Discover the key features and nature of research in Business Research Methods for BITM, BBA, and BBS courses in Nepal. Learn the essential characteristics of quality research—objectivity, control, generalizability, systematic process, logic, reproducibility, and more. Perfect for university exams and academic projects.
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In Business Research Methods, understanding the features or nature of research is fundamental for conducting high-quality academic or business investigations. Whether you are pursuing BITM, BBA, or BBS in Nepal, mastering the core characteristics of research helps you design better studies, analyze data accurately, and solve real-world business problems.
Scientific research is a systematic and objective investigation designed to develop knowledge and solve problems through empirical evidence and logical reasoning.
- It follows a specific process and methodology to ensure the validity, reliability, and accuracy of the results.
Key Features of Research:
Research in business and academia shares several essential qualities that ensure accuracy, validity, and reliability. Below are the widely accepted features:
- Objective
- Controlled
- Generalizability
- Free From Personal Biases
- Systematic
- Reproducible
- Directed Toward Solution of a Problem
- Logical
- Replicable
1. Objective
Research must be free from personal feelings, emotions, or preferences. Objectivity ensures that findings are based on facts, evidence, and logical reasoning, not the researcher’s subjective judgments.
Why this matters:
Objective research helps organizations make unbiased decisions grounded in reality.
2. Controlled
Research conditions should be carefully controlled, especially in scientific and experimental studies. By managing external factors, researchers can identify the real relationship between variables.
Example:
Controlling market conditions to study the effect of pricing on customer behavior.
3. Generalizability
One important nature of research is that the results should be applicable to a larger population beyond the study sample.
This requires:
- Adequate sample size
- Proper sampling techniques
- Scientific data collection
Generalizable findings help businesses and policymakers apply the results to real-world situations.
4. Free From Personal Biases
A strong research study eliminates researcher bias, respondent bias, and interpretation bias.
This means:
- Using neutral language in questionnaires
- Applying standardized procedures
- Avoiding selective reporting of results
Unbiased research improves credibility and accuracy.
5. Systematic
Research follows a logical, organized, and step-by-step process that begins with problem identification and ends with conclusions or recommendations.
Typical steps include:
- Formulating the research problem
- Reviewing literature
- Designing methodology
- Collecting data
- Analyzing data
- Reporting results
A systematic structure ensures clarity and reliability.
6. Reproducible
Another key feature is that research should be repeatable by other researchers under similar conditions.
- If the same methods produce similar results, the research is considered reliable.
- Reproducibility boosts scientific integrity and strengthens findings.
7. Directed Toward Solution of a Problem
Research is inherently problem-solving. It aims to identify issues and provide practical, evidence-based solutions.
In business research, this may include:
- Improving customer satisfaction
- Understanding market behavior
- Reducing operational inefficiencies
Research without a problem-solving direction lacks purpose.
8. Logical
Research must follow rules of reasoning, both inductive and deductive.
- Inductive reasoning: moving from specific observations to general theories
- Deductive reasoning: applying general theories to specific cases
Logic ensures that conclusions are sensible and scientifically justified.
9. Replicable
Replication is closely related to reproducibility. It means that other researchers should be able to use the same procedures to verify the findings.
Replicability strengthens:
- Validity
- Accuracy
- Scientific contribution
Conclusion
The features or nature of research play a crucial role in ensuring that research outcomes are credible, reliable, and useful. For students of Business Research Methods in BITM, BBA, and BBS programs in Nepal, understanding these characteristics is essential for academic success and professional capability.
By being objective, systematic, logical, unbiased, and reproducible, research becomes a powerful tool for discovering new knowledge and solving business problems.
If you’re preparing for exams or assignments, mastering these features will significantly improve the quality of your research work.
FAQs
1. Why is objectivity important in research?
Objectivity ensures findings are based on factual evidence rather than personal preferences, making the results more reliable.
2. What is the difference between reproducibility and replicability?
- Reproducibility means others can obtain similar results using the same data and methods.
- Replicability means others can repeat the study with new data and still confirm the findings.
3. Why must research be systematic?
A systematic process avoids errors, maintains clarity, and ensures that each step contributes logically to the final conclusion.
4. Can biased research still be valid?
Biased research weakens validity because the results become influenced by personal or external factors instead of factual evidence.
5. What does generalizability mean in simple terms?
It means the results of the research can be applied to a wider population, not just the sample studied.