Chapter Two

Formulating Research Problem

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 Introduction to research problem

Research problem establishes the means by

which you must answer the "So What?"
question.

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 Introduction …

• None is more vital to the ultimate solution than

a proper definition of the research problem.
• Dorothea Brande and Charles Kettering stated
that “ a problem clearly stated is a problem
half-solved.”

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 Introduction to research problem

A research problem refers to some difficulty

which a researcher experiences in the context
of either a theoretical or practical situation and
wants to obtain a solution for the same.

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 Cont…
• Usually, we say that a research problem does
exist if the following conditions are met:
I. There must be an entity to whom the problem
can be attributed.
II. There must be at least two courses of action,
say C1 and C2 , to be pursued.
III. There must be at least two possible outcomes,
say O1 and O2, of the course of action, of
which one should be preferable to the other.
IV. The courses of action available must provides
some chance of obtaining the objective
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 Con…example
• A company’s sales was not as much as it had planned to
sell. Further, the sales have been decreasing year after year
instead of showing growth. Hence, the company wants to
expand its operations to increase the sales and competitive
advantage. He proposed two course of actions:
– C1: Open a new branch locally
– C2: Expand into an international market
• Course of Action (C1): Open a new branch locally
Possible outcomes:
– O1: High customer acceptance (high profit)
– O2: Low acceptance (financial loss)

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 Cont…
• The technique of research problem
formulation involves the following
steps:
1. Understand the nature of the problem
2. Survey available literature
3. Write Background
4. State the problem
5. Develop ideas through discussions
6. Rephrase the research problem into a
working proposition.
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 …Understanding the nature of the problem
• Understand the problem” means clearly identifying what the real
issue is, why it exists, and what needs to be solved before
proposing solutions or conducting research.
• It involves
– Identify the core issue beyond symptoms to find the root
problem.
– Define the scope by identifying who is affected, where, and
to what extent.
– Understand the context with background information,
existing studies, policies, or practices related to the issue.
– Clarify objectives by deciding what you want to achieve to
address the problem.
– Formulate guiding questions by preparing clear questions
that the study or action should answer.

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 …Literature Survey/Review
• A literature review involves finding relevant publications
critically analyzing them, and explaining what you found.
• Review of related literature would help a
researcher to know
– if there are certain gaps in the theories
– whether the existing theories applicable to the problem
under study
– whether the findings of the different studies do not
follow a pattern consistent with the theoretical
expectations and so on.
• There are two types of literature:
– the conceptual literature concerning the concepts and theories
– the empirical literature consisting of studies made earlier which
are similar to the one proposed.

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 Cont…Literature survey/review
• There are five key steps in literature review:
– Search for relevant literature
– Evaluate sources
– Identify themes, debates and gaps
– Outline the structure
– Write your literature review
• A good literature review doesn’t just summarize
sources – it analyzes, synthesizes and critically
evaluates to give a clear picture of the state of
knowledge on the subject.
• Make sure the sources you use are credible.
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 Research Background
• Research background
– is a brief outline of the most important studies that have been
conducted so far presented in a chronological order.
– is a brief discussion of major theories and models related
to the research problem.
– provides the context of a study and establishes its
significance.
– introduces the research topic and leads the readers to the
gaps have remained unaddressed.
– demonstrate that the researcher has thoroughly researched
his topic by discussing the breadth and depth of prior work
in the area
• It should show:
– what experts in the field have already asked and answered.
– illustrate the range of methods or approaches being used in your
research area.

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 Problem statement
• Understanding the problem can be manifested
through “problem statement”.
• Statement of the problem
– is a claim that outlines the problem addressed by a
study.
– is a concise description of an issue to be addressed or a
condition to be improved upon.
– identifies and narrates the gap between the current
(problem) state and desired (goal) state of a process or
product persuasively.
– should be designed to address the five WHs(who,
what, when, where, and why).
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 Cont…
• A persuasive problem statement approach is
recommended and is usually written in three parts:
– The ideal: Describes a desired goal or ideal situation;
explains how things should be.
– The reality: Describes a condition that prevents the goal,
state, or value from being achieved or realized at this time;
explains how the current situation falls short of the goal or
ideal.
– The consequences: Identifies the way you propose to
improve the current situation and move it closer to the goal
or ideal.
– The proposal: Describe potential solutions. Once the ideal,
reality, and consequences sections have been completed,
understood, and approved, the project team can start
offering options for solving the problem.
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 Con…example
• Despite [context], [problem] continues to persist, leading to
[negative consequences]. If this issue is not addressed, [future
impact] will occur. Therefore, there is a need to [purpose of
study/action].

• The government of Ethiopia has been investing billions of birr on

Education to improve reading comprehension of students. Despite
increased government investment in primary education, students’
reading comprehension levels in public schools remain critically
low. National assessment reports show that a large proportion of
Grade 4 students are unable to read age-appropriate texts fluently.
This situation limits students’ academic progress across all subjects
and increases the likelihood of school dropout. If this problem
continues, the education system will produce learners who lack basic
literacy skills needed for higher education and employment.
Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the factors affecting
reading comprehension among primary school students and
identify effective intervention strategies.

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 Background and Statement of the problem
• The background of the study provides general context and explains
the broader situation of the research topic. It helps readers
understand why the topic is important.
• It Focus
– general information about the topic
– existing conditions, trends, or policies
– what is already known from previous studies
– context leading to the problem
• The problem statement clearly identifies the specific issue or gap
that the research intends to address. It answers the question: What
exactly is wrong or missing that needs investigation?
• It Focus on:
– a clear, specific problem
– what is not working, not known, or not studied
– where the gap exists (population, place, method, time)

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 Example
• Example (Background):
– Over the past decade, the use of social media among university students has
increased significantly(Garcés-Fuenmayor et al., 2023; Reid and Mang,
2023). Platforms such as Facebook, Telegram, and YouTube are widely used
for communication, entertainment, and academic purposes(Kolhar et al.,
2021; Kircaburun et al., 2020; Perifanou et al., 2021). Previous studies such
as Shieh & Nasongkhla(2022) and Reid & Mang(2023) suggest that social
media can influence students’ learning behaviors both positively and
negatively. While some researchers report improved collaboration and
access to learning materials (Liu et al., 2022), others highlight distractions
and reduced study time (Farrell and Brunton, 2020).
• Example (Problem Statement):
– Despite the widespread use of social media among university students, there
is limited empirical evidence on how its usage affects academic
performance at public universities in Ethiopia. Most existing studies
(Garcés-Fuenmayor et al., 2023; Reid and Mang, 2023; Kolhar et al., 2021;
Shieh & Nasongkhla, 2022) focus on students in developed countries,
leaving a gap in understanding the local context. This lack of context-
specific evidence makes it difficult for educators and policymakers to
develop appropriate academic guidelines.

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 Research objectives
• Research objectives are the outcomes that the researcher aims to
achieve by conducting the research.
• It focuses on the purpose of the research and guides the
methodology.
• Key features
– Starts with action verbs (to examine, to analyze, to determine, to
assess)
– Broad but clear
– Usually written as general and specific objectives
• Example
– General Research Objective:
• To examine the impact of employee motivation on organizational performance.
– Specific Research Objectives:
• To identify motivational factors affecting employees.
• To analyze the relationship between motivation and employee productivity.
• To assess the effect of motivation on employee job satisfaction.

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 Research Questions
• A research question
– is a question that a research project sets out to answer.
– translates the research objectives into questions that the study
seeks to answer.
• Characteristics of research question
– Written in question form
– Clear, focused, and researchable
– Directly linked to research objectives
• Example (Based on the above objectives)
– What motivational factors influence employees in the
organization?
– How does employee motivation affect productivity?
– What is the relationship between motivation and job
satisfaction?

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 Significance of the study
• The significance of a study explains why the research is important and who
will benefit from the findings.
• It justifies the value of conducting the research by showing its academic,
practical, and policy contributions.
• A good significance section:
– Identifies beneficiaries (e.g., managers, policymakers, researchers, society)
– Explains how they will benefit
– Links the benefits to the research problem
• Topic: The Impact of Employee Motivation on Organizational
Performance
• Significance of the Study
– For Managers: The findings will help managers understand key motivational factors
that improve employee performance, enabling them to design effective motivation
strategies.
– For Organizations: The study will contribute to improved productivity and reduced
employee turnover through better human resource practices.
– For Policymakers: The results may inform labor and workplace policies aimed at
improving employee welfare and organizational efficiency.
– For Researchers and Academics: The study will add to existing literature on
motivation and performance and serve as a reference for future research.

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 The scope and delimitations
• The scope and delimitations of a research
shows the topic and boundaries of the research
problem to be investigated.
– The scope details how in-depth the study is to
explore the research question and the parameters in
which it will operate.
– The delimitations of a study are the factors and
variables not to be included in the investigation.
– In other words, delimitation are the boundaries the
researcher sets in terms of study duration,
population size and type of participants, etc.
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 Research Title with example
• A research title is a clear and concise statement that describes what the
research study is about.
• A good research title gives the first impression of your research.
• It tells the reader:
– What is being studied
– Key variables or concepts
– Who or what is involved
– Sometimes where the study is conducted
• Employee turnover
– Turnover in academic institutions in Ethiopia
– Turnover in higher education institutions in Ethiopia
– Turnover among academic staffs in Abraminch University
– Factors affect turnover among academic staffs in Arbaminch
University 2020 to 2024
– The effect of workplace stress and leadership style on turnover
among academic staffs in Arbaminch University

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 Theoretical and Conceptual Frameworks
• A theoretical framework is the foundation of theories and models
that explain why and how the variables in a study are related.
• It is based on existing theories developed by scholars.
• Purpose
– To explain the logical basis of the study
– To show the theories supporting the research variables
– To guide hypothesis development
• Example
– Study Topic: Employee motivation and organizational performance
– Relevant Theories:
• Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Theory – employees perform better when their needs are
satisfied
• Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory – motivation and hygiene factors affect job performance
– Explanation:
• According to Maslow and Herzberg, motivated employees are more productive
and committed. When organizations provide motivation factors such as
recognition, fair pay, and growth opportunities, employee performance
improves. These theories explain why employee motivation influences
organizational performance.

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 …Theoretical and Conceptual Frameworks
• A conceptual framework is a diagrammatic or written model that
shows the relationships between variables in a study.
• It is developed by the researcher, often guided by theories and
previous studies as mentioned in the theoretical framework.
• Purpose
– To identify independent, dependent, and intervening variables
– To visually present how variables are related
– To guide data collection and analysis
• Example
– Study Title: The Effect of Employee Motivation on Organizational
Performance
– Variables
• Independent Variable: Employee Motivation
– Salary
– Recognition
– Training
• Dependent Variable: Organizational Performance

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 Theory in research
• Theory is defined as a supposition or system of ideas
explaining a natural or social behavior, event, or
phenomenon.
• More specifically, scientific theory is a system of constructs
(concepts) and propositions that collectively presents a
logical, systematic, and coherent explanation of a
phenomenon.
• Theories explain why things happen, rather than just
describe or predict.
• Establishing causation requires three conditions:
1. correlations between two constructs,
2. temporal precedence (the cause must precede the
effect in time),
3. reject or fail to reject the null hypotheses (through
testing).
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 Constructs in Research
• Constructs are abstract concepts specified at a high level
of abstraction specifically invented for a given research
and/or theory-building purpose.
– Typical constructs in marketing research include Brand Loyalty,
Purchase Intent, and Customer Satisfaction.
• Constructs are conceptualized at the theoretical plane,
while variables are operationalized and measured at the
empirical (observational) plane.
• A construct may be:
– a simple concept (unidimensional construct) such as a
person’s weight,
– a combination of a set of related concepts (multi-
dimensional construct) such as a
person’s communication skill( vocabulary, syntax,
and spelling).
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 Concepts in research

• A concept is a bundle of meanings or

characteristics associated with certain events,
objects, conditions, situations, and behaviors
• Concepts can be based on shared usage and
real phenomena, and are a generalized idea of
something of meaning.
– Examples of concepts include common
demographic measures: Income, Age, Education
Level, Number of Siblings.

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 Variables in research

• Measurable representations of abstract constructs and concepts

are called variables. For instance, intelligence quotient (IQ
score) is a variable that is purported to measure an abstract
construct called intelligence.

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 Cont…quantitative and qualitative variables
• Variables can be either quantitative or qualitative
• Quantitative Variables - Variables whose values
result from counting or measuring something.
– Examples: height, weight, time in the 100 yard dash,
number of items sold to a shopper.
• Qualitative Variables - Variables that are not
measurement variables. Their values do not result
from measuring or counting.
– Examples: Gender, religion, political party, profession
 Cont…independent and dependent variables
• The independent variable is what the researcher
studies to see its relationship or effects.
– Presumed or possible cause
• The dependent variable is what is being influenced or
affected by the independent variable
– Presumed results
• Independent variables may be either manipulated or
selected
– A manipulated variable is a changed condition the researcher
creates during a study, also known as an experimental or
treatment variable
– A selected variable is an independent variable that already
exists
 Cont…exogenous and endogenous variables
• An exogenous variables are
– one whose value is determined outside the model
and is imposed on the model.
– independent variables or outside forces of a model
• An endogenous variable are
– variables changed or determined by their
relationship with other variables within the model.
– are dependent variables whose value is determined
by the model.

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 Cont…Mediator and Moderator

• A mediating variable explains the

relation between the independent
(predictor) and the dependent (criterion)
variable.
• A moderator variable affects the strength
and direction of that relationship between
the predictor and criterion variable.

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 Cont…Extraneous and confounding variables
• Extraneous Variables are undesirable variables
that influence the relationship between the
variables that an experimenter is examining.
• Confounding variables are a type of extraneous
variable that are related to a study’s independent
and dependent variables.
– A variable must meet two conditions to be a
confounder:
• It must be correlated with the independent variable. This may be a
causal relationship, but it does not have to be.
• It must be causally related to the dependent variable.
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 Definitions in research

• Definition is a group of words that assigns a

meaning to some word or group of words
• Every definition has two parts: definiendum
and definiens.
– The definiendum is the word that is supposed to be
defined
– The definiens is the word or a group of words that
does the defining.
• Eg. Tiger means a large, stripped, ferocious wild cat.
The word “Tiger” is definiendum while all words after it
are definiens.

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 Cont…

• Stipulative definition: assigns a meaning to a

word for the first time time or codes designed
to meet new conditions or secrets
• Lexical definitions: is used to report the
meaning that a word already has in a language.
• Theoretical definition: provides a theoretical
picture or characterization of the entities
denoted by the definiendum. It comprises:
– Conceptual
– Operational

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 Cont…
• Conceptual definition tells you what the concept
means, while operational definitions tell you how
to measure it.
– Ex: Employee motivation refers to the internal and
external forces that stimulate employees to exert effort
toward achieving organizational goals.
• An operational definition links a concept to the
concrete world by telling you how to observe and /
or measure the concept.
– Ex: Employee motivation is measured using a
structured questionnaire with items on salary
satisfaction, recognition, promotion opportunities, and
training, rated on a five-point Likert scale.
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 Arguments in Research

• A deductive argument is an argument in which

the premises are claimed to support the
conclusion in such a way that if they are
assumed true, it is impossible for the
conclusion to be false.
• Deduction: reasoning from general premises,
which are known or presumed to be known, to
more specific, certain conclusions.
• Deduction is a form of inference that purports
to be conclusive
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 Cont…
Example 1
• major premise: All sales men are extrovert
• minor premise: Abebe is a sales man
• conclusion: Therefore, Abebe is an extrovert
Example 2
• major premise: All protestants do not drink alcohol
• minor premise: Abebe is a protestant
• conclusion: Therefore, Abebe does not drink
alcohol

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 Cont…
• An inductive argument is an argument in
which the premises are claimed to support the
conclusion in such a way that if they are
assumed true, then based on that assumption it
is improbable that the conclusion is false.
• Induction: reasoning from specific cases to
more general, but uncertain, conclusions
• Induction draws conclusions from one or more
particular facts

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 Cont…
Example 1
• major premise: A sample of the killer’s hair was found
on the victim.
• minor premise: The hair found on the victim matched
the sample of Abera’s hair.
• conclusion: Therefore, Abera is the killer .

Example 2
• major premise: Vast majority of protestants do not drink
alcohol
• minor premise: Abebe is a protestant
• conclusion: Therefore, Abebe does not drink alcohol

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 Propositions and Hypothesis
• Propositions are associations postulated
between constructs based on deductive logic.
• Propositions are stated in declarative form
and should ideally indicate a cause-effect
relationship (e.g., if X occurs, then Y will
follow) at construct level
• The empirical formulation of propositions,
stated as relationships between variables, is
called hypotheses .

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 Cont… Propositions and Hypothesis

Concept/s A Concept/s B

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 Hypothesis
• A hypothesis is a prediction regarding the possible
outcome of a study
• A hypothesis is an assumption that is made based on
some evidence.
• A research hypothesis is a hypothesis that is used to
test the relationship between two or more variables.
• It is the initial point of any investigation that
translates the research questions into predictions.
• It includes components like variables and the relation
between the variables.

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 Cont…
• Advantages of stating hypotheses include:
• Forces us to think more deeply and specifically about the possible
outcomes of the study
• Enables us to make specific predictions based on prior evidence or
theoretical argument
• Helps to clarify whether we are or aren’t investigating a
relationship
• Disadvantages of stating hypotheses include:
• May lead to a bias on the part of the researcher
• In some studies, it would be presumptuous to predict what findings
would be
• Focusing on the hypothesis could prevent the researcher from
seeing other phenomena that might be important to the study

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 Types of Hypothesis
• Simple Vs Complex
– Education affects income(Simple)
– The effect of education on purchasing power is
mediated by income(Complex)
• Null Vs Alternative
– Education does not affects income(Null)
– Education affects income(Alternative)
• Directional Vs Non-directional
– Education affects income(Non-directional)
– Education positively affects income(Directional)
 Directional vs. Non-directional Hypotheses
• A directional hypothesis is one in which the researcher
indicates the specific direction that he or she expects
will emerge in a relationship in the study.
– The direction is based on what the researcher has found from:
• Literature
• Personal experiences
• Experience from others
• A non-directional hypothesis is when there is no specific
prediction about what direction the outcome of a study
will take.
– Sometimes it is difficult to make specific predictions upon a
study
• A study may state that it would point to non-specific directions vs.
distinct possibilities
 Philosophies of Scientific Theories

• Philosophy is an overarching term relating

to the development of knowledge and the
nature of that knowledge
• Philosophy commonly categorized as:
– Ontology is concerned with nature of reality,
and it is the science or study of being.
– Epistemology is concerned with what is
knowledge and what are the sources and limits
of knowledge.
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 Cont…Philosophies of Scientific Theories

Ontology of knowledge
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 Cont…Philosophies of Scientific Theories

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 References
Kothari (2008). Research Methodology. Methods and Techniques. 2nd Ed. New Age International
Ltd. Publishers, New Delhi.

Cooper D. and Schindler (2003). Business Research Methods. [Link] McGraw Hill, New Delhi.

Lancaster G. (2005). Research Methods in Management. Elsevier Butterworth-Heinemann,

Oxford.

Emory, C. W. (1976). Business Research Methods. Richard D. Irwin, Inc. Homewood.

Bajpai S.R. (1992). Methods of Social survey and Research. 14th ed. Kitab Ghar, Kanpur.

Zickmand Babin and Carr Griffin. Business Research Methods.

Any book on Business and management Research can serve

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