Research is defined as a systematic inquiry into a problem using scientific methods. A research problem is a clear statement about an area needing investigation or improvement. Research problems come from various sources, including social issues, previous studies, and personal interests. When formulating a research problem, researchers specify objectives, review the context, explore the nature of the problem, define variable relationships, and consider alternative courses of action. Characteristics of a good research problem include being clear, specific, limited in scope, researchable, and free of ethical constraints.
What is Research:Definition
Research is defined as a careful consideration of study regarding a particular concern or a problem
using scientific methods. According to the american sociologist earl robert babbie, “research is a
systematic inquiry to describe, explain, predict and control the observed phenomenon. Research
involves inductive and deductive methods.
3.
Characteristics of Research
•A systematic approach is followed in research. Rules and procedures
are an integral part of research that set the objective of a research
process. Researchers need to practice ethics and code of conduct
while making observations or drawing conclusions.
4.
• The dataor knowledge that is derived is in real time, actual observations in
the natural settings.
• Researchis analytical in nature. It makes use of all the availabledata so that
there is no ambiguity in inference
5.
• Research createsa path for generating new questions. More research opportunity
can be generatedfromexisting research.
• Research is based on logical reasoning and involves both inductive and deductive
methods.
6.
• Accuracy isone of the important character of research, the information that is
obtainedwhileconducting the research shouldbe accurate and true to its
nature. For example, research conductedin a controlled environment like a
laboratory. Here accuracy is measured of instruments used, calibrations, and the
final result of the experiment.
7.
Research Problem
A researchproblem is a definite or clear expression [statement] about an area of concern, a condition to
be improved upon, a difficulty to be eliminated, or a troubling question that exists in scholarly
literature, in theory, or within existing practice that points to a need for meaningful understanding and
deliberate investigation. A research problem does not state how to do something, offer a vague or broad
proposition, or present a value question.
8.
These 5 StepsTo Foarmulte Your Research Problem
• STEP1. SPECIFY THE RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
• STEPa2. REVIEWTHE ENVIRONMENT OR CONTEXT OF THE RESEARCH
PROBLEM
• STEP3. EXPLORE THE NATURE OF THE PROBLEM
9.
• STEP 4.DEFINE THE VARIABLE RELATIONSHIPS
• STEP 5. THE CONSEQUENCES OF ALTERNATIVE
COURSES OF ACTION
10.
CHARACTERISTICS OF RESEARCHPROBLEM
• The variables in the problem must be clear
• It should be limited in scope and should be
specific,
• It must have a goal
• It should be free from ethical constraints
• Good research problem must be researchable.
11.
SOURCES OF RESEARCHPROBLEMS
• Social problems like unemployment, crimes, female genital mutilation , etc
• Theory deduction
• Funding agencies
• Past researches and literature review
• Casual observation
12.
• literature
• CurrentsocRelated ial and economic issues
• Personal interest and experience
• Replicationof previous studies
• Clarificationof contradictory researchresults
13.
CONCLUSION
A research problem,or phenomenon as it might be called in many forms of
qualitative research, is the topic you would like to address, investigate, or study,
whether descriptively or experimentally. It is the focus or reason for engaging in
your research. It is typically a topic, phenomenon, or challenge that you are
interested in and with which you are at least somewhat familiar.
Editor's Notes
#3 Inductive research methods are used to analyze the observed phenomenon whereas, deductive methods are used to verify the observed phenomenon. Inductive approaches are associated with qualitative research and deductive methods are more commonly associated with quantitative .
#9 It will help the decision makers evaluate the research questions your project should answer as well as the research methods your project will use to answer those questions. It’s critical that you have manageable objectives. (Two or three clear goals will help to keep your research project focused and relevant.)
As a marketing researcher, you must work closely with your team of researchers in defining and testing environmental variables. This will help you determine whether the findings of your project will produce enough information to be worth the cost.
Research problems range from simple to complex, depending on the number of variables and the nature of their relationship. Sometimes the relationship between two variables is directly related to a problem or questions, and other times the relationship is entirely unimportant.
If you understand the nature of the research problem as a researcher, you will be able to better develop a solution to the problem.
To help you understand all dimensions, you might want to consider focus groups of consumers, salespeople, managers, or professionals to provide what is sometimes much-needed insight into a particular set of questions or problems.
#10 Marketing plans often focus on creating a sequence of behaviors that occur over time, as in the adoption of a new package design, or the introduction of a new product.
Such programs create a commitment to follow some behavioral pattern or method in the future.
Studying such a process involves:
Determining which variables affect the solution to the research problem.
Determining the degree to which each variable can be controlled and used for the purposes of the company.
Determining the functional relationships between the variables and which variables are critical to the solution of the research problem.
During the problem formulation stage, you will want to generate and consider as many courses of action and variable relationships as possible.
STEP 5. THE CONSEQUENCES OF ALTERNATIVE COURSES OF ACTION
There are always consequences to any course of action used in one or more projects. Anticipating and communicating the possible outcomes of various courses of action is a primary responsibility in the research process.