BUSINESS

RESEARCH
METHODS -3
PROBLEM DEFINITION
 A research problem is a statement about an area of concern, a condition to be
improved, a difficulty to be eliminated, or a troubling question that exists in
scholarly literature, in theory, or in practice that points to the need for meaningful
understanding and deliberate investigation.
 Problem definition is thus the crucial step in the research process which is
considered the most crucial to the success of any research investigation.
 Sekeran(2007) defines research problem as any situation where a gap exists
between the actual and the desired ideal stage.”
 The problem statement introduces the key problem that is addressed in the
research project.
 STEPS IN PROBLEM
FORMULATION
 Ascertain the decision maker’s objectives

 Identify the Broad Problem area for your study

 Dissect the Broad Study Area into Subareas

 Explore the Nature of the Problem

 Study the research questions

 Set out research Objectives and access it

RESEARCH QUESTION
 A research question is defined as a statement that identifies phenomenon
to be studied.
 The research question ,thus ,indicate the purpose and motive of the
research investigation.
 The objectives of a research can be thus mirrored by the research
questions.
 Developing a good research question involves thinking about the concept
of interest ,and which variables represent the important dimensions of that
concept.
 Research question states what you want to learn.
TYPES OF RESEARCH
QUESTIONS
 I.)Descriptive:When a study is designed primarily to describe what is going
on or what exists.Eg:What is the current state of quality of work life in
Nepalese commercial banks?
 II.)Relational:When a study is designed to look at the relationship between
two or more variables.Eg:To what extent are pay and productivity related in
Nepalese business enterprises?
 III.)Casual:When a study is designed to determine whether one or more
variables causes or effect one or more outcome variables.
HYPOTHESIS
 A research hypothesis is a specific, clear, and testable proposition or predictive
statement about the possible outcome of a scientific research.
 According to Rummel Hypothesis is “A statement capable of being tested and
thereby verified and rejected.
 Often ,a hypothesis is possible a possible answer to research question.

 Scientific research is mostly understood today as a process of forming hypothesis

and checking it by the means of observed data.
FEATURES OF GOOD
HYPOTHESIS
 Power of prediction
 Simplicity
 Clarity
 Testability
 Relevant to problem
 Specific
 Relevant to available technology
 Consistency and harmony
FUNCTIONS OF HYPOTHESIS
 Shows the area of emphasis
 Provides guidelines for collecting data
 Informs about area of subjective priority
 Basis of research
 Helps to test empirically
FORMULATION OF
HYPOTHESIS
 Discuss
 Through internal data
 Literature review
 Interview
TYPES AND FORMATS OF
HYPOTHESIS
 Descriptive Hypothesis
 Relational Hypotheses
 Directional and non-directional hypothesis
 Null and alternative Hypothesis
DESCRIPTIVE HYPOTHESIS
 Descriptive hypothesis presents the existence, size ,type and distribution of
variables.
 This hypothesis describes the situation and helps to clear their thinking
about relationships to be found.
 Format:60% of NABIL bank stockholders to increase in company’s stock
dividend
RELATIONAL HYPOTHESIS
 Hypothesis that explains the relationship between two or more than two
variables is known as relational hypothesis.
 A hypothesis which is formulated based on assumption that change in one
variable (independent variables) changes in another variable is known as
explanatory or casual hypothesis.
 For example ,sharing company’s problem (independent variable) to the
employees leads to favorable attitudes(dependent)
DIRECTIONAL AND NON-
DIRECTIONAL HYPOTHESIS
 A hypothesis that is formulated using the words more and less ,likes and
dislikes or comparing to variables is known as Directional Research
 Example:Women employees are more loyal towards organization than male
employees.
 Even though relationships between various variables can be estimated but
their relationship remains positive or negative that cannot be declared then
such hypothesis is known as non-directional hypothesis.
 Example:there is difference in work culture of Nepalese employees and
Bhutanese employees.
NULL AND ALTERNATIVE
HYPOTHESIS
 The null hypothesis is expressed as no relationship between two variables
or difference between two groups.
 Ho:Effective training does not increase the productivity of employees.
 Alternative hypothesis is a statement expressing a relationship between
two variables indicating differences between variables indicating
differences between groups.
 H1:Effective training increases the productivity of employees