Importance Of The Research Process

The Importance of the Research Process

Introduction

From the simple experiments of early scientists to the advanced methods of modern day scholars, people have asked questions and used research to find the answers. Plano Clark and Creswell (2010) define research as “a process of steps used to collect and analyze information in order to increase our understanding of a topic or issue” (p. 4). Through this process, researchers pose questions, find answers, and share results in ways which advance knowledge and new ideas. While some scholars contribute to their fields by reviewing and discussing the work of others, new information is contributed by researchers who conduct original research studies.

What is a Research Study?

Although many kinds of research may be found in academic journals, original studies can be differentiated from other types of research by their use of a methodical research process. In order to be considered a research “study,” a set of seven distinct steps are followed:

1. A research problem is posed with a justification or purpose for studying it;

2. Relevant past literature is reviewed and summarized;

3. A narrow purpose for the study is identified;

4. A research design is chosen and data is collected;

5. The data is analyzed and results are reported;

6. The results are interpreted in relation to the literature and implications for future research and practical application;

7. The research is shared and evaluated, typically through publication (Plano Clark & Creswell, 2010, p. 8).

An example of a quantitative research study encompassing all seven steps of the research process is “Brand Parity Perception on the German Automotive Market - A Comparative Analysis of Brand Clusters” by Bialdyga (2013). The...

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Bialdyga, D. (2013). Brand parity perception on the German automotive market - a comparative analysis of brand clusters. International Journal of Management Cases, 15(4), 265-273.

Cordell, D. M., Grange, E., & Langdon, T. P. (2012). Academic research that practitioners can use. Journal of Financial Service Professionals, 66(2), 88-96.

O'Brien, J. P., Drnevich, P. L., Crook, T., & Armstrong, C. E. (2010). Does business school research add economic value for students?. Academy of Management Learning & Education, 9(4), 638-651. doi:10.5465/AMLE.2010.56659881

Plano Clark, V .L., & Creswell, J. W. (2010). Understanding Research: A Consumer’s Guide. Boston, MA: Pearson. ISBN-13: 9780131583894

Wolf, J., & Rosenberg, T. (2012). How individual scholars can reduce the rigor-relevance gap in management research. Business Research, 5(2), 178-196.