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Ch2EdittedProblem Formulation - Copy-1

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15 views

Ch2EdittedProblem Formulation - Copy-1

Formulated

Uploaded by

Nathnael Birhanu
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Chapter Two: Defining Research

Problem and Theory


development
2.1Problem Definition
• “The formulation of the problem is often more
essential than its solution.”
• Albert Einstein
• “ A problem well identified is half solved”
Importance of Starting with a good research
problem
• A research project is proved useful when the research objectives
correspond to the true business problem
• This must be done well or else the rest of the research process is
misdirected
• If not, the results deemed to be irrelevant, and then the research
is useless and do not assist in decision making
• Problem Definition is a process of defining and developing
decision statement and the steps involved in translating it into
more precise research terminologies, including research
objectives
• Problem statement is a written expression of the key questions
that the research user wishes to answer (the reason that the
research being considered)
Continued….
• Translate the business decision situation
into specific, relevant, actionable
(researchable) research objects.
Factors for Complexity of
problem definition
• Situation is recurring/appears new
• Dramatic/subtle change
• Symptoms isolated/scattered
• Symptoms consistent/ambiguous
Uncertainty Influences the Type
of Research

CAUSAL OR COMPLETELY ABSOLUTE EXPLORATORY


DESCRIPTIVE CERTAIN AMBIGUITY
Problems means gaps
• Difference between the current situation and the
most preference set of conditions
For instance, problem exists in organizations when,
Business performance is worse than expected
Actual performance is less than possible
performance
Expected performance is greater than possible
business performance
The same is true in research problem
Defining Problem Results in
Clear Cut Research Objectives
Symptom Detection

Analysis of
the Situation
Exploratory
Research
(Optional)
Problem Definition

Statement of
Research Objectives
Problem formulation involves activities

Problem Discovery Problem


and Definition discovery

Selection of
exploratory research
technique

Secondary
Experience Pilot Case
(historical)
survey study study
data

Research Design
Problem definition
(statement of
research objectives)
The Process of
Problem Definition
Ascertain the Determine unit of
decision maker’s analysis
objectives

Understand Determine relevant


background of the variables
problem

Isolate/identify the State research


problem, not the questions and
symptoms objectives
Ascertain the Decision Maker’s
Objectives
• Decision makers’ objectives
• Managerial goals expressed in measurable
terms.

11
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.

13
Isolate and Identify the Problems,
Not the Symptoms
• Symptoms can be confusing

14
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 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 -children have grown
major city. slides moved into negative image of up.
town a few years ago. swimming pool. -Older residents no
longer swim anywhere.
What Language Is Written on
This Stone Found by
Archaeologists?

TOTI
EMUL
ESTO
The Language Is English: To Tie
Mules To

TOTI
EMUL
ESTO
Determine the Unit of Analysis

• Who should provide the data and at what level of


aggregation
• Individuals, households, organizations, etc.
• In many studies, the family rather than the
individual is the appropriate unit of analysis.
• More than one level of analysis is also possible

19
Determine the Relevant Variable
• What things to be studied
• Any thing that changes from one instance to
another
• Anything that may assume different values (in
strength, magnitude, direction)
• Constant is something that doesn’t change and
is not useful in addressing research questions

20
Types of Variables
• Categorical
• Continuous
• Dependent
• Independent
Types of Variables
• Variables may be classified as independent, dependent, moderating,
mediating, or control variables.
• Independent variables - Variables that explain other variables
• Dependent variables - those that are explained by other variables
• mediating variables (or intervening variables)- those that are explained
by independent variables while also explaining dependent variables
• moderating variables - those that influence the relationship between
independent and dependent variables
• Control variables - extraneous variables that are not pertinent to explaining a
given dependent variable, but may have some impact on the dependent
variable & need to be controlled for in a scientific study.
Types of Variables
Hypothesis
• An unproven proposition
• A possible solution to a problem
• Guess

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