Formulating a research problem

Lecture 4
Welly Ardiansyah,S.S.,M.Pd.,Dr.
197408172006041001
 Learning Objectives

1- Steps in the formulation of a research problem

2- Example
3- Considerations in selecting a research problem

1-2
Formulating a research
problem
 refers to identifying what it is that you
want to find out about.
 Steps in the formulation of a
research problem
1. Identify a broad field or subject area of
interest to you.
2. Dissect the broad area into subareas.
3. Select what is of most interest to you.
4. Raise research questions.
5. Formulate objectives
6. Assess your objectives
7. Double-check
 Step 1: Identify a broad field or
subject area of interest to you.
 Ex: If you are studying marketing you might
be interested in researching consumer
behavior (customer satisfaction).
 Step 2: Dissect the broad area
into subareas.
1- Profile of satisfied customers
2- Antecedents of customers satisfaction
3- The effect of customer satisfaction on
consumer related outcomes
4- Measurement of customer satisfaction
Step 3: Select what is of most
interest to you.
 It is neither advisable nor feasible to
study all subareas.
 Go through your list and delete all those
subareas in which you are not very
interested.
  select: Antecedents of customers
satisfaction
Step 4: Raise research questions

1- What is the effect of customer

expectation on customer satisfaction?
2- What is the effect of service quality on
customer satisfaction?
3- What is the effect of word of mouth
communication on customer satisfaction?
Examples of research ideas (topic) and
their derived focus research questions
 Step 5: Formulate objectives
 Your objectives grow out of your research
questions.
 The main difference between objectives and
research questions is the way in which they
are written.
 Research questions are obviously that—
questions.
 Step 5: Formulate objectives
 Objectives transform these questions into
behavioral aims by using action-oriented
words such as 'to find out', 'to determine',
'to ascertain' and 'to examine‘, ‘to measure’,
‘to explore’.
 Some examples…
 To describe the types of incentives provides by five star hotels in
Colombo to their employees.

 To find out the opinion of the employees about the medical

facilities provided by five star hotels in Colombo.

 To ascertain the impact of training on employee retention.

 To compare the effectiveness of different loyalty programmes on

repeat clientele.

 To ascertain if an increase in working hours will increase the

incidence of drug abuse.

 To demonstrate that the provision of company accommodation

to employees in hotels will reduce staff turnover.
 Step 5: Formulate objectives
Example:
1- To determine the effect of customer
expectation on customer satisfaction
2- To find out the effect of service quality on
customer satisfaction
3- To identify how word of mouth
communication impact on customer
satisfaction
 Paraphrasing research
questions as research
objectives
Research Question Research Objective

Why have organizations To identify organization’s

introduced early retirement ? objectives for introducing
retirement schemes.

What are the consequences To describe the consequences of

of early retirement schemes ? Early recruitment for employees.
To explore the effects of early retirement for the organization.
Step 6: Assess your objectives
 Examine your objectives to ascertain the
feasibility of achieving them in the light of
the time, resources (financial and human)
and technical expertise at your disposal.
Step 7: Double-check
 1 that you are really interested in the
study
 2 that you agree with the objectives
 3 that you have adequate resources
 4 that you have the technical expertise to
undertake the study
Considerations in selecting a
research problem
 interest,
 magnitude,
 measurement of concepts,
 level of expertise,
 relevance,
 availability of data,
 ethical issues.