problem definition in research has the basic role in research, hence, this presentation pertaining to identification of problem by the use of different method
3. Problem
discovery
Problem definition
(statement of
research objectives)
Secondary
(historical)
data
Experience
survey
Pilot
study
Case
study
Selection of
exploratory research
technique
Selection of
basic research
method
Experiment Survey
Observation
Secondary
Data StudyLaboratory Field Interview Questionnaire
Selection of
exploratory research
technique
Sampling
Probability Nonprobability
Collection of
data
(fieldwork)
Editing and
coding
data
Data
processing
Interpretation
of
findings
Report
Data
Gathering
Data
Processing
and
Analysis
Conclusions
and Report
Research Design
Problem Discovery
and Definition
5. IMPORTANCE OF STARTING WITH
A GOOD PROBLEM DEFINITION
Translating research situation into specific
research objective
Res project proof useful---- how well the research
objective
Chapter looks at translation of business situation
into relevant actionable research
Good answer but bad question- coke others
6. STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
Translating a reseach situation into something that can
be researched
Translation of something form one language to another.
Starts from statement of problem
7. STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
A written expression of the key question(s)that the
researcher wishes to answer
8. PROBLEM DEFINITION
The indication of a specific business decision
area that will be clarified by answering some
research questions.
9. PROBLEM DEFINITION
The process of defining and developing a research
statement and the steps involved in translating it into more
precise research terminology, including a set of research
objective
Process breaks-----research may be useless, irrelevant not
assist decision making
Wrong prob definition: waste resources and poor direction
10. PROBLEM DEFINITION
Can’t say any step is more important than others but
problem definition
it develop problem statement which guides towards
actionable research
Even, the best research
procedure will not
overcome poor problem
definition
11. COMPLEXITY OF PROBLEM
Harder
Situation appear new
Changes in situation subtle
Symptoms scattered
Symptoms ambiguous
Easier
Situation recurring
dramatic change occur
Symptoms are isolated
Symptoms consistent
12. COMPLEXITY OF PROBLEM
Situation frequency
Cyclical: pricing problem in airline industry
Dramatic change
Easy look at the key factor changes and other
Subtle changes having long term effect
More difficult to identify, define the actual decision and
research problem
Dif to deduct in beg n then dif to know whether trend is
temporary or permanent
13. WIDESPREAD THE SYMPTOMS?
Scattered symptom
More difficult to put togather into some coherent problem
statement
Sometime many symptoms but one specific area
E-g a auto co may exhibit symptoms such as increased
complaints abt a car handling, increase warranty cost due to
repair, higher labor cost due to ineffficency and lower perf
rating by consumers etc ------problem in production
14. WIDESPREAD THE SYMPTOMS?
Symptoms scattered--- dif to develop useful research
questions
If consumer complaints dealt with the handling and the
appearance of the car, and these were accompanied by
symptoms including consumer beliefs that the gas
consumption high etc
Symptoms ambiguity– so many problems non have clear
Sales and traffic up but margin is down
15. PROBLEM MEANS GAP
Difference between the current conditions and more
preferable set of condition
Bus perf is worse than expected bus perf
Actual bus perf is less than possible bus perf
Expected bus perf is grater than possible bus perf
16. THE PROBLEM-DEFINITION PROCESS STEP
Understand the situation- identify key symp
Identify key problem(s) from symptoms
Write problem statement-as per objectives
Determine the unit o analysis
Determine the relevant variables
Write research questions and /or research hypotheses
17. “THE FORMULATION OF THE
PROBLEM IS OFTEN MORE
ESSENTIAL THAN ITS SOLUTION.”
Albert Einstein
18. Statement of
Research Objectives
Problem Definition
Defining Problem Results in
Clear Cut Research Objectives
Exploratory
Research
(Optional)
Analysis of
the Situation
Symptom Detection
19. The Process of
Problem Definition
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
20. ASCERTAIN THE DECISION
MAKER’S OBJECTIVES
Decision makers’ objectives
Managerial goals expressed in measurable
terms.
20
21. THE ICEBERG PRINCIPLE
he principle indicating that the dangerous part of many
business problems is neither visible to nor understood by
managers.
22. 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.
22
23. ISOLATE AND IDENTIFY THE
PROBLEMS, NOT THE SYMPTOMS
Symptoms can be confusing
23
24. 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
25. 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.
28. DETERMINE THE UNIT OF
ANALYSIS
Individuals, households, organizations, etc.
In many studies, the family rather than the
individual is the appropriate unit of analysis.
28
30. TYPES OF VARIABLES
Categorical- (groups or color or gender)
Continuous (take on arage of vlues that corresponds to
some quatitative amount –consumer attitude towards
performance)
Dependent (y)
Independent (X)
Relevant and actionable variable rather than superfluous
33. RESEARCH QUESTION
Translation of the problem into specific inquiry
Can be too vague and general
Is advertising copy 1 is better than 2
Advertising effectiveness can be measured b sales, brand
awareness, intention to buy…
Should provide input that can be used as a standard for
selecting from among alternative solutions
34. RESEARCH QUESTIONS
It expresses the research objectives in terms of questions
that can be addressed by research
Example are wages and long haul distance related to driver
loyalty and retention
Research questions are more general than hypothesis
Dif between the two: hypotheses can generally speecigy
the direction of the relationship
35.
36. IF YOU DO NOT KNOW WHERE
YOU ARE GOING,
ANY ROAD WILL TAKE YOU
THERE.
38. The Process of
Problem Definition
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
39. 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
40. 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?
41. 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?
42. 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?
43. 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?
44. 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?
45. 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?
46. 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?
47. 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?
48.
49. I DON’T KNOW WHAT IS KEY TO
SUCCESS BUT THE KEY TO FAILURE IS
TRYING TO PLEASE EVERYONE