Business Research Methods William G. Zikmund

Business Research Methods

William G. Zikmund

Chapter 6:

Problem Definition and the

Research Proposal

Problemdiscovery

Problem definition(statement of

research objectives)

Secondary(historical)

data

Experiencesurvey

Pilotstudy

Casestudy

Selection ofexploratory research

technique

Selection ofbasic research

method

Experiment SurveyObservation Secondary

Data StudyLaboratory Field Interview Questionnaire

Selection ofexploratory research

techniqueSampling

Probability Nonprobability

Collection ofdata

(fieldwork)

Editing andcodingdata

Dataprocessing

Interpretationof

findings

Report

DataGathering

DataProcessingandAnalysis

Conclusionsand Report

Research Design

Problem Discoveryand Definition

COMPLETELYCERTAIN

ABSOLUTEAMBIGUITY

CAUSAL ORDESCRIPTIVE

EXPLORATORY

Uncertainty Influences the Type of Research

Problem Discovery and Definition

• First step

• Problem, opportunity, or monitor operations

• Discovery before definition

• Problem means management problem

“The formulation of the problem is often more essential than its

solution.”

Albert Einstein

Problem Definition

• The indication of a specific business decision area that will be clarified by answering some research questions.

Statement of Research Objectives

Problem Definition

Defining Problem Results inClear Cut Research Objectives

ExploratoryResearch(Optional)

Analysis of the Situation

Symptom Detection

The Process ofProblem Definition

Ascertain the decision maker’s objectives

Understand background of the problem

Isolate/identify the problem, not the symptoms

Determine unit of analysis

Determine relevant variables

State research questions and objectives

9

Ascertain the Decision Maker’s Objectives

• Decision makers’ objectives

• Managerial goals expressed in measurable terms.

The Iceberg Principle

• The principle indicating that the dangerous part of many business problems is neither visible to nor understood by managers.

11

Understand the Background of the Problem

• Exercising judgment

• Situation analysis - The informal gathering of background information to familiarize researchers or managers with the decision area.

12

Isolate and Identify the Problems, Not the Symptoms

• Symptoms can be confusing

Symptoms Can Be Confusing

Twenty-year-old neighborhood swimming association:

• Membership has been declining for years.

• New water park -residents prefer the expensive water park????

• Demographic changes: Children have grown up

Problem DefinitionOrganization Symptoms Based on Symptom True Problem

Twenty-year-old neighborhood swimming association in a major city.

Membership has been declining for years. New water park with wave pool and water slides moved into town a few years ago.

Neighborhood residents prefer the expensive water park and have negative image of swimming pool.

Demographic changes: Children in this 20-year-old neighborhood have grown up. Older residents no longer swim anywhere.

15

Determine the Unit of Analysis

• Individuals, households, organizations, etc.

• In many studies, the family rather than the individual is the appropriate unit of analysis.

16

Determine the Relevant Variable

• Anything that may assume different numerical values

Types of Variables

• Categorical

• Continuous

• Dependent

• Independent

Hypothesis

• An unproven proposition

• A possible solution to a problem

• Guess

19

State the research questions and research objectives

If you do not know where you are going,any road will take you there.

Statement of business

problem

Exploratory research (optional)

Statement of business

problem

Broad research

objectives

Specific Objective 1

Specific Objective 2

Specific Objective 3

Research Design

Results

The Process ofProblem Definition

Ascertain the decision maker’s objectives

Understand background of the problem

Isolate/identify the problem, not the symptoms

Determine unit of analysis

Determine relevant variables

State research questions and objectives

Research Proposal

• A written statement of the research design that includes a statement explaining the purpose of the study

• Detailed outline of procedures associated with a particular methodology

Basic Questions - Problem Definition

• What is the purpose of the study?• How much is already known?• Is additional background information necessary?• What is to be measured? How?• Can the data be made available?• Should research be conducted?• Can a hypothesis be formulated?

Basic Questions - Basic Research Design

• What types of questions need to be answered?

• Are descriptive or causal findings required?

• What is the source of the data?

Basic Questions - Basic Research Design

• Can objective answers be obtained by asking people?

• How quickly is the information needed?

• How should survey questions be worded?

• How should experimental manipulations be made?

Basic Questions - Selection of Sample

• Who or what is the source of the data?

• Can the target population be identified?

• Is a sample necessary?

• How accurate must the sample be?

• Is a probability sample necessary?

• Is a national sample necessary?

• How large a sample is necessary?

• How will the sample be selected?

Basic Questions - Data Gathering

• Who will gather the data?

• How long will data gathering take?

• How much supervision is needed?

• What operational procedures need to be followed?

Basic Questions - Data Analysis

• Will standardized editing and coding procedures be used?

• How will the data be categorized?

• What statistical software will be used?

• What is the nature of the data?

• What questions need to be answered?

• How many variables are to be investigated simultaneously?

• Performance criteria for evaluation?

Basic Questions - Type of Report

• Who will read the report?

• Are managerial recommendations requested?

• How many presentations are required?

• What will be the format of the written report?

Basic Questions - Overall Evaluation

• How much will the study cost?

• Is the time frame acceptable?

• Is outside help needed?

• Will this research design attain the stated research objectives?

• When should the research be scheduled to begin?

Anticipating Outcomes

• Dummy tables

• Representations of the actual tables that will be in the findings section of the final report; used to gain a better understanding of what the actual outcomes of the research will be.