1

OBSERVATION
Broad area of
research interest
identified
4 6

RESEARCH IN BUSINESS
3
THEORETICAL 5 7
PROBLEM FRAMEWORK
GENERATION SCIENTIFIC
DEFINITION RESEARCH
Variables OF
Research DESIGN DATA ANALYSIS
Problem identified HYPOTHESES
AND
Delineated and labeled INTERPRETATION

Chapter 3 2
PRELIMINARY
DATA

The Research Process Steps 1-3: GATHERING

Interviewing
Literature Survey 8

The Broad Problem Area, Data Gathering, NO DEDUCTION

Hypotheses
Substantiated?

Problem Definition YES

Research
questions
answered?

9 10 11
Managerial
Report Report
Decision
Writing Presentation
Making

2012- Assist. Prof. Dr. Ozge Ozgen

Definition of Problem Broad Problem

 A “problem” does not necessarily mean that
something is seriously wrong with a current
situationthat needs to be corrected immediately
 A problem could also indicate
 an intreset in an issue where finding the right answers
might help to improve existing situation
An entire situation where one sees a possible need for research and
problem solving.
 Currently existing problems
 Training programs did not come out to be effective as anticipated
 Areas of improvement
 Can training effectiveness be improved

 A conceptual or theoretical issues that needs to be tightened up

 How can we define training effectiveness

 Some research questions that need to be answered empirically

 How does training effect worker productivity

1
Narrowing Down the Broad Problem Problem Definition

 A clear,
 Preliminary Data Collection
 precise(exact) and
 Literature Survey  succinct(brief) statement of the question or issue
that is to be investigated with the goal of finding a
answer or solution.

Examples for Broad Problem Areas Preliminary Data Collection

 The sales volume of a product is not picking up Background Information on The Organization
 The newly installed information system is not being used by
managers  The origin and history of the organization

 Inventory control is not effective  Size in terms of employees, assets, sales etc.

 Mistakes have increased in clerical jobs  Purpose and Ideology

 Location –regional, national etc.
 Flow of written communication is slow
 Resources (including human resources)
 Interdependent relations with other institutions
 Financial Position

2
 Preliminary Data Collection Preliminary Data Collection
Information on Structural Factors and Management Philosophy Perceptions, Attitudes and Behavioral Responses
•Roles and positions
•Nature of Work
•Extent of specialization
•Workflow interdependencies
•Communication channels
•Superiors in the organization
•Control systems
•Participation in decision making
•Coordination and span of control
•Client systems
•Reward systems
•Opportunities for advancement
•Workflow systems •Organizational attitudes toward employees family responsibilities
•Involment with community

Secondary Data Advantages of Secondary Data

 Inexpensive
Data gathered and recorded by someone else  Obtained Rapidly
prior to and for a purpose other than the current
project
Is often:
 Historical

 Already assembled

3
Disadvantages of Secondary Data Literature Review
 Uncertain Accuracy  In order to eliminate the risk of “reinventing the wheel”

 Data Not Consistent with Needs  Documentation of comprehensive review of published and unpublished work

 Inappropriate Units of Measurement from secondary sources of data in the areas of specific, interest to
researcher.
 Time Period Inappropriate (Dated)
 Important variables that are likely to influence the situation are not left out

 A clearer idea emerges as to what variables would be most important to consider

(parsimony)

 The problem statement can be made with precision and clarity

 Testability and replicability of current research is enhanced

 The problem investigated is perceived by scientific community

Literature Review Steps of Literature Review

 A clear and logical presentation of relevant research work done to identify  Identify relevant sources
and highlight important variables and to document significant findings
 Textbooks, journals, theses, conference proceedings,
from earlier research which will serve as a foundation for the theoretical
framework and hypothesis.
reports, newspapers, Internet etc.
 Evaluate the quality of source!!!
 All relevant information should be bring together in a cogent and logical
manner instead of presenting all studies in a chronological order with bits  Extract the relevant information
of and pieces of un coordinated information
 Writing up the literature review
 A good literature review should lead to a logical good problem statement

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APA Style APA Style
 Book by one author  Internet Sources
 Sheril, R. D. (1956). The terrifying future: Contemplating color television. San Diego: Halstead.
 Rogers, B. (2008). Faster-than-light travel: What we've learned in the first twenty years. Retrieved
 Book by two authors or more August 24, 2008, from Mars University, Institute for Martian Studies Web site,
 Smith, J., and Peter, Q. (1992). Hairball: An intensive peek behind the surface of an enigma. Hamilton, http://www.eg.spacecentraltoday.mars/university/dept.html
ON: McMaster University Press.
 Article in an edited book  Rogers, B. (2008). Faster-than-light travel: What we've learned in the first twenty years. Retrieved
August 24, 2008, from Mars University, Institute for Martian Studies Web site,
 Mcdonalds, A. (1993). Practical methods for the apprehension and sustained containment of
supernatural entities. In G. L. Yeager (Ed.), Paranormal and occult studies: Case studies in application (pp. http://www.eg.spacecentraltoday.mars/university/dept.html
42–64). London: OtherWorld Books.
 Article
 Crackton, P. (1987). The Loonie: God's long-awaited gift to colourful pocket change? Canadian Change,
64(7), 34–37.
 Rottweiler, F. T., & Beauchemin, J. L. (1987). Detroit and Narnia: Two foes on the brink of destruction.
Canadian/American Studies Journal, 54, 66-146.
 Article in a weekly magazine
 Henry, W. A., III. (1990, April 9). Making the grade in today's schools. Time, 135, 28–31.
 Article in a newspaper
 Wrong, M. (2005, August 17). "Never Gonna Give You Up" says Mayor. Toronto Sol, p. 4.
 Government document
 Revenue Canada. (2001). Advanced gouging: Manual for employees (MP 65–347/1124). Ottawa:
Minister of Immigration and Revenue.

Problem Discovery: The Iceberg Principle

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 have grown up. Older

major city. slides moved into negative image of residents no longer

town a few years ago. swimming pool. swim anywhere.

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Well Defined Problem Statements Well Defined Problem Statements

 THREE KEY FACTORS OF GOOD PROBLEM

 How has the new product effected the sales of the product ?
STATEMENT
 Relevant  Has the advertising message resulted in enhanced recall?
 From a managerial perspective
 Problem exists in an organizational setting  How does price and quality rate on consumers’ evaluation of products?
 An area that a manager believes needs to be improved in the
organization
 What are the components of quality of life?
 From academic perspective
 Nothing is know about topic
 Much is known about topic but the knowledge not integrated
 Much research are avaliable but the results are partly contradictory
 Established relationship do not hold in current situation

 Feasible
 Intresting

IN-CLASS EXERCISES ON BROAD PROBLEM AREA AND PROBLEM

IN-CLASS EXERCISES ON BROAD PROBLEM AREA AND PROBLEM DEFINITION
DEFINITION

MARKETING  1. To what extent do the customers of Woodlands Restaurant like the menu, the quality of
 1. The manager of Woodlands Restaurant is concerned about the low customer image of his food, the service, price, and ambiance of the restaurant?
restaurant.
 2. Is the message in the most recent advertising of Dreamland Advertising Agency aimed at
 2. The Dreamland Advertising Agency is wondering why its strategy did not work. the right target group?

ACCOUNTING
 3. Narayan Associates is interested in knowing the implications of high technology in factories,
for accounting and auditing procedures and practices.
 4. The Rosalin Auditing Company is perturbed about the different interpretations it is getting
from the tax administrators and tax accountants.
FINANCE
 5. The board of directors of Jankrish Computers is worried about the stagnation of the
market price of the Company's stock.
 6. Saratoga Supers are perplexed about the low return on their capital investment.
 3. How should the currently standardized accounting procedures (such as depreciation, tax
write-offs, etc) be changed, as factories resort to specialized technology?
 4. What specific items in the balance sheet create misunderstandings and conflicts between
those who assess the tax and those who prepare the tax returns and how can they be
resolved?
 5. To what extent do the following factors contribute to the stagnating market price of
Jankrish's shares – the dividend policy, the growth rate, perceived managerial problems, and
the capital market conditions?
 6. Is the low return on the capital investment of Saratoga Supers, a function of low sales or
high operating expenses?