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THE HYPOTHETICO-DEDUCTIVE METHOD

  • It Is Been Proposed An Austrian Philosopher , Karl Popper.
  • It Is A Typical Version Of Scientific Method.
  • It Has Seven Steps.

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        • Identify a broad problem area
        • Define the problem statement
        • Develop hypotheses
        • Determine measures
        • Data collection
        • Data analysis
        • Interpretation of data
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Assignment

Question:

  • should be hand written
  • Deadline – Next Class
  • Should be in a presentable manner
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What are the steps in hypothetico-deductive research with reference to new version of book? Is it really different to old version? If so identify with your own point of view?

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The hypothetico-Deductive Method

The Seven steps involved in the hypothetico deductive method of research

from the building blocks are listed below:

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  • Identify a broad problem area
  • Define the problem statement
  • Develop hypotheses
  • Determine measures
  • Data collection
  • Data analysis
  • Interpretation of data

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Identify a broad problem area

If the manager notice a drop in sales, incorrect accounting results, low-yielding investment, disinterestedness of employees in their work, and the like, could attract the attention of the manager to do a research project.

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Define the problem statement

  • Scientific research starts with a definite aim or purpose.
  • A problem statement states the general objective of the research.

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Develop hypotheses

  • The network of associations between the problem and the variables that affect it is identified.
  • A scientific hypothesis must meet two requirements:
    • The hypothesis must be testable
    • The hypothesis must be falsifiable (we can only prove our hypotheses until they are disproved).

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Determine Measures

  • The variables in the theoretical framework should be measurable in some way.
  • Some variables cannot be measure quantitatively, such as unresponsive employees, we need to operationalize this variable.
  • Measurement of variables is discussed in Ch. 6 & 7.

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Data collection

  • Data with respect to each variable in the hypothesis need to be obtained.

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There are two types of data:

-Quantitative data

-Qualitative data

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Data Analysis

  • In this step, the data gathered are statistically analyzed to see if the hypotheses that were generated have been supported.

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  • Analyses of both quantitative and qualitative data can be done to determine if certain relations are important.

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Data Analysis

  • Qualitative data refer to information gathered through interviews and observations. These data usually for objects than can not be physically measured, like feelings and attitudes.

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  • Quantitative data refer to information gathered about objects that can be physically measured. The researcher could obtain these data through the company records, government statistics, or any formal records.

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Interpretation of data

  • Now we must decide whether our hypotheses are supported or not by interpreting the meaning of the results or the data analysis.

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  • Based on these results, the researcher would make recommendations in order to solve the problem in hand.

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Example 2.2 of the Application of the Hypothetico-Deductive Method

  • Observation of the CIO Dilemma

The Chief Information Officer (CIO) of a firm observes that the newly installed Management Information System (MIS) is not being used by middle managers as much as was originally expected.

“There is surely a problem here,” the CIO exclaims.

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Example 2.2 (cont.)

  • Information Gathering through Informal Interviews

- Talking to some of the middle-level managers, the CIO finds that many of them have very little idea as to what MIS is all about, what kinds of information it could provide, and how to access it and utilize the information.

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Example 2.2 (cont.)

  • Obtaining More Information through Literature Survey

- The CIO immediately uses the Internet to explore further information on the lack of use of MIS in organizations.

- The search indicates that many middle-level managers are not familiar with operating personal computers.

- Lack of knowledge about what MIS offers is also found to be another main reason why some managers do not use it.

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Example 2.2 (cont.)

  • Formulating a Theory

- based on all this information, the CIO develops a theory incorporating all the relevant factors contributing to the lack of access to the MIS by managers in the organization.

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Example 2.2 (cont.)

  • Hypothesizing

From such a theory, the CIO generates various hypotheses for testing, one among them being:

- Knowledge of the usefulness of MIS would help managers to put it to greater use.

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Example 2.2 (cont.)

  • Data Collection

The CIO then develops a short questionnaire on the various factors theorized to influence the use of the MIS by managers, such as:

  • The extent of knowledge of what MIS is
  • What kinds of information MIS provides
  • How to gain access to the information
  • The level of comfort felt by managers in using computers in general
  • How often managers have used the MIS in the preceding 3 months.

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Example 2.2 (cont.)

  • Data Analysis

The CIO then analyzes the data obtained through the questionnaire to see what factors prevent the managers from using the system.

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Example 2.2 (cont.)

  • Interpretation of data

Based on the results, the manager deduces or concludes that managers do not use MIS owing to certain factors.

  • These deductions help the CIO to take necessary actions to solve the problem, which might include, among other things:

- Organizing seminars for training managers on the use of computers, and

- MIS and its usefulness.