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3

Formulating a research
problem
Learning Objectives

1- Steps in the formulation of a research


problem
2- Example
3- Considerations in selecting a research
problem

1-2
Formulating a research
problem
refers to identifying what it is that
you want to find out about.
Steps in the formulation of
a research problem
1. Identify a broad field or subject area
of interest to you.
2. Dissect the broad area into subareas.
3. Select what is of most interest to you.
4. Raise research questions.
5. Formulate objectives
6. Assess your objectives
7. Double-check
Step 1: Identify a broad field
or subject area of interest to
you.
Ex: If you are studying marketing you
might be interested in researching
consumer behavior (customer
satisfaction).
Step 2: Dissect the broad
area into subareas.
1- Profile of satisfied customers
2- Antecedents of customers
satisfaction
3- The effect of customer satisfaction
on consumer related outcomes
4- Measurement of customer
satisfaction
Step 3: Select what is of
most interest to you.
It is neither advisable nor feasible
to study all subareas.
Go through your list and delete all
those subareas in which you are
not very interested.
select: Antecedents of
customers satisfaction
Step 4: Raise research
questions

1- What is the effect of customer


expectation on customer satisfaction?
2- What is the effect of service quality
on customer satisfaction?
3- What is the effect of word of mouth
communication on customer
satisfaction?
Examples of research ideas (topic) and
their derived focus research questions
Step 5: Formulate objectives
Your objectives grow out of your
research questions.
The main difference between objectives
and research questions is the way in
which they are written.
Research questions are obviously that
questions.
Step 5: Formulate objectives
Objectives transform these questions
into behavioral aims by using action-
oriented words such as 'to find out', 'to
determine', 'to ascertain' and 'to
examine, to measure, to explore.
Some examples
To describe the types of incentives provides by five star
hotels in Colombo to their employees.

To find out the opinion of the employees about the


medical facilities provided by five star hotels in Colombo.

To ascertain the impact of training on employee


retention.

To compare the effectiveness of different loyalty


programmes on repeat clientele.

To ascertain if an increase in working hours will increase


the incidence of drug abuse.

To demonstrate that the provision of company


accommodation to employees in hotels will reduce staff
turnover.
Step 5: Formulate objectives
Example:
1- To determine the effect of customer
expectation on customer satisfaction
2- To find out the effect of service quality
on customer satisfaction
3- To identify how word of mouth
communication impact on customer
satisfaction
Paraphrasing research
questions as research
objectives Research Objective
Research Question

Why have organizations To identify organizations


introduced early retirement ? objectives for introducing
retirement schemes.

What are the consequences To describe the consequences of


of early retirement schemes ? Early recruitment for employees.

To explore the effects of early retirement for the organization.


Step 6: Assess your objectives
Examine your objectives to ascertain
the feasibility of achieving them in
the light of the time, resources
(financial and human) and technical
expertise at your disposal.
Step 7: Double-check
1 that you are really interested in the
study
2 that you agree with the objectives
3 that you have adequate resources
4 that you have the technical
expertise to undertake the study
Considerations in selecting
a research problem
interest,
magnitude,
measurement of concepts,
level of expertise,
relevance,
availability of data,
ethical issues.

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