Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Research Methods
Chapter :
Problem Definition and the
Research Proposal
Problem Discovery Problem Selection of
and Definition discovery exploratory research
technique
Sampling
Selection of
exploratory research
technique Probability Nonprobability
Secondary
Experience Pilot Case Collection of
(historical) Data
survey study study data
data Gathering
(fieldwork)
Data
Editing and
Problem definition Processing
coding
(statement of and
Analysis data
research objectives)
Data
Selection of processing
Research Design basic research
method Conclusions
Interpretation
and Report
of
findings
Experiment Survey
Secondary
Laboratory Field Interview Questionnaire Observation
Data Study Report
Uncertainty Influences the Type
of Research
Analysis of
the Situation
Exploratory
Research
(Optional)
Problem Definition
Statement of
Research Objectives
The Process of
Problem Definition
Ascertain the Determine unit of
decision maker’s analysis
objectives
Understand Determine
background of relevant variables
the problem
8
The Iceberg Principle
10
Isolate and Identify the Problems,
Not the Symptoms
• Symptoms can be confusing
11
EXAMPLE
Problem Definition
Organization Symptoms Based on Symptom True Problem
13
Determine the Relevant Variable
• Variable
• Anything that may assume different
numerical values
14
Types of Variables
• Categorical-Any variable that has a limited
number of distinct values
• Continuous-Any variable that has an infinite
number of possible values.
• Dependent- A variable that is to be
predicted or explained
• Independent- A variable that is expected to
influence the dependent variable
State the research questions and
research objectives
• At this last stage of problem definition,
Researcher should prepare a written
statement that clarifies their objectives.
• Research objective is the purpose of the
research expressed in measurable terms.
Hypothesis
• An unproven proposition
• A possible solution to a problem
• Guess
The statement of the Business Problem
influences the research objectives and
design
Broad Statement of Exploratory
research business research
objectives problem (optional)
Research
Results
Design
The Process of
Problem Definition
Ascertain the Determine unit of
decision maker’s analysis
objectives
Understand Determine
background of relevant variables
the problem