1. Research Problem Definition
Assistant Professor Dr. Chanin Yoopetch

2. Problem discovery Selection of exploratory research technique
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

3. Uncertainty Influences the Type of Research
CAUSAL OR
DESCRIPTIVE
COMPLETELY
CERTAIN
ABSOLUTE
AMBIGUITY
EXPLORATORY

4. Problem Discovery and Definition
First step
Problem, opportunity, or monitor operations
Discovery before definition
Problem means management problem

5. “The formulation of the problem is often more essential than its solution.”
Albert Einstein

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

7. Defining Problem Results in Clear Cut Research Objectives
Symptom Detection
Analysis of
the Situation
Exploratory
Research
(Optional)
Problem Definition
Statement of
Research Objectives

8. The Process of Problem Definition
Ascertain the decision maker’s objectives
Determine unit of analysis
Understand background of the problem
Determine relevant variables
Isolate/identify the problem, not the symptoms
State research questions and objectives

9. Ascertain the Decision Maker’s Objectives
Managerial goals expressed in measurable terms.

10. 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

13. 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

14. Problem Definition
Organization 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

17. Types of Variables
Categorical
Continuous
Dependent
Independent

18. Hypothesis An unproven proposition A possible solution to a problem
Guess

19. State the research questions and research objectives

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

21. Broad research objectives Statement of business problem
Exploratory research (optional)
Specific Objective 1
Specific Objective 2
Specific Objective 3
Research Design
Results

22. The Process of Problem Definition
Ascertain the decision maker’s objectives
Determine unit of analysis
Understand background of the problem
Determine relevant variables
Isolate/identify the problem, not the symptoms
State research questions and objectives

23. Theory Building and Observation Methods

24. Theories
Theories are nets cast to catch what we call “the world”: to rationalize, to explain, and to master it. We endeavor to make the mesh ever finer and finer.
Karl R. Popper

25. Two Purposes Of Theory
Prediction
Understanding

26. Theory
A coherent set of general propositions used as principles of explanation of the apparent relationships of certain observed phenomena.

27. Concept (or Construct)
A generalized idea about a class of objects, attributes, occurrences, or processes that has been given a name
Building blocks that abstract reality
“leadership,” “productivity,” and “morale”
“gross national product,” “asset,” and “inflation”

28. A Ladder Of Abstraction For Concepts
Vegetation
Fruit
Increasingly more abstract
Banana
Reality

29. Scientific Business Researchers Operate at Two Levels
Abstract level
concepts
propositions
Empirical level
variables
hypotheses

30. Definitions
Abstract level -In theory development, the level of knowledge expressing a concept that exists only as an idea or a quality apart from an object.
Empirical level -Level of knowledge reflecting that which is verifiable by experience or observation.

31. Theory Building A Process Of Increasing Abstraction
Theories
Propositions
Increasingly more abstract
Concepts
Observation of objects
and events (reality )

32. Concepts are Abstractions of Reality
Level
Empirical
Level
OBSERVATION OF OBJECTS
AND EVENTS (REALITY)

33. Scientific Method
The use of a set of prescribed procedures for establishing and connecting theoretical statements about events and for predicting events yet unknown.

34. Abstract Level Concepts abstract reality.
Propositions are statements concerned with the relationships among concepts.

35. Proposition at Abstract Level
Concept A
(Reinforcement)
Concept B
(Habits)
Hypothesis at Empirical Level
Dollar bonus for
sales volume
over quota
Always makes
four sales calls
a day

36. A hypothesis is a proposition that is empirically testable
A hypothesis is a proposition that is empirically testable. It is an empirical statement concerned with the relationship among variables.
A variable is anything that may assume different numerical values.

37. Deductive Reasoning
The logical process of deriving a conclusion from a known premise or something known to be true.
We know that all managers are human beings.
If we also know that John Smith is a manager,
then we can deduce that John Smith is a human being.

38. Inductive Reasoning
The logical process of establishing a general proposition on the basis of observation of particular facts.
All managers that have ever been seen are human beings;
therefore all managers are human beings.

39. Falsificationist
You cannot prove the theory that it is correct, but you can disprove it.

40. The Scientific Method: An Overview
Assess
relevant
existing
knowledge
Formulate
concepts &
Propositions
Statement of
Hypotheses
Design
research
Acquire
empirical
data
Analyze &
evaluate
data
Provide
explanation-
state new
problem

41. Scientific Observation Is Systematic
“YOU SEE, BUT YOU
DO NOT OBSERVE.”
Sherlock Holmes

42. What Can Be Observed? Physical actions Verbal behavior
Expressive behavior
Spatial relations and locations
Temporal patterns
Verbal and pictorial records

43. What Can Be Observed Phenomena Example
Human behavior or physical Shoppers movement
action pattern in a store
Verbal behavior Statements made by
airline travelers who wait
in line
Expressive behavior Facial expressions, tone of
voice, and other form of
body language

44. What Can Be Observed Phenomena Example
Spatial relations How close visitors at an
and locations art museum stand to paintings
Temporal patterns How long fast-food customers
wait for their order to be served
Physical objects What brand name items are
stored in consumers’ pantries
Verbal and Pictorial Bar codes on product packages
Records

45. Categories of Observation
Human versus mechanical
Visible versus hidden
Direct
Contrived (artificial environment)

46. Observation of Human Behavior Benefits
Communication with respondent is not necessary
Data without distortions due to self-report (e.g.: without social desirability) Bias
No need to rely on respondents memory
Nonverbal behavior data may be obtained

47. Observation of Human Behavior Benefits
Certain data may be obtained more quickly
Environmental conditions may be recorded
May be combined with survey to provide supplemental evidence

48. Observation of Human Behavior Limitations
Cognitive phenomena cannot be observed
Interpretation of data may be a problem
Not all activity can be recorded
Only short periods can be observed
Observer bias possible
Possible invasion of privacy

49. Observation of Physical Objects
Physical-trace evidence
Wear and tear of a book indicates how often it has been read

50. Scientifically Contrived Observation
The creation of an artificial environment to test a hypothesis

51. Content Analysis
Obtains data by observing and analyzing the content of advertisements, letters, articles, etc.
Deals with the study of the message itself
Measures the extent of emphasis or omission