Organizational Behavior, Part 1

Question 1: No single research design is perfect for all situations, and all must give something up to focus more deeply in another direction. Studies that result in a wealth of data are not useful in drawing generalities. Highly controlled variables result in studies with ideal rather than realistic results. Research that seeks high precision, high control, or generalizability is more costly to run. Describe the five most frequently used types of research design.

Answer 1: Research design falls into five common types; case study, field survey, field experiment, lab experiment, and aggregate quantitative review. Case studies are in- depth narrative analyses of an individual or group, based upon information gathered most often from observation and supported by documents, records, interviews and other resources. A field survey delineates a field of focus from which standardized and easily quantifiable information is gathered via questionnaires or interviews. A field experiment is undertaken in one or more actual organizations, which results in realistic data, high validity, but a lack of control of external variables. Of all the models, it is the most costly. A laboratory experiment creates a non-natural environment where independent variables are tightly controlled and responsible for changes in the dependent variables. Aggregate quantitative reviews consider a variety of studies on a particular focus, discards those not meeting certain conditions, and applies meta-analysis to quantitatively synthesize the data.

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Question 2: Explain the meaning of correlation coefficient.

Answer 2: Correlation coefficient is a research term that addresses the nature of the relationship between two variables or more. A correlation coefficient is represented as a number between negative 1 (-1) and positive 1 (+1); this number represents the strength of the relationship between the variables. A correlation coefficient of -1 represents a perfect negative relationship between the variables. A negative relationship is one in which a variable increases as the other decreases. Two variables whose relationship directly causes them to vary equally, is expressed as a positive number. Sometimes variables vary for reasons that have no relationship to one another. In this case, the correlation is expressed as a zero. It is important to note that the correlation coefficient demonstrates the strength of correction only; a higher number does not indicate cause.

Question 3: Goal- setting theory falls into the category of cognitive approaches, while reinforcement theory is behaviorist in nature. Discuss these two diametrically opposed positions.

Answer 3: Motivational theories based in cognition begin with the premise that an individual’s action is a result of thought, meaning the cause of action is internal. Motivational theories based in behaviorism begin with the premise that action is largely in reaction to environment; the cause of action is external. Goal- setting theory bases its suppositions on internal motivation by hypothesizing that the actions of an individual are the result of that individual’s intended purpose or desired outcome. Goals can best be achieved when individuals see their value in terms of their own purposes. Reinforcement theory finds consequences of behavior in the past will inform similar behavior in the present. Positive consequences reinforce the likelihood a behavior will be repeated. Unadulterated reinforcement comes down to a stimulus which results in a response, bypassing thought and choice altogether; in this approach, emotion, perception, and expectations do not determine action.

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