Research can be termed as a fact-finding process. It is a scientific process carried out step by step under the regulation of laid down standards. There are many reasons for carrying out research. However, the main purpose of research is to find out answers to the questions due to some scientific procedures applied.
When the Toyota Company started receiving complains from customers in 2010 due to unexplained acceleration in some of its top models, the company made a decision to close down production and stop the sale of multiple models. The decision that Toyota made regarding closing down of production and halting the sales of multiple models did not emerge arbitrarily, but was rather the results of a comprehensive investigation.
Toyota may have used descriptive research to describe its immediate state of affairs. Descriptive research has no control over various variables and can only report occurrences (Zikmund, 2003). The company may have used such a method to explain why the produced models did not meet the necessary requirements and standards.
Another approach relating to the case of the Toyota Company is empirical research. This strategy provides conclusions based on experimentation or observation. For example, the company may have undertaken the testing of various models which functionality raised doubts against anticipated results as noted in their performance.
Empirical research is best applied when proof is crucial regarding the certain variables that influence other ones. Unlike empirical research, conceptual research relies on abstract ideas and does not need concrete data to support it. It helps in developing new concepts or modifying existing ones.
The adoption of quantitative research by Toyota could promote the investigation of measurable quantities and their relationships. These include the number of sales in a given period and the amount of goods rejected by customers. It seeks to establish conclusions using quantifiable variables. This approach is comparable to qualitative research that involves investigating immeasurable variables, such as human behaviour.
In a situation where a problem definition is obscure, it is difficult to set a realistic hypothesis. In such a situation, exploratory research is necessary. Exploratory research may not draw precise conclusions, but recommend the most appropriate research design, data collection methods and other important aspects of conducting an investigation. Exploratory research relies on collected data which may be both qualitative and quantitative, and involves focus groups and searches on the internet.
When a research problem has been narrowly defined, causal research commences. Causal research is a type of research that involves the investigation of the cause and effects between two or more variables expected to have an effect on each other; advertising may be presented as an example in such a case. Although the general expectation is that increased advertising will increase sales, this does not always happen.
Causal research may be used to investigate situation whereby increased advertising does not result in rising sales. Causal research is complex because it is difficult to constantly maintain all other factors, while working with a few variables. Thus, this approach does not guarantee accurate conclusions. To explore the relationship between variables, Toyota could use experimentation or simulation. Experimentation entails the conduction of investigations in either the field or laboratory.
In field research, the researcher investigates the natural setting in the environment of under the study. This may entail asking people to fill questionnaires in their offices or homes. In laboratory research, the elimination of intervening variable is crucial to enhance the accuracy of the results. Due to experimentation, the researcher gains an opportunity to manipulate an independent variable to determine its impact on a dependent variable. This may require the use of control groups.
Experimental research makes changes in independent variables and observes the effect on the dependent variable in a controlled environment. In non- experimental research, the researcher just measures the level of the independent variable in a given situation. An example is the case of investigating the effect of job specialization on employees’ motivation. The researcher may just question the employees, who hold specialized jobs, instead of creating some jobs for employees in order to obtain an interview.
Cross sectional study investigates variables by collecting data at a certain period in order to establish the relationships between different variables. When the collection of such data occurs over a certain period, it is possible to establish relationships between variables by analysing the changes that take place during that time (Bates et al., 2007). This type of research is known as longitudinal study.
A research process falls under the category of a historical research when the investigation of the past occurrences and trends occurs systematically. This mostly involves desk research where secondary data from sales reports, finance records, journals and internet and other sources play an important role in the study on the past information.
This information is useful to predict future outcomes and set hypothesis for other types of research, such as primary research, where a hypothesis is set, and data collection occurs using questionnaires, interviews, experimentation, observation, or secondary research where secondary sources of data influence the study. Such data may be gained from magazines, company reports, among other sources.
References
Bates, H., Holweg, M., Lewis, M., & Oliver, N. (2007). Motor vehicle recalls: Trends, patterns and emerging issues. Omega, 35(2), 202–210.
Zikmund, W. G. (2003). Business research methods (7th ed.). Mason, OH: Thomson/South-Western.