Research Problem
Definition
Assistant Professor Dr. Chanin Yoopetch
Problem
discovery
Problem Discovery
and Definition
Sampling
Selection of
exploratory research
technique
Secondary
(historical)
data
Experience
survey
Probability
Pilot
study
Case
study
Data
Gathering
Data
Processing
and
Analysis
Problem definition
(statement of
research objectives)
Experiment
Laboratory
Conclusions
and Report
Survey
Field
Interview
Nonprobability
Collection of
data
(fieldwork)
Editing and
coding
data
Data
processing
Selection of
basic research
method
Research Design
Selection of
exploratory research
technique
Questionnaire
Observation
Secondary
Data Study
Interpretation
of
findings
Report
Uncertainty Influences the Type
of Research
CAUSAL OR
DESCRIPTIVE
COMPLETELY
CERTAIN
ABSOLUTE
AMBIGUITY
EXPLORATORY
Problem Discovery and Definition
•
•
•
•
First step
Problem, opportunity, or monitor operations
Discovery before definition
Problem means management problem
“The formulation of the problem
is often more essential than its
solution.”
Albert Einstein
Problem Definition
• The indication of a specific business
decision area that will be clarified by
answering some research questions.
Defining Problem Results in
Clear Cut Research Objectives
Symptom Detection
Analysis of
the Situation
Problem Definition
Statement of
Research Objectives
Exploratory
Research
(Optional)
The Process of
Problem Definition
Ascertain the
decision maker’s
objectives
Determine unit of
analysis
Understand
background of
the problem
Determine
relevant variables
Isolate/identify
the problem, not
the symptoms
State research
questions and
objectives
Ascertain the Decision Maker’s
Objectives
• Decision makers’ objectives
• Managerial goals expressed in measurable
terms.
9
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.
11
Isolate and Identify the Problems,
Not the Symptoms
• Symptoms can be confusing
12
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
Organization
Twenty-year-old
neighborhood
swimming
association in a
major city.
Symptoms
Membership has been
declining for years.
New water park with
wave pool and water
slides moved into
town a few years ago.
Problem Definition
Based on Symptom
True Problem
Neighborhood
residents prefer the
expensive water
park and have
negative image of
swimming pool.
Demographic changes:
Children in this 20year-old neighborhood
have grown up. Older
residents no longer
swim anywhere.
Determine the Unit of Analysis
• Individuals, households, organizations, etc.
• In many studies, the family rather than the
individual is the appropriate unit of
analysis.
15
Determine the Relevant Variable
• Anything that may assume different
numerical values
16
Types of Variables
•
•
•
•
Categorical
Continuous
Dependent
Independent
Hypothesis
• An unproven proposition
• A possible solution to a problem
• Guess
State the research questions and
research objectives
19
If you do not know where you are going,
any road will take you there.
Broad
research
objectives
Statement of
business
problem
Exploratory
research
(optional)
Specific
Objective 1
Specific
Objective 2
Specific
Objective 3
Research
Design
Results
The Process of
Problem Definition
Ascertain the
decision maker’s
objectives
Determine unit of
analysis
Understand
background of
the problem
Determine
relevant variables
Isolate/identify
the problem, not
the symptoms
State research
questions and
objectives
Theory Building and Observation
Methods
Theories
Theories are nets cast to catch what we call
“the world”: to rationalize, to explain, and
to master it. We endeavor to make the mesh
ever finer and finer.
Karl R. Popper
Two Purposes Of Theory
• Prediction
• Understanding
Theory
• A coherent set of general propositions used
as principles of explanation of the apparent
relationships of certain observed
phenomena.
Concept (or Construct)
• A generalized idea about a class of objects,
attributes, occurrences, or processes that has
been given a name
• Building blocks that abstract reality
• “leadership,” “productivity,” and “morale”
• “gross national product,” “asset,” and
“inflation”
Vegetation
Fruit
Banana
Reality
Increasingly more abstract
A Ladder Of Abstraction
For Concepts
Scientific Business Researchers
Operate at Two Levels
• Abstract level
– concepts
– propositions
• Empirical level
– variables
– hypotheses
Definitions
• Abstract level -In theory development, the
level of knowledge expressing a concept
that exists only as an idea or a quality apart
from an object.
• Empirical level -Level of knowledge
reflecting that which is verifiable by
experience or observation.
Theories
Propositions
Concepts
Observation of objects
and events (reality )
Increasingly more abstract
Theory Building A Process Of
Increasing Abstraction
Concepts are Abstractions of
Reality
Abstract
Level
Empirical
Level
CONCEPTS
OBSERVATION OF OBJECTS
AND EVENTS (REALITY)
Scientific Method
The use of a set of prescribed procedures for
establishing and connecting theoretical
statements about events and for predicting
events yet unknown.
Abstract Level
• Concepts abstract reality.
• Propositions are statements concerned with
the relationships among concepts.
Proposition at Abstract Level
Concept A
Concept B
(Reinforcement)
(Habits)
Hypothesis at Empirical Level
Dollar bonus for
sales volume
over quota
Always makes
four sales calls
a day
• A hypothesis is a proposition that is
empirically testable. It is an empirical
statement concerned with the relationship
among variables.
• A variable is anything that may assume
different numerical values.
Deductive Reasoning
• The logical process of deriving a conclusion
from a known premise or something known
to be true.
– We know that all managers are human beings.
– If we also know that John Smith is a manager,
– then we can deduce that John Smith is a human
being.
Inductive Reasoning
• The logical process of establishing a general
proposition on the basis of observation of
particular facts.
– All managers that have ever been seen are
human beings;
– therefore all managers are human beings.
Falsificationist
• You cannot prove the theory that it is
correct, but you can disprove it.
The Scientific Method:
An Overview
Assess
relevant
existing
knowledge
Acquire
empirical
data
Formulate
concepts &
Propositions
Analyze &
evaluate
data
Statement
of
Hypotheses
Design
research
Provide
explanationstate new
problem
Scientific Observation Is
Systematic
“YOU SEE, BUT YOU
DO NOT OBSERVE.”
Sherlock Holmes
What Can Be Observed?
•
•
•
•
•
•
Physical actions
Verbal behavior
Expressive behavior
Spatial relations and locations
Temporal patterns
Verbal and pictorial records
What Can Be Observed
Phenomena
Example
Human behavior or physical Shoppers movement
action
pattern in a store
Verbal behavior
Statements made by
airline travelers who wait
in line
Expressive behavior
Facial expressions, tone of
voice, and other form of
body language
What Can Be Observed
Phenomena
Example
Spatial relations
and locations
How close visitors at an
art museum stand to paintings
Temporal patterns
How long fast-food customers
wait for their order to be served
Physical objects
What brand name items are
stored in consumers’ pantries
Verbal and Pictorial
Records
Bar codes on product packages
Categories of Observation
•
•
•
•
Human versus mechanical
Visible versus hidden
Direct
Contrived (artificial environment)
Observation of Human Behavior
Benefits
• Communication with respondent is not
necessary
• Data without distortions due to self-report
(e.g.: without social desirability) Bias
• No need to rely on respondents memory
• Nonverbal behavior data may be obtained
Observation of Human Behavior
Benefits
• Certain data may be obtained more quickly
• Environmental conditions may be recorded
• May be combined with survey to provide
supplemental evidence
Observation of Human Behavior
Limitations
•
•
•
•
•
•
Cognitive phenomena cannot be observed
Interpretation of data may be a problem
Not all activity can be recorded
Only short periods can be observed
Observer bias possible
Possible invasion of privacy
Observation of Physical Objects
• Physical-trace evidence
• Wear and tear of a book indicates how
often it has been read
Scientifically Contrived
Observation
• The creation of an artificial environment to
test a hypothesis
Content Analysis
• Obtains data by observing and analyzing the
content of advertisements, letters, articles,
etc.
• Deals with the study of the message itself
• Measures the extent of emphasis or
omission