Module 5
Scientific Approach to
Problem Solving
Learning Objectives
➢ Processes of Problem Solving
➢ The Research Problem
➢ Defining the Research Problem: Root Cause Techniques
➢ Research Problem Identification
➢ Finding Research Project Problems
➢ Writing Research Project Problems
➢ Formulating the Hypotheses: tools and Techniques
➢ Developing the Solution
Processes of Problem Solving
The Research Problem
Definition:
A problem is a situation that is judged as something that needs to be
corrected – implies that a state of "wholeness" does not exist
Importance:
It is our job to make sure we’re solving the right problem – it may not be
the one presented to us by the client. What do we really need to solve?
Basic Concepts:
• Most of the problems are initially identified by our clients
• Defining the problem clearly improves focus – it drives the analytical
process
• Getting to a clearly defined problem is often discovery driven – Start with
a conceptual definition and through analysis
Defining Research Problem
A problem becomes known when a person observes a discrepancy
between the way things are ought to be. Problems can be identified
through:
• Comparative/benchmarking studies
• Performance reporting - assessment of current performance against
goals and objectives
• SWOT Analysis – assessment of strengths, weaknesses,
opportunities, and threats
• Complaints
• Surveys
Root Causes Analysis Techniques:
Questioning
Basic Questions to Ask in Defining the
Problem
Research Problems Identification
Identify the true research problem(s) among the following
problems?
❑ The problem of this research is to learn more about the web services.
❑ This research project will investigate if IQs of parents are closely
related with IQs of their children.
❑ The problem we try to answer in this study is whether or not companies
are ready for mobile commerce?
❑ This research project will try to identify the key factors affecting the
adoption of mobile devices.
Finding Research Projects Problems
1- What are not suitable projects?
❑ Research projects should not be a reuse for achieving self
enlightenment
❑ A problem whose sole purpose is to compare two sets of data is not a
suitable research problem
❑ Calculating a coefficient of correlation between two sets of data to
show a relationship between them is not acceptable as a problem for
research
❑ Problems that result in a yes or no answer are not suitable problems
for research.
2- How does the researcher find a research problem:
❑ Experience
❑ Theory
❑ Attend professional conferences
❑ Seek the advice of experts
❑ Review of the literature
3- Review of the literature
The research project might
Address the suggestions for future research that another researcher
has offered
Replicate a research project in a different setting or with a different
population
Apply an existing perspective or explanation to a new situation
Explore unexpected or contradictory findings in previous studies
Challenge research findings that fly in the face of what you know or
believe to be true
Writing the Research Problems
Guidelines
➢ State the problem clearly and completely.
* A bad problem statement: Adoption of handheld devices
* A revised one: What are the key factors that will affect the individuals use
and adopt handheld mobile devices.
➢ Think through the feasibility of the project that the problem implies.
* This research propose to study the IT executives on their perceptions and
plans for wireless in Egyptian enterprises.
Formulating the Hypotheses
Definition:
❑ Hypothesis is a tentative explanation for an observation that can be tested (i.e. Proved
or disproved) by further investigation
❑ A tentative (i.e., not final and definite) and testable statement that proposes an
explanation of an observable phenomenon. A hypothesis can predict a possible
connection between two variables within a phenomenon or event or it can predict a
difference between two groups.
❑A hypothesis is not a guess, as misleadingly described, because a guess is considered
someone’s hunch, while a hypothesis is based on real background information.
Importance:
❑ Start at the end - Figuring out the solution to the problem, i.e.
"hypothesizing",
before you start will help build a roadmap for approaching the problem
Basic Concepts:
❑ Hypotheses can be expressed as possible root causes of the problem
❑ Breaking down the problem into key drivers (root causes) can help
formulate hypotheses
Writing Drafts of the Hypothesis
❑ After choosing the independent and dependent variables that are included in the
hypothesis, it is needed to make a prediction of what type of relationship, either positive
or negative, that may exist between the two variables.
❑ A General example: If a person is looking to make a connection between number of
hours studied and exam score, he might propose:
- A positive relationships as follows [ As the number of study increases, test
scores will also increase.
- Or a negative relationships, such as [ As the number of study hours decreases,
test scores will decrease.
❑Writing a draft hypothesis, is to start by using of the following sentence
formats as guide:
➢If the independent variable is related to the dependent variable, then
(predicting the effect)
➢If the independent variable is (describing the changes), then the dependent
variable will (predict the effect)
➢The dependent variable will (predict the effect) when the independent
variable (describing the changes)
❑What is important is that the hypothesis includes the following three elements:
1. Independent variable,
2. Dependent variable, and
3. A prediction of what kind of effect the independent variable will have on the
dependent variable.
❑ Predictions usually include phrases that propose differences, such as:
increased/decreased; higher/lower; more/less; faster/slower, and a like phrases.
❑ Predictions should be based on background research that confirmed that
relationship between the two variables that is already known.
Developing the Solution
Definition:
• Solutions are the final recommendations presented to our clientsbased on the
outcomes of the hypothesis testing
Importance:
• Solutions are what our clients pay us for…
Basic Concepts:
• It is important to ensure the solution fits the client – solutions are useless if they
cannot be implemented
• Running an actual example through the solution is an effective way of testing the
effectiveness and viability of the solution
• Select and plan the solution that has the greatest impact on solving the
problem
• Use a solutions rating matrix to weigh different solutions based on selection
criteria (costs, probability of success, ease of implementation)
• Solutions should have support from your previous analysis that you can
clearly communicate to the client
• Test your solutions as much as you can – use some of the Impact Analysis
Tools