BUSINESS

RESEARCH
METHODS
 TOPIC

OVERVIEW OF
RESEARCH DESIGN
AND RESEARCH
PROCESS

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SENIOR LECTURER

AIBA
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 Research Design

According to Pauline V. Young, a research design is "the logical and

systematic planning and directing a piece of research". The design,
according to her "results from translating a general scientific model
into varied research procedures". It gives an outline of the structure
and process of the research programme. Without such a plan of study
no scientific study is possible.
Russel Ackoff has defined it as "Design is the process of making
decisions before a situation arises in which the decision has to be
carried out. It is a process of deliberate anticipation directed towards
bringing unexpected situation under control".

TYPES OF RESEARCH
The basic types of research are as follows:

(i) Descriptive vs. Analytical: Descriptive research includes

surveys and fact-finding enquiries of different kinds. The
major purpose of descriptive research is description of the
state of affairs as it exists at present. In social science and
business research we quite often use the term Ex post facto
research for descriptive research studies. The main
characteristic of this method is that the researcher has no
control over the variables; he can only report what has
happened or what is happening. Most ex post facto research
 projects are used for descriptive studies in which the
researcher seeks to measure such items as, for example,
frequency of shopping, preferences of people, or similar data.
Ex post facto studies also include attempts by researchers to
discover causes even when they cannot control the variables.
The methods of research utilized in descriptive research are
survey methods of all kinds, including comparative and
correlational methods. In analytical research, on the other
hand, the researcher has to use facts or information already
available, and analyze these to make a critical evaluation of
the material.
(ii) Applied vs. Fundamental: Research can either be applied (or
action) research or fundamental (to basic or pure) research.
Applied research aims at finding a solution for an immediate
problem facing a society or an industrial/business
organisation, whereas fundamental research is mainly
concerned with generalisations and with the formulation of a
theory. “Gathering knowledge for knowledge’s sake is
termed ‘pure’ or ‘basic’ research.” Research concerning some
natural phenomenon or relating to pure mathematics are
examples of fundamental research. Similarly, research
studies, concerning human behavior carried on with view to
make generalizations about human behavior, are also
examples of fundamental research, but research aimed at
certain conclusions facing a concrete social or business
 problem is an example of applied research. Research to
identify social, economic or political trends that may effect a
particular institution or copy research or the marketing
research are examples of applied research. Thus, the central
aim of applied research is to discover a solution for some
pressing practical problems. Whereas basic research is
directed towards finding information that has a broad base of
applications and thus, adds to the already existing organized
body of scientific knowledge.
(iii) Quantitative vs. Qualitative: Quantitative research is based
on the measurement of quantity or amount. It is applicable to
phenomena that can be expressed in terms of quantity.
Qualitative research, on the other hand, is concerned with
qualitative phenomenon, i.e., phenomena relating to or
involving quality or kind. For instance, when we are
interested in investigating the reasons for human behavior,
we quite often talk of ‘Motivation Research’, an important
type of qualitative research. This type of research aims at
discovering the underlying motives and desires, using in
depth interviews for the purpose. Other techniques of such
research are word association tests, sentence completion
tests, story completion tests and similar other projective
techniques. Attitude or opinion research, i.e., research
designed to find out how people feel or what they think about
a particular subject or institution is also qualitative research.
 Qualitative research is specially important in the behavioral
sciences where the aim is to discover the underlying motives
of human behavior. Through such research we can analyse
the various factors which motivate people to behave in a
particular manner or which make people like or dislike a
particular thing. It may be stated, however, that to apply
qualitative research in practice is relatively a difficult job and
therefore, while doing such research, one should seek
guidance from experimental psychologists.
(iv) Conceptual vs. Empirical: Conceptual research is that related
to some abstract idea(s) or theory. It is generally used by
philosophers and thinkers to develop new concepts or to
reinterpret existing ones. On the other hand, empirical
research relies an experience or observation alone, often
without due regard for system and theory. It is data based
research, coming up with conclusions which arc capable of
being verified by observation or experiment. We can also call
it as experimental type of research, in such a research it is
necessary to get at facts firsthand, at their source, and
actively to go about doing certain things to stimulate the
production of desired information. In such I research, die
researcher must first provide himself with a working
hypothesis or guess as to the probable results. He then works
to get enough facts (data) to prove or disprove his hypothesis.
He then sets up experimental designs which he thinks will
 manipulate the persons or the materials concerned so as to
bring forth the desired information. Such research is thus
characterised by the experimenter's control over the variables
under study and his deliberate manipulation of one of them to
study its effects. Empirical research is appropriate when
proof is sought that certain variables affect other variables in
some way. Evidence gathered through experiments or
empirical studies is today considered to be the most powerful
support possible for a given hypothesis.
(v) Some Other Types of Research: All other types of research
are variations of one or more of the above stated approaches,
based on either the purpose of research, or the time required
to accomplish research, on the environment in which
research is done, or on the basis of some other similar factor.
Form the point of view of time, we can think of research
either as one-time research or longitudinal research. In the
former case the research is confined to a single time-period,
whereas in the latter case the research is carried on over
several time-periods. Research can be field-setting research
or laboratory research or simulation research, depending
upon the environment in which it is to be carried out.
Research can as well be understood as clinical or diagnostic
research. Such research follow case-study methods or indepth
approaches to reach the basic causal relations. Such studies
usually go deep into the causes of things or events that
 interest us, using very small samples and very deep probing
data gathering devices. The research may be exploratory or it
may be formalized. The objective of exploratory research is
the development of hypotheses rather than their testing,
whereas formalized research studies are those with
substantial structure and with specific hypotheses to be
tested. Historical research is that which utilizes historical
sources like documents, remains, etc. to study events or ideas
of the past, including the philosophy of persons and groups at
any remote point of time. Research can also be classified as
conclusion-oriented and decision oriented. While doing
conclusion oriented research, a researcher is free to pick up a
problem, redesign the enquiry as he proceeds and is prepared
to conceptualize as he wishes. Decision-oriented research is
always for the need of a decision maker and the researcher in
this case is not free to embark upon research according to his
own inclination. Operations research is an example of
decision oriented research since it is a scientific method of
providing executive departments with a quantitative basis for
decisions regarding operations under their control.

EXPLORATORY RESEARCH

Exploratory research is conducted to clarify ambiguous problems.

Management may have discovered general problems, but research is
needed to gain better understanding of the dimensions of the problems.
Exploratory studies provide information to use in analyzing a situation,
but uncovering conclusive evidence to determine a particular course of
action is not the purpose of exploratory research. Usually, exploratory
research is conducted with the expectation that subsequent research
will be required to provide conclusive evidence, It is a serious mistake
to rush into detailed surveys before less expensive and more readily
available sources of information have been exhausted.
In an organisation considering a program to help employees with
childcare needs, for example, exploratory research with a small
number of employees who have children might determine that many of
them have spouses who also work and that these employees have
positive reactions to the possibility of an on-site child-care program. In
such a case exploratory research helps to crystallize a problem and
identify information needs for future research.

EXPLORATORY RESEARCH METHODS

The quickest and the cheapest way to formulate a hypothesis in
exploratory research is by using any of the four methods:
• Literature search
• Experience survey
• Focus group
• Analysis of selected cases

Literature Search
This refers to "referring to a literature to develop a new hypothesis".
The literature referred are - trade journals, professional journals,
market research finding publications, statistical publications etc
Example: Suppose a problem is "Why are sales down?" This can
quickly be analyzed with the help of published data which should
indicate "whether the problem is an "industry problem" or a "firm
problem". Three possibilities exist to formulate the hypothesis.
1. The company's market share has declined but industry's figures are
normal.
2. The industry is declining and hence the company's market share is
also declining.
3. The industry's share is going up but the company's share is
declining.
If we accept the situation that our company's sales are down despite the
market showing an upward trend, then we need to analyse the
marketing mix variables.
Example 1: A TV manufacturing company feels that its market share is
declining whereas the overall television industry is doing very well.
Example 2: Due to a trade embargo imposed by a country, textiles
exports are down and hence sales of a company making garment for
exports is on the decline.
The above information may be used to pinpoint the reason for
declining sales.

Experience Survey
In experience surveys, it is desirable to talk to persons who are well
informed in the area being investigated. These people may be company
executives or persons outside the organisation. Here, no questionnaire
is required. The approach adopted in an experience survey should be
highly unstructured, so that the respondent can give divergent views.
Since the idea of using experience survey is to undertake problem
formulation, and not conclusion, probability sample need not be used.
Those who cannot speak freely should be excluded from the sample.
Example 1:
1) A group of housewives may be approached for their choice for a
"ready to cook product".
.2) A publisher might want to find out the reason for poor circulation of
newspaper introduced recently. He might meet (a) Newspaper sellers
(b) Public reading room (c) General public (d) Business community;
etc.
These are experienced persons whose knowledge researcher can use.
Focus Group
Another widely used technique in exploratory research is the focus
group. In a focus group, a small number of individuals are brought
together to study and talk about some topic of interest. The discussion
is co-ordinated by a moderator. The group usually is of 8-12 persons.
While selecting these persons, care has to be taken to see that they
should have a common background and have similar experiences in
buying. This is required because there should not be a conflict among
the group members on the common issues that are being discussed.
During the discussion, future buying attitudes, present buying opinion
etc., are gathered.
Most of the companies conducting the focus groups, first screen the
candidates to determine who will compose the particular group. Firms
also take care to avoid groups, in which some of the participants have
their friends and relatives, because this leads to a biased discussion.
Normally, a number of such groups are constituted and the final
conclusion of various groups are taken for formulating the hypothesis.
Therefore, a key factor in focus group is to have similar groups.
Normally there are 4-5 groups. Some of them may even have 6-8
groups. The guiding criteria is to see whether the latter groups are
generating additional ideas or repeating the same with respect to the
subject under study. When this shows a diminishing return from the
group, the discussions stopped. The typical focus group lasts for 1-30
hours to 2 hours. The moderator under the focus group has a key role.
His job is to guide the group to proceed in the right direction.

Analysis of selected cases

Analysing a selected case sometimes gives an insight into the problem
which is being researched. Case histories of companies which have
undergone a similar situation may be available. These case studies are
well suited to carry out exploratory research. However, the result of
investigation of case histories arc always considered suggestive, rather
than conclusive. In case of preference to "ready to eat food", many
case histories may be available in the form of previous studies made by
competitors. We must carefully examine the already published case
studies with regard to other variables such as price, advertisement,
changes in the taste, etc.

DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH

Descriptive research is used to obtain information concerning the

current status of the phenomena to describe "what exists" with respect
to variables or conditions in a situation. The methods involved range
from the survey which describes the status quo, the correlation study
which investigates the relationship between variables, to
developmental studies which seek to determine changes over time.
Descriptive Research Methods

Case Studies
Detailed analysis of a single (or limited number) of people or events.
Case studies are usually interesting because of the unusualness of the
case .The major problem with case studies is the problem of
objectivity. The person who is presenting the case usually has some
theoretical orientation. It is acceptable for a theoretical orientation to
affect one’s interpretation of events. In a case study the theoretical
orientation can also lead to the selection of the facts to include in the
case. It is not surprising that case studies often seem to provide very
compelling evidence for a theory.
Case studies can therefore assist psychology by illustrating how a
theory could be applied to a person or events and by assisting with the
development of hypotheses for more systematic testing.

Observational Research
Accounts of the natural behavior of individuals or groups in some
setting. Unless the observation is unobtrusive, there may be some
subject reactivity to being observed. This often decreases with time, a
process called habituation. Observers cannot usually observe all
behaviors all of the time. They may use a behavioral checklist and
may also use time sampling or event sampling procedures. It is
important to assess observer bias by the use of interobserver reliability.
Observational research may also pose ethical problems. These can
arise when the behaviors being observed are not public behaviors and
when the observer joins a group in order to observe the members’
behavior – participant observation.

Survey Research
Structured questions to assess peoples beliefs, attitudes, and self-
reports of behavior. If the researcher wishes to generalize the
responses to a population, it is important to have a representative
sample. Surveys that rely on self-selection (respond if you are
interested) produce non-generalizable results. Surveys also provide
information for co relational research. One can correlate responses to
some questions (often demographic questions) with responses to other
questions (often attitudes or reports of behavior). Survey question
must be clear and unambiguous. Even if the questions are
unambiguous and non-leading, people may display a social desirability
bias and give positive or socially acceptable and desirable answers.
Survey methods include: (1) the interview or face-to-face method
which is generally viewed as the best method for obtaining a high rate
of responses but is also very costly; (2) phone surveys, which are less
expensive but have a higher non-response rate (which has probably
increased with caller ID); and (3) written or mail surveys, which are
least expensive but have a very high non-response rate. Follow-up
messages can help increase the response rate.

Archival Research
Analysis of pre-existing data or records. Archival research often
involves content analysis, a qualitative analysis of material. For
example, one would use content analysis to determine whether there
had been an increase in the frequency with which women and
minorities were mentioned in US history books between 1920 and
2000. Some archival research is quasi-experimental.

EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH

Science revolves around experiments, and learning the best way of

conducting an experiment is crucial to obtaining useful and valid
results. When scientists speak of experiments, in the strictest sense of
the word, they mean a true experiment, where the scientist controls all
of the factors and conditions. Real world observations, and case
studies, should be referred to as observational research, rather than
experiments. For example, observing animals in the wild is not a true
experiment, because it does not isolate and manipulate an independent
variable.
With an experiment, the researcher is trying to learn something new
about the world, an explanation of ‘why’ something happens. The
experiment must maintain internal and external validity, or the results
will be useless.
THE BASIS OF CONDUCTING AN EXPERIMENT

With an experiment, the researcher is trying to learn something new

about the world, an explanation of ‘why’ something happens. The
experiment must maintain internal and external validity, or the results
will be useless. When designing an experiment, a researcher must
follow all of the steps of the scientific method, from making sure that
the hypothesis is valid and testable, to using controls and statistical
tests.

Whilst all scientists use reasoning, operationalization and the steps of

the scientific process, it is not always a conscious process. Experience
and practice mean that many scientists follow an instinctive process of
conducting an experiment, the ‘streamlined’ scientific process.
Following the basic steps will usually generate valid results, but where
experiments are complex and expensive, it is always advisable to
follow the rigorous scientific protocols.

Conducting a experiment has a number of stages, where the parameters

and structure of the experiment are made clear. Whilst it is rarely
practical to follow each step strictly, any aberrations must be justified,
whether they arise because of budget, impracticality or ethics.
STAGE ONE
After deciding upon a hypothesis, and making predictions, the first
stage of conducting an experiment is to specify the sample groups.
These should be large enough to give a statistically viable study, but
small enough to be practical. Ideally, groups should be selected at
random, from a wide selection of the sample population. This allows
results to be generalized to the population as a whole. In the physical
sciences, this is fairly easy, but the biological and behavioral sciences
are often limited by other factors.

For example, medical trials often cannot find random groups. Such
research often relies upon volunteers, so it is difficult to apply any
realistic randomization. This is not a problem, as long as the process is
justified, and the results are not applied to the population as a whole. If
a psychological researcher used volunteers who were male students,
aged between 18 and 24, the findings can only be generalized to that
specific demographic group within society.

STAGE TWO
The sample groups should be divided, into a control group and a test
group, to reduce the possibility of confounding variables. This, again,
should be random, and the assigning of subjects to groups should be
blind or double blind. This will reduce the chances of experimental
error, or bias, when conducting an experiment.
Ethics are often a barrier to this process, because deliberately
withholding treatment is not permitted. Again, any deviations from this
process must be explained in the conclusion. There is nothing wrong
with compromising upon randomness, where necessary, as long as
other scientists are aware of how, and why, the researcher selected
groups on that basis.

STAGE THREE
This stage of conducting an experiment involves determining the time
scale and frequency of sampling, to fit the type of experiment. For
example, researchers studying the effectiveness of a cure for colds
would take frequent samples, over a period of days. Researchers
testing a cure for Parkinson’s disease would use less frequent tests,
over a period of months or years.

STAGE FOUR
The penultimate stage of the experiment involves performing the
experiment according to the methods stipulated during the design
phase. The independent variable is manipulated, generating a usable
data set for the dependent variable.

STAGE FIVE
The raw data from the results should be gathered, and analyzed, by
statistical means. This allows the researcher to establish if there is any
relationship between the variables and accept, or reject, the null
hypothesis.
These steps are essential to providing excellent results. Whilst many
researchers do not want to become involved in the exact processes of
inductive reasoning, deductive reasoning and operationalization, they
all follow the basic steps of conducting an experiment. This ensures
that their results are valid.

TYPES OF ERRORS AFFECTING RESEARCH

DESIGN

There are several sources of errors. Attempts should be made to keep

the errors down to a minimum. The total error is made up of sampling
error and non-sampling error. The total error is the variation between
the true mean value of the population and the observed mean value
obtained in the market research.

1: NON SAMPLING ERROR

This is an error occurring for reasons other than sampling. This error
could be due to factors such as interviewing method, design of
questionnaire etc.

Example: If the questionnaire is poorly designed with many

ambiguities, the response will be poor. Non-sampling errors consists of
non-response errors and response errors.

NON-RESPONSE ERROR
This happens when chosen respondents do not respond. This may due
to (1) non availability of the respondent (2)Refusal to answer. on-
response will cause the resulting sample to be different size compared
to original sample.

RESPONSE ERROR

Response error occurs due to any of the eventualities- (1)Misrecording

(2) inaccurate answer (3) Wrong analysis errors made by the researcher
include a)surrogate information b)Measurement c)population
definition d)sampling frame and data analysis error.

a: SURROGATE INFORMATION

It is defined as a variation between the information needed and that

sought by the researcher. Example: Instead of obtaining information on
consumer choice of a new brand, but the researcher obtains
information on consumer preference because the process of choice is
difficult to observe.

b: MEASUREMENT ERROR

This happens due to the use of a wrong scale. The measurement

required may be consumer preference but the scale employed is such
that it measures perception instead of preference.

c: POPULATION DEFINITION ERROR

This is the difference between the actual population and the population
defined by the researcher. Example: The population needed is affluent
people but researcher defines them by taking the upper middle class.
This may be due to an incorrect definition of ‘affluent group’.

d: SAMPLING FRAME ERROR

Assume that a telephone directory is used as a sampling frame. Where

there may be omissions, migration of people, new additions,
disconnected lines etc. this will cause an error.

e : DATA ANALYSIS ERROR

This occurs when the data is transferred from the questionnaire. This
could be any of the following (1) graphical illusions (2) Mix up in row
and columns percentages (3) Difficulty in recording open ended
questions (4) Misuse of arithmetic operations and wrong interpretation.
Open ended questions do not focus on what the response is; in fact,
open ended questions are well suited for qualitative research, but in
appropriate for quantitative measurements.

2: RESPONDENT SELECTION ERROR

This occurs when the interviewer selects a respondent other than the
individual is specified as a sample. Example: While surveying
newspaper or periodical readership, a non reader is selected for
interview.

3: QUESTIONING ERROR

This occurs during the process of interviewing a respondent. This may

occur out of not using the same word or context with respect to the
questionnaire. It could be also due to ambiguity in question.

4: RECORDING ERROR

Errors in interpreting or failing to concentrate when the respondents

replies. Example: “when do you think, you will switch over to the new
brand” mat be the question. The answer perhaps could be ‘shortly’.
The researcher may misinterpret this as immediate and project an
immediate demand for the product.

5: CHEATING ERROR

This is because the interviewer fills the questionnaire without

interviewing anybody. Sometimes the interviewer may find it very
delicate to ask questions about sensitive issues such as habits, debts
etc. He may fill up the questionnaire based on his judgment.

Response error comprises of (a) Inability (b) unwillingness

a: INABILITY ERROR
Inability may be due to (1) Respondent not being familiar with the
subject (2) Boredom (3) fatigue on the part of the respondent (4)
Faulty recall of what is being asked (5) question content (6) Passage of
time. “What shirt were you wearing on your birthday last week”. The
respondent may not be able to recall.

b: UNWILLINGNESS ERROR

This may be due to the fact that the respondent wants to avoid
embarrassment for the interviewer or alternately, impress the
interviewer.

Non sampling errors are more problematic than sampling errors.

Sampling errors can be computed, but non sampling errors are difficult
to compute.

Research Methodology

Research methodology is a method to solve the research problem

systematically. It involves gathering data, use of statistical techniques,
interpretations and drawing conclusions about the research data. It is a
blueprint, which is followed to complete the study. It is similar to
builders’ blueprint for building a house.

Difference between Management and Research Problem

Management problem involves “what needs to be done?” Research
problem essentially involves determining “what information needs to
be provided and how can the information be obtained?”

MANAGEMENT PROBLEM RESEARCH PROBLEM

1. Develop the package for a new Evaluate the effectiveness of

product alternative package design

2. To select a media for product We should conduct an investigation

advertising to determine suitable media.
Evaluate the
Impact of the media in terms of reach

3. Increase the amount of Assess current amount of repeat

repurchase behaviour of the
customer
4. introduce new product
purchase behaviour
Design a test market through which
the likely acceptance of new product
can be gauged

Difference between a Manager and a Researcher

 DOMAIN Of MANAGER RESEARCHER
DIFFERENCE
• Position in the Line Function Staff Function
organization
• Responsible To Generate Profits To Generate
Information
• Activity Involved Make Symptoms To Find The Truth
Disappear

• Involvement Emotional Unemotional

• Training All Aspects Of Decision Technicalities and

Making Application Orientation

• Knowledge Wants Answers To Wants To Ask Questions

Questions

Research Design / Plan

Research design is one of the important steps in marketing research. It

helps in establishing the manner researchers go about to achieve the
objective of the study. The preparation of a research design involves a
careful consideration of the following questions and making
appropriate decisions about them:
• What the study is about?
• Why is the study undertaken?
• What is its scope?
• What are the objectives of the study?
• What are the hypotheses / proportions to be tested?
• What are the major concepts to be defined operationally?
• What type of literature needs to be reviewed?
• What is the area of study?
• What is the reference period of study?
• What is the methodology to be used?
• What kinds of data are needed?
• What are the sources of data?
• What is the sampling boundary?
• What are the sampling units?
• What is the sampling size?
• What are the sampling techniques?
• What are the data collection methods?
• How is the data processed?
• What are the statistical techniques for analysis?
• What is the target group, the finding are meant for?
• What is the type of report?
 • What is the duration of time required for each stage of the
research work?
• What is the cost involved?
• Who reads the report?

How to Design a Research Plan? Steps Involved In

Designing a Research

There are nine steps in the research process that can be followed while
designing a research project. They are as follows:
• Formulate the problem
• Evaluate the cost of research
• Prepare the list of information
• Research design decision
• Data collection
• Select the sample type
• Determine the sample size
• Organize the field work
• Analyse the data and report preparation
1. Formulating the Problem

Problem formulation is the key to research process. For a

researcher, the problem formulation means converting the
management problem to a research problem. In order to attain
clarity, the MR Manager and the researcher must articulate
clearly so that perfect understanding of each other is achieved.

Example:
Management Problem and Research Problem

M.P. – want to increase the sale of product ‘A’

R.P. – what is the current standing of the product ‘A’

While the problem is being formulated, the following should be

taken into account:
• Determine the objective of the study
• Consider various environmental factors
• Nature of the problem
• Stating the alternative
Determine the objective of the study

The objective may be general or specific. General category – it would

like to know how effective was the advertising campaign.

The corollary looks like a statement with an objective. In reality, this

is far from the case. There are two ways of determining the objectives
precisely:

1) The researcher should clarify with the MR Manager “what

effective means”. Does effective mean, the awareness or does it
refer to an increase in sales or does it mean it has improved the
knowledge of the audience, or the perception of audience about
the product? In each of the above circumstances, the questions
to be asked from the audience varies.

2) Another way to determine objectives is to find out from the MR

Manager, “what action will be taken, given the specified
outcome of the study?” For example, if research findings to the
previous advertisement by the company was indeed ineffective,
what course of action does the company intend to take?
(a) increase the budget for the next ad
(b) use different appeal
 (c) change the media
(d) go to a new agency

If the objectives are proper, the research questions will be precise.

However, we should remember that objectives do undergo a change.

Consider Environmental Factors

Environmental factors influence the outcome of the research and the

decision. Therefore, the researcher must help his client to identify the
environmental factors that are relevant.

Example:
Assume that the company wants to introduce a new product like iced
tea or frozen green peas or ready to eat chapathis.
The following environmental factors are to be considered:
1. Purchasing habits of consumers
2. Presently, who are the competitors in the market with similar
product
3. What is the perception of the people about other products of the
company, with respect to price, image of the company
4. Size of the market and target audience
Nature of the Problem

By understanding the nature of the problem, the researcher can collect

relevant data and help suggest a suitable solution. Every problem is
related to either one or more variables. Before beginning the data
collection, a preliminary investigation of the problem is necessary for a
better

understanding of the same. Initial investigation could be carried by

using a focus group of consumers or sales representatives.

If a focus group is carried out with the consumers, some of the

following questions will help the researcher to understand the problem
better:

1. Did the customer ever include this company’s product in his

mental map?
2. If the customer is not buying the company’s product, the reasons
for his not doing so
3. Why did the customer turn to the competitor’s product?
4. Is the researcher contacting the right target audience?
Stating the Alternatives

The researcher would be better served by generating as many

alternatives as possible during the problem formulation hypothesis.
Example:
Whether to introduce a sachet form of packaging with a view to
increase sales. The hypothesis may state the acceptance of the sachet
by the customer will increase the sales by 20%. Thereafter, the test
marketing will be conducted before deciding whether to introduce the
sachet variant. Therefore, for every alternative, a hypothesis has to be
developed.

2. Evaluate the Cost of Research

There are several methods to establish the value of research. Some of

them are:
1. Bayesian approach
2. Simple Saving Method
3. Return on Investment
4. Cost Benefit Approach

Example 1:
Company ‘x’ wants to launch a product. The company’s intuitive
feeling is that the possibilities of the product’s failure are 35%.
However, if research is conducted and appropriate data is gathered, the
chances of failure could be reduced to 30%. The company has
calculated that losses would be to the tune of Rs. 3.00.000 if the
product fails. The company has received a quotation from an MR
agency. The cost of the intended research is Rs. 75,000. The question
is: “should the company spend this money to conduct the research?”

Calculation

Loss without research = Rs. 3,00,000 * 0.35

= Rs. 1,05,000

Loss with research = Rs. 3,00,000 * 0.30

= Rs. 90,000

Value of research information = Rs. 1,05,000 – Rs. 90,000

= Rs. 15,000

Since the value of information, namely Rs. 15,000 is lower than the
cost of research, i.e., Rs. 75,000, conducting this particular research is
not recommended.

Example 2
Company ‘A’ would like to introduce a new product in the market.
The research agencies have given an estimation of Rs, 5 lakhs and a
time period of 5 months. According to the past experience of the
company, the probability of earning Rs. 10 lakh is 0.4 and Rs. 5 lakh is
0.3 and losing Rs. 7 lakh is 0.3. Should the company undertake the
research?

Calculation
0.4*Rs.10 + 0.3*Rs.5 – 0.3*Rs.7
= Rs.4 + Rs.1.5 – Rs.2.1
= Rs.3.4 lakh

Since we find that the expected value of information, i.e. Rs.3.3 lakh,
less than the cost of M.R. at Rs. 5lakh, there is no need to carry out his
research.

3. Preparing a List of Needed Information

Assume that company ‘X’ wants to introduce a product (tea powder).

Before introducing the product, it has to be test marketed. The
company needs to know the extent of competition, price and quality
acceptance from the market. In this context, following is the list of
information required:
1. Total Demand and Company Sales
Example:
• What is the overall industry demand?
• What is the share of competitors?
The above information will help the management estimate the
overall share and its own share in the market.

2. Distribution Coverage
Example:
• Availability of products at different outlets
• Effect of shelf display on sales

3. Market Awareness, Attitudes and Usage

Example:
• “What percentage of target population are aware of the
firm’s product?”
• “Do customers know about the product?”
• “What is the customers’ attitude towards the product?”
• “What percentage of consumers repurchase the product?”

4. Marketing Expenditure
Example:
• “What has been the marketing expenditure?”
• “How much was spent on promotion?”
 5. Competitors’ Marketing Expenditure
Example:
• “How much did the competitor spend to market a similar
product?”

4. Decision on Research Design

A) Should the research be exploratory or conclusive?

Exploratory research
Example:
“Causes for the decline in sales of a specific company’s product
in a specific territory under a specific salesman”. The researcher
may explore possible reasons as to why sales failing.
• Faulty product planning
• Higher price
• Less discount
• Less availability
• Inefficient advertising / salesmanship
• Poor quality of salesman ship
• Less awareness
Not all factors are responsible for decline in sales.
Conclusive Research
Narrow down the option. Only one or two factors are responsible for
decline in sales. Therefore, zero down, and use judgment and past
experience.

B) Who should be interviewed for collecting data?

If the study is undertaken to determine whether children

influence the brand, for ready – to eat cereal (cornflakes)
purchased by parents. The researcher must decide, if only adults
are to be studied or children too included. The researcher must
decide if data is to be collected by observation method or by
interviewing. If an interview is chosen, should it be a personal
interview or telephonic interview or questionnaire?

C) Should a few cases be studied or a large sample be chosen?

The researcher may feel that there are some cases available
which are identical and similar in nature. He may decide to use
these cases for formulating the initial hypothesis. If suitable
cases are not available, then the researcher may decide to choose
a larger sample.
D) How to incorporate experiment in research?

In an experiment, it has to be decided at the outset as to where

and when measurements are to be conducted.

Example:
In a test of advertising copy, the respondents can first be
interviewed to measure their present awareness, and their
attitudes towards certain brands. Then, they can be shown a
pilot version of the proposed advertisement copy. Following
this, their attitude too has to be measured again, to see if the
proposed copy had any effect on them.

If it is a questionnaire, then the following questions should be

postal –
• What are the contents of the questionnaire?
• What type of questions are to be asked? For example:
pointed questions, general questions, etc.
• In what sequence should the questions be asked?
• Should there a fixed set of alternatives or should the
questions be open-ended?
• Should the purpose be made clear to the respondents or
should the same be disguised?
 Are to be determined well in advance.
5. Select the sample types

The first task is to carefully select which groups of people or stores

are to be sampled.

Example:
Collecting the data from a fast food chain. Here, it is necessary to
define what is meant by fast food chain. Also, the precise
geographical location should be mentioned.

The next step is to decide whether to choose probability sampling

or non-probability sampling. Probability sampling is one in which
each element has a known chance of being selected. A non-
probability sampling can be convenience or judgment sampling.

6. Determine the Sample Size

Smaller the sample size, larger the error and vice versa.

Small size depends upon:

• Accuracy required
• Time available
 • Cost involved

While selecting the sample, the sample unit has to be clearly specified.

Example:
Survey on the attitudes towards the use of shampoo with reference to a
specific brand, where husbands, wives or a combination of them are to
be surveyed or a specific segment is to be surveyed. The sample size
depends on the size of the sample frame / universe.

7: Organize the Fieldwork

This includes selection, training and evaluating the field sales force to
collect the data.
• How to organize the fieldwork?
• What type of questionnaire – structured or unstructured to
use?
• How to approach the respondents?
• Week, day and time to meet the specific respondents etc.
are to be decided.

8. Analysis of the Data

 This involves;
• Editing
• Tabulating
• Codifying

Editing: The data collected should be scanned to make sure that it is

complete and that all the instructions are followed. This process is
called editing. Once these forms have been edited, they must be
coded.

Coding: Means assigning numbers to each of the answers, so that they

can be analysed.

The final step is called data tabulation. It is the orderly arrangement of

data in a tabular form. Also, at the time of analyzing the data, the
statistical tests to be used must be finalized such as T-Test, Z-Test, Chi-
square Test, ANOVA, etc.

Types of Business Research

There are four types of research in business

1. Exploratory research
2. Descriptive research
3. Causal research
4 .Experimental research

Exploratory Research
The objective of exploratory research is to gather preliminary
information that will help define problems and suggest hypothesis.
Exploratory research is a type of research conducted because a
problem has not been clearly defined. Exploratory research helps
determine the best research design, data collection method and
selection of subjects. Given its fundamental nature, exploratory
research often concludes that a perceived problem does not actually
exist.
Exploratory research relies on secondary research such as reviewing
available literature and/or data, or qualitative approaches such as
informal discussion with consumers, employees, managements or
competitors, and more formal approaches through in depth interviews,
focused groups, projective, case studies or pilot studies. The results of
exploratory research are not usually useful for decision making by
themselves, but they can provide significant insight into given
situation. Although the results of qualitative research can give some
indication as to the “why”, ”how” and “when” something occurs, it
cannot tell us “how often” or “how many”.
Exploration is particularly useful when researchers lack a clear idea of
the problems they will meet during the study. Through exploration
researchers develop concepts more clearly, establish priorities, develop
operational definitions, and improve the final research design.
Exploration may also save time and money. If the problem is not as
important as first thought, more formal studies can be cancelled.
Exploration serves other purposes as well. The area of investigation
may be so new or so vague that a researcher needs to do an exploration
just to learn something about the dilemma facing the manager.
Important variables may not be known or thoroughly defined.
Hypothesis for the research may be needed. Also, the researcher may
explore to be sure it is practical to do a formal study in the area.
Despite its obvious value, researchers and managers alike give
exploration less attention than it deserves. There are strong pressures
for quick answers. Moreover, exploration is something linked to old
biases about qualitative research: subjectiveness,
nonrepresentativeness, and nonsystematic design.

Descriptive research
The objective of descriptive research is to describe thing, such as the
market potential for a product or the demographics and attitudes of
consumers who buy the product. Descriptive research, also known as
statistical research, describes data and characteristics about the
population or phenomenon being studied. Descriptive research answers
the question who, what, where, when and how. Although the data
description is factual, accurate and systematic the research cannot
describe what caused a situation. Thus, descriptive research cannot be
used to create a causal relationship, where one variable
affects another. In other words, descriptive research can be said to have
a low requirement for internal validity. The description is used for
frequencies, averages and other statistical calculations. Often the best
approach, prior to writing descriptive research, is to conduct a survey
investigation. Qualitative research often has the aim of description and
the researchers may follow-up with examinations of why the
observations exist and what the implications of the findings are.
The basic difference between exploratory and descriptive research is
the research design. Exploratory research follows a format that is less
structured and more flexible than descriptive research. This approach
works well when the marketer doesn’t have an understanding of the
topic or the topic is new and it is hard to pinpoint the research
direction. The downside, however, is that results may not be as useful
in aiding a marketing decision. We use this method because in addition
to offering the marketer basic information on a topic, exploratory
research may also provide direction for a more formal research effort.
For instance, exploratory research may indicate who the key decision
makers are in a particular market thus enabling a more structured
descriptive study targeted to this group.
Causal Research
The objective of casual research is to test hypothesis about cause-and-
effect relationships. In this form of research the marketer tries to
determine if the manipulation of one variable, called the independent
variable, affects another variable, called the dependent variable. In
essence, the marketer is conducting an experiment. To be effective the
design of causal research is
highly structured and controlled so that other factors do not affect
those being studied. Marketers use this approach primarily for
purposes of prediction and to test hypothesis, though it can also be
used to a lesser extent for discovery and explanatory purposes. In
marketing, causal research is used for many types of research including
testing marketing scenarios, such as what might happen to product
sales if changes are made to a products design or if advertising is
changed. If causal research is performed well marketers may be able to
use results for forecasting what might happen if the changes are made.
If the research study happens to be an exploratory or a formulative one,
wherein the major emphasis is on discovery of ideas and insights, the
research design most appropriate must be flexible enough to permit the
consideration of many different aspects of a phenomenon. But when
the purpose of a study is accurate description of a situation or of an
association between variables, accuracy becomes a major
consideration and e research design which minimizes bias and
maximizes the reliability of the evidence collected is considered a
good design. Studies involving the testing of hypothesis of a causal
relationship between variables require a design which will permit
inferences about causality in addition to the minimization of bias and
maximization of reliability. But in practice it is the most difficult task
to put a particular study in a particular group, for a given research may
have in it elements of two or more of the functions of different studies.
It is only on the basis of its primary function that a study can be
categorized either as an exploratory or descriptive or hypothesis-
testing study and accordingly the choice of a research design may be
made in case of a particular study. Besides the availability of time,
money, skills of the research staff and the
means of obtaining the information must be given due weightage while
working out the relevant details of the research design such as
experimental design, survey design, sample design and the like.

EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH
Science revolves around experiments, and learning the best way of
conducting an experiment is crucial to obtaining useful and valid
results. When scientists speak of experiments, in the strictest sense of
the word, they mean a true experiment, where the scientist controls all
of the factors and conditions. Real world observations, and case
studies, should be referred to as observational research, rather than
experiments. For example, observing animals in the wild is not a true
experiment, because it does not isolate and manipulate an independent
variable.
With an experiment, the researcher is trying to learn something new
about the world, an explanation of ‘why’ something happens. The
experiment must maintain internal and external validity, or the results
will be useless.
RESEARCH PROJECT VERSUS RESEARCH
PROGRAM

Discussion of the business research process began with the assumption

that the research investigator wished to gather information to achieve a
specific objective. We have emphasized the researcher’s need to select
the specific techniques for solving one-dimensional problems, such as
identifying the characteristics of productive employees, selecting the
best packaging design, or forecasting bond values.
However, if you think about a firm’s strategic activity in a given period
of time, perhaps a year, you’ll realize that business research is not a
one-shot approach. Research is a continuous process. A company may
conduct an exploratory research study and then conduct a survey. It is
very likely that a specific research project will be conducted for each
aspect of a program. If a new product is being developed, the different
types of research might include market potential studies, to identify the
size and characteristics of the market; product using testing, which
records consumer’s reactions to using prototype products; and brand-
name and packing research, to determine the product’s symbolic
connotations. Ultimately, the new product may go into a test market.
Because research is a continuous process, management should view
research at as strategic planning level. A research program refers to a
firm’s overall strategy for utilizing business research. This program is a
planning activity that places each research project into the company’s
strategic plan.

STEPS IN THE RESEARCH PROCESS

Business research can take many forms, but systematic inquiry is a

common thread. Systematic inquiry requires careful planning of an
orderly investigation. Business research, like other forms of scientific
inquiry, is a sequence of highly interrelated activities. The steps in the
research process overlap continuously, and it is somewhat of an
oversimplification of state that every research project has exactly the
same ordered sequence of activities.

Any research process consists of the following steps:

• Defining the research problem and reviewing the literature
• Formulation of hypothesis
• Research design: developing the research plan and
implementing it
• Collecting data
• Analyzing data and testing hypothesis
• Preparation of report and preliminary analysis
• Interpreting and reporting the findings
Defining the research problem and formulation of hypothesis are the
hardest steps in the research process.

Defining the Research Problem

The first and foremost step in the research process consists of problem
or opportunity identification. The necessity of properly identified
research problems cannot be overemphasized. It is rightly said that a
problem properly defined is half solved.

Based upon the objective, the research problem could be in any of the
following three areas:
1. Exploratory for gathering preliminary information that may
help in defining the problem and suggest hypothesis. The major
emphasis of exploratory research is on the discovery of ideas.
The idea is to clarify concepts and subsequently make more
extensive research on them.
2. Descriptive, which may describe things such as market
potential for a product or the demographics and attitudes of a
customer who buys the product.
 3. Casual, to test hypothesis about cause and effect relationships.

Once the researcher has identified two or more problems or

opportunities, the next question for him is to select a problem based on
priority, limited finance and time constraints. He should choose the
problem in which is likely to add value to the research. Choosing a
relatively less important problem would amount to wasting time and
resources.

Initially the problem may be stated in a broad general way and then the
clarifications if any, can resolved as the research advances. The
researcher must, at the same time, examine all available literature to
get himself acquainted with the selected problem.

Formulation of the Problem

Formulation of the problem means defining the problem precisely. In

other words, a problem ell defined is half solved. In operations
research, we say that formulation of problem is often more essential
than its solution because when the problem is formulated, an
appropriate technique can be applied to generate alternative solutions.
Choosing the best alternatives is the best decision under the given
circumstances.

Steps involved in defining a problem are:

 i. Statement of the problem in a general way.
ii. Understanding the nature of the problem.
iii. Surveying the available literature.
iv. Developing the idea through discussion.
v. Rephrasing the research problem into a working proposition.

Once the problem has been selected, the same has to be understood
thoroughly and then the same has to be reframed into meaningful terms
from an analytical point of view. Problem formulation would have
focus on what sort of decision issues are tackled. In other words, it
gives a clear idea of the research itself.

Formulation of Hypothesis

 Concept of Hypothesis

A hypothesis is a proposition - a tentative assumption which a

researcher wants to test for its logical or empirical consequences.
Hypotheses are more useful when stated in precise and clearly defined
terms. It may be mentioned that though a hypothesis is useful it is not
always necessary, especially in case of exploratory researches.
However, in a problem - oriented research, it is necessary to formulate
a hypothesis or hypotheses. In such researches, hypotheses are
generally concerned with the causes of a certain phenomenon or a
relationship between two or more variables under investigation.

 Hypothesis Testing

A number of steps are involved in testing a hypothesis:

i. Formulate a hypothesis
ii. Set up a suitable significance level
iii. Choose a test criterion
iv. Compute the statistic
v. Make decision

Developing the Research Plan

The next step of the research process calls for determining the
information needed, developing a plan for gathering it efficiently and
presenting the management of the organization. The plan outlines
sources of secondary data and spells out the specific research
approaches, contact methods, sampling plan and instruments that the
researcher will use to gather primary data. First of all research
objectives must be translated into specific information needs. To meet
the management information needs, the researcher can gather
secondary data and primary data or both.

 Implementing the Research Plan

The researcher next puts the research plan to action. This involves
collecting, processing and analyzing the information.

 Interpreting and Reporting the Findings

After collecting, processing and analyzing the information collected,

the researcher must now interpret the findings, draw conclusions and
then report to the management.

Collecting Data

Once the research has been formalized, the process of gathering

information from respondents may begin. Obviously, because there are
many research techniques, there are many methods of data collection.
When the survey method is utilized, some form of direct participation
by the respondent is necessary during the process. The respondent may
participate by filling out a questionnaire or by interacting with an
interviewer. In an unobtrusive method of data collection is utilized, the
subjects do not actively participate. For example, it is important that
the data collection be consistent in all geographic areas. If an
interviewer phrases questions incorrectly or records a respondent’s
statements inaccurately, this will cause major data collection errors.

Often there are two phases to the process of collecting data: pretesting
and the main study. A presenting phase, using a small sub sample, may
determine whether the data collection plan for the main study is an
appropriate procedure. Thus, a small – scale pretest study provides an
advance opportunity for the investigator to check the data collection
form to minimize errors due to improper design, such as poorly
worded or organized questions. There is also a chance to discover
confusing interviewing instructions, learn if the question is too long or
too short, and uncover other such field errors. Tabulation of data from
the pretests provides the researcher with a format for the knowledge
that may be gained from the actual study. If the tabulation of data and
statistical tests do not answer the researcher’s questions, the
investigator may need to redesign the study.

Analyzing Data

Once the field work has been completed, the data must be converted
into a format that will answer the decision maker’s questions. Data
processing generally begins with the editing and coding of the data.
Editing involves checking the data collection forms for omission s,
legibility, and consistency in classification. The editing process
corrects problems such as interviewer errors (e.g., an answer recorded
on the wrong position of the questionnaire) before the data are
transferred to a computer or readied for tabulation.

Before data can be tabulated, meaningful categories and character

symbols must be established for groups of responses. The rules for
interpreting, categorizing, and recording the data are called codes. The
coding process facilitates computer or hand tabulation. Computer
assisted (online) interviewing is an example of the impact of
technological change on the research process. Telephone interviewers
are seated at computer terminals, where survey questions are printed
out on the screen. The interviewer asks the questions and then types in
the respondent’s answers. Thus, answers are collected and processed
into the computer at the same time, eliminating intermediate steps
where errors could creep in.

Preparation of Report

Most business research is applied research. Hence, the purpose of the

research is to make a business decision. An important but often
overlooked aspect of the researcher’s job is to look at the analysis of
the collected information. The final stage in the process is to interpret
the information and draw conclusions relevant to managerial decisions.
Making recommendations is often a part of this process.
The research report should communicate the research findings
effectively. All too often the report is a complicated statement of the
study’s technical aspects and sophisticated research methods. Often,
management is not interested in detailed reporting of the research
design and statistical findings but wants only a summary of the
findings. It cannot be overemphasized that if the findings remain
unread on the manager’s desk, the research study is useless. Research
is only as good as the applications made of it. Business researchers
must communicate their findings to a managerial audience. The
manager’s information needs should determine how much detail is
provided in the written report. The written report serves another
purpose: It is a historical document, a record that may be referred to
later if the research is to be repeated or if further research is to be
based on what has come before.

RESEARCH PROBLEM
Research problem refers to some difficulties which a researcher
experiences in the context of both a theoretical or practical situation
and wants to obtain a solution for the same, usually it is said that a
research problem does exist if the following condition are met with:
• There must be an individual (or a group or an organization), let
us call it I, to whom the problem can be attributed. The
individual or the organization, as the case may be, occupies an
 environment, say ‘N’, which is defined by the values of
uncontrolled variables, Y1.

• There must be at least two courses of actions, say C1 and C2, to

be pursued. A course of action is defined by one or more values
of the controlled variables. For example, the number of items
purchased at a specified time is said to be one of action.

• There must be at least two possible outcomes, say O1 and O2, of

the course of action, of which one should be preferable to other.
In other words, this means there must be at least one outcome
that the researcher wants, i.e., an objective.

• The courses of action available must provide some chance;

otherwise the choice would not matter. Thus, if
p(Oj\I,C1,N)≠P(O1\I,C2,N). In simple words, we can say that
the choices must have unequal efficiencies for the desired
outcomes.

Over and above these conditions, the individual or organization can

said to have the problem only if ‘I’ does not know what course of
action is best, i.e., ‘I’, must be in doubt about the solution. Thus, an
individual or a group of persons can be said to have a problem which
can be technically described as research problem, if they (individual or
group), having one or more described out comes, are confronted with
two or more courses of action that that have some but not equal
efficiency for the described objective(s) and are in doubt about which
course of action is best.

COMPONENTS OF RESEARCH PROBLEM

Identification of the components is very much essential for formulation
of problem, once we identify the components than formulation of the
problem will become much easier. The following are the components
of research problem which helps in formulating and solving the
research problem.
i. There must be an individual or a group which has some
difficulty or the problem.

ii. There must be some objectives to be attained at. If one wants

nothing one cannot have a problem.

iii. There must be alternative means (or the course of action) for
obtaining the objectives one wishes to attain. This means there
must be at least two means available to a researcher for if he has
no choice of means, he cannot have problem.

iv. There must remain some doubt in the mind of researcher with
regard to the selection of alternatives. This means the research
must answer the question concerning the relative efficiency of
the possible alternatives.

v. There must be some environments to which the difficulty

pertains.
 Thus a research problem is one which requires a
researcher to find out the best solution for the given problem, i.e., to
find out by which course of action the objective can be attained
optimally in the context of a given environment. There are several
factors which may result in making the problem complicated. For
instance, the environment may change affecting the efficiencies of
the course of action or values of the outcomes; the number of
alternative courses of action may be very large; persons not
involved in making the decision may be affected by it and react to it
favorably or unfavorably, and similar other factors. All such
elements (or at least the important ones) may be thought of in
context of a research problem.

FORMULATION OF THE PROBLEM

Formulation of the problem means defining the problem precisely. In
other words, a problem well defined is half solved. In operations
research, we say that formulation of problem is often more essential
than its solution because when the problem is formulated, an
appropriate techniques can be applied to generate alternative solutions.
Choosing the best alternative is the best decision under the given
circumstances.
Steps involved in defining research problem are:
i. Statement of the problem in a general way.

ii. Understanding the nature of the problem.

iii. Surveying the available literature.

iv. Developing the idea through discussions.

v. Rephrasing the research problem into a working proposition.

Once the problem has been selected, the same has to be

understood thoroughly and then the same has to be reframed into
meaningful terms from an analytical point of view. The best way is to
discuss the problem with friends or colleagues or with those who
have the knowledge of it. Both parties, the researcher and/or the
concerned manager and customer, must agree on the specific nature
of the research problem. Ideally, both the parties must ascertain the
priorities of the issues involved, scope or potential benefits, cost as
well as the time required to conduct the study. Researcher must
specify the exact issues being examined and the underlying logic in
setting the priorities. Moreover, the research must define the
boundaries of the population covered in the proposal.

In essence, a proper formulation of the research problem

starting with objectives would enable a researcher to go ahead in the
proper direction. Finally, it may be noted that problem formulation
would have focus on what sort of decision issues are tackled. In other
words, it gives a clear idea of research itself.
SIMPLE STEPS TO SOLVE THE RESEARCH PROBLEM

Whenever the problem arises than we have to search for the

solution, searching of solution can be done in different ways but if at
all we consider better way of solving the problems than we can easily
solve the research problem, the following steps will make easier for
the researcher to solve the problem much more quickly,

i. Identify what is KNOWN.

ii. Identify what is UNKNOWN.

iii. Do the KNOWNS tell us anything about the UNKNOWNS?

(Make a list).

iv. COMBINE the KNOWNS with UNKOWNS to see if there is

a “new” and important research question that is worth a
doctorate.

v. Identify its parts and wholes.

vi. Trace its history and changes.

vii. Identify its categories and characteristics.

viii. Determine its value [to you as well].

ix. Review and rearrange your answers.

ORIGINS OF THE PROBLEM

Origins of the problems are nothing but how the problem creates
while research, this can also be the sources, how the problem is
created. The following are the various origins of the problem which
is created while research,

a) PRIMARY DATA

Generally the researcher always depends on the primary

data which he has collected or else he will be depending on the
others collected data. So if at all there is an error in the primary
data, or else the data misrepresents the facts their arises the
problem, then the further process of the research may not serve
the objective. If at all the data taken from the source is
inappropriate then their creates a problem and this may consider
as the origin of the problem.

b) FORMULATIG OF THE PROBLEM

Even there is a good primary data there is a chance of

problem where the problem may arises while formulating the
problem itself. Formulation of the problem means defining the
problem precisely. In other words, a problem well defined is half
solved. In operations research, we say that formulation of
problem is often more essential than its solution because when
the problem is formulated, an appropriate techniques can be
applied to generate alternative solutions. If at all the formulation
itself has some o wrong information and if wrong procedures are
implicated to solve the problem then arises the new problem, so
this will be origin of new problem which may arise in solving
the problem. So necessary actions is required to take while
formulating the problem so that their won’t be chance of origin
of new problem.

c) SAMPLES SELECTED FOR RESEARCH

Whenever the researcher wants to conduct the research he

has to select certain samples for his study, it might be the area,
sex, age, income level, etc, if at all researcher fails to identify
which sample has to be taken for his research then the purpose
never be served. Identifying and selecting of the sample
according to the objective is very much essential if at all it is not
considered then problem will definitely arises, that will be the
origin for the problem so it is very much essential to identify and
select the sample so as origin of problem can be avoided.

d) RESEARCH DESIGN
 Research Design is a framework or blueprint for
conducting the research project. It specifies the details of the
procedures necessary for obtaining the information needed to
structure or solve research problem. Sometimes it happens that
while solving the problem we will get some complications
where we fail to identify the problems in research design this is
the main problem where identification of the problem in
research design will always depend on how you define the
problem. If the problem is defined wrongly then the solution
will be wrong only. This is how problem is originated in
research design.

Problems are meant to happen but solving that is

important. We may take necessary actions to avoid the origin of
problem which may arise during the research. Solving should be
like that where it should not create a new problem so that
solving becomes much more complicated.

So solving in smarter way is very much essential to avoid the

further complications in solving the problem

QUESTIONS WHICH RESEARCHER MAY ASK

THEMSELVES WHILE DEFINING THE PROBLEM
 The researcher problem undertaken for the study must carefully
selected. The task is a difficult one, although it may not appear to be
so. Help may be taken from a research guide in this connection.
Nevertheless, every researcher must find out his own salvation for
research problems cannot be borrowed. A problem must spring from
the researcher’s mind like a plant springing from its own seed. If our
eyes needed glasses, it is not the optical alone who decides about the
number of the lens we require. We have to see ourselves and enable
him to prescribe for us the right number by cooperating with him.
Thus, a research guide can at the most only help a researcher choose a
subject. However, the following points may be observed by a
researcher in selecting a research problem or a subject for research:

i. Subject which is overdone should not be normally chosen, for

it will be a difficult task to throw any light in such a case.

ii. Controversial subject should not become the choice of an

average researcher.

iii. Too narrow or too vague problems should be avoided.

iv. The subject selected for research should be familiar and

feasible so that the related research supplies definitive ideas
concerning how a researcher should obtain ideas for his
research. For the purpose, a researcher should contact an expert
or a professor in the university who is already engaged in
research. He may as well read articles published in current
literature available on the solution of other problems. He may
 discuss with others what he has mind concerning a problem. In
this way he should make all possible efforts in selecting a
problem.

v. The importance of the subject, the qualification and the training

of a researcher, the costs involved, the time factor are few other
criteria that must also be considered in selecting a problem. In
other words, before the final selection of problem is done, a
researcher must ask himself the following questions:

a) Whether he is well-equipped in terms of his background

to carry out the research?

b) Whether the study falls within the budget he can afford?

c) Whether the necessary cooperation can obtained from

those who must participate in research as subjects?

If the answers to all these questions are in the affirmative, one

may become sure so far as the practicability of the study is
concerned.

vi. The selection of a problem must be preceded by a preliminary

study. This may not be necessary when the problem requires
the conduct of a research closely similar to one that has already
been done. But when the field of inquiry is relatively new and
does not have available a set of well developed techniques, a
brief feasibility study must always be undertaken.
 If the subject for research is selected properly by
observing the above mentioned points, the research will not be
boring drudgery, rather it will be love’s labour. In fact, zest for
work is a must. The subject or the problem selected must
involve the researcher and must have an upper most place in his
mind so that he may undertaken all pains needed for the study.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

• Zikmund G. William, “Business Research Methods,”

Cengage Learning India Private Limited, Eight
Indian Reprints, 2009.
• Kothari C R, “Research Methodology Methods and
Techniques,” New Age International (P) Ltd
Publishers.
• Prof. Murthy S N, “Business Research Methods”.
• Dr.Bhojanna U, “Business Research Methodology”.