Elements of a research problem

Unit of analysis

Independent variable

Dependent variable

Moderating variables

Intervening variables (Can’t be measured)

Extraneous variables (Excluded from study)

Defining the research problem

A research problem can be defined as a gap or

uncertainty in the decision makers’ existing body
of knowledge which inhibits efficient decision
making. The gap could be academic &
theoretical (basic) or real time and action
oriented (applied).
Problem identification process
Management Decision Problem

Discussions Review of Organization Qualitative

with subject existing Analysis analysis
experts literature

Management Research Problem / Question

Research framework / Analytical model

Statement of Research Objectives

Formulation of Research Hypothesis

Decision problems
DECISION PROBLEM
1. What should be done to increase the
customer base of organic products in the
domestic market?
2. How to reduce turnover rates in the BPO
sector?
3. How to improve the delivery process of
Widex hearing aids in India?
4. Should the company continue with its
existing security services vendor or look at an
alternative?
5. Can the Housing and real estate growth be
accelerated?
6. Whom should ICICI choose as its next
Managing director- Mr ABC or Mrs. XYZ?
Research problems
RESEARCH PROBLEM*
1. What is the awareness and purchase
intention of health conscious consumers for
organic products?
2. What is the impact of shift duties on work
exhaustion and turnover intentions of the BPO
employees?
3. How does Widex/ industry leader manage its
supply chain in India/Asia?
4. What is the satisfaction level of the company
with the existing vendor? Are there any gaps?
Can they be effectively handled by the vendor?
5. What is the current investment in Real Estate
and Housing? Can the demand in the sector be
forecasted for the next six months?
6a. what has been the Leadership initiatives
and performance record of ABC viz. XYZ?
6b. Can a leading aggressive private sector
bank accept a woman as its leader?
 Problem identification process
Management decision problem: the issue/decision that
needs to be resolved through research

Discussion with experts: to get the right perspective on

the issue, discussion/dialogue is held with subject/industry
expert.

Review of literature: the most valuable source of framing

the research question is to review the past work done on
related topic(s).
Qualitative surveys: primary exploratory loosely
structured surveys to attain the environmental context.
 Problem identification process

Management research problem: the four steps

might lead to multiple directions/research problems
the researcher can take.
 The researcher has to identify THE alternative he/she
will undertake

Theoretical model building (optional)

Statement of research objectives

 Sports Daily Case

Q1. What is the management Decision problem in this

case?

Q2. How would you translate the management decision

problem into a research problem?

Q3. Explain the various steps that would be involved in

the conduct of study?

3-7
Propositions and Hypotheses

Brand Manager Jones (case) has a higher-than-

average achievement motivation (variable).

Generalization
Brand managers in Company Z (cases) have a
higher-than-average achievement motivation
(variable).

3-8
 The research hypotheses
A hypotheses is any assumption/presupposition that
the researcher makes about the probable direction of
the results that might be obtained on the completion of
the research process
Descriptive hypotheses: This is simply a statement
about the magnitude, trend, or behaviour of a
population under study.
Relational hypotheses: These are the typical kind of
hypotheses which state the expected relationship
between two variables.
Criteria for hypotheses formulation
In simple, declarative statement form

Measurable and quantifiable

Is essentially a conjectural (Conclusion based on

incomplete Information) statement

Has underlying assumptions on the testing of the

stated relationships
Descriptive Hypothesis Formats

Descriptive Research Question

Hypothesis  What is the market
 In Kolkata, our share for our
potato chip market potato chips in
share stands at Kolkata?
13.7%.  Are American cities
 American cities are experiencing
experiencing budget difficulties?
budget difficulties.
3-11
Relational Hypotheses Formats

 Correlational  Causal
 Young women (under  An increase in family
35) purchase fewer units income leads to an
of our product than increase in the
women who are older percentage of
than 35. income saved.
 Loyalty to a grocery
 The number of suits store increases the
sold varies directly with probability of purchasing
the level of the that store’s private brand
business cycle. products.
3-12
The Role of Hypotheses

Guide
Guide the
the direction
direction of
of the
the study
study

Identify
Identify relevant
relevant facts
facts

Suggest
Suggest most
most appropriate
appropriate
research
research design
design

Provide
Provide framework
framework for
for organizing
organizing
resulting
resulting conclusions
conclusions

3-13
Characteristics of
Strong Hypotheses

Adequate

A
Strong Testable
Hypothesis
Better
than rivals
3-14
Quiz Time
Of the following statements which reflects why
business research information is
advantageous for a managerial decision?
It describes what is occurring in the marketplace.
It may provide detailed information about specific
mistakes or why failures occurred.
It provides information to help managers learn
about changing environments.
All of the above are reasons
Quiz 2
The primary function of business research is to:
Provide the solution to a business problem.
Attempt to predict future behavior.
Identify personal needs.
Provide information to assist managers in making
decisions.
Quiz 3
A research that is oriented towards building
theories and models in the field of management is
called:
Theoretical research
Model testing research
Basic research
Management research
None of the above
All of the above
Quiz 4
Applied research is directed towards
a. Problem solving
b. Action oriented research
c. Real time problems
d. Management decision making
e. a & b
f. All of the above
Quiz 5
A company wants to know what are the problems
faced by employees in the night shift duties. The
company is intending to undertake
Pure research
Applied research
Basic research
Causal research
Quiz 6
Indigo wants to evaluate the impact of a
promotional offer of thousand rupees off on
return ticket fares on ticket sales. The kind of
research being conducted is
Applied research
Conclusive research
Causal research
Management research
All of the above
None of the above
Quiz 7
How many people visit the mall on a weekend is
an example of
Applied research
Conclusive research
Basic research
Causal research
Descriptive research
All of the above
Quiz 8
The Census carried out by the Government of
India is an example of
Applied research
Conclusive research
Basic research
Causal research
Descriptive research
All of the above
Quiz 9
The impact of higher interest rates in PPF (public
provident fund) on individuals investment in the
instrument is an example of
Applied research
Conclusive research
Basic research
Causal research
Descriptive research
All of the above
Quiz 10
Which of the following problems require research
Acceptance of a recycled paper packaging at
McDonalds
Flexible work hours on turnover intentions
Acceptance of more women oriented serials on
prime time
Investments in insurance policies
Voting patterns of western versus eastern UP
a&b
a & c
All of the above