1. Chapter 6:
Problem Definition and the
Research Proposal

3. Problem
discovery
Problem definition
(statement of
research objectives)
Secondary
(historical)
data
Experience
survey
Pilot
study
Case
study
Selection of
exploratory research
technique
Selection of
basic research
method
Experiment Survey
Observation
Secondary
Data StudyLaboratory Field Interview Questionnaire
Selection of
exploratory research
technique
Sampling
Probability Nonprobability
Collection of
data
(fieldwork)
Editing and
coding
data
Data
processing
Interpretation
of
findings
Report
Data
Gathering
Data
Processing
and
Analysis
Conclusions
and Report
Research Design
Problem Discovery
and Definition

4. COMPLETELY
CERTAIN
ABSOLUTE
AMBIGUITY
CAUSAL OR
DESCRIPTIVE
EXPLORATORY

5.  First step
 Problem, opportunity, or monitor operations
 Discovery before definition
 Problem means management problem

6. Albert Einstein

7.  The indication of a specific business decision area
that will be clarified by answering some research
questions.

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

9. The Process of
Problem Definition
Ascertain the
decision maker’s
objectives
Understand
background of
the problem
Isolate/identify
the problem, not
the symptoms
Determine unit of
analysis
Determine
relevant
variables
State research
questions and
objectives

10.  Decision makers’ objectives
 Managerial goals expressed in measurable terms.
10

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

12.  Exercising judgment
 Situation analysis - The informal gathering of
background information to familiarize researchers
or managers with the decision area.
12

13.  Symptoms can be confusing
13

14. 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

15. 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.

16. TOTI
EMUL
ESTO

17. TOTI
EMUL
ESTO

18.  Individuals, households, organizations, etc.
 In many studies, the family rather than the
individual is the appropriate unit of analysis.
18

19.  Anything that may assume different numerical
values
19

20.  Categorical
 Continuous
 Dependent
 Independent

21.  An unproven proposition
 A possible solution to a problem
 Guess

22. 22

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

25. The Process of
Problem Definition
Ascertain the
decision maker’s
objectives
Understand
background of
the problem
Isolate/identify
the problem, not
the symptoms
Determine unit of
analysis
Determine
relevant
variables
State research
questions and
objectives

26.  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

27.  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?

28.  What types of questions need to be answered?
 Are descriptive or causal findings required?
 What is the source of the data?

29.  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?

30.  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?
 Is a national sample necessary?
 How large a sample is necessary?
 How will the sample be selected?

31.  Who will gather the data?
 How long will data gathering take?
 How much supervision is needed?
 What operational procedures need to be followed?

32.  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?
 How many variables are to be investigated
simultaneously?
 Performance criteria for evaluation?

33.  Who will read the report?
 Are managerial recommendations requested?
 How many presentations are required?
 What will be the format of the written report?

34.  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?

35.  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.