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    Topic4 - Problem Definition and Research Proposal - MSK

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    Saif
    This document provides an overview of problem definition and the research proposal process. It discusses [1] defining the problem through developing a decision statement and research objectives, [2] identifying relevant variables and units of analysis, and [3] writing research questions and hypotheses. It also outlines the typical components of a research proposal, including an introduction with objectives, a literature review, research questions/hypotheses, methodology, data analysis plan, limitations, and timeline. The goal is to translate a business problem into a research proposal that will guide an empirical study.

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    Topic4 - Problem Definition and Research Proposal - MSK

    Uploaded by

    Saif
    54 views20 pages
    This document provides an overview of problem definition and the research proposal process. It discusses [1] defining the problem through developing a decision statement and research objectives, [2] identifying relevant variables and units of analysis, and [3] writing research questions and hypotheses. It also outlines the typical components of a research proposal, including an introduction with objectives, a literature review, research questions/hypotheses, methodology, data analysis plan, limitations, and timeline. The goal is to translate a business problem into a research proposal that will guide an empirical study.

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    Problem Definition and Research Proposal

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    Topic4_Problem Definition and Research Proposal_MSK

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    This document provides an overview of problem definition and the research proposal process. It discusses [1] defining the problem through developing a decision statement and research objectives, [2] identifying relevant variables and units of analysis, and [3] writing research questions and hypotheses. It also outlines the typical components of a research proposal, including an introduction with objectives, a literature review, research questions/hypotheses, methodology, data analysis plan, limitations, and timeline. The goal is to translate a business problem into a research proposal that will guide an empirical study.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    54 views20 pages

    Topic4 - Problem Definition and Research Proposal - MSK

    Uploaded by

    Saif
    This document provides an overview of problem definition and the research proposal process. It discusses [1] defining the problem through developing a decision statement and research objectives, [2] identifying relevant variables and units of analysis, and [3] writing research questions and hypotheses. It also outlines the typical components of a research proposal, including an introduction with objectives, a literature review, research questions/hypotheses, methodology, data analysis plan, limitations, and timeline. The goal is to translate a business problem into a research proposal that will guide an empirical study.

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    of 20

    Buisness Research Methodology

    Chapter 6:
    Problem Definition and
    The Research Proposal

    1
    Problem Definition
    • Translating a business situation into something that can be
    researched
    • Begins by coming to a consensus on a decision statement or
    question
    • Decision Statement:
    – A written expression of the key question(s) that a researcher wishes to
    answer
    – well stated and relevant as researcher translates this into research
    objectives

    • Problem Definition:
    – Process of defining and developing a decision statement and the steps
    involved in translating it into more precise research terminology,
    including a set of research objectives.
    2
    The Problem-Definition Process
    • A problem occurs when there is a difference/gap between the
    current conditions and a more preferable set of conditions

    • The gap can come about in a number of ways:


    – Business performance is worse than expected business
    performance
    • Think of all the new products that fail to meet their targeted goals
    – Actual business performance is less than possible business
    performance
    • Bangladesh Biman, Bangladesh Railway
    – Expected business performance is greater than possible
    business performance

    3
    Steps in The Problem-Definition Process

    4
    Steps in The Problem-Definition Process (cont’d)

    • Step-1: Situation Analysis: The gathering of background


    information to familiarize researchers and managers with the
    decision-making environment
    – Researchers apply qualitative research and the situation analysis
    begins with an interview between the researcher and
    management

    • Step-2: Identifying Symptoms: Interviews with key decision


    makers also can be one of the best ways to identify key
    problem symptoms.
    – Probing is an interview technique that tries to draw deeper
    and more elaborate explanations from the discussion

    5
    Steps in The Problem-Definition Process (cont’d)

    Identifying the Relevant Issues from the Symptoms:

    6
    Steps in The Problem-Definition Process (cont’d)
    Step-3: Writing Managerial Decision Statements and
    Corresponding Research Objectives

    7
    Steps in The Problem-Definition Process (cont’d)
    • Step-4: Determine the Unit of Analysis
    The unit of analysis for a study indicates what or who
    should provide the data and at what level of
    aggregation.
    – individuals (such as customers, employees, and owners)
    – households (families, extended families, and so forth),
    – organizations (businesses and business units),
    – departments (sales, finance, and so forth),
    – geographical areas, or
    – objects (products, advertisements, and so forth).

    8
    Steps in The Problem-Definition Process (cont’d)

    • Step-5: Determine Relevant Variables


    There are several key terms that help describe types of
    variables:
    – Continuous: Variable that can take on a range of values
    that correspond to some quantitative amount i.e. Sales
    volume, profits, age etc.
    – Categorical/Indicator/Dummy/Discrete: Variable that
    indicates membership in some group i.e. male or female,
    employed or unemployed etc.
    – Dependent: Outcome or a variable that is predicted
    and/or explained by other variables
    – Independent: Variable that is expected to influence the
    dependent variable in some way 9
    Four Scales/levels of Measurement
    Four Scales of Measurement (Cont’d)
    Steps in The Problem-Definition Process (cont’d)

    Step-6: Write Research Questions and Hypotheses

    • Research Questions: Express the research objectives


    in terms of questions that can be addressed by
    research
    – “Is there any relation between advertising and sales?”

    • Research Hypotheses: Hypotheses are more specific


    than research questions
    – “Advertising is positively related to Sales”

    12
    The Research Proposal
    • A written statement of the research design
    • It includes
    – statement of purpose of the study (in the form of
    research objectives) and
    – a definition of the problem, often in the form of a
    decision statement
    – Detailed outline of procedures associated with a
    particular methodology
    – The language should be in FUTURE tense.

    13
    Guidelines: Typical Format of a Research Proposal
    1. Introduction
    1.1 Background of the study/research
    – Current situation/ How the problem arose
    – Mention the key research question
    1.2 Objective(s)/Purpose(s) of the study
    – Tell why you are conducting the research
    – One or more (maximum 5) research objectives
    1.3 Contribution(s) of the study
    – Tell how your research will add value to the company or to the knowledge
    creation
    – Tell why the readers should read your research
    1.4 Outline of the study
    – Briefly mention the headlines of next sections of the study
    Guidelines: Typical Format of a Research Proposal (cont’d)

    2. Literature Review
    – Key findings of previous research which are related to your research topic
    – Don’t copy and paste their findings, rather paraphrase (write them in your
    own words)
    – Keep them consistent and coherent, NOT haphazard.
    – Describe the theory (if any) relevant to your research topic/hypotheses (e.g.
    agency theory is applicable for capital structure related research.
    – This literature review should build the foundation to develop your research
    hypotheses later in section 3.2.
    Guidelines: Typical Format of a Research Proposal (cont’d)

    3. Research Questions and Hypothesis Development


    3.1 Research Question(s)
    – Specify each research question ending with question marks.
    – Ex: “What factors do affect the profitability of a company?”

    3.2 Hypothesis Development


    – Mainly applicable for CAUSAL research
    – Hypothesis should be developed based on the previous research or
    experience mentioned in literature review in section 2
    – There should be a hypothesis for each of the key independent variables you
    are interested
    – Hypothesis can be written in Alternative format.
    – Ex: “There is a positive relation between sales growth and profitability”
    – Ex: “Firm size and profitability are negatively related”
    Guidelines: Typical Format of a Research Proposal (cont’d)

    4. Research Design/ Methodology


    4.1 Research Type
    – Explorative or Descriptive or Causal research?
    4.2 Data Source
    – Primary or Secondary data?
    – Data collection procedure
    4.3 Sample Design
    – What type of sampling method will be used?
    – Sample size? Time period?
    4.4 Measurement of Variables
    – How will you measure the key variables? Dependent and independent
    variables?
    – Can show the detailed table in Appendix
    4.5 Econometric Model (if any)
    Guidelines: Typical Format of a Research Proposal (cont’d)

    5. Data Analysis and Expected Outcomes


    – What types of data analytical technique will you use?
    – Tabulation, graphical analysis?
    – Statistical software?
    – Regression analysis? If yes, show the regression model and explain briefly.
    – Expected outcome (if any) (applicable for causal research)

    6. Potential Obstacles/Limitations and Contingency plans


    7. Research Schedule/Timeline
    8. Conclusion
    9. Reference: Use “APA” referencing style
    10. Appendices
    19
    Thank You!!!

    20

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