Chapter-4 Problem Identification.pptx business

Business

1. Research Methodology Chapter - 4 The Broad Problem Area and Defining the Problem Statement S.Thowfeek Ahamed Senior Lecturer Hardy- Advanced Technological Institute (SLIATE) Ampara

2. Chapter 4 The Broad Problem Area and Defining the Problem Statement Slide 3- 2

3. A problem A problem is a condition that arises from a difference between desired status and the status at present Org. effectiveness at present Desired org. effectiveness in the future problem Researchable problem ; it could be studied and solved

4. The Research Process Research Idea Data Analysis Answering the empirical research question Theoretical interpretation of the results Theoretical Formulation of the research Problem Comparison with earlier(research) Literature Review Conclusions Data Collection Research Design (planning) Empirical research questions (operationalization)

5. RESEARCH QUESTION What is I am going to study? THEORY What existing ideas are there about my research problem? EMPIRICAL STUDIES Who has done research in this area before? EVIDENCE What data do I need to answer my question? MY THODS How I am going to generate and analyze this data Problem/ concept Definition Areas for further research Frameworks for Understanding/ Explaining patterns and relationships Problem/concept definitions Data generated and Relevance to research question Methods / techniques Used Problems experienced

6. Identification of a Problem Sources of a problem Problems derived from theories Researcher’s personal experiences Literature on the current research issues Next steps coming as suggestions of researches- implications Any other problem known for the interest of other parties - expert opinion, others experience

7. Characteristics of a good problem It is researchable and data are available Its solution should contribute to any development Has a theatrical background and practical significant Is a good problem for meeting your interest, resource, skills and time

8. Developing the Problem Statement Recognize the problem as it is visible and perceive in the broad sense Review of literature and collect the underpinning information search/preliminary study to make it sound Refine the problem with variables and their attributes Develop the problem statement

9. The Broad Problem Area Examples of broad problem areas that a manager could observe at the workplace : Training programs are not as effective as anticipated. The sales volume of a product is not picking up. Minority group members are not advancing in their careers. The newly installed information system is not being used by the managers for whom it was primarily designed. The introduction of flexible work hours has created more problems than it has solved in many companies. 9

10. The Problem Statement Examples of Well-Defined Problem Statements To what extent do the structure of the organization and type of information systems installed account for the variance in the perceived effectiveness of managerial decision making? To what extent has the new advertising campaign been successful in creating the high-quality, customer-centered corporate image that it was intended to produce? How has the new packaging affected the sales of the product? What are the effects of downsizing on the long-range growth patterns of companies? 10

11. First Steps Research Process Slide 3- 11

12. Problem Problem: any situation where a gap exists between an actual and a desired ideal state. Slide 3- 12

13. The Broad Problem Area Examples of broad problem areas that a manager could observe at the workplace: Training programs are not as effective as anticipated. The sales volume of a product is not picking up. Minority group members are not advancing in their careers. The newly installed information system is not being used by the managers for whom it was primarily designed. The introduction of flexible work hours has created more problems than it has solved in many companies. Slide 3- 13

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15. Symptoms versus Problems It is important that symptoms of problems are not defined as the real problem. One way of determining that the problem, rather than the symptom, is being addressed is a technique called ‘5 Whys ’ or ‘ 5 times why ’. This approach will help you to get to the root cause (the most basic cause) of a problem. Slide 3- 15

16. Symptoms versus Problems Keep asking “Why?” until the most basic cause is arrived at. Example: My best employees are leaving the organization . Why? They are not satisfied with their jobs. Why? They don’t find a challenge in their jobs. Why? They don’t have control over their work. Why? They don’t have enough influence over planning, executing, and evaluating their work. Why? We have been reluctant to delegate. Slide 3- 16

17. From Problem to Feasible Research Topic We need to transform the broad problem into a feasible topic for research by: a) making it more specific and precise; b) setting clear boundaries; c) selecting a perspective from which we investigate the subject (Machi and McEvoy, 2012). Preliminary research will help us to make these transformations. Slide 3- 17

18. Preliminary Information Gathering Nature of information to be gathered: Background information of the organization. Prevailing knowledge on the topic. 18

19. Preliminary Information Gathering Nature of information to be gathered: Information on the organization and its environment – that is, the contextual factors. Information on the topic of interest. Slide 3- 19

20. First Review of the Literature Helps the researcher to: Structure research on work already done Develop problem statement with precision and clarity Is beneficial in both basic and applied research projects Slide 3- 20

21. PROBLEM STATEMENT Problem Statement Practical Academic What is the central problem? Why this research Who is/are encountering this problem? Individuals? Organization? Industry? Sector? What are the existing scop and limitations related to the problem? Why this research is important from academic perspective? Explain the current limitations (lack, limited, dearth, scarcity) Research Gap International Local Contextual Arising from the background, problem statement is proclamation of the exact gap in the existing phenomenon. A gap in the knowledge is the primary justification for the study. State this specifically and exactly. Use the phrase “gap in the knowledge” . The problem statement must contain all related definitions of the general need for the study and the specific problem that will be addressed.

22. CRITERIA FOR SELECTING A GOOD RESEARCH PROBLEM Significance of the discipline. Originality. Feasibility. Administrative support. Peer Support. Available for subjects. Researcher’s competency Ethical considerations. Solvable/Researchable. Current. Interesting. Clear & unambiguous. Empirical & Verifiable. Relevant. Systematic.

23. What Makes a Good Problem Statement? Good problem statement includes both: The research objective Research questions Slide 3- 23

24. A Good Problem Statement Research objective : why of the research Research objective applied research: to solve a specific problem in a work setting; to change something. Example: To determine factors that increase employee commitment to the organization ; Allows manager to increase commitment and hence to decrease turnover, absenteeism and increase performance levels. Slide 3- 24

25. Example The purpose of this study is twofold: to identify the factors that influence the passenger’s waiting experience and to investigate the possible impact of waiting on customer satisfaction and service evaluations. Slide 3- 25

26. A Good Problem Statement Research questions : what of the research (what do you want to learn?) Translates problem into a specific need for information Research questions: Are related to the objective If objective is unclear we will not be able to formulate research questions Example: What are the factors that affect the perceived waiting experience of airline passengers To what extent do these factors affect the perception of waiting times? What are the affective consequences of waiting How does affect mediate the relationship between waiting and service evaluations? How do situational variables (such as filled time) influence customer reactions to the waiting experience? Slide 3- 26

27. Good Problem Statement Relevant for the organization Feasible you are able to answer the research questions within the restrictions of the research project. Interesting to you! Slide 3- 27

28. Example of a Problem Context (what is already known) Voter turnout in region X has been decreasing over the past ten years, in contrast to other areas of the country. According to surveys conducted by organization Y, turnout is lowest among under-25s and people on low incomes [cite specific numbers]. The literature on voting patterns in country Z suggests that this reflects broader trends, but the demographics of this region make it a more significant problem [expand and explain with sources]. There have been some successful attempts to improve turnout in other regions, but similar interventions have yet to have any significant effect in region X [cite sources]. Slide 14- 28

29. Example of a Problem Relevance (why it is important) Low voter turnout has been shown to have negative associations with social cohesion and civic engagement and is becoming an area of increasing concern for political parties and civil society organizations in many European democracies [give examples and cite sources]. When specific groups of citizens lack political representation, they are likely to become more excluded over time, leading to an erosion of trust in democratic institutions and ensuing difficulties in governance [expand and explain with sources]. Addressing this problem will give political parties the insight to adjust their policy and campaigning strategies, improving democratic inclusion for the residents of region X, as well as contributing to a more nuanced understanding of current trends in voter behavior. Slide 14- 29

30. Example of a Problem Aims and objectives (what you are going to do) The aim of this research is to investigate effective engagement strategies to increase voter turnout in region X. It will identify the most significant factors in non-voting through surveys and interviews, and conduct experiments to measure the impact of different strategies on voting intention. Slide 14- 30

31. Basic Types of Questions Exploratory Descriptive Causal Slide 3- 31

32. Basic Types of Questions Exploratory questions: not much is known about the situation at hand, or no information is available on how similar problems or research issues have been solved in the past. Example: A service provider wants to know why his customers are switching to other service providers? Slide 3- 32

33. Basic Types of Questions Descriptive questions: Enable the researcher to describe the characteristics of the variables of interest in a situation. Example: What is the profile of the individuals who have loan payments outstanding for 6 months and more? The profile would include details of their average age, earnings, nature of occupation, full-time/part-time employment status, and the like. This might help him to elicit further information or decide right away on the types of individuals who should be made ineligible for loans in the future. Slide 3- 33

34. Basic Types of Questions Causal questions: Delineating one or more factors that are causing a problem. Example: Will the sales of product X increase if we increase the advertising budget? Slide 3- 34