Program

MBA

Semester

III

Subject Code

MB0050

Subject Name

Research Methodology

Unit Number

Unit Title

Research Problem and Formulation of

the Research Hypothesis

Lecture Number :

Lecture Title

Research Problem and Formulation of

the Research Hypothesis

Book Id

B1700

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Unit-2 Research Problem and Formulation of the Research Hypotheses

Research Problem and Formulation

of the Research Hypotheses

Objectives :

Explain the business decision problem.

Translate the decision needs into clearly spelt research questions.

Describe the method to be followed to arrive at the research

questions.

List the components of a research problem.

Translate the research questions into research hypothesis

depending on the nature of research.

Prepare a research proposal.

In this unit, we will focus on the research problem and the
formulation of the research hypothesis.
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Unit-2 Research Problem and Formulation of the Research Hypotheses

Lecture Outline
Introduction

Defining the Research Problem

Management Decision Problem vs Management
Research Problem
Problem Identification Process
Components of the Research Problem
Formulating the Research Hypothesis
Writing a Research Proposal
Summary
Check Your Learning

Activity
3

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Unit-2 Research Problem and Formulation of the Research Hypotheses

Introduction

The most important aspect of the business research method is to

identify the what, i.e., what is the exact research question to
which you are seeking an answer.

The second important thing is that the process of arriving at the

question should be logical and follow a line of reasoning that can
lend itself to scientific enquiry. This reasoning approach needs to
be converted into a possible research question. And based on the

initial study of the research topic, you should be able to make

certain assumptions which can lend direction to the study as
research hypothesis.

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Unit-2 Research Problem and Formulation of the Research Hypotheses

Defining the Research Problem

The challenge for a business manager is not only to identify and

define the decision problem; the bigger challenge is to convert the
decision into a research problem that can lead to a scientific
enquiry.

One needs to narrow down the decision problem and rephrase it

into workable research questions.

A research problem can be defined as a gap or uncertainty in the

decision makers existing body of knowledge which inhibits

efficient decision making.

The defined research problem might be classified as simple or

complex.

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Unit-2 Research Problem and Formulation of the Research Hypotheses

Management Decision Problem vs

Management Research Problem

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Unit-2 Research Problem and Formulation of the Research Hypotheses

Problem Identification Process

The process of identifying the research

problem involves the following steps:
1. Management decision problem
2. Discussion with subject experts

3. Review of existing literature

4. Organizational analysis
5. Qualitative survey

6. Management research problem

7. Theoretical foundation and model building
8. Statement of research objectives

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Unit-2 Research Problem and Formulation of the Research Hypotheses

Components of the Research

Problem

Components of a well defined problem are:

The unit of
Analysis
Research
variables

Independent
variables

Dependent
variables

Moderating
variables

Extraneous
variables

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Unit-2 Research Problem and Formulation of the Research Hypotheses

Formulating the Research

Hypotheses

Any assumption that the researcher makes on the probable

direction of the results that might be obtained on completion of

the research process is termed as a hypothesis.

The

problem

identification

process

ends

in

the

hypothesis

formulation stage.

The formulated hypothesis could be of two types:

Descriptive
hypothesis:

Relational
hypothesis

This is simply a statement about

the magnitude, trend or behaviour
of a population under study.
These are the typical kind of
hypothesis which state the
expected relationship between two
variables.
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Unit-2 Research Problem and Formulation of the Research Hypotheses

Writing a Research Proposal

A research proposal is a formal document that presents the

research objectives, design of achieving these objectives and the

expected outcomes/deliverables of the study.

There is a broad framework that most proposals follow. The steps

in this are:

Executive summary
Background of the problem
Problem statement and research objectives

Research design
Scheduling the research
Results and outcomes of the research

Costing and budgeting the research

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Unit-2 Research Problem and Formulation of the Research Hypotheses

Writing a Research Proposal

The proposals formulated could be of three types:

Academic research proposals

Internal organizational proposal

External organizational proposals

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Unit-2 Research Problem and Formulation of the Research Hypotheses

Summary

The most important step in research is to identify the decision to

be made and how it can be converted into a research problem.

There are some essential elements of a typical research problem.

These include the unit of analysiswhich is the individual or group
that is to be studied. The second element is a clear definition of
the variables under study.

The problem formulation process ultimately ends as a research

hypothesis.

Research proposal presents the research objectives, design of

achieving

these

objectives

and

the

expected

outcomes/deliverables of the study.

There are three different kinds of research proposals available to

the researcher academic, internal and external.

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Unit-2 Research Problem and Formulation of the Research Hypotheses

Check Your Learning

1. What do you mean by Independent, Dependent, Moderating and Extraneous

variables?
Ans: Any variable that can be stated as influencing or impacting the dependent
variable is referred to as an independent variable.
The outcome of effect that is being studied in research is called dependent variable.
Moderating variables are the ones that have a strong effect on the relationship
between the independent and dependent variables.
Extraneous variable: Any variable that may have an effect on the dependent variable
and is not a part of the study.
2. What is a research hypothesis?
Ans: Any assumption that a researcher makes on the probable direction of the
results that might be obtained on completion of the research process is termed as a
hypothesis.

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Unit-2 Research Problem and Formulation of the Research Hypotheses

Activity

ABC Travels is a travel company that offers foreign tour packages. The
company wants to know what Indian travelers look for when booking a

holiday to a foreign country. The typical customers for this company are
usually a family group of four. The family group usually has two children.
Formulate at least two research questions for the problem.
State the unit of analysis of your study.
What is your independent and dependent variable?
State your research objectives and the research hypothesis.

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