Problem Definition &The Research Proposal

Problem Definition
&
The Research Proposal

Problem Discovery and Definition
• First step
• Problem, opportunity, or monitor operations
• Discovery before definition
• Problem means management problem

Problem Definition
• The indication of a specific business
decision area that will be clarified by
answering some research questions.
• The crucial first stage in the research
process.

Sources of Problems
There are three important sources-
1. Experience: The selection of a research topics
may arise from the researcher’s experience of
and concern with the general problem of the
business. Researchers’ everyday experiences can
give rise to worthwhile problems for
investigation.

2. Deductions from theory: It can be made from
business philosophy generalization embodied in life
in business that the researcher is familiar with. From
a theory, the research can formulate hypothesis
stating the expected findings in certain empirical
situation.
3. Relevant literature: The selection of a topic for
research may emanate from problems located in the
literature in one’s own subject area of interest. An
extensive and through review of previous research
often opens up examples of research problems.

Criteria for Selecting a Research Problem
• The problems must be significant in the sense
• It should be a researchable one
• It will lead to new problems and further research.
• The problem must be suitable for the researcher
in several respects namely; genuine interest and
intellectual curiosity, knowledge and experience.

Formulating a Research Problem
A well formulated problem however, should be-
a) Clarify exactly what is to be determined or
solved and;
b) Narrow the scope of the study to a specific
question stated in clear and concise form.

The Process of
Problem Definition/identification
Ascertain the
decision maker’s
objectives
Understand
background of the
problem
Isolate/identify the
problem, not the
symptoms
Determine unit of
analysis
Determine relevant
variables
State research
questions and
objectives

9
Ascertain the Decision Maker’s Objectives
• Research investigator must attempt to satisfy the
objectives of the line manager who requests the
project.
• Managerial goals expressed in measurable terms.

The Iceberg Principle
• The principle indicating that the dangerous part
of many business problems is neither visible to
nor understood by managers.

11
Understand the Background of the Problem
• The iceberg principle illustrates that understanding the
background of a problem is vital.
• Experienced managers can provide researchers
background info about previous event and why those
event occurred. In situations problem may be diagnosed
by exercising managerial judgment.
• Inadequate info or troubling identifying problem, a
situation analysis is logical in defining problem.
• Situation analysis - The informal gathering of background
information to familiarize researchers or managers with
the decision area.

12
Isolate and Identify the Problems, Not the
Symptoms or Sign
• Anticipating all dimensions of a problem is
impossible for any researcher.
• Certain occurrences that appear to be ‘the
problem’ may be only symptoms of a deeper
problem.
• Executives judgment and creativity must be
exercised to isolate and identify the problem
rather than symptoms.

Problem Definition
Organization Symptoms Based on Symptom True Problem
Twenty-year-old
neighborhood
swimming
association in a
major city.
Membership has been
declining for years.
New water park with
wave pool and water
slides moved into
town a few years ago.
Neighborhood
residents prefer the
expensive water
park and have
negative image of
swimming pool.
Demographic changes:
Children in this 20-
year-old neighborhood
have grown up. Older
residents no longer
swim anywhere.

14
Determine the Unit of Analysis
• The researcher must specify whether the level
of investigation will focus on the collection of
data about the entire organization, departments,
work group, individuals, or objects.
• In many studies, the cross functional team
rather than the individual is the appropriate unit
of analysis.

15
Determine the Relevant Variable
• Anything that may assume different
numerical values.

Types of Variables
• Categorical-Any variable that has a limited
number of distinct values.
• Continuous-Any variable that has an infinite
number of possible values.
• Dependent- A variable that is to be explained or
predicted.
• Independent - A variable that is to be expected
to influence the dependent variable.

Hypothesis
• An unproven proposition
• A possible solution to a problem
• Guess

18
Research Question: An interrogative statement of a
business problem makes it easier to understand what
is perplexing managers and indicates the issues to
be resolved. A research question is the researcher’s
translation of the business problem into a specific
need for inquiry.
Research Objective: The purpose of the research,
expressed in a measurable terms; the definition of
what the research should accomplish.
State the research questions and
research objectives

Research Proposal
• A written statement of the research design that
includes a statement explaining the purpose of
the study.
• Detailed outline of procedures associated with a
particular methodology.

Building/Abbreviated version
Research Proposal
• Purpose of the Research
• Research Design
• Sample Design
• Data gathering
• Data Processing and Analysis
• Report Preparation
• Budget and Time Schedule

Problem Definition &The Research Proposal

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