Research Methodology in Business: A Starter’s Guide

Abstract

A cardinal requisite of successful research lies in the proper selection of the research methodology applied to achieve
research objectives using the available resources. In addition to acquiring sufficient knowledge of their specific
research topic, researchers are urged to develop good understanding of alternative research methodologies at their
disposal to be able to identify the best-suited methods to address the research question. This, however, often poses a
challenge for novice researchers who face difficulty in grasping the vast methodology landscape and its
encompassing array of debates. The purpose of this paper is to provide new researchers with a comprehensive
overview of the main elements of research methodology, particularly in the business domain. After a brief
introduction, the paper introduces the principles of research philosophy, approaches, and methods, and explains the
different paradigmatic stances adopted by researchers in the field. A number of mixed methods designs are then
discussed to highlight the different means by which qualitative and quantitative research are combined. The final
section presents sampling techniques then explores the most prominent data-collection tools employed in business,
including interviews, questionnaires, and case studies. The paper aims to offer business postgraduate students
embarking on their research journeys with a useful summary that would guide in them navigating the methodological
aspect of their research work.