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Uma Sekaran3

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8 views

Uma Sekaran3

Uploaded by

moses
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Chapter Three

The research process


The broad problem area and
defining the problem statement

1
The definition of problem is any
situation where a gap exists
between the actual and the desired
ideal states.

Example: training program is not as


effective as anticipated

2
1. BROAD PROBLEM AREA
After identification of the broad problem
area through the process of observation
and focusing on the situation we need to
be narrowed down to a specific problem
statement after some preliminary
information (interviews and literature
research) is gathered by the researcher.

3
2. PRELIMINARY INFORMATION
GATHERING
a) Data sources :
1. Primary data sources ( it is that
information’s that the researcher obtain it
by himself by , talking , observing, and
administrating questionnaires )
2. Secondary data sources ( it is that
information’s that already existed and the
researcher has no role in obtaining it but he
read it and take what he need from it )

4
b) Data nature :
Unstructured interviews, structured
interviews, and a review through existing
sources of information will help us to narrow
the broad problem area and to define a
specific problem statement.

5
Collection of information’s about the following
factors to stand on the real issues instead of
working only on the surface symptoms
a) Contextual factors ( background information
of the organization )
b) Structural factors ( philosophy, policies,
goals, system structure, reward system )
c) Attitudinal factors ( information’s about
believes and reactions the members of
organization about certain subjects like , nature
of the work, reward system , opportunities )
d) Behavioral factors (actual work habits )

6
In some cases there are variables that are not
identified during the interviews but influence the
problem critically, then research done without
considering them is an exercise in futility, in such
case the true reason for the problem will remain
unidentified even at the end of the research, to avoid
such possibilities the researcher needs to delve into
all the important research relating to the particular
problem area.

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3. LITERATURE
REVIEW :
 The literature review helps the researcher to develop a
good problem statement; it ensures that no important
variable is overlooked in the process of defining the
problem
 Sometimes the investigator might spend considerable
time and effort in “discovering” something that has
already been thoroughly researched. A Literature review
would prevent such a waste of resources in reinventing
the wheel.

8
CONDUCTING THE LITERATURE REVIEW

1- Data sources
(you will need to use a combination of
information resources the precise combination
of resources depend on the nature and the
objectives of your research project ) this
combination come from information’s from
text books, journals, theses, conference
proceedings, unpublished manuscripts,
reports, newspapers, the internet.

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2- Searching for literature
 In past go through several bibliographical

indexes but now by computer online


systems (locating sources to locate and
printout the published information)
 Internet online searching directories

(subject, title, geographical location, trade


opportunities, industrial plants, foreign
traders, data bases)

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3- Evaluating the literature
Accessing the online system and searching for
literature in the area of interest will provide a
comprehensive bibliography on the subject.

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4- Documenting the literature review
Is important to convince the reader that
a) The researcher is knowledgeable about
the problem area and has done the
preliminary homework that is necessary
to conduct the research
b) The theoretical framework will be
structured on work already done and
will add to the solid foundation of
existing knowledge.

12
DEFINING THE PROBLEM STATEMENT
 There are three key criteria to assess the
quality of the problem statement: it should be
relevant, feasible, and interesting.
 It is very important that symptoms of problems
are not defined as the real problem
 When you have defined the problem statement
you are ready to start your research first
however you need to communicate the
problem statement and a number of other
important frame and the budget

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