Problemdiscovery
Problem definition(statement of
research objectives)
Secondary(historical)
data
Experiencesurvey
Pilotstudy
Casestudy
Selection ofexploratory research
technique
Selection ofbasic research
method
Experiment SurveyObservation Secondary
Data StudyLaboratory Field Interview Questionnaire
Selection ofexploratory research
techniqueSampling
Probability Nonprobability
Collection ofdata
(fieldwork)
Editing andcodingdata
Dataprocessing
Interpretationof
findings
Report
DataGathering
DataProcessingandAnalysis
Conclusionsand Report
Research Design
Problem Discoveryand Definition
COMPLETELYCERTAIN
ABSOLUTEAMBIGUITY
CAUSAL ORDESCRIPTIVE
EXPLORATORY
UNCERTAINTY INFLUENCES THE TYPE OF RESEARCH
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
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
STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
A written expression of the key question(s)that the researcher wishes to answer
PROBLEM DEFINITION
The indication of a specific business decision area that will be clarified by answering some research questions.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Statement of Research Objectives
Problem Definition
Defining Problem Results inClear Cut Research Objectives
ExploratoryResearch(Optional)
Analysis of the Situation
Symptom Detection
The Process ofProblem 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
ASCERTAIN THE DECISION MAKER’S OBJECTIVES
Decision makers’ objectives
Managerial goals expressed in measurable terms.
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THE ICEBERG PRINCIPLE
he 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.
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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
Problem DefinitionOrganization 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.
DETERMINE THE UNIT OF ANALYSIS
Individuals, households, organizations, etc.
In many studies, the family rather than the individual is the appropriate unit of analysis.
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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
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
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
Statement of business
problem
Exploratory research (optional)
Statement of business
problem
Broad research
objectives
Specific Objective 1
Specific Objective 2
Specific Objective 3
Research Design
Results
The Process ofProblem 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
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
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?