UNIVERSITY OF MYSORE

E-CONTENT DEVELOPMENT

COURSE: BUSINESS RESEARCH METHODS

UNIT 1: INTRODUCTION TO BUSINESS RESEARCH

TOPIC: Problem Formulation

OBJECTIVES

 To know meaning of problem formulation

 To understand the sources of problem
 To explain the identification process
 To describe the formulation of selected problem
 To discuss the formulation process

PART – I

Introduction:

Research is a planned activity that must be planned beforehand. Planning means

an idea as to how the research to be worked out. In other words, planning refers to
deciding the issues or problems or question to be studied, framing objectives and
determining the means to achieve it. Research is an intellectual process; it assumes
curiosity, imagination, vision and having knowledge of research process. Proper planning
directs the research work. To select a problem the researcher has to have an idea of
knowledge as to which issue, problem to be chosen.

Selection of a problem is the first step in research. The term ‘problem’ means a
question to be examined. In research, selection of a problem or issue is itself a problem,
and its identification is not an easy task. Having a vision and imaginative insight has its
role to play in this process. To select a problem, the beginner can consult their teachers,
friends, senior fellows to identify a problem or otherwise if the researcher self has any
ideas then they can have discussion with the teachers for further steps. The researcher in
the discussion can dig out related aspects of the study area, so that will lead to
identification of the problem. The actual selection should be the choice of the candidate

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himself. For example, if the beginners would like to know the satisfaction level of
customers of a particular bank has to identify the variables described in the table.

Identify Bank Customer Satisfaction

Public sector Men On Service
Private sector Women Communicatio
n
-- Educated/Illiterate Attention
-- Or All the above --

Later study area to be decided with the help of seniors, with significant others
followed by place of conducting the research. Hence the researcher has to have critical,
curious and imaginative mind, so that practical problems can be easily identified.

PART - II

SOURCES OF PROBLEMS:-
The researcher has various ways to identify sources of problems.
1. Habit of reading: When a researcher has a habit of reading books, critically
analyze the knowledge from books & articles, relating to the subject of interest,
therefore certain question may arise in our mind that may lead to identification of
problems.
2. Academic interaction:- Classroom lecture, seminars, attending conference
based on the theme, out of class discussion and exchange of ideas may ignite certain
stimulating problems may further lead to identification of problems.
3. Daily experience:- Each individual experiences life with unique characteristics,
persons, fellows. Being alert, sensitive and imaginative nature of researcher may
enhance the way of putting the problem into researchable one. Hence the researcher
should develop an ability of imagination into investigation, so that formulation of problem
is achievable.
4. Exposure to field situation:- The researcher has to visit field, gain practical
exposure, training, workshop would enable them to the study.
5. Discussion:- Consulting field experts, seniors, other fellow researchers,
business executives will contribute to the identification of research problem.
6. Research:- Repetitive researching may suggest for further identification of the
problem.

PART - III

IDENTIFICATION PROCESS:-
The process of identification of problem has few steps:-
1. Selection of the discipline:- The researcher has to work on in his/her area of
discipline or subject such as English, Economics, Commerce, Management, Technology,

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Social Work etc. the selection of a discipline is easy, but one has to have clear cut idea of
specialization. Example marketing management, finance management or personnel
management etc of their own choices among the particular discipline.
2. Specialization of a selected subject:- Well in this step the researcher has to
select a particular aspect of the specialized subject. Example customer satisfaction,
quality of life of bank employees, role of personnel managers in industries as specific
area of study. The beginners should develop interest in identifying specific area.
3. Multiple choice of topics in the broader area:- The beginners of any research
endeavors, has to have two or more specific topics of a selected area, so that the
researcher can prioritize on the basis of its relevance, towards particular field. Example
bank, industries, hotel management etc.
4. Researchability:- The researcher has to make sure that is the problem
researchable one? that leads to finding answers to the question through scientific
manner. “Although every problem in science involves a question or a series of questions,
not every question qualifies as a scientific problem (Merton). In research many questions
are unanswered, therefore a researchable question must be one which is framed through
observation or through any other method can provide answer.
5. Facilities:- To meet the requirements of research need certain facilities such as
well equipped library, relevant books, competent guidance, software technology etc.
6. Usefulness and social relevance:- The study should be socially relevant.
Above all, the study should contribute to the concerned body of knowledge or solution to
the practical problem. This is important from the point of view of high level research and
sponsored research.

PART - IV

FORMULATION OF THE SELECTED PROBLEM

In the initial process of problem formulation the researcher may find research as
unclear, indefinite and the solutions are unknown, to the researcher. Therefore, the
selected problem has to be defined and formulated which is a difficult process. To have
an understanding, the researcher has to study selected articles, learn reviewing, in order
to understand the nature of the problem. Only through practice of reading with
concentration the researcher can gather the actual meaning of the studies from articles,
journals and books. For example for commerce and management there are enough
books are available among them research methodology concepts and cases written by
Deepak Chawla and Neena Sondhi, Business Research Methods by Donald R. Cooper
et. al., Business Research Methods by William G. Zikmund et. al., are examples. The
researcher must read such books to understand, to think and to reflect upon what is read
and digested. Further, the researcher has to discuss with the learned persons. This is
one of the added advantages to the researcher to gain insight into the chosen problem, to
define and formulate it.
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 Formulation of problem means translating and transforming the selected
research problem/ topic into a scientifically researchable question. It is concerned with
specifying exactly what the research problem is and why it is studied. The formulation
should include both the what and the why aspects.

Merton had identified three principle components in the progressive formulation of a

problem for research:-
1. The originating question
2. The rationale
3. The specifying questions (possible answers to the originating problems).

1. The originating question indicates what the problem is. It may call for
discovering new and more decisive facts relating to subject matter of the study. For eg if
the researcher would like to know about product designing, Corporate Social
Responsibility, product manufacturing, satisfaction level of employees or customers,
quality of life are broader areas, in which the researcher may look into these areas and
find out the researchable questions.
2. Rationale constitutes the statement of reasons, why a particular question is
posed and answer to these questions will contribute to theory or practice. In other words,
rationale is about finding a research gap or determining why the study has been chosen,
reason behind it and how you are going to fill the gap or justify the answer to a question/s
and undergoing a systematic way of research.
3. Specifying question:- The broad area of topic of research may be divided into
specific questions. Special attention to be given on construction of questions, need to be
simple, clear, empirically verifiable. They are specified as investigative questions.

PART – V

FORMULATION PROCESS:

The formulation problem has different process. They are

1. Developing title: while developing title care should be taken in framing it, that
depicts the meaning towards the study. Example if the researcher wants to know
the satisfaction of job among employees of a particular bank, then the title would
be “A study on the Job satisfaction of bank employees” with special reference to
public sector bank in Bangalore City” is the title. The real intention of the study
i.e., Job satisfaction of bank employees, followed by geographical area of the
study has to be mentioned as it is mandatory in research.
2. Review of Literature: a literature review is a comprehensive compilation of the
information obtained from published and unpublished sources of data resourced
through journals, newspaper, magazines, publication by government
departments etc. Through review of literature the researcher perceive different
perspective and methodologies to be adopted to investigate the problem and
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 identify possible variables to be investigated. The review of literature also leads
the researcher to narrow the scope of the study. So that the research problem
may be formulated with its significance and tested. Once the researcher is done
with review of literature, he should develop logical theoretical framework on the
basis of the reviews and should be able to provide the foundation for the problem
statement.
 Research Variables: refers to identification of key variables for the research
study. To carry out a research investigation, it is imperative to convert the
concept and constructs to be studied into empirically testable and observable
variables. In research a question is known as variable, often variables
dichotomous in nature. Example educated/ illiterate or men/women, yes/no.
variables can be further classified as:
a. Dependent Variable: dependent variable is considered as important
variable to be studied in research work. The entire research process is
involved in either describing it or investigating the probable causes of the
observed effect. For example if a researcher would like to study the
comparison between excessive mobile phone usage and its impact on
sleep among college students. May be this is one of the reason why
students come to class late. Students tend to sleep late night playing
online games. Here one should note that one of the factor identified is
excessive mobile phone usage which in turn affects sleep as well as daily
activities such as eating habits, physical activities, which in turn affects
eye sight.
b. Independent variables: the variable that influence or impact the
dependent variables is referred to as an independent variable. Here the
task of research is to bring out the causality of the relationship between
the independent and the dependent variables. For example:

Independent variables Dependent variables

Age
Education Sleep disturbances
Gender Effects on eating habits
Excessive mobile phone
usage

3. Building a conceptual model: on the basis of theoretical knowledge, nature of

the phenomena, properties, its elements and their interrelations should be
identified and structures into a framework. This conceptual model gives an idea
of the research problem, shows its various properties and variable to be studied.
The formulation leads to framing of objectives followed by hypothesis to be
tested. In order to work out a conceptual model one should carefully and critically
study the available literature on the subject matter. Without academic

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 background, knowledge it would be difficult to grasp and comprehend the nature
of the research problems.

4. Defining the objectives of the study:- the objectives are framed on the basis of
the variables that are answered through the study. This indicates what the
researcher is trying to bring out from the study. The researcher has to derive
objectives from the conceptual model. They state the elements in the conceptual
model –levels, kinds of cases, properties and connections among properties are
to be investigated. But it is the conceptual model that defines, describes and
states the assumptions underlying these elements” (Metilda, 1963). Generally
formulated objectives aims at description or explanation or even analysis of
causal relationship between the variables that indicate the expected results or
outcome of the study. However the objectives may be depicted in the form of
either statements or questions.

Illustration: Occupational safety and health are important aspects in industries.

Safety in simple terms is freedom from the occurrence or risk of injury or loss of
life, where as health at work place and healthy work environment are amongst
the most valuable assets of individual as well as to an organization. Now we will
frame objectives on the basis of occupational safety and health of employees of
a particular industry.

1. The title of the research problem is “Perception on Occupational Health

& Safety Measures” with special reference to X industry, Bangalore”.

2. Objectives of the study (in a statement form):

i) To know the socio-demographic details of the employees.
ii) To study the existence of awareness level of health and safety measures
among the employees.
iii) To ascertain the utilization of health and safety measures among the
employees.
iv) To recommend measures to improve health and safety working environment at
the work place
Here the foremost objective is to know on socio-demographic details, which is
important for a researcher as they act as major independent variables. Therefore
no researcher would neglect these items, that to be included in the study, followed
by availability and utilization of health & safety measures by the employees
constitutes the major variables for the study. The last objective must be ended with
suggestions for the questions or the problem that are identified. The success of
research will provide answers to these questions.

5. Setting investigative questions:- After formulating research question, the

researcher moves to the next level i.e., investigative questions followed by sub-
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 questions are set up for each major objectives. These would guide the
researcher to develop concepts, operational definitions and measurement
devices. There may be sub level questions each to be carefully formulated
specifically.
For example, in the previous title the first objective was to know socio-
demographic details. The questions are framed as:
 Age: Below 25years, 25-35years, 35-45years, 45 and above.
 Education: Illiterate, Schooling, PUC, UG, PG.
 Occupation (Designation): ________________
 Marital Status: Married, Unmarried, Divorcee, any other _________
 Nature of Work: Supervisor, Welder, any other _________
 Work Experience: below 1year, 2-4years, 5-7years, 7-9years and 10
& above
Are few of the questions constitutes for the first objective. These questions vary
from setting to setting.
Second objective is to know the Awareness level of health aspects. The
questions to be framed in a Questionnaire /Schedule are:
a) Are you aware of availability of Primary Health Centre in the premises
1. Yes [Link]
b) Are you aware of availability of first aid in the premises
1. Yes [Link]
c) Are you aware of impact of industrial effluents on health
1. Yes [Link]

On safety measures:-
i. Are you aware of availability of fire extinguishing facility at work place?
1. Yes 2. No
ii. Are you aware of training to be given on safety measures?
1. Yes 2. No
iii. Are you aware of safety officer must be available in the industry
1. Yes 2. No

The third objective is on: Utilization of health services in the Industry

a. Have you availed treatment at PHC in the premises?
1. Yes 2. No
b. If yes the reasons –
1. Illness, 2. Pain, 3. Accident, [Link] other ________
c. Is the services in the Primary Health Centre is free of cost?
1. Yes 2. No
d. Do you think there must be regular health check up has to be conducted?
1. Yes 2. No

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 6. Formulation of Hypothesis: Hypotheses are temporary generalization or
tentative propositions relating to investigative questions. The researcher may formulate
according to the needs of the study to be tested in the research. These hypotheses would
generally describe the properties of variables or show the relationships between them.
The hypothesis aim at answering the research questions.

7. The operational definition of concepts:- the subsequent step in the

formulation process is to define operationally the concepts involved in the title,
objectives, hypothesis. Scales/ indices are constructed for measuring abstract
concepts.

8. Delimiting the scope of the study:- A beginner has to delimit the scope of the
study. The researcher is tempted to cover wide scope without knowing its
complexities. For eg., the previous study on health and safety measures at
workplace. Under the topic the researcher may widen the scope of industries by
dividing from North and South India wise or the number of industries may large in
size, covering 1,000 employees in Karnataka may require a large staff of field
investigators and so on. Therefore a researcher should take a close view of the
implications and dimensions of the selected problem and keep the scope of its
study within manageable limits, amount of the time and other sources available.
The purpose of this delimitation is to avoid confusion, superficiality and promote
clarification and successful completion within time limits and available resources.

To Sum up:
Formulation of research problem is first step in research work. The researcher
has to go through review of literature and related research books and meeting with
experts, teachers and friends are helpful in formulating a research problem. Along with
the interest and in depth knowledge towards the research work one can find a way to
formulate problem. While reviewing relevant literature the researcher has to read out
whole literature to understand the process of taking up research work, to learn the
methodology adopted, so that along with problem formulation whole research process
can be learnt.