Problem Definition and the Research Proposal

• Problem Definition: The indication of a specific business decision area that will be clarified by answering some research
questions

A problem occurs when there is a difference between the current conditions and a more preferable
set of conditions. In other words, a gap exists between the way things are now and a way that
things could be better. The gap can come about in a number of ways.

• There are three important sources;

1. Experience: The selection of a research topics may arise from the researcher’s experience of and
concern with the general problem of the business. Researchers’ everyday experiences can give
rise to worthwhile problems for investigation

2. Deductions from theory: It can be made from business philosophy generalization embodied in
life in business that the researcher is familiar with. From a theory, the research can formulate
hypothesis stating the expected findings in certain empirical situation.

3. Relevant literature: The selection of a topic for research may emanate from problems located in
the literature in one’s own subject area of interest. An extensive and through review of previous
research often opens up examples of research problems.

Criteria for selecting a research problem:

• The problems must be significant in the sense

• It should be a researchable one

• It will lead to new problems and further research.

• The problem must be suitable for the researcher in several respects namely; genuine interest
and intellectual curiosity, knowledge and experience.

• The Problem-Definition Process Steps

The problem-definition process involves several interrelated steps, as shown in Exhibit 6.2. Sometimes, the
boundaries between each step aren’t exactly clear. But generally, completing one step leads to the other and
by the time the problem is defined, each of these steps has been addressed in some way. The steps are

1. Understand the business situation—identify key symptoms

2. Identify key problem(s) from symptoms
3. Write managerial decision statement and corresponding research objectives
4. Determine the unit of analysis
5. Determine the relevant variables
6. Write research questions and/or research hypotheses