ASSIGNMENT

Applying Critical Concepts of Business Research

Thinking like a Researcher

Introduction: Scientific methods and thinking are based on concepts-the symbols attached to bundles of meaning-that we hold and share with others. We invent concepts to think about and communicate abstractions and higher-level concepts, constructs for specialized scientific explanatory purposes that are not directly observable. Concepts, constructs, and variables may be defined descriptively or operationally. Concepts and constructs are used at the theoretical level; variables are used at the empirical level. Variables accept numerals for the purpose of "teasing," classified as explanatory. Propositions are used to assess the truth or falsity of relationship among observable phenomena. When we advance a proposition for testing, we are hypothesizing.

Scientific Reasoning: Ladder of Abstraction
Formal research and disciplined inquiry in organization and management have their roots in the social and behavioral sciences, which in turn have a strong connection to the physical sciences. One characteristic of scientific inquiry is the quest to develop theory that explains empirical (observed) evidence. Evidence, in the form of quantitative (numerical) or qualitative (no numerical) data, represents something that is more concrete and tangible. Theory can include various propositions, concepts, and assumptions that are less concrete.
The "Ladder of Abstraction" (Hayakawa, 1979) represents a hierarchy of elements that connects data to theory.

Ladder of Abstraction. More abstract to more concrete. Assumption. Concept. Proposition. Hypothesis. Variable. Operational Definition.
Scientific inquiry proceeds in a logical sequence of defining and measuring observable phenomena to test understanding of reality and build theory that replaces old knowledge with new. Within a ladder of abstraction perspective, abstract assumptions, concepts, and propositions are replaced, changed, or revised based on the research that is conducted on hypothetical relationships between variables in terms of how the variables are quantitatively or qualitatively measured, that is, operationalized.

The ladder of abstraction is one way of demonstrating the connection between theory (abstract) and research (concrete). You are encouraged to seek out definitions of each of these terms as they relate to research and scientific inquiry.
Reference

Course Competencies Met in This Unit
- Competency 5: Compare foundational theories and concepts from the business literature that support stated business problems, research purposes, and research questions.
Hayakawa, S. I. (1979). Language in thought and action (4th ed.). New York, NY: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich.

Objectives

To successfully complete this learning unit, you will be expected to:

- Analyze the terminology used by professional researchers employing scientific thinking.

- Describe what is needed to formulate a solid research hypothesis.

- Identify the need for sound reasoning to enhance business research results.

ASSIGNMENT REQUIREMENTS
By successfully completing this assignment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and assessment criteria:

- Competency 2: Evaluate the context, setting, and rationale for the business problem.
Explain each study's purpose and alignment with an identified problem.

- Competency 3: Develop a research purpose statement based on stated business problems.
Compare the articles' foundational theories and concepts supporting the stated business problems' research purposes.

- Competency 4: Develop research questions in support of a business problem and research purpose.
Describe the business problems' context, setting, rationale, and operational definitions.

- Competency 7: Analyze different approaches to the creation of literature reviews that support applied business research.
Write in standard American English appropriate for audience using correct grammar and current APA format.

- Competency 8: Analyze requirements of ethical research.
Summarize the authors' ethical procedures and processes.

Assignment Preparation
Review the two research articles by Al-Emadi and Marquardt, and Marsh, linked in this unit's Studies and in this assignment. Applying your knowledge of critical concepts and principles of applied business research, you will compare the articles' foundational theories and concepts supporting the stated business problem's research purposes.

Assignment Instructions
Compose one formal, APA-formatted paper of no more than 700 words (word count excluding title and reference pages) that demonstrates your understanding of the following concepts for each study:

- Context: What is the business problem? What is the specialization? Are these appropriately related?
- Setting: What is the applied business research or research method and design (or both)?
- Rationale: What is the value (worth) of examining the problem as applied to business? Upon whose research did the authors seek to build, that is, what is the scholarly justification for the research?
- Research Purpose: What is the purpose of the study? What is the alignment between the research purpose and problem identified by the authors?
- Ethical Procedures and Processes: In summary, what actions did the authors take to ensure the ethical protections required in applied business research?
- Operational Definitions: Were specialized terms used?
- Foundational Theories and Concepts Frameworks: How do the articles differ with respect to their foundational theories and concepts?
Refer to the Applying Critical Concepts of Business Research Scoring Guide to ensure you meet the grading criteria.

Readings
Use your Business Research Methods textbook to read the following:
Cooper, D. R., & Schindler, P. S. (2014). Business Research Methods. In D. R. Cooper, & P. S. Schindler, Business Research Methods (12th. ed., pp. 48-73.). New York, New York, United States of America: McGraw-Hill/Irwin. Retrieved April 25, 2017
- Chapter 3, "Thinking like a Researcher," pages 48-73.
Use the Library to access the following articles:
Al-Emadi, M. A. S., & Marquardt, M. J. (2011). Relationship between employees' beliefs regarding training benefits and employees' organizational commitment in a petroleum company in the State of Qatar. International Journal of Training & Development, 11(1), 49-70.
Marsh, C. (2014). Business executives' perceptions of ethical leadership and its development. Journal of Business Ethics, 114(3), 565-582.
Wiewiora, A., Murphy, G., Trigunarsyah, B., & Brown, K. (2014). Interactions between organizational culture, trustworthiness, and mechanisms for inter-project knowledge sharing. Project Management Journal, 45(2), 48-65.
Multimedia
- Click Research Methodologies Comparison Chart to get a better idea about how qualitative and quantitative research methods differ.
- Click Resources Toolbox to access resources that provide links, information, and tools useful for DBA learners. The Toolbox is provided in every unit of this course.
Supplemental Resource
Refer to the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association to format and style your submissions in this course.
Optional Readings
You may wish to obtain the following books:
Christensen, L., Johnson, R., & Turner, L. (2014). Research methods, design and analysis (12th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education.
Creswell, J. (2012). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Optional Resources
You may wish to access the following resources:
Refer to the Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP) Web site.