Problem Definition and the Research Proposal

Problem Discovery and Definition

Problem discovery
Sampling

Selection of exploratory research technique

Selection of exploratory research technique

Probability

Nonprobability

Secondary (historical) data

Experience survey

Pilot study

Case study

Data Gathering Data Processing and Analysis

Collection of data (fieldwork) Editing and coding data Data processing

Problem definition (statement of research objectives)

Research Design

Selection of basic research method

Conclusions and Report

Interpretation of findings

Experiment
Laboratory Field Interview

Survey
Questionnaire

Observation

Secondary Data Study

Report

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REMEMBER - UNCERTAINTY INFLUENCES THE TYPE OF RESEARCH

CAUSAL OR DESCRIPTIVE

COMPLETELY CERTAIN

ABSOLUTE AMBIGUITY

EXPLORATORY

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PROBLEM DISCOVERY AND DEFINITION

FIRST STEP PROBLEM, OPPORTUNITY, OR MONITOR OPERATIONS DISCOVERY BEFORE DEFINITION PROBLEM MEANS MANAGEMENT PROBLEM

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The formulation of the problem is often more essential than its solution. To raise new questions, new possibilities, to regard old problems from a new angle requires creative imagination and marks real advance in science
Albert Einstein
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Problem definition
The indication of a specific business decision area that will be clarified by answering some research questions.

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Defining Problem Results in Clear Cut Research Objectives

Symptom Detection

Analysis of the Situation

Problem Definition Statement of Research Objectives

Exploratory Research (Optional)

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The Process of Problem Definition

Ascertain the decision makers 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

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Ascertain the decision makers objectives

Decision makers objectives Managerial goals expressed in measurable terms.

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The Iceberg Principle

The principle indicating that the dangerous part of many business problems is neither visible to nor understood by managers.

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Understand the background of the problem.

Exercising Judgement Situation analysis - The informal gathering of background information to familiarize researchers or managers with the decision area.

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Isolate and identify the problems, not the symptoms.

Symptoms Can Be Confusing

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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
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Organization Symptoms

Problem Definition Based on

True Problem

Twenty-yearold 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.

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.
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What Language is written on this stone found by archaeologists?

TOTI EMUL ESTO

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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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Determine the relevant VARIABLE

Anything that may assume different numerical values

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Types of Variables

Categorical
Continuous Dependent

Independent
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HYPOTHESIS
AN UNPROVEN PROPOSITION A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO A PROBLEM GUESS

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State the research questions and research objectives

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If you do not know where you are going, any road will take you there.

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Broad research objectives

Statement of business problem

Exploratory research (optional)

Specific Objective 1

Specific Objective 2

Specific Objective 3

Research Design

Results

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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
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Purpose of the Research Proposal

To present the question to be researched and its importance To discuss the research efforts of others who have worked on related questions To suggest the data necessary for solving the question

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Types of Research Proposals

Internal

External

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The Research Sponsor

All research has a sponsor in one form or another: In a corporate setting, management sponsors research In an academic environment, the student is responsible to the class instructor

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What are the Benefits of the Proposal to a Researcher?

Allows the researcher to plan and review the projects steps Serves as a guide throughout the investigation Forces time and budget estimates

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Proposal Complexity
3 levels of complexity: The exploratory study is used for the most simple proposals The small-scale study is more complex and common in business The large-scale professional study is the most complex, costing millions of dollars
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How to Structure the Research Proposal?

Create proposal modules

Put together various modules to tailor your proposal to the intended audience

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Modules in a Research Proposal

Executive Summary Problem Statement Research Objectives Literature Review Importance of the Study Research Design Data Analysis Nature and Form of Results

Qualifications of Researcher Budget Schedule Facilities and Special Resources Project Management Bibliography Appendices
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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?
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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?

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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?
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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?

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BASIC QUESTIONS SELECTION OF SAMPLE (cont.)

Is a national sample necessary? How large a sample is necessary? How will the sample be selected?

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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?

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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?

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BASIC QUESTIONS DATA ANALYSIS (cont.)

How many variables are to be investigated simultaneously? Performance criteria for evaluation?

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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?

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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?
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ANTICIPATING OUTCOMES
Dummy tables Representations of the actual tables that will be in the findings section of the final report; used to gain a better understanding of what the actual outcomes of the research will be.

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What to include in the Appendices?

A glossary of concepts, constructs, and definitions Samples of the measurement instrument

Other materials that reinforce the body of the proposal

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Evaluating the Research Proposal

Proposal must be neatly written in appropriate writing style Major topics should be easily found and logically organized Proposal must meet specific guidelines set by the sponsor Technical writing style must be clearly understood and explained
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Literature Review
Literature review involves identification systematically, searching and analyzing documents which contains information related to the problem being researched

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Development of Literature Review

Data Set A

Related Issues

Data Set B

Main Issue/Topic

Sub-theme X

A Theory Sub-theme Y B Theory

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Documents
Documents include General Source Newspaper, magazines etc Secondary Source Books, Reviews, research, etc Primary Source Journal, abstract, etc

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Doing the Literature Review

Identify the relevant sources
Bibliographic databases Abstract databases Full text databases

Extracting the relevant information Writing the literature review

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Purpose of a literature review

Identify all that is already known Help us to plan what needs to be done Gives rational and justification for the further research Forward the research strategy and specific procedures including effective measurement untuk measure the problem Helps the researcher to avoid mistakes by building on the strength of previous research Helps in interpreting the data and also the research findings

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Types of Literature review

Inclusive
Seeks to identify and list everything that has been written on a particular topic.

Inclusive/Evaluative
Takes the inclusive approach a stage further by providing a commentary on the literature in terms of its coverage and its contribution to knowledge and understanding (Meta analysis)

Exploratory
More focused. Seeks to discover existing research that might throw light on a specific research question or issue. Classic literature review in academic
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Types of Literature review

Instrumental
Primary focus of the research is a business issue, and the literature is used as a source of suitable ideas on how the research question might best be tackled Focus to identify useful methodology or research instrument to provide an effective approach

Content Analysis
Detailed analysis of the content of a certain body of literature or other documentary sources that are viewed as texts. Counting how many times management of change was mentioned in a literature
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Consideration when writing a Literature review

More does not mean good Areas where a lot of research has been done do not need a lot of emphasis New areas of research needs to be given more emphasis

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The benefits of a Literature review

A good literature review ensures:
The important variables are not left out Gives the researcher a clearer idea about the research Replicability of the findings can be increased Problem statement can be made more clearly Do not have to waste time researching something that has already been done or established The problem being researched has high scientific value

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Writing a Literature review

Read other peoples literature review Develop a theme from very general to very specific Use a organized system, discussion based on each research question Use a simple frame as guideline Practice leads to perfection
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Why literature review is important?

To show the researcher has knowledge about the topic of research The research model is developed based on the previous literature and strengthened by the current understanding

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