responsibilities, and
leverage the expertise of others to enhance the
quality of their work.
• Ethical Integrity: Ethical conduct is fundamental
to research. Good researchers adhere to ethical
guidelines and principles, such as honesty,
integrity, respect for participants' rights, and
transparency in reporting.
• Adaptability: Research environments are constantly
evolving, and good researchers demonstrate adaptability
and flexibility in response to changing circumstances, new
technologies, or unexpected findings.
• Time Management: Effective time management is crucial
for conducting research projects efficiently and meeting
deadlines. Good researchers can prioritize tasks, allocate
time effectively, and maintain a productive workflow.
• Open-mindedness: Good researchers approach their work
with an open mind, remaining receptive to new ideas,
feedback, and alternative perspectives that may challenge
their assumptions or hypotheses.
 Qualities of a good research
Good research possesses several key qualities
that contribute to its credibility, validity, and
usefulness. Here are some essential qualities of
good research:
[Link] Purpose/Objective: A good research
project starts with a well-defined purpose or
objective. It should address a specific problem,
question, or gap in knowledge.
• 2. Relevance: The research should be relevant
to the field of study and contribute to existing
knowledge or address practical issues.
• 3. Validity: Validity refers to the accuracy and
truthfulness of the research findings. It
involves using appropriate research methods
and ensuring that the data collected
accurately represents the phenomenon being
studied.
• 4. Reliability: Reliability refers to the consistency
and replicability of research findings. Good
research should produce consistent results when
replicated under similar conditions.
• 5. Transparency: The research process should be
transparent, with clear documentation of
methods, data sources, and analysis techniques.
This allows other researchers to assess the
credibility of the findings and replicate the study
if necessary.
• 6. Ethical Conduct: Ethical considerations are
paramount in research. Researchers should adhere to
ethical guidelines, such as obtaining informed consent
from participants, protecting their privacy and
confidentiality, and avoiding any form of research
misconduct, such as plagiarism or fabrication of data.
• 7. Clear Communication: Finally, good research should
be effectively communicated to the intended
audience. This involves presenting the findings in a
clear, concise, and logical manner, supported by
appropriate visuals and explanations.
• 8. Generalizability: While not all research aims
for generalizability, for those studies that do, it's
important to consider the extent to which the
findings can be generalized to other populations
or contexts. This requires careful consideration of
the sample characteristics and research design.
• 9. Innovation: Good research often introduces
new ideas, approaches, or perspectives to the
field. It should contribute something novel and
valuable to the existing body of knowledge.
 Research Methods Vs Research
Methodology
• Research Methods Research methods refer
to the specific techniques, procedures, and
tools used to collect, analyze, and interpret
data in a research study.
• Examples: Surveys, experiments, interviews,
observations, case studies, literature reviews,
and statistical analysis are common research
methods.
• Research methodology is the way the research problems
are systematically solved.
• Research methodology encompasses the theoretical
framework, principles, and guidelines that guide the overall
research process, including the selection and application of
research methods.
• Research methodology includes elements such as research
design, data collection techniques, data analysis methods,
and ethical considerations.
• Importance: Research methodology provides a systematic
framework for conducting research, ensuring consistency,
rigor, and validity in the research process.
 Types of research
Type of Research Basis of
classification
1 Exploratory, descriptive, Purpose of Research
analytical/explanatory,
Predictive
2 Quantitative or Qualitative Process of Research

3 Deductive or Inductive Logic of research

4 Applied/Basic Research Outcome of research

 Exploratory Research
• is conducted when there are very few or no
earlier studies to which we can refer for
information about the issue or problem. The
aim of this type of study is to look for patterns,
ideas or hypotheses, rather than testing or
confirming a hypothesis.
 A Descriptive research
• is research which describes phenomena
as they exist. It is used to identify and
obtain information on the characteristics of
a particular problem or issue. It tries to
discover answers to the questions who,
what, when, where and, sometimes, how
• An explanatory study goes beyond description
and attempts to explain the reasons for the
phenomenon that the descriptive study has only
observed.
• Predictive research goes even further than
explanatory research. The latter establishes an
explanation for what is happening in a particular
situation, whereas the former forecasts the
likelihood of a similar situation occurring
elsewhere.
Quantitative vs Qualitative Research

• a quantitative approach involves collecting and

analyzing numerical data and applying
statistical tests.
• a qualitative approach is more subjective in
nature and involves examining and reflecting
on perceptions in order to gain an
understanding of social and human activities.
 Applied and Basic Research
• Basic research, also known as pure or
fundamental research, aims to expand our
understanding of fundamental principles and
phenomena without necessarily having
immediate practical applications in mind.
• It focuses on exploring the underlying
mechanisms of natural or scientific
phenomena, often driven by curiosity and a
desire to advance knowledge.
• Applied research is research which has been
designed to apply its findings to solving a
specific, existing problem.
• Applied research is conducted to solve specific,
practical problems or to address practical
questions directly related to improving products,
processes, or systems.
• It focuses on utilizing existing scientific
knowledge to develop new technologies,
products, or solutions that have practical
applications in various fields.
• Deductive research is a study in which a
conceptual and theoretical structure is
developed and then tested by empirical
observation; thus particular instances are
deduced from general inferences. For this
reason, the deductive method is referred to as
moving from the general to the particular
• Inductive research is a study in which theory is
developed from the observation of empirical
reality; thus general inferences are induced from
particular instances.
• Inductive research is a type of research approach
that involves the formulation of general
principles, theories, or hypotheses based on
specific observations of empirical evidence. In
other words, inductive reasoning moves from
specific observations to broader generalizations
or theories.
 Theory
 An explanation about how and why
something is as it is
 Hypothesis
 A testable statement about how two or more
variables are expected to relate to one
another
 A hypothesis is simply a formal version of a
hunch or speculation that usually is based
on a theory
 Theory
• Generalising statements that assert a connection
between two or more types of phenomena

• Explains and predicts the relationship between

variables

• A system of interconnected abstractions or ideas

that condenses and organises knowledge about the
world
 Theory versus Hypothesis
• A hypothesis is an educated guess. It usually
predicts the relationship between two or more
variables.

• Hypotheses are more specific than theories.

• Multiple hypotheses may relate to one theory.

 Purpose of Hypothesis
• Provides clarity to the research problem and
research objectives
• It describes, explain and predict the expected
results
• It indicate the type of research design
• It direct the research study process
• It identify the population of the research study
• It facilitate the data collection, analysis &
interpretation.
 Types of Hypothesis
1) Null Hypothesis
A denial of an attribute, an existence,
relationship expressed in negative
2) Alternative Hypothesis
Affirms the existence of a phenomenon,
acceptance of the attribute of relationship.
 Components of Hypothesis
 Dependent variable
A variable that is affected or influenced by
another variable
 What you are trying to predict or explain.
 Independent variable
 A variable that affects or influences another
variable
Assume the following statement:
 In our research, we are looking at how gender
(male or female) affects the amount of money
individuals leave for tips at restaurants.
 What is the independent variable?
 What is the dependent variable?
 In our research, we are looking at how gender
(male or female) affects the amount of money
individuals leave for tips at restaurants.
 What are the independent variable categories?
 In our research, we are looking at how gender
(male or female) affects the amount of money
individuals leave for tips at restaurants.
 What is a possible hypothesis that could be
generated?
 Research philosophies
They encompass the fundamental beliefs,
assumptions, and principles that guide how
researchers conceptualize, conduct, and
interpret research. They provide a framework
for understanding the nature of knowledge, the
role of the researcher, and the methods used to
generate and validate knowledge.
 Positivism

•Positivism is rooted in the belief that knowledge

can be obtained through empirical observation and
scientific methods. It emphasizes objectivity,
quantification, and the search for universal laws
governing phenomena. Positivist researchers aim to
test hypotheses deductively, using controlled
experiments and statistical analysis to uncover
causal relationships.
 Interpretivism
• Interpretivism rejects the idea of a single
objective reality and instead focuses on
understanding subjective meanings, experiences,
and interpretations. It emphasizes the
importance of context, culture, and social
interactions in shaping knowledge. Interpretivist
researchers use qualitative methods such as
interviews, observations, and textual analysis to
explore lived experiences and constructivist
perspectives.
 Critical Realism

• Critical realism acknowledges the existence of

an objective reality that is not directly
observable but can be understood through
the exploration of underlying mechanisms and
structures. It seeks to uncover the causal
mechanisms and social structures that
influence phenomena, recognizing the role of
both empirical evidence and theoretical
interpretation in generating knowledge.
 Pragmatism

• Pragmatism emphasizes practical consequences

and problem-solving, viewing research as a
means to address real-world issues and improve
understanding. It combines elements of
positivism and interpretivism, advocating for a
flexible approach that prioritizes the use of
methods best suited to the research question
and context. Pragmatic researchers may employ
mixed-methods approaches to triangulate
findings and address multiple perspectives.