Research Problem Overview
ch06 (sust-d5a6abd23e's conflicted copy 2014-01-22).ppt
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Answer the following questions elaborately based on the attached file and web results combined-
1. What is the concept of the research problem?
2. What is the process of defining a research problem?
3. What is the iceberg principle? Explain with an example.
4. What is hypothesis?
5. What are the types of variables? Explain with an example.
6. What are the components of a research proposal? (Or sample research proposal)
1. Concept of the Research Problem
A research problem is a clear, concise, and well-defined statement that identifies an issue or gap in
knowledge requiring investigation. It serves as the foundation of a research study by outlining what the
researcher aims to address or understand. In business research, it could relate to management
challenges, opportunities, or operational issues. Effective problem discovery precedes problem
definition and includes identifying symptoms and separating them from the actual problem.
For example, declining membership at a swimming association might initially seem like the problem.
However, deeper analysis might reveal that demographic shifts or competition from a new water park
are the true issues.
2. Process of Defining a Research Problem
Defining a research problem involves a systematic approach to ensure clarity and focus. The process
includes:
1. Ascertain the Decision Maker’s Objectives: Understand managerial goals in measurable terms.
2. Understand the Background of the Problem: Conduct a situation analysis or gather background
information to gain familiarity.
3. Isolate/Identify the Problem, Not Symptoms: Separate underlying issues from visible symptoms.
4. Determine the Unit of Analysis: Identify whether individuals, households, or organizations are
the focus.
5. Determine Relevant Variables: Pinpoint variables that might affect or explain the problem.
6. State Research Questions and Objectives: Articulate clear and specific objectives to guide the
research.
3. Iceberg Principle
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The iceberg principle suggests that the most critical parts of a problem are often hidden, just like most
of an iceberg lies beneath the water’s surface. In business research, managers might see only the
"symptoms" (e.g., declining sales) without recognizing the deeper causes (e.g., outdated products or
ineffective marketing).
Example: A retail store experiences reduced foot traffic. While it appears that nearby competition is to
blame, the true issue might be the store's poor online presence, causing customers to prefer
competitors' digital platforms.
4. What is a Hypothesis?
A hypothesis is an unproven proposition or educated guess that provides a tentative solution to a
research problem. It acts as a starting point for investigation, offering a basis for testing relationships
between variables.
Example: "Increasing digital marketing efforts will improve online sales by 20% within three months."
Hypotheses are critical for structuring research, guiding the collection of data, and enabling systematic
testing.
5. Types of Variables
Variables are elements that can assume different values and are essential in research for analyzing
relationships and outcomes. The main types are:
1. Categorical Variables: Non-numeric variables that categorize data into groups (e.g., gender,
region).
2. Continuous Variables: Numeric variables that can take any value within a range (e.g., income,
temperature).
3. Dependent Variables: Outcomes influenced by other variables (e.g., sales affected by advertising).
4. Independent Variables: Factors that influence outcomes (e.g., marketing budget influencing
sales).
Example: A study examining the effect of hours of study (independent variable) on test scores
(dependent variable). Gender might act as a categorical variable influencing the relationship.
6. Components of a Research Proposal
A research proposal outlines the methodology and objectives of a study. Its key components include:
1. Introduction: Defines the research problem and its significance.
2. Literature Review: Summarizes previous work related to the problem.
3. Research Objectives: States specific goals of the research.
4. Hypotheses: Presents testable propositions if applicable.
5. Methodology:
Research Design (e.g., survey, experiment).
Sampling Plan (e.g., probability vs. non-probability sampling).
Data Collection Methods (e.g., questionnaires, interviews).
Data Analysis Techniques (e.g., statistical tools).
6. Timeline: Schedules activities and milestones.
7. Budget: Details costs associated with the research.
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8. Anticipated Outcomes: Includes dummy tables to visualize expected findings.
9. References: Cites sources supporting the proposal.
These insights are synthesized from the uploaded document and general principles of research
methodology. Let me know if you'd like a deeper dive into any topic!
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