UNIT 3 RESEARCH PROBLEM Research Problem

Structure
3.0 Objectives
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Significance of Research Problem
3.3 Formulation of Research Problem
3.3.1 Definition of the Problem
3.3.2 Statement of the Problem
3.3.3 Operationalisation of Variables
3.3.4 Evaluation of the Problem
3.4 Techniques involved in Identifying Research Problem
3.5 Identification of a Research Problem
3.6 Selecting a Research Problem
3.7 Formulation of Research Objectives
3.8 Proposition and Hypotheses
3.9 Caselets
3.10 Let Us Sum Up
3.11 Keywords
3.12 Answers to Check Your Progress
3.13 Terminal Questions
3.14 Further Readings

3.0 OBJECTIVES
After studying this unit, you will be able to:

● Explain Research Problem and its significance;

● Understand how to identify and formulate research problem;
● Comprehend various steps involved in identification of research
problem;
● Explain the formulation of research objectives; and
● Define propositions and convert them into verifiable research hypotheses

3.1 INTRODUCTION
In the previous unit, we discussed the review of literature in detail. Through
this process, researchers often identify research gaps—areas that have not
been adequately explored or studied. These gaps represent potential research
problems that a researcher can focus on. If we discuss in length, it is well
versed on the basis of previous units that research is an attempt to answer
unexplored questions and helps develop new theories, principles, or
generalizations, which open either a new perspective of understanding in the
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Business Research relevant area of knowledge, or helps in validating the existing knowledge.
Concepts
Research questions require gathering the relevant data, analyzing, and
interpreting it in order to reach a conclusion and provide a solution to the
research problem.

Figure 3.1: Finding a Research Problem

Research is a gateway to acquire new knowledge that depends on how

relevant the problem has been discovered and research questions have been
answered. At first, researchers may struggle with 'problem blindness,' where
the problem seems too vague or unclear. Therefore, the identification of a
problem is the most crucial and difficult step in the research procedure. If this
step isn’t done carefully, the research process may lose direction. It is a
systematic inquiry to get answers to the questions about a phenomenon
through the scientific research process.
Problem identification and its formulation is innovatory and individualistic
rather than ordinary and mechanical. The identification of a research problem
entails a great deal of patience and insightful thinking. In the beginning, a
researcher finds identification of a research problem very difficult. This could
be due to insufficient knowledge of the research process and lack of
preparedness. The Researcher could be unfamiliar with the fields in which
scientific enquiry is required and the process he/she is to follow for selecting
a suitable area for research.
In this unit, you will learn about the significance of the research problem and
various methods of identification of a Research Problem. We will discuss
how to formulate research objectives and convert propositions into testable
hypotheses. Formulation of Research objectives will also be explained to you
in this unit.

3.2 SIGNIFICANCE OF RESEARCH PROBLEM

A well-defined research problem is of utmost importance as it not only
provides direction to the study but also determines the research design and
regulates the relevance of findings. For instance, a research problem
emphasizing the impact of teaching methods on the performance of BBA
students provides a clear framework for data collection, determination of
sample size, methodology, and potential research impact. Below Table 3.1
54 explain poorly defined research problem Vs. well defined research problem.
 Table 3.1: Poorly Defined Research Problem vs Well-Defined Research Problem
Research Problem

Poorly Defined Research Problem Well-Defined Research Problem

Vague and unclear Specific and focused
e.g., "How to improve sales?" e.g., "What marketing strategies
increase sales of Product X in
Market Y?"
Lacks measurable objectives Clear objectives with measurable
outcomes
No connection to research design Guides methodology and data
collection

Significance of a research problem are as follows:

1. The research problem is the beginning point of any research process. A

well-chosen research problem defines the focus and scope of the
research, helping researchers to decide what they want to research and
why it is significant.

2. A well-defined research problem elucidates why the research is required,

what gaps exist in available literature in the domain, and how the
research will advance the knowledge in the domain and provide possible
solutions to issues. Hence, it provides the rationale for the undertaken
research.

3. The nature of the research problem impacts the selection of research

design, tools and techniques of data collection, and selection of data
analysis techniques. It assures that the research must be in line with the
objectives and the methods, tools and techniques chosen would be
appropriate for solving the problem.

4. A well-defined research problem directs the formulation of specific

research questions or hypotheses. These research objectives guide the
entire research procedure, from literature review to data analysis,
assuring that the study remains relevant and focused.

5. The research problem is also significant due to its potential influence. A

well-defined problem may lead to findings that are useful, meaningful,
and also applicable in the real world situations, practice, influencing
policy, or further research.

6. A significant research problem often attracts funding and resources.

Research problems addressing a critical need or has the potential to have
a significant impact is more likely to get support from the stakeholders.
In summary, the significance of a well-defined research problem lies in its
potential to provide a focused, clear, and valid foundation for research,
guiding the entire research process and determining the relevance and
influence of the research findings.

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Business Research
Concepts 3.3 FORMULATION OF RESEARCH PROBLEM
Research problem formulation is the initial step of the research process.
Research problem is a precise and well-defined problem or question that a
researcher aims to investigate through research. It is the beginning point of
any research, as it sets the purpose, direction, and scope of the study.
Formulation of the research problem involves two main issues i.e., detailed
apprehension of the problem and converting the same into meaningful terms
from an analytical perspective.
One way of understanding the research problem is to discuss it with experts
in the subject or with one’s own colleagues. Generally, teachers put forward
the broad problem and it depends upon the researcher to narrow it down and
express it in operational terms. The research problem is generally determined
by the administrative heads in governmental and non-governmental
organizations. A researcher discusses the problem with those administrative
heads as to how the problem originally arose and what could be the possible
solutions for it.
Another way of problem comprehension can be reviewing the available
literature in the particular area. The researcher is required to examine all
available related literature to get all the available information on the problem.
The literature provides information about the variables, concepts, theories,
research gaps etc. Through literature review, the researcher gets to know
what studies have been already conducted on the subject matter and what
were the findings. The outcome enables the researcher to frame his/her own
research problem. After framing the problem, expressing the problem in
operational terms is done. Defining the research problem is the foundation of
the entire research process. The problem statement helps in deciding the data
to be collected, features of the data, associations between variables to be
examined, and the selection of methods and techniques in these
investigations.
In fact, formulation of the research problem follows the following sequential
process:

Figure 3.2: Formulation of Research Problem

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3.3.1 Definition of the Problem Research Problem

Once the researcher has identified a research problem, the next step is to
define the research problem. The research problem has to be well defined and
narrowed to a manageable size. Research questions including sub-questions,
scope, and the limitations of the investigation must be determined at this
stage. The researcher must formulate his/her overall plan to see if it is
feasible. Research problems must be defined in an easy-to-understand
manner. A research topic must be based on available factual information,
which is used to introduce the topic and become the foundation of research
questions. Generally, reviewing the past studies is essential to get an idea
about what may be done in future.

3.3.2 Statement of the Problem

A good research problem must state what is to be done or what are the
research question(s). It must limit the scope of the study to feasible research
questions. In this step, the researcher is required to introduce the topic in
detail, its theoretical basis and its principal assumptions, and define the
problem in specific and workable questions. All research questions must be
related to the problem. Each element should be separated and arranged in a
logical sequence under the major divisions.

3.3.3 Operationalisation of Variables

In defining a research problem, the researcher must ensure that it is neither
framed so generally as to make it vague, nor stated so narrowly as to make it
trivial. In this direction, to decide the variables of the study and their
operational definition becomes significant. To illustrate, suppose that you
want to study the “Effectiveness of Yoga on the stress of people”. This
statement is vague and it communicates in a general way what you are
planning to conduct. Here, it is necessary to define the problem precisely. For
this the initial step is to clearly decide the variables involved in the research
problem and define them in operational terms.
The variables involved in the study are “effectiveness” and “stress”. These
variables must be defined in operational terms. It is important for you to
identify what all indicators of effectiveness you will use or how you will
measure the presence or absence of the phenomenon expressed by the term
“effectiveness”. Likewise, you should define the other variable “stress” and
identify its indicators that will be used to measure it.

3.3.4 Evaluation of the Problem

When assessing a proposed research problem, an investigator should consider
their expertise in the subject, the financial and field constraints, potential
challenges with data availability, and time constraints. You should refine a
suggested research problem to a more focused one after assessing it. The
research topic is formulated by stating certain research questions that you
plan to investigate using scientific methodologies.
It would be beneficial to ask yourself a number of questions before you
initiate the research. These questions should be thoughtful in the evaluation
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Business Research of the problem on different criteria. All questions should be answered
Concepts
affirmatively before the study begins. The questions that we should ask are as
follows:
i) Is the problem researchable?
There are definite problems that cannot be answered through the research
process. A researchable problem is concerned with the association
existing between variables which can be defined and measured.
ii) Is the problem new?
The research problems which have already been studied sufficiently are
of no use to study further as it leads to duplication. To avoid such
duplication, it is essential to explore the available literature in the field
carefully. The problem to be investigated should be selected only when
you are confident that it is novel which has never been investigated
before. However, it should be noted that a researcher may conduct a
study again when he/she wants to validate its conclusions or extend the
validity of its findings in an entirely different situation.
iii) Is the problem significant?
The research problem must fill the gaps in the existing literature
available in the domain. The findings of a study should either become a
foundation for a theory, principles or generalizations. Besides, they
should lead to original problems for further research and have some
useful practical implications.
iv) Is the problem workable for the particular researcher?

a) Research competencies
The problem must be related to the domain in which the researcher
is competent and proficient. He/She must have expertise and
competencies required to establish and administer the data gathering
tools, and analysis of data.
b) Interest and enthusiasm
The researcher should genuinely be interested in and enthusiastic
about the problem which he/she wants to study.
c) Financial considerations and feasibility
The research problem should be financially feasible. The
investigator has to ensure that they have the funds required to carry
out the research. The cost of undertaking a study is a crucial
component of feasibility. It is necessary to estimate the cost and
assess the availability of funds. This would verify whether the
project can actually be executed.
d) Time
Projects are a time bound task. Majority of you, if not all, are
58 already engaged in a number of activities at your workplace, home
 and at social organizations. It is necessary to ascertain the time Research Problem
required to accomplish a study, beyond the assessment of total
period, it is important to determine the period of the year in
consideration of the study.
e) Administrative considerations
In addition to financial, personal and time constraints, the
investigator should consider the nature of data, specialized
personnel, administrative facilities, and equipment needed to
accomplish the study successfully. The researcher should confirm
whether he/she is able to get the support from various administrative
authorities for the collection of various types of data.

3.4 TECHNIQUES INVOLVED IN IDENTIFYING

RESEARCH PROBLEM
Identifying a research problem is a complex but an important step in the
research process. Following are several techniques of identifying research
problem are given below:

1. Review of Related Literature: As we have already discussed about the

review of literature in the preceding unit. Review of related literature is
one of the crucial techniques involved in identifying research problems.
Literature comprises all published and unpublished sources of data in the
researcher’s area of interest. It may include journals, e-journals,
newspapers, Dissertation Abstract International (DAI) database,
magazines, reports, doctoral thesis, government publications, etc.
Related means the chosen aspect of the field in which one intends to do
research. If one wants to do research in the domain of e-marketing, one
has to see the existing literature related to marketing approaches. This is
the meaning of review of related literature. The advantages of the review
of related literature includes: First, it helps in identifying research gap(s)
in the existing literature by delineating whether any research has been
conducted or not in the specific field of researcher’s interest. If not, it
means the gap exists. Second, it provides various perspectives and
methodologies to be applied in investigating the problem. Third, it helps
in recognizing potential variables that may require more investigation.
Fourth, it helps in narrowing the scope of the study into a viable research
problem that is significant, relevant and testable.

2. Unutilised/Underutilised Theory: Theoretical frameworks are the

foundation of research that provides a lens through which phenomena is
examined. Theories offer justifications for how and why things happen.
It is widely known that there are various theories in different subjects,
like Marketing, Physics, Chemistry, Psychology, Mathematics,
Education, Economics, etc. are available. The theories are developed so
that these can be used by people to make their life comfortable. It is seen
when the company's manager publicly praised an employee in a team
meeting and that employee received a “Best Performer” award. This
recognition boosts morale and motivates the employee to maintain or
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Business Research even exceed current performance levels. This means recognition
Concepts
motivates individuals. There might be different ways of motivating
people to do better. Hence, there is a scope of doing studies related to
Theories of Motivation.

3. Seminars/Conferences: Seminars and Conferences are organized in all

the disciplines. In seminars/conferences the researchers present their
original research work related to the theme provided by the
seminars/conferences, which is very rich in ideas. One may get an
interesting idea related to which the researcher can think of conducting
research. Hence, the seminar/conference is an important source of
identifying the research problem. After the presentation of research
work, the researcher may get feedback related to the presented work.
Now he/she can modify the presented paper and send it to some journal.
In this way, seminars/conferences may become another source of
problems.

4. Informal Source: Newspaper, Radio, TV, Podcast, YouTube, Social

Media Players etc., are an informal source of a research problem refers to
propositions or issues that originate from day-to-day experiences,
observations, or discussions as opposed to formal academic or
professional literature. These kinds of sources might include
conversations with peers, media reports, personal experiences, or even
casual readings. These sources may highlight feasible research gaps in
understanding or practical problems that require solutions. Let us take an
example. Suppose you are a school teacher who regularly talks with
other teachers about student engagement in online classes. During these
talks, you realize that many school teachers are struggling to keep their
students interested in online classes. This may lead you to identify a
research problem: “What techniques can boost student engagement in
virtual classrooms?” One should understand that these sources are not a
very good source of research problems. One may use it to conduct
research for writing papers but not for research leading to any degree.

3.5 IDENTIFICATION OF A RESEARCH

PROBLEM
The research problem identification starts with the decision maker and some
dilemma that might be faced by him/her. This action-oriented problem
addresses the issue of what the decision maker must do. Sometimes, this
might be associated with actual and immediate difficulties encountered by the
manager or gaps confronted in the existing body of knowledge. The wide
decision problem has to be narrowed down to an information oriented
problem which emphasizes on the data required to arrive at any significant
conclusion. In table 3.2, a set of decision problems and succeeding research
problems addressing them are given.

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 Table 3.2: Decision Problem vs. Research Problem Research Problem

Decision Problem Research Problem

What should be done to increase the What is the perception and purchase
sales of natural products in the intention of health-conscious
foreign market? consumers for natural products in
the international market?
How to improve the retention rates What is the impact of increment and
in the BPO sector? work environment on retention
intentions of the BPO employees?
How to improve customer What is the impact of user
satisfaction with our online experience design and functionality
services? on customer satisfaction?
What should be the effective How do consumer preferences and
strategy for entering a new buying behaviors vary in the target
international market? market compared to existing
markets?
Why are our projects consistently How do project management
experiencing cost overruns? practices affect cost control?
Why is the company’s market share What are the factors contributing to
declining? the decline in market share?

A researcher should follow the following major tasks in evaluating a

problematic situation:

i) Accumulate the facts and information that might be related to the

problem,
ii) Determining the relevance of the facts through observation,
iii) Finding any association between facts that might reveal the key
difficulty,
iv) Present various explanations for the cause of difficulty,
v) Determine whether these explanations are relevant to the problem
through observation and analysis,
vi) Trace the relationship between explanations that may provide an insight
into the problem solution,
vii) Find the relationship between facts and explanations, and
viii) Questioning the assumptions underlying the analysis of the problem.

A researcher may face problems in administration of a college, in classrooms

and in all other fields of education such as the teaching-learning process,
textbooks, curriculum, physically and mentally challenged children, guidance
and counseling, etc. A research problem must be firmly rooted in knowledge.
The investigator should first identify a general area of research in a particular
domain and then explore the available literature in that field.

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Business Research The identification of a problem follows the following procedure:
Concepts
● Understanding the facts, theories and available information in the
domain. The research focus is improved by what he already knows, what
all studies in that field have been conducted and what is required to be
discovered.

● The research problem may arise from the natural interest of a researcher,
or from the researcher's curiosity about something observed, sensed, or
thought about.

● Life situations, implications advanced by technological advancements

and relationships established by related researchers constitute the
problem situation.

● Future scope section in the research reports provides the gaps that exist
in the domain, helpful in keeping the researcher informed about what
studies have been already done and what could be done in future
research studies.

● New knowledge in the area of researcher's interest emerging through the

new arrivals of books, researchers and journals extend a situation for
further research.

Check Your Progress A

1) Distinguish between decision problem and research problem.
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2) What are the various techniques of identifying research problems?
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3) What do you understand by evaluation of the problem?
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62 …………………………………………………………………………….
4) What is the role of internal sources in identifying a research problem? Research Problem

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5) Fill in the blanks:
a) Research problem is a _______ and well-defined problem or
_______ that a researcher aims to investigate through research.
b) The identification of a problem is the most _______ and _______
step in the research process.
c) A well defined research problem directs the formulation of specific
research _______ or _______ .
d) Identifying _______ contradictions or inconsistencies in the
available literature can be the foundation for formulating a research
problem.
e) The research problem must fill the gaps in the _______ literature
available in the field.
f) A research problem must be _______, meaning that it can be
examined within the time available, resources, and expertise of the
researcher.
g) Conducting a thorough _______ review is a common technique for
identifying a research problem, which helps to identify gaps in the
existing knowledge.

3.6 SELECTING A RESEARCH PROBLEM

Formulation of research problems is of great importance as it determines the
quality and validity of the components of a research report. It is therefore
important to allocate ample time to the formulation of research problems as
better and rationally formulated research problems lead most inevitably to
clearer research and more consistent output and progress. The key sets of
factors that have been identified as being involved in the formulation of
research problems are the internal and external factors or criteria. The
internal factors can be defined as those factors that are determined by the
researcher, such as the interest of the researcher, the researcher's own
resources, and the researcher's competence and expertise. External factors are
those which cannot be determined by the researcher and include problem
feasibility, originality of research problem, facilities, usefulness, research
personnel and social relevance.

Internal Factors:
1. Interest: Interest of the researcher is considered as an important factor
which directs the formulation of research problems. As research is a time
consuming process and demands a lot of hard work, it facilitates if the
63
Business Research researcher selects a topic which interests him/her. Otherwise, the
Concepts
researcher may find it difficult to establish and maintain the required
levels of enthusiasm and commitment. Interest in a problem is usually
driven by the researcher’s educational background, outlook, experience
and sensibility.

2. Expertise: It refers to the ability of the researcher to design and conduct

research (including data collection, data analysis and interpretation, etc.).
Having interest in a problem is insufficient. A researcher must be
competent enough to plan and conduct a study. He/she must possess
adequate knowledge and expertise of the subject-matter, methodology
and statistical procedures.
3. Researcher’s own resource: Studies which are funded by researchers
require to take into consideration their financial capacity is quite
important. The researcher will not be able to accomplish the research
work if it is beyond the researcher’s financial capability except if he/she
gets supported financially. The ability to allocate adequate time and
resources must be carefully considered while formulating a research
problem as it is a time consuming procedure.

External Factor:
1. Data availability: If a study requires collection of relevant information
or data (journal, proceedings, reports), then it becomes important to
ensure that these materials must be available and in the proper format.

2. Ethics: One should consider the ethical issues while formulating a

research problem. Often the targeted population might be adversely
affected over the research period. In ICT, some situations may arise,
especially related to collected information security, which may concern
certain authorities. Thus, it is always crucial to identify ethics-related
issues during the formulation of research problems.
3. Relevance: It is significant to always select a topic that is relevant to
one's interest and profession. It is important to ensure that one’s study
contributes to the existing body of knowledge.
4. Novelty of the problem: The research problem must be original.
Studying a problem which has already been done by others is of no use
and it is a waste of one’s time and energy.

5. Research ability of the problem: The problem must be researchable,

i.e., amenable to discovering answers to the research questions involved
through the scientific method.

6. Importance and urgency: Problems that require investigation are

infinite, but available research efforts are very much limited.

7. Feasibility: A problem may be original and also important, but it cannot

be selected if research on it is not feasible.

8. Facilities: Research requires certain facilities, such as data analysis

64 facility, suitable and competent guidance, well equipped library facility,
 etc. Thus, the availability of the facilities pertinent to the problem should Research Problem
be considered.

9. Research personnel: Research undertaken by research organizations

and academicians require research related services from research officers
and investigators. In developing countries, research is still not a
prospective career. Thus, talented people are not attracted to research
projects.

10. Usefulness and social relevance: Above all, the research must
contribute to the existing body of knowledge or provide a solution to
some significant practical problem. Hence, It should be socially relevant.

3.7 FORMULATION OF RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

Research objectives refer to the specified aims or goals of a study. They
provide a clear and brief description of what the researcher aims to achieve
by conducting the study. Generally, the objectives are based on the research
questions and hypotheses developed at the beginning of the research study
and are used to direct the research process. Writing clear and precise research
objectives is a crucial part of any research project, as it helps to direct the
study and assures that it is focused and relevant. Following are the steps one
needs to follow while formulating the research objectives:

1. Identify the research problem: A Researcher needs to identify the

research problem that he/she wants to study before writing research
objectives. The identified problem must be clear and specific that can be
undertaken through research.

2. Define the research questions: Formulation of research questions based

on identified research problems. These research questions must be
specific and provide direction to the research process.

3. Identify the variables: After defining research questions, a researcher

needs to identify the variables that he/she will be studying. These are the
key factors that will be manipulating, measuring, or analyzing to provide
answers to specific research questions.

4. Write specific objectives: Writing specific and measurable research

objectives help to answer research questions. These objectives must be
clear and brief and should indicate what a researcher aims to achieve
through this research process.

5. Use the SMART criteria:

Figure 3.3: SMART criteria for formulating Research Objectives

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Business Research To assure that research objectives are well-defined and attainable, use the
Concepts
SMART criteria. This means that formulated research objectives must be
Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Using the
SMART criteria is a key step to formulate strong, clear and easier to
understand research objectives. Hence, make sure that research objectives
meet the following criteria:

• Specific: Research objectives must be precisely written and leave no

room for confusion. The researcher must be specific about desired
outcomes of the study undertaken. This can facilitate him/her keeping
them narrow and focused.

• Measurable: The research objectives must be measurable in order to

achieve them. A researcher can develop metrics to measure the progress
toward achieving research objectives.

• Achievable: Research objectives must be realistic to achieve and a

researcher must make sure that he/she has adequate resources and budget
to attain the objectives.

• Relevant: A researcher must ensure that research objectives are relevant

to research and overall objectives. This helps him/her to stay motivated
and on track throughout the study.

• Time-based: To achieve the research objectives timely, a researcher

may decide a deadline to facilitate keeping him/her on track throughout
the research process. The investigator can set a major deadline for the
entire research project and smaller deadlines for each objective.

6. Revise and refine the objectives: After formulation of research

objectives, revising and refining them becomes important to ensure that
they are achievable, clear, and concise. Make sure that objectives are in
accordance with research questions and variables, and they will help to
provide answers to the identified research problem.
In summary, formulating clear and concise research objectives is important as
they establish the scope and depth of the study, helps in developing research
design, selecting statistical techniques and indicates how the research will
contribute to the existing body of knowledge.

3.8 PROPOSITION AND HYPOTHESES

A proposition is a tentative and hypothetical relationship between constructs
that is formulated in a declarative form. For example, “An increase in student
hard work causes an increase in their academic performance.” This
declarative statement can be true or false, but must be empirically verifiable
using collected data, so that we can determine whether it is true or false. In
general, Propositions are derived based on either logic (deduction) or
empirical observations (induction). As the propositions are relationships
between latent constructs, they cannot be measured directly. Instead, they are
tested by examining the relationship between measures (variables)
corresponding to those constructs. When a proposition can be examined for
66 its validity through empirical investigation, then it is called a hypothesis. It is
a condensed generalization. The variables are generally used in hypotheses to Research Problem
delineate the attributes or characteristics that need to be measured. Since
study hours and grade point average are the operational measures of hard
work and academic performance respectively, the above proposition can be
stated in the form of the hypothesis: “An increase in students’ study hours
causes an increase in their grade point average in exams.” Propositions are
stated in the theoretical plane, whereas hypotheses are stipulated in the
empirical plane. Thus, hypotheses are empirically verifiable using collected
data, and may not be accepted if not supported by empirical observations.
Certainly, the aim of hypothesis testing is to deduce whether the
corresponding proposition is valid or not.
Hypotheses can be strong or weak. “Students’ study hours are associated with
their academic performance” is an example of a weak hypothesis, as it
signifies neither the direction of hypothesis (i.e., whether the association is
positive or negative), nor its causality (i.e., whether hard work causes
academic performance or academic performance causes hard work). A
stronger hypothesis is “students’ study hours are positively related to their
academic performance”, which specifies the directionality but not the
causality. A better hypothesis is “students’ study hours have a significant
positive influence on their academic performance”, which states both the
directionality and the causality (i.e., hard work causes academic performance,
and not the reverse).
Also note that scientific hypotheses must clearly specify independent and
dependent variables. In the given hypothesis, “students’ study hours have a
significant positive influence on their academic performance”, it is clear that
hard work is the independent variable i.e., the cause and academic
performance is the dependent variable i.e., the effect. Furthermore, it is also
understood that this hypothesis can be determined as either true (if more
number of study hours leads to higher academic performance) or false (if
more number of study hours has no significant positive influence on
academic performance). Later on in this book, we will learn how to
empirically test the hypotheses.

Figure 3.4: Steps of Hypothesis Formulation and Testing 67

Business Research Check Your Progress B
Concepts
1) What are the different criteria for selecting a research problem?
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2) How do researcher’s interest and expertise help in selecting a research
problem?
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3) What is the social relevance of a research problem?
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4) What do you understand by a feasible research problem?
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3.9 CASELETS
Caselets are concise scenarios that present specific problems along with
relevant data. They are commonly used in research to simulate real-world
challenges, enabling critical thinking, data analysis, and problem-solving.

Caselets serve as a practical tool to explore research problems by combining

contextual information with data interpretation. Each caselet is designed to
highlight a unique problem, prompting logical reasoning and analytical skills
to find solutions.

Key features of Caselets

Following are the main features of caselets:
Contextual Information
Caselets begin with a brief description of a situation or challenge. These
scenarios are often inspired by real-life contexts from industries like
68 healthcare, education, business, or technology.
Data Presentation Research Problem

Data is provided in formats like tables, charts, or figures. This data serves as the
foundation for identifying patterns, trends, and key insights.
Research Problem Identification
Each caselet centres around a well-defined research problem. This problem
encourages analysis and a deeper understanding of the factors influencing the
situation.
Critical Thinking and Analysis
Caselets require logical reasoning to combine insights from the given scenario and
data. This approach fosters critical thinking and structured problem-solving.
Practical Relevance
Caselets reflect real-world issues, offering valuable experience in addressing
complex research problems effectively.

Caselet 1: Healthcare and Technology

Figure 3.5: Healthcare and Technology

Scenario: A startup in the healthcare industry has recently developed a new

wearable gadget designed to monitor key signs and alert users to potential
health problems before they become severe. Initial Trials have shown
positive results, but the company is struggling to recognise why the device
performs inconsistently across different demographic cohorts.

Research Problem: How can the healthcare startup identify and address the
factors which lead to the inconsistent performance of their wearable gadget
among different demographic cohorts?

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Business Research Caselet 2: Education and Learning Outcomes
Concepts

Figure 3.6: Education and Learning Outcomes

Scenario: A school division has executed a new digital learning platform

aimed to enhance students’ engagement and improve academic performance.
Initial report suggests mixed results, with some students progressing while
others show decreased performance or no improvement in the performance.
Research Problem: What factors are causing the varied effectiveness of the
digital learning platform, and in what ways can the district best optimize its
implementation to benefit all the students?

Caselet 3: Business and Consumer Behavior

2025

2024
2023

Figure 3.7: Business and Consumer Behavior

Scenario: A manufacturing company has launched a new line of

environment-friendly products, however initial sales figures are lower than
anticipated. Market research stipulates that consumers are interested in
70 sustainability, though they are not purchasing the new eco-friendly products.
Research Problem: Why are consumers not buying the new environment- Research Problem
friendly products despite being interested in sustainability, and what
strategies can the company implement to boost sales?

3.10 LET US SUM UP

In this Unit, we have discussed the significance of research problem, its
formulation and techniques of identifying research problem, which includes
review of related literature, unutilised or underutilized theory,
seminars/conferences and various informal sources.

Further we described the procedure to be followed for identification of

research problem flowed by selection of a feasible research problem. There
are different internal and external factors concerned for identifying a research
problem. Internal factors can be defined as those determined by the
researcher and external factors are those that are not determined by the
researcher.
In addition, we discussed the steps one needs to follow while formulating the
research objectives. Using the SMART criteria is a key step to formulate
strong, clear and easier to understand research objectives. To assure that
research objectives are well-defined and attainable, one should use the
SMART criteria. This means that formulated research objectives must be
Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.

A proposition can be defined as a tentative and hypothetical relationship

between constructs that is formulated in a declarative form. When a
proposition can be examined for its validity through empirical investigation,
then it is called a hypothesis. It is a condensed generalization.

3.11 KEYWORDS
Hypothesis: When a proposition can be examined for its validity through
empirical investigation, then it is called a hypothesis.
Proposition: A proposition is a tentative and hypothetical relationship
between constructs that is formulated in a declarative form.
Research Problem: Research problem is a precise and well-defined problem
or question that a researcher aims to investigate through research. It is the
beginning point of any research, as it sets the purpose, direction, and scope
of the study.
Research Objectives: Research objectives refer to the specified aims or
goals of a study. They provide a clear and brief description of what the
researcher aims to achieve by conducting the study. Generally, the objectives
are based on the research questions and hypotheses developed at the
beginning of the research study and are used to direct the research process.
Review of Related Literature: Review of related literature is one of the
crucial techniques involved in identifying research problems. Literature
comprises all published and unpublished sources of data in the researcher’s
area of interest. It may include journals, e-journals, newspapers, dissertation
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Business Research abstract international (DAI), magazines, reports, doctoral thesis, government
Concepts
publications, etc.
SMART criteria: SMART criteria is a key step to formulate strong, clear
and easier to understand research objectives. This means that formulated
research objectives must be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and
Time-bound.

3.12 ANSWERS TO CHECK YOUR PROGRESS

Check Your Progress A:
5. a) precise, question b) crucial, difficult c) questions, hypotheses d)
theoretical e) existing f) feasible g) literature

3.13 TERMINAL QUESTIONS

1) Define research problem. What is the significance of a research problem?
2) Briefly explain the process of formulation of research problem.
3) Describe the various techniques involved in identifying a research problem.
4) Explain the procedure of identification of research problem.
5) Briefly explain the internal and external factors of selecting a research
problem.
6) Define research objectives. What are the steps of formulation of research
objectives?
7) Briefly explain SMART criteria.
8) Explain proposition and hypothesis in research with suitable examples.
9) What are the major tasks in evaluating a problematic situation?

3.14 FURTHER READINGS

1. "Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods
Approaches" by John W. Creswell
2. "Research Methodology: Methods and Techniques" by C.R. Kothari
3. "Research Methodology: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners" by Ranjit
Kumar
4. "Understanding Research Methods: An Overview of the Essentials" by
Gerald R. Lynch
5. "Research Methods for Business Students" by Mark Saunders, Philip
Lewis, and Adrian Thornhill
These questions are helpful to understand this unit. Make
an effort to write the answer to these questions but do not
send your answer to the university. It is only for your
Note practice.

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