Dr. Rohit H. TrivediAsst. Prof.
VMPIM
Defining the Research Problem
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Define the Research Problem and Research Objectives
Management Problem: Symptoms of failure to achieve an
objective are present. What should be done?
Symptoms of the likelihood of achieving an objective are present (opportunity identification). What should be done?
Research Objectives: Providing relevant, accurate, and
unbiased information that managers can use to solve their management problems
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PROBLEMS:
A problem is and interrogative sentence or statement that asks:
What relation exists between two or more variables? The answer is what is being sought in the research.
If the problem is a scientific one, it will almost always contain two or more variables.
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Management Decision Problem Vs. Management Research Problem
Management Decision Problem Research Problem Should a new product be To determine consumer preferencesintroduced? and purchase intentions for the
proposed new product. Should the advertising To determine the effectivenesscampaign be changed? of the current advertising
campaign. Should the price of the To determine the price elasticitybrand be increased? of demand and the impact on sales
and profits of various levels of price changes.
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Management Dilemma The symptom of an actual
problem Not difficult to identify a
dilemma, however choosing one to focus on may be difficult
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Working with the Hierarchy
Fine tune the research question Examine concepts and constructs Break research questions into specific
second-and-third-level questions Verify hypotheses with quality tests Determine what evidence answers
the various questions and hypothesis Set the scope of your study
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The Problem Definition ProcessTasks Involved
DiscussionwithDecision Maker(s)
Interviewswith Experts
SecondaryData Analysis
QualitativeResearch
Management Decision Problem
Management Research Problem
Environmental Context of the Problem
Step I: Problem Definition
Step II: Approach to the Problem
Objective/ Theoretical
Foundations
ResearchQuestions
Hypotheses
Step III: Research Design
Analytical Model: Verbal, Graphical, Mathematical
SpecificationofInformationNeeded
2-8Proper Definition of the Research Problem
Research Problem
Broad Statement
Specific Components
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The Role of Theory in Applied Research
indicate whether
Research Task Role of Theory
1. Conceptualizing
and identifying
key variables
Provides a conceptual foundation and understanding of the basic processes
underlying the problem situation. These processes will suggest key dependent
and independent variables.
2. Operationalizing
key variables
Theoretical constructs (variables) can suggest independent and dependent
variables naturally occurring in the real world.
3. Selecting a
research design
Causal or associative relationships suggested by the theory may
a causal or descriptive design should be adopted.
4. Selecting a
sample
The theoretical framework may be useful in defining the population and
suggesting variables for qualifying respondents, imposing quotas, or stratifying
the population (see Chap. 11).
5. Analyzing and
interpreting data
The theoretical framework (and the models, research questions and hypotheses
based on it) guide the selection of a data analysis strategy and the interpretation
of results (see Chap. 14).
6. Integrating
findings
The findings obtained in the research project can be interpreted in the light of
previous research and integrated with the existing body of knowledge.
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Models
An analytical model is a set of variables and their interrelationships designed to represent, in whole or in part, some real system or process.
In verbal models, the variables and their relationships are stated in prose form. Such models may be mere restatements of the main tenets of a theory.
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Graphical Models
Graphical models are visual. They are used to isolate variables and to suggest directions of relationships.
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Mathematical models explicitly specify therelationships among variables, usually inequation form.
Wherey = degree of preference
= model parameters to be estimated statistically
Mathematical Models
n
iii xaay
10
aa i,0
2-13Development of Research Questions and HypothesesFig. 2.4
Components of the
Research Questions
Hypotheses
Objective/TheoreticalFrameworkAnalytical
Model
Marketing Research Problem
2-14Research Questions and Hypotheses
Research questions (RQs) are refined statements of the specific components of the problem.
A hypothesis (H) is an unproven statement or proposition about a factor or phenomenon that is of interest to the researcher. Often, a hypothesis is a possible answer to the research question.
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Thanks a lot……..
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