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22 SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION

resources needed for doing good research, lack of knowledge, and other factors
might prompt businesses to try to solve problems based on hunches. However,
the probability of making wrong decisions in such cases is high. Even such busi-
ness “gurus” as Lee Iacocca confess to making big mistakes due to errors of judg-
ment. Business Week, Fortune, and the Wall Street Journal, among other business
periodicals and newspapers, feature articles from time to time about organiza-
tions that face difficulties because of wrong decisions made on the basis of
hunches and/or insufficient information. Many implemented plans fail because
not enough research has preceded their formulation.

THE HALLMARKS OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH

The hallmarks or main distinguishing characteristics of scientific research may be
listed as follows:
1. Purposiveness
2. Rigor
3. Testability
4. Replicability
5. Precision and Confidence
6. Objectivity
7. Generalizability
8. Parsimony

Each of these characteristics can be explained in the context of a concrete
example. Let us consider the case of a manager who is interested in investigat-
ing how employees’ commitment to the organization can be increased. We shall
examine how the eight hallmarks of science apply to this investigation so that it
may be considered “scientific.”

Purposiveness

The manager has started the research with a definite aim or purpose. The focus
is on increasing the commitment of employees to the organization, as this will
be beneficial in many ways. An increase in employee commitment will translate
into less turnover, less absenteeism, and probably increased performance levels,
all of which would definitely benefit the organization. The research thus has a
purposive focus.

Rigor
A good theoretical base and a sound methodological design would add rigor to
a purposive study. Rigor connotes carefulness, scrupulousness, and the degree