Business Research Methodology : With Practical Applications using SPSS and Spreadsheets
/Pushpender Kumar, Anupreet Kaur Mokha
- New Delhi: Taxman Publication, 2025.
- xxi, 384p. ; 24cm. illustration;
Introduction to Research – Builds a strong conceptual foundation: Meaning, scope, and significance of research Research terminologies (concepts, variables, constructs, hypotheses, models, theories) Types of Research – Quantitative/qualitative, conceptual/empirical, fundamental/applied, cross-sectional/longitudinal Philosophical approaches (positivism, interpretivism, pragmatism) Deductive vs Inductive reasoning with frameworks and visuals Research Process – Step-by-step explanation How to conduct a literature review (steps, sources, synthesis) How to formulate research questions, with examples and common mistakes Research Design – Provides a blueprint for conducting research: Meaning and characteristics of research design Exploratory, descriptive, and experimental designs When and how each design is used in business studies Examples and structured diagrams to choose appropriate designs Data Collection – A comprehensive and application-rich unit: Measurement & Scaling Levels of measurement (nominal, ordinal, interval, ratio) Comparative scales (ranking), non-comparative scales (rating) Likert, semantic differential, Stapel scales Reliability & validity (types, measurement, examples) Survey Methods Types of Surveys – Online, telephonic, personal, mail-based Characteristics of a good survey Designing questionnaires, respondent bias, and pilot testing Sampling Techniques Concepts – Population, sampling units, sampling frame Probability Sampling – Random, stratified, systematic, cluster Non-probability sampling: convenience, purposive, quota, judgmental Sample size determination (logic, formulae, examples) Data Analysis using Spreadsheet & SPSS – Highly practical, tool-based, and skill-building: Data Preparation & Cleaning Handling missing values Detecting outliers Coding/recoding variables Classification of data Visual Presentation – Tables, line charts, bar charts, pie charts, histograms, box plots Descriptive Statistics Measures of central tendency (mean, median, mode) Measures of variation (range, IQR, variance, SD, coefficient of variation) Skewness, kurtosis, interpretation with visuals Inferential Statistics (with SPSS & Spreadsheet Procedures) – Each test includes a practical example, SPSS steps, spreadsheet method & output interpretation: One-sample Z-test & Two-sample Z-test One-sample t-test Paired-sample t-test Independent-sample t-test Chi-square tests (goodness of fit & independence) Non-parametric tests: Kolmogorov–Smirnov Mann–Whitney U Kruskal–Wallis Median test Sign test McNemar test Also includes numerical questions and practical exercises for every major concept Report Writing & Ethics – Focuses on academic writing and responsible research practices: Types of reports (contractual, project, research, evaluation, annual) Structure of a well-written research report Referencing and bibliography (with examples) Format and presentation guidelines (tables, figures, layout) Ethical issues at each research stage Rights and responsibilities of researchers, sponsors, and respondents Each chapter follows a consistent and reader-friendly design:
Clear learning objectives Introductory examples for context Step-by-step explanations with flowcharts and diagrams Tables contrasting key concepts SPSS and Spreadsheet tutorials Rich visuals for data presentation and theory models Case study to encourage application Summary for quick revision MCQs, short & long answer questions Numerical questions and practical tasks for skill-building The progression ensures that students first gain conceptual clarity, then immerse themselves in application
Business Research Methodology is a NEP-aligned, practice-oriented textbook that turns research learning into a clear, step-by-step process. It covers the whole research journey—from foundational concepts and philosophical approaches to data collection, SPSS/Excel-based analysis, report writing, and ethics—across five structured units. Supported by real datasets, case studies, visuals, solved examples, and practical tasks, the book blends conceptual clarity with hands-on application. It is an ideal resource for B.Com./B.Com. (Hons.) students, research beginners, and learners preparing for dissertations, exams, internships, and early research roles.