Business Research
Method for (BRM)
Dr Seema Garg
Research Problem
Definition:
Foundation of Business
Research
LEARNING
LEARNING OUTCOMES
OUTCOMES
1. why proper problem definition is essential to
useful business research
2. Know how to recognize problems
3. Translate managerial decision statements
into relevant research objectives
4. Translate research objectives into research
questions and/or research hypotheses
5. Outline the components of a research
proposal
6. Construct dummy tables as part of a research
proposal
The formulation of the problem is often
more essential than its solution.
Albert Einstein
Different stages of a Research
Process
A
Question
is raised
Formulation
of Research
Questions
Suggest
Hypotheses
Literature
Review
Research
Design
Formulation
Data
Analysis
Acquire
Data
Research Design Formulation
Report
Writing &
Presentation
Hypotheses
Support
Data
Interpretatio
n
Problem Definition
The indication of a specific business
decision area that will be clarified by
answering some research questions.
The Problem-Definition
Process
Problem
When there is a difference between the current
conditions and a more preferable set of
conditions.
Problems Mean Gaps
Business performance is worse than expected
business performance.
Actual business performance is less than
possible business performance.
Expected business performance is greater than
possible business performance.
Defining Problems Can Be
Difficult
The Problem-Definition
Process
The Iceberg Principle
The principle indicating that the
dangerous part of many business
problems is neither visible to nor
understood by managers.
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
Understand the Business
Decision
Situation Analysis
The gathering of background information to
familiarize researchers and managers with the
decision-making environment.
Interview Process
Develop many alternative problem statements
Think about possible solutions to the problem
Make lists
Be open-minded
Understand the Business
Decision
Identifying Symptoms
Interrogative techniques
Asking multiple what, where, who, when,
why, and how questions about what has
changed.
Probing
An interview technique that tries to draw
deeper and more elaborate explanations
from the discussion.
What Has Changed?
Symptoms Can Be Confusing
Determine the Unit of
Analysis
Unit of Analysis
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
Objects (products, advertisements, and so forth).
Multi-level analysis studies variables measured at
more than one unit of analysis.
Determine the Relevant
Variable
What is a Variable?
Anything that varies or changes from
one instance to another; can exhibit
differences in value, usually in
magnitude or strength, or in direction.
What is a Constant?
Something that does not change; is not
useful in addressing research questions.
Types of Variables
Dependent
variable
Continuous
variable
Can take on a range
of quantitative
values.
Categorical
variable
Indicates
membership in
some group.
Also called
classificatory
A process outcome
or a variable that is
predicted and/or
explained by other
variables.
Independent
variable
A variable that is
expected to
influence the
dependent variable
in some way.
Example Business Decision Situations,
Corresponding Research
Hypotheses, and Variable
Descriptions
Writing Research Objectives and
Questions
Research Questions
Express the research objectives in
terms of questions that can be
addressed by research.
Help to develop well-formulated,
specific hypotheses that can be
empirically tested.
Help the researcher design a study that
will produce useful results.
Clarity in Research Questions and
Hypotheses
Research Questions
The researchers translation of the problem into
a specific inquiry.
Provide input that can be used as a standard for
selecting from among alternative solutions.
Hypotheses
Statements that can be empirically tested.
State what is expected to be found through the study.
Managerial Action Standard
A specific performance criterion upon which a
decision can be based.
Influence of Decision Statement of
Marketing Problem on Research
Objectives and Research Designs
How Much Time Should Be Spent on
Problem Definition?
Budget constraints usually influence
how much effort is spent on problem
definition.
The more important the decision
faced by management, the more
resources should be allocated
toward problem definition.
The time taken to identify the
correct problem is usually time well
spent.
The Research Proposal
Research Proposal
A written statement of the research design.
Uses for the Proposal
As a planning tool
As a contract
Funded Business Research
Basic research usually performed by
academic researchers that is financially
supported by some public or private
institution as in federal government grants.
Using Dummy Tables to Clarify
Research Objectives
Dummy Tables
Tables placed in research proposals that are
exact representations of the actual tables
that will show results in the final report with
the exception that the results are
hypothetical (fictitious).
Assist in recognizing the types of research
findings necessary to make specific decisions
about anticipated results.
Help identify missing key variables and
irrelevant dependent variables in the research
model.
A Dummy Table for David Deland
