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Research Process
Research Process
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Research Process
Research Process
V
V
arious decision stages involv
arious decision stages involved in
ed in the
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research project and
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Research Process
1. Identify a broad problem area.
2. Define the problem statement.
3. Develop hypotheses.
4. Determine measures
5. Data collection.
6. Data analysis.
7. Interpretation of data.
Sekaran and Bougie (2010) p 24-27 example p 27-28 See also Figure 4.1 p.68
Research Process
Clarifying the Research Question Discover the Management Dilemma Define the Management Question
Define the Research Question(s) Refine the
Research Question(s)
Exploration Exploration
Research Proposal
Research Process (cont)
Research Design Strategy
(type, purpose, time, frame, scope, environment) Data collection
Design
Sampling Design
Instrument Development & Pilot Testing
Data Collection & Preparation
Data Analysis & Interpretation
Research Reporting Legend Research planning Data gathering
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Clarify the problem
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Defining the problem statement)
å÷èüîééû÷èüîâ ø
â÷èúåèâé
The problem statement ( problem definition) : is a clear, precise and succinct statement of the specific issue that
researcher wish to investigate.
There are three key criteria to assess the quality of the problem statement. It should be relevant, feasible and
interesting.
å÷èüîé åå÷èø ëõéú ÷èø
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Problem statement (cont)
A problem statement is a clear concise description of the issues that need to be addressed by a problem solving team and should be presented to them (or created by them) before they try to solve the
problem.
Problem statement (cont)
A good problem statement should answer these questions:
What is the problem? This should explain why the team
is needed.
Who has the problem or who is the client/customer?
This should explain who needs the solution and who will decide the problem has been solved.
What form can the resolution be?
What is the scope and limitations (in time, money,
resources, technologies) that can be used to solve the problem?
Problem statement (cont)
A research-worthy problem statement is the
description of an active challenge (i.e. problem) faced by researchers and/or practitioners that does not have
adequate solutions available including the
argumentation for its viability based on solid peer-reviewed sources as well as theoretical foundation. The research-worthy problem statement should
address all six questions: what, how, where, when, why, and who. On the other hand, a statement of the
problem is one or two sentences claim that outlines the problem that the study addresses.
The statement of the problem should briefly address the question: What is the problem that the research will
Problem statement (cont)
The problem statement should persuasively indicate that major variables can be measured in some
meaningful way. If you can identify likely objections to the study, identify and respond to them here.
Problem statement (cont)
Problem Importance
Clearly indicate why your problem is an important one by answering questions such as these:
Is the problem of current interest? Is it topical? Is the problem likely to continue into the future?
Will more information about the problem have practical application? Will more information about the problem have theoretical importance?
How large is the population affected by the problem? How important, influential, or popular is this population?
Would this study substantially revise or extend existing knowledge? Would this study create or improve an instrument of some utility? Would research findings lead to some useful change in best practice?
Is there evidence or authoritative opinion from others to support the need for this research?
Problem statement (cont)
Problem Statement Question
The problem statement should close with a question. Typically, the question contains two variables, a measurable
relationship, and some indication of population.
The purpose of the literature search that follows is to answer the research problem question.
If the literature cannot answer the question, the research is needed to do so.
An example question might be: "What is the relationship
between the grade point average of UTK juniors and their use of the library"?
The information needed is (1) grade point average and (2) some measure of library use.
Problem statement (cont)
Problem Statement Question(cont) A bad example might be:
"What is the best way to teach bibliographic
instruction"? This is insufficient because:
What are the variables? What will be measured?
What relationships will be examined? What is the population?
Problem statement (cont)
Problem Statement Question
(cont)
The title and the problem statement question are often nearly identical.
For example, in the good example above, the title of this research project would be something like this: "Library Circulation Use by University of Tennessee Juniors and Their Grade Point Average"
Management-Research Question Hierarchy Cooper and Schindler (2006) 1 2 3 4 6 5 Management Dilemma Management Question Investigative Questions Research Question (s) Management Decision Measurement Questions
What is the recommended course of
action, given the research findings?
What should be asked or observed to obtain the
information the manager needs?
What does the manager need to know to choose the
best alternative from the available course of action?
What plausible courses of action are available to
management to correct the problem or take advantage of the opportunity, and which should be considered? How can management eliminate the negative symptoms?
How can management fully capitalize on an opportunity?
What symptoms cause management concern?
Formulating the Research Question
Cooper and Schindler (2006)
1 Discover Management Dilemma 2 Define Management Question 3 Define Research Question(s)
This may be either a problem or an opportunity. At this stage you may
even have identified symptoms rather than problem or opportunities.
Using collected exploratory information, you word the dilemma or the correction of the symptom in question form, usually starting with
³How can the organization«´
Several research questions may be formulated at this stage. Each question is an alternative action
that management might take to solve the
1a Exploration
At this stage you review published sources and interview information gatekeepers to understand
the true management dilemma, not just its symptoms.
2a Exploration
The purpose of this stage is to clarify the possible management actions that might be taken to solve the management dilemma. This stage usually involves interviews with information gatekeepers, brainstorming with experts, and
1 2 3
4
5
Why are our sales declining in the South and Northeast, while sales are b ooming in the Southwest?
How can we improve sales in the South and Northeast?
Should we introduce a 2 percent incentive commission-based compensation system on all sales over quota for salespeople in the South and Northeast or a 5-percent-of-profit regional bonus to the region that increase sales by 10 percent over quota (to be shared proportionately among the salespeople in the region)? Should we modify the product formula for distribution in the South and Northeast? Should we increase the level of advertising via trade publications in South and Northeast editions? What is the likelihood that we will lose excellent salespeople in the South and Northeast if we implement the compensation change? What is the likelihood that current customer satisfaction in these regions will decrease? What is the likelihood that future sales to existing customers will be lost?
Please rate your level of concern for each of the following outcomes if management were to change your compensation to a commission-based system compared to the current salary system. For each outcome, indicate a number between 1 and 7 where 7 = extreme concern, 4 = neither concerned nor unconcerned, and 1 = no concern at all.
___Lack of predictability of monthly pay.
___Increased internal competition for sales prospects. ___Reduced time for postsale servicing of customer needs. ___Reduced incentive for postsale servicing of customer needs.
Example of Management problem
(Marketing)
Situation: A small retail specialty store
featuring men¶s casual wear in Southern
California was concerned about its
trends in low traffic and sales figures.
Management was unclear about what
the store¶s retail image was among
consumers.
Example of Management problem (cont)
M
anagement¶s initial decision
problems
Should any of my current store/product/operation
strategies be evaluated and possibly modified to
increase growth in the store¶s revenue and market
share indicators? Do merchandise quality, prices,
and service quality have an impact on customer
satisfaction, in-store traffic patterns, and store
loyalty image?
Example of Management problem (cont)
Redefined as research questions
What are the shopping habits and purchasing patterns
among people who buy men¶s casual wear? That is,
Where do these people normally shop for quality men¶s casual wear? When (how often) do they go shopping for quality men¶s casual wear? What types of casual wear items do they like to shop for ( purchase)? Whom do they normally purchase men¶s casual wear for?
How much (on average) do they spend on men¶s casual wear?
What store/operation features do people deem important in selecting a
retail store in which to shop for men¶s casual wear?
Example of Management problem (cont)
Redefined as research hy
potheses
There is a positive relationship between quality of
merchandise offered and store loyalty among
customers.
Competitive prices have greater
influence on generating in-store traffic pattern
than do service quality features. Unknowledgeable
sales
staff
will
negatively
influence
the
satisfaction levels associated with customer¶
in-store shopping experiences.
Example of Management problem (cont)
Research objectives
To collect specific attitudinal and behavioral data for identifying consumer¶ shopping behavior,
preferences, and purchasing habits toward men¶s casual wear.
To collect specified store/product/service/operation performance data for identifying the retailer¶s
strengths and weakness which could serve as indicators for evaluating current marketing and operational strategies.
To collect attitudinal data for assessing the
retailer¶s current overall image and reputation as a retail men¶s casual wear specialty store.
ââúõö÷üèåãèâé
(Research objective)
Research objective: statements that the research
project will attempt to achieve.
They provide the guild lines for establishing a
research agenda of activities necessary to
implement the research process.
Research objective (cont)
The objective of a research project summarise
what is to be achieved by the study.
Objectives should be closely related to the
statement of the problem.
For example, if the problem identified is low
utilisation of child welfare clinics, the general
objective of the study could be to identify the
reasons for this low utilisation, in order to find
solutions.
Research objective (cont)
The general objective of a study states what
researchers expect to achieve by the study in general terms.
It is possible (and advisable) to break down a general objective into smaller, logically connected parts.
These are normally referred to as specific objectives. Specific objectives should systematically address the various aspects of the problem as defined under
µStatement of the Problem¶ and the key factors that are assumed to influence or cause the problem.
They should specify what you will do in your study, where and for what purpose.
Research objective (cont)
W hy should research objectives be developed?
The formulation of objectives will help to:
F
ocus the study (narrowing it down to essentials);
A
void the collection of data which are not strictly
necessary for understanding and solving the
problem that have identified; and
O
rganise the study in clearly defined parts or
phases.
Research objective (cont)
Properly formulated, specific objectives will
facilitate the development of research
methodology and will help to orient the
collection, analysis, interpretation and
utilisation of data.
Research objective (cont)
H ow should objectives be stated?
Cover the different aspects of the problem and its
contributing factors in a coherent way and in a logical sequence;
Clearly phrased in operational terms, specifying exactly what you are going to do, where, and for what purpose;
Are realistic considering local conditions; and
Use action verbs that are specific enough to be evaluated. Examples of action verbs are: to determine, to compare, to verify, to calculate, to describe, and to establish.
Avoid the use of vague non-action verbs such as: to appreciate, to understand, or to study.
Research objective (cont)
Keep in mind that when the project is
evaluated, the results will be compared to the
objectives.
If the objectives have not been spelled out
clearly, the project cannot be evaluated.
Research objective (cont)
After formulating objectives the following questions
should be asked:
± Do the objectives deal with all aspects of the research
problem in a logical and coherent way?
± Are the objectives clearly phrased?
± Are the objectives defined in operational terms that
can be measured? Are they realistic?
± Do they indicate where the study will be conducted?
± Do they include the development of recommendations
for how the research results will be used to solve the problem?
âûúåõâé
(Theoretical framework or conceptual framework) A theoretical framework is the fundamental of
hypothetical-deduction research as it is the basis of the hypothesis that you will develop.
A theoretical framework represents your beliefs on how certain phenomena (or variables or concepts) are
related to each other ( a model) and an explanation of why you belief that these variables are associated
with each other ( a theory).
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ââöüúâé
( Variables)
A variable is a symbol of an event, act, characteristic, trait, or attribute that can be measure and to which we assign
categorical value.
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Categorical value: - dichotomous (yes/no) - discrete (male/female) - continuous ( test score)Variables (cont)
Types of variables:
1. The dependent variable
öüö (Y)
( criterion variable)2. The independent variable
öüöü
öú(X)
( predictor variable)
treatment variable 3.The moderating variable4. The mediating variable
Variables (cont)
Independent variable and dependent variable synonyms
Independent variable Dependent variable
Predictor Criterion
Presumed cause Presumed effect
Stimulus Response
Predicted from« Predicted to«
Antecedence Consequence
Variables (cont)
Relationship among variables
Ex. Does a «..coupon influences product purchase? Relationship of independent and dependent is the
figment of research¶s imagination until demonstrate convincing.
Research hypothesize relationships of independent and dependent. They invent them, and then they try by
reality testing to see if the relationships actually work out that way.
âö èöñú
(Hypotheses)
Hypotheses: a tentative, yet testable, statement, which predict what you expect to find in your empirical data. Hypotheses are derived from the theory on which your
conceptual model is based and are often relational in nature.
Hypotheses: logically conjectured relationships between two or more variables expressed in the form of testable statement.
By testing the hypotheses and confirming the conjectured relationships, it is expected that solution can be found to correct the problem encounter.
Hypotheses (cont)
Based on your experience with the study
problem, it might be possible to develop
explanations for the problem, which can then
be tested. If so, you can formulate hypotheses
in addition to the study objectives.
A hypotheses is a prediction of a relationship
between one or more factors and the problem
under study that can be tested.
Hypotheses (cont)
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Research proposal
Research proposal
A document that sets out the purpose of the
A document that sets out the purpose of the
study and the research design details of the
study and the research design details of the
investigation to be
investigation to be carried out by
carried out by researcher
researcher..
Sek
Sekaraarann and and BougBougieie ((2010)2010)
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Research proposal
Research proposal ((cont)cont)
A research proposal is intended to convince others that A research proposal is intended to convince others that you have a worthwhile research project and that you you have a worthwhile research project and that you have the competence and the work-plan to complete it. have the competence and the work-plan to complete it. Generally, a research proposal should contain all the Generally, a research proposal should contain all the key elements involved in the research process and key elements involved in the research process and include sufficient inform
include sufficient information for tation for the readers tohe readers to evaluate the proposed study.
evaluate the proposed study. All researc
All research h proposals must address the followingproposals must address the following questions:
questions: WWhat you plan to accomplish, why you wanthat you plan to accomplish, why you want
to do it and how you are going to do to do it and how you are going to do it.it.
http://www.meaning.ca/archives/archive/art_how_to_write_P_
Research Proposal
1.The purpose of the study.
2.The specific problem to be investigate. 3.The scope of the study.
4.The relevance of the study.
5.The research design offering detail on:
a. The sampling design. b. Data collection methods. c. Data analysis
6. Time frame of the study.
7. The budget, detailing the costs with references to specific items of expenditure.
General Outline of a Research Proposal
Title of the research proposal
I. Purpose of the Proposed Research Project
Includes a clear expression of the decision problem, information research problem, and specific research objective.
II. Type of study
Includes discussions of the type of research design (i.e., exploratory, descriptive, causal), and secondary versus primary data requirement, with some
General Outline of a Research Proposal (cont)
III. Definition of the Target Population and Simple Size
Describes the overall target population to be studied and determination of the appropriate sample size, including a justification of the size.
IV. Sample Design, Technique, and Data Collection Method
Includes a substantial discussion regarding the sampling technique used to draw the required sample, the actual method for collecting the data (i.e., observation, survey, experiment), incentive plans, and justifications.
General Outline of a Research Proposal (cont)
V. Specific Research Instruments
Discusses the method used to collect the needed raw data; includes discussions of the various types of scale measurement requirements.
VI. Potential Managerial Benefits of the Proposed Study
Discusses the expected values of the information to management and how the initial problem might be
resolved; includes a separate discussion on the possible limitations of the study
General Outline of a Research Proposal (cont)
VII.Proposed Cost Structure for the Total Project
Itemizes the expected costs associated with conducting the research project; includes a total cost figure and any pricing policy for changes, as well as appropriate
completion time frames (of specific tasks and/or total project).
VIII.Profile of the Researcher and Company
Briefly describes the main researchers and their qualifications; includes a general assessment of the company.
IX. Optional Dummy Tables of the Projected Results
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1.3) ö ñúãèâé
1.4) ãûãöãèâé
1.5) ãöâèû èöú
1.6) åúÿøêÿ
1.7) üëúø åõéõûéââé
ååèøúÿúù (ö)
2.ôâèúéø â ãè
ûøï ââ ýèúéø â ãè
ãÿ úñúø ý øâú
3.ùâõúúâé
ûúøè ã úöúýúâ õúúâ
é õ üâô å èùâø ëú
âé ùââûûåã
4.ýúâõúúââ âûâéâ
õúúâé
5.èûüô
Flowchart: Steps in the development of a research proposal
http://www.idrc.ca/en/ev-56599 -201-1-DO_TOPIC.html