Business Research Methods

1
Business Research Methods

• Chapter 6
• Problem Definition

2
A Sea Horses Tale
3
Selection of exploratory research technique
Problem discovery
Problem Discovery and Definition
Sampling
Selection of exploratory research technique
Probability
Nonprobability
Secondary (historical) data
Experience survey
Pilot study
Case study
Collection of data (fieldwork)
Data Gathering
Data Processing and Analysis
Editing and coding data
Problem definition (statement of research
objectives)
Data processing
Selection of basic research method
Research Design
Conclusions and Report
Interpretation of findings
Experiment
Survey
Observation
Secondary Data Study
Report
Laboratory
Field
Interview
Questionnaire
4
The formulation of the problem is often more
essential than its solution.

• Albert Einstein

5
Problem Definition

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

6
Defining Problem Results in Clear Cut Research
Objectives
Symptom Detection
Exploratory Research (Optional)
7
The Process of Problem Definition
8
Ascertain the Decision Makers Objectives

• Decision makers objectives
• Managerial goals expressed in measurable terms.

9
The Iceberg Principle

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

10
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.

11
Isolate and Identify the Problems, Not the
Symptoms

• Symptoms can be confusing

12
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

13
Problem Definition Organization Symptom
s 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.
14
What Language Is Written on This Stone Found by
Archaeologists?
TOTI EMUL ESTO
15
The Language Is English To Tie Mules To
TOTI EMUL ESTO
16
Problem definitionCreativity techniques
Analytical Intuitive Progressive
abstraction Associations/Images Interrogatories
(5WsH) Wishful thinking Boundary examinations
Brain storming Analogy/metaphor
Individuals vs. groups
17
Problem definitionGAP analysis
Unintended situation
Normal situation
Ideal situation
Problem definition
Definition of opportunities
Entrepreneurial problems
Disturbing problems
18
Problem definitionProgressive Abstraction
Technique
1. Basic description of the problem 2. Gradually
moving towards a higher level of
abstraction (until a usable definition has been
reached) - the problem is automatically
extended, new definitions may show up - new
definitions can be evaluated regarding
applicability - when a higher level of
abstraction has been reached, it is often easier
to identify solutions 3. The decision
maker/analyst is forced into a systematic way of
searching for substructures and relationships
19
Problem definitionBoundary examination technique

• 1. Purpose to restructure the assumptions and to
  develop new ways of looking at the problem
• 2. Procedure
• describe the problem, as it looks at the moment
• identify key elements in the definition and
  examine them to reveal underlying assumptions
• analyse each assumption and identify its causes
  and effects
• redefine the problem based on the deeper
  understanding of the elements achieved during
  this process
• 3. Advantages
• provocative definition of the problem
• reveals limits which are difficult to identify
• stresses the need of a flexible definition of the
  problem

20
Problem definitionInterrogatories WsH(who,
what, where, when, why, how)
1. Purpose To make sure that all aspects of the
problem has been considered 2. Procedure -
construct questions for each of the 5 WsH -
answer the questions - evaluate the proposed
answers - if an improvement shows up is it
cost efficient? if so change
accordingly Very efficient technique which can
be applied in any phases of the problem
definition
21
Problem definitionWishful thinking technique
1. Purpose To isolate the process of defining
the problem from non-recognized but irrelevant
alternative assumptions 2. Procedure -
formulate questions, targets, situations or a
problem - accept that everything is possible -
use imagination to formulate statements like I
would like to.. or If I could choose -
examine each statement and apply it as a
stimuli - return to reality and formulate
statements like Even if I cant do it, then
I can - repeat the last three steps if needed
22
Problem definitionBrain storming
1. Purpose To generate as many ideas as
possible 2. Procedure - select a problem,
which all participants have some knowledge/
experience about - describe the problem in a
neutral way - write down all suggestions on a
board, so everybody can see them - evaluation
must not start until all ideas have been
mentioned - try to force more ideas - strive
for as many ideas as possible so quality can be
extracted from quantity - accept all ideas -
even the most absurd - stimulate associations
and extensions of generated ideas
23
Determine the Unit of Analysis

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

24
Determine the Relevant Variable

• Anything that may assume different numerical
  values

25
Types of Variables

• Categorical
• Continuous
• Dependent
• Independent

26
Hypothesis

• An unproven proposition
• A possible solution to a problem
• Guess

27
State the research questions and research
objectives
28
If you do not know where you are going,any road
will take you there.
29
Statement of business problem
30
Influences of definition
Feedback
Specific Objective I
Statement of Problem
Broad Research Objectives
Specific Objective II
Research Design
Results
Exploratory Research (Optional)
Specific Objective III
31
The Process of Problem Definition
32
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?

33
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?

34
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?