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Program : MBA
Semester : III
Subject Code : MB0050
Subject Name : Research Methodology
Unit Number : 2
Unit Title : Research Problem and Formulation of
the Research Hypothesis
Lecture Number : 2
Lecture Title : Research Problem and Formulation of
the Research Hypothesis
Book Id : B1700
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Research Problem and Formulationof 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.2
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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 asresearch hypothesis.
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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 orcomplex.
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Management Decision Problem vsManagement Research Problem
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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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Formulating the ResearchHypotheses
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:
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Unit-2 Research Problem and Formulation of the Research Hypotheses
Descriptivehypothesis:
This is simply a statement aboutthe magnitude, trend or behaviourof a population under study.
Relationalhypothesis
These are the typical kind of
hypothesis which state theexpected relationship between twovariables.
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Writing a Research Proposal
A research proposal is a formal document that presents the
research objectives, design of achieving these objectives and theexpected 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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Writing a Research Proposal
The proposals formulated could be of three types:
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Unit-2 Research Problem and Formulation of the Research Hypotheses
Academic research proposals
Internal organizational proposal
External organizational proposals
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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.12
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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 variableand 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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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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