Chapter Two: Defining Research

Problem and Theory

development
 2.1Problem Definition
• “The formulation of the problem is often
more essential than its solution.”
• Albert Einstein

• “ A problem well identified is half solved”

 Importance of Starting with a good research
problem
• A research project is proved useful when the research objectives
correspond to the true business problem
• This must be done well or else the rest of the research process is
misdirected
• If not, the results deemed to be irrelevant, and then the research
is useless and do not assist in decision making
• Problem Definition is a process of defining and developing
problem statement and the steps involved in translating it into
more precise research terminologies, including research
objectives
• Problem statement is a written expression of the key questions
that the research user wishes to answer (the reason that the
research being considered)
Continued….
• Translate the business decision situation
into specific, relevant, actionable
(researchable) research objects.
 Factors for Complexity of
problem definition
• Situation is recurring/appears new
• Dramatic/subtle change
• Symptoms isolated/scattered
• Symptoms consistent/ambiguous
 Uncertainty Influences the Type
of Research

CAUSAL OR COMPLETELY ABSOLUTE EXPLORATORY

DESCRIPTIVE CERTAIN AMBIGUITY
 Problems means gaps
• Difference between the current situation and the
most preference set of conditions
For instance, problem exists in organizations when,
Business performance is worse than expected
Actual performance is less than possible
performance
Expected performance is greater than possible
business performance
The same is true in research problem
 Defining Problem Results in
Clear Cut Research Objectives
Symptom Detection

Analysis of
the Situation
Exploratory
Research
(Optional)
Problem Definition

Statement of
Research Objectives
Problem formulation involves activities

Problem Discovery Problem

and Definition discovery

Selection of
exploratory research
technique

Secondary
Experience Pilot Case
(historical)
survey study study
data

Research Design
Problem definition
(statement of
research objectives)
 The Process of
Problem Definition
Ascertain the Determine unit
decision maker’s of analysis
objectives

Understand Determine
background of relevant
the problem variables

Isolate/identify State research

the problem, not questions and
the symptoms objectives
 Ascertain the Decision Maker’s
Objectives
• Decision makers’ objectives
• Managerial goals expressed in measurable
terms.

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 The Iceberg Principle

• The principle indicating that the dangerous

part of many business problems is neither
visible to nor understood by managers.
 Understand the Background of
the Problem
• Exercising judgment
• Situation analysis - The informal gathering
of background information to familiarize
researchers or managers with the decision
area.

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Isolate and Identify the Problems,
Not the Symptoms
• Symptoms can be confusing

14
 Symptoms Can Be Confusing
Twenty-year-old neighborhood swimming
association:
• Membership has been declining for years.
• New water park -residents prefer the
expensive water park????
• Demographic changes: Children have
grown up
 Problem Definition
Organization Symptoms Based on Symptom True Problem

Twenty-year-old Membership has been Neighborhood Demographic changes:

neighborhood declining for years. residents prefer the Children in this 20-
swimming New water park with expensive water year-old neighborhood
association in a wave pool and water park and have -children have grown
major city. slides moved into negative image of up.
town a few years ago. swimming pool. -Older residents no
longer swim anywhere.
What Language Is Written on
This Stone Found by
Archaeologists?

TOTI
EMUL
ESTO
The Language Is English: To Tie
Mules To

TOTI
EMUL
ESTO
 Determine the Unit of Analysis

• Who should provide the data and at what level of

aggregation
• Individuals, households, organizations, etc.
• In many studies, the family rather than the
individual is the appropriate unit of analysis.
• More than one level of analysis is also possible

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 Determine the Relevant Variable
• What things to be studied
• Any thing that changes from one instance to
another
• Anything that may assume different values (in
strength, magnitude, direction)
• Constant is something that doesn’t change and
is not useful in addressing research questions

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 Types of Variables
• Categorical
• Continuous
• Dependent
• Independent
 Hypothesis
• An unproven proposition
• A possible solution to a problem
State the research questions and
research objectives

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If you do not know where you are going,
any road will take you there.
 Broad Statement Exploratory
research of business research
objectives problem (optional)

Specific Specific Specific

Objective 1 Objective 2 Objective 3

Research
Results
Design
 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
 The proposal as a planning tool
• Preparation of a proposal forces the researcher to
think critically about each stage of the res-process
• Research users evaluate the proposed study
whether or not it will provide useful information,
whether it will do so within a reasonable time and
resource
• Effective proposal communicates exactly what
information will be obtained, where and how it
will be obtained.
 The Proposal as a contract
• When the research is conducted by consultant or
outside researcher, a proposal is considered as an
offer to a bid (so management can evaluate the
relative quality of competing researches based on
proposal)
• If accepted, the proposal is signed by both sides
and will be binding in the research process (serve
as a written statement of agreement)
 Basic Questions -
Problem Definition
• What is the purpose of the study?
• How much is already known?
• Is additional background information necessary?
• What is to be measured? How?
• Can the data be made available?
• Should research be conducted?
• Can a hypothesis be formulated?
 Basic Questions -
Basic Research Design
• What types of questions need to be
answered?
• Are descriptive or causal findings required?
• What is the source of the data?
 Basic Questions -
Basic Research Design
• Can objective answers be obtained by
asking people?
• How quickly is the information needed?
• How should survey questions be worded?
• How should experimental manipulations be
made?
 Basic Questions -
Selection of Sample
• Who or what is the source of the data?
• Can the target population be identified?
• Is a sample necessary?
• How accurate must the sample be?
• Is a probability sample necessary?
• Is a national sample necessary?
• How large a sample is necessary?
• How will the sample be selected?
 Basic Questions -
Data Gathering
• Who will gather the data?
• How long will data gathering take?
• How much supervision is needed?
• What operational procedures need to be
followed?
 Basic Questions -
Data Analysis
• Will standardized editing and coding
procedures be used?
• How will the data be categorized?
• What statistical software will be used?
• What is the nature of the data?
• What questions need to be answered?
• How many variables are to be investigated
simultaneously?
• Performance criteria for evaluation?
 Basic Questions -
Type of Report
• Who will read the report?
• Are managerial recommendations
requested?
• How many presentations are required?
• What will be the format of the written
report?
 Basic Questions -
Overall Evaluation
• How much will the study cost?
• Is the time frame acceptable?
• Is outside help needed?
• Will this research design attain the stated
research objectives?
• When should the research be scheduled to
begin?
 Anticipating Outcomes
• The proposal should help to communicate
the expected results.
• Should make clear any misunderstandings
• Representations of the actual tables that will
be in the findings section of the final report;
used to gain a better understanding of what
the actual outcomes of the research will be.