Research Methods for Business

Semester 6th
Dr. Tasneem Akhter
Problem and Problem Statement
Week 3
October 29, 2024
Difference Between Problem and Research Problem
•Problem:
• A problem is a general issue, difficulty, or concern that someone faces and
needs a solution for.
• It can arise in any context — personal, social, or professional.
• Problems are often broad and may not be defined in a structured way.
• Example: A company is experiencing a high employee turnover rate.
•Research Problem:
• A research problem is a specific issue or question that a researcher aims to
address through systematic investigation.
• It requires thorough background research, and a clear definition, and is
narrowed to be researchable and feasible.
• A research problem sets the stage for designing a study to find insights, data,
or evidence-based solutions.
• Example: What are the primary factors contributing to high employee
turnover in this company, and how can targeted strategies improve retention?
Key Differences
• Scope:
• Problems are often broad, whereas research problems are precise and
narrowly defined.
• Purpose:
• A general problem calls for a solution, while a research problem aims
for an in-depth understanding to contribute to knowledge.
• Structure:
• Research problems are framed with research questions or hypotheses
and are structured for systematic study.
 Process for Identification of a Research Problem
Select an Area of your Interest
Choose a
broad area
Why does this of interest
research problem Conduct Read about the broad topic to
matter? Who benefits Evaluate its preliminary identify general issues, gaps,
from the findings, importance research to or challenges.
and find issues
and how does it
relevance. within this
contribute to existing area.
knowledge?
Research
Problem • Specific issues within this broad
Narrow
Turn your Frame it as topic
down to a
specific problem a research • Hasn’t been answered
specific,
into a research question or
researchabl • Seems interesting and important
hypothesis.
question or Define the e problem
hypothesis. scope and
feasibility of
the Is this problem researchable, and can it be explored
problem. within a reasonable timeframe?
Problem Statement
• Is specific and it limits the scope of the research problem.
• Introduces the reader to the importance of the problem. The reader is
oriented to the significance of the study and the research questions or
hypotheses to follow.
• Places the problem in a context
• Provides the framework for reporting the results.
• Indicates what is probably necessary to conduct the study
• explain how the findings will present this information.
You could relate the findings to prior research, or it could be presented
as a comparison, or you could draw implications from the findings to
generalize to other related conditions.
Types of Research Problem
• There are four general conceptualizations of a research problem in the
social sciences:
• Casuist Research Problem
This type of problem relates to the determination of right and wrong in
questions of conduct or conscience by analyzing moral dilemmas
through the application of general rules and the careful distinction of
special cases.
• Difference Research Problem
Typically asks the question, “Is there a difference between two or more
groups or treatments?” This type of problem statement is used when
the researcher compares or contrasts two or more phenomena. This a
common approach to defining a problem in the clinical social sciences
or behavioral sciences.
• Descriptive Research Problem
Typically asks the question, "what is...?" with the underlying purpose
to describe the significance of a situation, state, or existence of a
specific phenomenon. This problem is often associated with revealing
hidden or understudied issues.
• Relational Research Problem
Suggests a relationship of some sort between two or more variables to
be investigated. The underlying purpose is to investigate specific
qualities or characteristics that may be connected in some way.
Choose a broad area of interest
• Reflect on Personal Interests and Curiosity
• If you’re intrigued by social media, write it down as a possible broad area.
• Look at Current Trends and Issues
• Topics like climate change, mental health, and technology in education are
currently hot topics
• Draw from Academic or Professional Backgrounds
• If you’re studying economics, you might explore topics related to
“consumer behavior” or “financial literacy.
• Think About Societal Impact
• If you’re interested in education, think about issues like “access to quality
education” or “equity in educational resources.
• Explore Familiar Challenges or Personal Experiences
• If you’ve experienced challenges with online learning, this could lead you
to explore broader topics in education or technology
• Brainstorm with Peers or Mentors
• A mentor in public health might inspire you to explore issues related to
“healthcare access” or “mental health services.
Read about the broad topic to identify general
issues, gaps, or challenges.
• Start with Background Reading
• For "climate change," start by reading about its causes, effects, and
ongoing efforts to address it.
• Use Academic Sources for Depth
• For "mental health in adolescents," you might find studies on factors
influencing mental health, such as social media or family dynamics
• Look for Patterns and Recurring Themes
• If researching "technology in education," recurring themes might
include "digital literacy," "student engagement," and "technology access
disparities.“
• Identify Knowledge Gaps
• In researching "social media impact on teenagers," you might find that
while much is known about its effects on mental health, fewer studies
focus on its impact on cognitive skills.
• Look at Contradictions or Debates
• In "nutrition and health," there may be conflicting findings about the
impact of specific diets on health outcomes.
• Focus on Practical Challenges
• For "renewable energy," you might note that a major practical challenge
is the high initial cost of installation, which limits access.
• Organize Notes on Issues, Gaps, and Challenges
• This helps you see the most promising areas for research and narrows
your focus based on available information and gaps.
Is this problem researchable, and can it be
explored within a reasonable timeframe?
• Feasibility of Data Collection
• If studying "student engagement in online learning," you could easily
survey or interview students and teachers, making data collection
feasible.
• Scope and Focus of the Problem
• “How does online learning affect high school students’ engagement?” is
more researchable than “How does online learning impact students
globally?” which would be too broad for a limited timeframe.
• Time Constraints
• Interviewing local students on online learning experiences is feasible
within a semester, while gathering long-term data on their academic
performance would require a much longer timeframe.
• Available Resources
• If your research requires access to specialized software for analyzing
large datasets and it’s unavailable, you may need to adjust your problem
to use simpler methods or different data.
• Ethical Considerations
• If your research involves sensitive information, like students' mental
health, make sure you have time to seek necessary permissions and
adhere to ethical guidelines.
• Contribution to Knowledge or Practical Application
• A study on “effective strategies for engaging high school students in
online classes” could provide practical insights for educators, making it
a worthwhile research problem.