BUSINESS RESEARCH

METHODS

Prof.Radhika Kiran Kumar

Indira Institute of Business Management
Research Problem
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What is a Research
Problem
» A research problem refers to some difficulty which a
researcher experiences in the context of either
theoretical or practical situation and wants to obtain
a solution for the same.
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.
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Components of Research
Problem
» There must be an individual or a group which has some
difficulty or the problem.
» There must be some objectives to be obtained.
» There must be alternative means for obtaining the
objectives one wishes to obtain.
» There must be some doubt in the mind of the researcher
with regard to the selection of the alternative.
» There must be some environment(s) to which the difficulty
pertains.
 Selecting the Problem
» Too narrow or too vague problems should be avoided
» The subject selected for research should be familiar and
feasible so that the related research material or sources
of research are within one’s reach.
» The importance of the subject, skills required, the cost
involved, the time factor, and data access should be
considered.
» The selection of the problem must be preceded by a
preliminary study
Techniques involved in defining a
problem
» Statement of a problem should be in a general
way, then narrow it down and phrase it in
operational terms
» Understanding the nature of the problem through
discussion.
» Surveying the available literature.
» Developing the ideas through discussion.
» Rephrasing the research problem.
 Points to remember
» The following points must also be observed while
defining a research problem:
» Technical terms and words or phrases should be
clearly defined.
» Basic assumptions related to the research problem
should be clearly stated
» A straight forward statement of the value of the
investigation should be provided.
» The scope of the investigation of the problem to
be studies must be mentioned explicitly.
 Steps in Formulation of
research problem
• Specify the research objectives
Step 1

• Review the context of the research problem

Step 2

• Explore the nature of the problem

Step 3

• Define the variable relationships

Step 4

• The consequences of alternative courses of actions

Step 5
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Example
1)What is the participation in
personality development sessions?

2)Why is productivity in Japan so

much higher than in India?
Formulation of research
problem
» Management question

» Research Question

» Management decision
 Management decision
problem vs Research
Problem

Management Management Research Investigative Measuremen Management

Dilemma question question question t question decision
 Example
Management • Why sales are declined?
Dilemma

Management • How to increase sales?

question

• Should we introduce new product?

Research • Should we introduce incentives?
question • Should we hire new team?
• Should we explorer new markets?
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THANKS!
Any questions?