Topic 4: Problem Definition

Question 1

Why is problem definition NB for research?

Answer 1

• The research quality is limited by the quality of the problem definition
• A poorly defined problem results in useless research, even if carried out flawlessly.

Question 2

What are decision statements and how do researchers use them?

Answer 2

• A written expression of the key questions a research-user wishes to answer.
• Researchers translate real-world decision statements made by research-users into research objectives.

Question 3

What is the problem definition process?

Answer 3

The process of creating relevant decision statements and then translating them into precise research terminology and research objectives.

Question 4

What affects complexity of a problem?

Answer 4

• Situation is recurring(easy) or new(hard)
• Dramatic changes(easy) or subtle changes(hard)
• Isolated symptoms(easy) or scattered symptoms(hard)
• Consistent symptoms(easy) or ambiguous symptoms(hard)

Question 5

3 ways that problems occur in business?

Answer 5

• Business performance is worse than expected business performance
• Actual business performance is less than possible business performance
• Expected business performance is greater than possible business performance

Question 6

6 steps of problem definition process

Answer 6

1. Understand business situation-identify key symptoms (interview management; exploratory research; probe management for deeper explanations)
2. Identify key problems from symptoms(consider symptom results of probing and creatively theorize potential problems)
3. Create managerial decision statements and corresponding research objectives (express problems in actionable terms)
4. determine unit of analysis (what/who provides data)
5. determine key variables
6. write research questions & hypotheses (actual testable statements)

Question 7

What is the purpose of a research proposal?

Answer 7

• It is a planning tool, detailing exactly how the research will be done, before it actually begins
• It is a contract, protecting the researcher from disputes with the research client about research methodology after research has happened

Question 8

What are the components of a research proposal?

Answer 8

• Current situation
• Purpose of the research including research objectives
• research design
• sample design
• data gathering techniques
• data processing and analysis
• budget
• time schedule