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Chapter 6 Problem Definition and the Research Proposal

Chapter 6 Problem Definition and the Research Proposal. The Nature of Business Problem. Remember than managers may be completely certain about situations they face. At the other extreme, a manager or researcher may describe a decision-making situation as absolute ambiguity.

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Chapter 6 Problem Definition and the Research Proposal

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  1. Chapter 6 Problem Definition and the Research Proposal

  2. The Nature of Business Problem • Remember than managers may be completely certain about situations they face. • At the other extreme, a manager or researcher may describe a decision-making situation as absolute ambiguity. • Most decision-making situations fall somewhere between these two extremes.

  3. Importance of Proper Problem Definition • The right answer to the wrong question may be absolutely worthless. • Problem definition is the indication of a specific business decision area that will be clarified by answering some research questions.

  4. Analysis of the Situation Problem Definition Statement of Research Objectives Defining Problem Results in Clear Cut Research Objectives Symptom Detection Exploratory Research (Optional)

  5. Ascertain the decision maker’s 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 The Process of Problem Definition

  6. The 1st Process of Problem Definition • Ascertain the Decision Maker’s Objectives • Decision makers’ objectives • Managerial goals expressed in measurable terms. • Iceberg Principle is the principle indicating the dangerous part of many business problems is neither visible to nor understood by business managers.

  7. The 2nd Process of Problem Definition • Understanding the Background of the Problem • Exercising judgment • Situation analysis - The informal gathering of background information to familiarize researchers or managers with the decision area.

  8. The 3rd Process of Problem Definition • Isolate and Identify the Problems, Not the Symptoms • Examples of symptoms of the 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

  9. Problem Definition Organization 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.

  10. What Language Is Written on This Stone Found by Archaeologists? TOTI EMUL ESTO

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

  12. The 4th Process of Problem Definition • Determine the Unit of Analysis • Individuals, households, organizations, etc. • In many studies, the family rather than the individual is the appropriate unit of analysis.

  13. The 5th Process of Problem Definition • Determine the Relevant Variable • Variable is anything that may assume different numerical values. • Types of variables can be: • Categorical variable is any variable that has a limited number of distinct values. • Continuous variable is any variable that has an infinite number of values. • Dependent variable is a criterion or a variable that is to be predicted or explained. • Independent variable is a variable that is expected to influence the dependent variable. Its value may be changed or altered independently of any other variable.

  14. The 6th Process of Problem Definition • State the research questions (Hypothesis) and research objectives • A hypothesis is an unproven proposition or supposition that tentatively explains certain facts or phenomena; a proposition that is empirically testable. • A research objective is the purpose of the research in measurable terms; the definition of what the research should accomplish. It should be decision-oriented.

  15. Broad research objectives Exploratory research (optional) Specific Objective 1 Specific Objective 2 Specific Objective 3 Research Design Results Statement of business problem

  16. How Much Time Should be Spent Defining the Problem? • Budget constraints • Complexity of business situations • Importance of the problems

  17. Research Proposal • It is a written statement of the research design that includes a statement explaining the purpose of the study and a detailed, systematic outline of a particular research methodology. • Components of research proposal: • Purpose of the Research • Research Design • Sample Design • Data Gathering • Data Processing and Analysis • Report Preparation • Budget and Time Schedule

  18. Anticipating Outcomes • Dummy tables are representations of actual tables that will be in the findings section of the final report; used to gain a better understanding of what the actual outcome of the research will be. • 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.

  19. Business Problem Translated into Research Objectives

  20. Basic Questions Typically Asked When Planning a Research Design

  21. Basic Questions Typically Asked When Planning a Research Design

  22. Basic Questions Typically Asked When Planning a Research Design

  23. Basic Questions Typically Asked When Planning a Research Design

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