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Ch-3 Defining Research Problems and Hypothesis Formulation

The document discusses research methodology including defining research problems, formulating hypotheses, and developing a research plan. It explains exploring, describing, and testing research problems and the steps for formulating problems and hypotheses. The importance of hypotheses for decision making is also covered.

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raghvendra2309
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155 views

Ch-3 Defining Research Problems and Hypothesis Formulation

The document discusses research methodology including defining research problems, formulating hypotheses, and developing a research plan. It explains exploring, describing, and testing research problems and the steps for formulating problems and hypotheses. The importance of hypotheses for decision making is also covered.

Uploaded by

raghvendra2309
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPS, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Defining Research Problems

and Hypothesis Formulation

Research Methodology
Dr.S.L.Gupta and Hitesh Gupta
Learning Objectives
To discuss about :
• Research Process
• Defining Research Problems
• Formulation of the Problems
• Formulation of Hypothesis
• Developing Research Plan
• Importance of Hypothesis in Decision-Making

© S.L.Gupta and Hitesh Gupta


RESEARCH PROCESS
• Defining the Research Problem and Reviewing
the Literature
• Formulation of Hypothesis
• Research Design: Developing the Research Plan
and Implementing the Research plan
• Collecting Data
• Analyzing Data and Testing Hypothesis
• Preparation of Report and Preliminary Analysis
• Interpreting and Reporting of the Findings

© S.L.Gupta and Hitesh Gupta


DEFINING RESEARCH PROBLEMS

Based upon the objective, the research problem could be


any of the following three areas:
– EXPLORATORY: for gathering preliminary information
that may help in defining the problem and suggest hypothesis.
The major emphasis of exploratory research is on the discovery
of ideas. The idea is to clarify concepts and subsequently make
more extensive research on them.
– DESCRIPTIVE: which may describe things such as
Market Potential for a product or the demographics and attitudes
of a customer who buy the product.
– CASUAL: to test hypothesis about cause and effect
relationships.

© S.L.Gupta and Hitesh Gupta


Selection of Research Problem
• Initially, the problem may be stated in abroad general
way and then the unclarities, if any, can be resolved as
the research advances.
• The researcher must at the same time examine all
available literature to get himself acquainted with the
selected problem.
• Facts one should know regarding Selection of the
Research Problem :
– Search for new features
– Avoid too narrow or too vague
– Research Material
– Subject is familiar and feasible
– Qualification and training
– Cost factor
– Time factor
© S.L.Gupta and Hitesh Gupta
Process of Research Problem
Definition
• Ascertain the decision maker’s objectives
• Understand the background of the problem
• Isolate and identify the problem rather than its symptoms
• Determine the unit of analysis
• Determine the relevant variables
• State the research question (hypotheses) and research objectives
Facts involved in Defining the Research Problem :
– Statement of the problem in general way
– Understanding the nature of the problem
– Surveying the available literature
– Developing the ideas through discussions
– Rephrasing the research problem into a working proposition
– Technical Terms and Words and Phrase
– Basic Assumptions and Postulates
– Value of the investigation or criteria for the selection of the Problem
– Suitability of the time-period
– Source of data available
– Scope of investigation
– Limits of the Research Problem

© S.L.Gupta and Hitesh Gupta


FORMULATION OF PROBLEMS
• A problem well defined is half solved
• Choosing the best alternative is the best decision
under the given circumstances.
• Steps Involved :
– Statement of the problem in a general way
– Understanding the nature of the problem
– Surveying the available literature
– Developing the idea through discussions
– Rephrasing the research problem into a
working proposition.

© S.L.Gupta and Hitesh Gupta


FORMULATION OF HYPOTHESIS

• A hypothesis is a proposition ‑ a tentative


assumption which a researcher wants to test for
its logical or empirical consequences.
• Steps:
– Formulate a hypothesis,
– Set up a suitable significance level
– Choose a test criterion,
– Compute the statistic, and
– Make decision.

© S.L.Gupta and Hitesh Gupta


DEVELOPING THE RESEARCH PLAN

• Developing a plan for gathering it efficiently and


presenting the management of the organization.
• The plan outlines sources of secondary data and spells
out the specific research approaches, contact methods,
sampling plane and instruments that researcher will use
to gather primary data.
• First of all research objectives must be translated into
specific information needs.
• To meet the management information needs, the
researcher can gather secondary data and primary data
or both.

© S.L.Gupta and Hitesh Gupta


IMPORTANCE OF HYPOTHESIS IN
DECISION‑MAKING
• Decision m any aspect refers to the selection of
the best or favourable alternative out of several
alternatives.
• Components in Decision‑making:
– Course of Action
– States of Nature (Events)
• Outcomes - There is an outcome (or
consequence) of the combination of each act
with each possible state of nature. This outcome
is also known as conditional value. In a tree
diagram, outcomes are placed after events.

© S.L.Gupta and Hitesh Gupta


• Questions???

© S.L.Gupta and Hitesh Gupta

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