This document provides an overview of formulating a research problem and conducting a literature review. It discusses identifying a research topic, defining the research problem and objectives, and performing an extensive literature review. The goals of a literature review are to learn from past studies, understand how research has been conducted in the area, and prevent duplicating previous work. A well-defined research problem and thorough literature review lay the foundation for successful research.

1. Business Research Methods
Formulating the Research Problem
and Literature Review

2. Contents of the lecture
1. Introduction
2. The Research Process
 Identification of a research topic
 The research problem and objectives
 The literature review
3. The research proposal

3. Introduction
 The previous part provided you with the basics of
research.
 This part provides you a guidance on how to do
research.
 It highlights the process of formulating the
research problem, the basics of literature review
and the elements and preparation of research
proposal.

4. The research process
 The process of planning and conducting research
involves using scientific approach to address a
specific question.
 The research task is usually treated as a
sequential process involving several clearly
defined steps.
 During this process the researcher moves from a
general idea to actual data collection and
interpretation of the results.
 But this does not mean that each step has to be
completed before going to the next.

5. The research process
 Recycling, circumventing and skipping occur in the
research process.
 Various approaches suggest somewhat different
steps – ranging from five to eleven steps.
 The variation may be due to purpose, and
methods used by the researcher.
 Some researchers may portray the steps in a
linear way while others may put them in a cyclical
form.

6. Steps of the research process
 Specific steps guide the research
process
 Number of steps is indeterminate
 Various steps may be combined
 Order of steps may vary somewhat
 Importance of specific steps is variable

7. The research process
 Most research activities follow the following steps:
 Selecting a research topic
 Formulating the research problem with a focus
on the research question
 Extensive literature survey/review
 Preparing the research design and determining
the sample design
 Collecting and analyzing the data
 Generalizations and interpretations of results
 Preparing the report and presentation of the
results

8. The research process

9. Identification of a research topic
 Knowing what to research and knowing the
purpose of the research is key to the first step in
the research design.
 To do a research a topic or a felt practical or
theoretical difficulty must be identified.
 The research topic deals on a specific
question/problem
 The problem identification affect the quality,
usefulness, effectiveness and efficiency of the
research activity.

10. Identification of a research topic
What is a Research problem?
 A research problem refers to some difficulty,
which a researcher experiences in the context of
either a theoretical or practical situation and
wants to obtain a solution for.
 You might, for instance, be interested in the
role of accounting information system in
promoting organizational efficiency.
 It is an area that you would like to explore in your
research

11. Identification of a research topic
 At first, the problem is broad that you could not
hope to address it adequately in a single research
study.
 We narrow the problem down to more specific
research questions.
 The research question is the central issue being
addressed in the study.
• For instance, a research question might be:
• Does accounting information system promote
efficiency in an organization?

12. Identification of a research topic
 Research question is the foundation of the
research process
 It all begins with a question
 A good research question
 Is interesting and/or important
 Is clearly stated
 Has a logical rational and tied to theory
 Is doable

13. Identification of a research topic
 Where does a research question
arise?
 Curiosity
 Information gaps
 Controversy
 Replication
 Literature review
 Other people

14. Identification of a research topic
 There are three types of research titles:
 Indicative title:
 they state the subject of the proposal rather
than expected outcomes.
 Example: The contribution of accounting
software packages in easing preparation of
financial statements of large
organizations.
 Hanging titles have two parts: a general first
part followed by a more specific second part.

15. Identification of a research topic
 Example: ‘Preparation of financial statements in
large organizations: the role of accounting
software packages’.
 Question-type titles are used less commonly
than indicative and hanging titles.
 However, they are acceptable where it is possible
to use few words – say less than 15.
 Example: ‘Do accounting software packages
ease preparation of financial statements’.

16. Identification of a research topic
Where do research topics come from?
 A topic must spring from the researcher’s mind like
a plant springs from its own seed.
 It could be generated by the researcher
 The best way to identify a topic is to draw up a
shortlist of possible topics that have emerged from
your reading or from your own experience that
look potentially interesting.
 A general area of interest or aspect of a subject
matter (investment, public finance, financial
markets, etc.) may have to be identified at first.

17. Identification of a research topic
A) Professional Experience
 Own professional experience is the most important
source of a research problem.
 Many researchers are directly engaged in program
implementation and come up with a topic based on
what they see happening around them.
 Contacts and discussions with others,
 attending conferences, seminars, and
 listening to learned speakers are all helpful in
identifying research problems.

18. Identification of a research topic
b) Inferences from the literature
 Another source for research ideas is the theoretical
or empirical literature in your specific field.
 Many researchers get ideas for research by reading
the literature and thinking of ways to extend or
refine previous research.
 Two types of literature can be reviewed.
 The conceptual literature
 The empirical literature
 Research reports, bibliographies of books, and
articles, periodicals, research abstracts and
research guides suggest areas that need research.

19. Identification of a research topic
C) Provided by a client
 Requests For Proposals (RFPs) are published
by government agencies and some companies.
 These RFPs describe some problem that the
agency would like researchers to address --
they are virtually handing the researcher an
idea.
 The RFP describes the problem that needs
addressing, the contexts in which it
operates, the approach they would like you
to take to investigate to address the
problem, and the amount they would be
willing to pay for such research.

20. Identification of a research topic
d) Technological and Social Changes
 New developments bring forth new
development challenges for research.
e) Other Sources
 Many researchers simply think up their research
topic on their own.
 No one lives in a vacuum, so we would expect that
the ideas you come up with on your own are
influenced by your background, culture, education
and experiences.

21. Identification of a research topic
 In any case, the most fundamental rule of good
research is to investigate questions that sincerely
interest you.
 i.e. research which a researcher honestly
enjoys even if he/she encounters problems
frustrating or discouraging.
 The following points are important in selecting a
research problem or a subject for research.
 Subject, which is overdone, should be avoided
since it will be difficult to throw any new light
in such cases for the average researcher.

22. Identification of a research topic
 Controversial subjects should not become
the choice of the average researcher.
 Too narrow or too broad or vague problems
should be avoided
 The importance of the subject in terms of:
 The qualification and training of researcher,
 The cost involved and the time factor, etc.

23. Identification of a research topic
 The choice of a research topic is not made in a
vacuum and is influenced by several factors:
 Interest and Values of the Researcher,
 Current Debate in the Academic world,
 Funding,
 The value and power of the subject, etc.
 Many of these involve making tradeoffs between
rigor and practicality.

24. The research problem and objectives
Statement of the Problem
 The researcher must know exactly what his/her
problem is before he/she begins work on it.
 Problem definition or problem statement is a clear
and precise statement of the question or issue to be
investigated.
 A problem clearly defined is a problem half solved.
 Laying down the boundaries within which a
researcher shall study the problem.
 Helps to narrow the perspectives of the problem to a
set of issues on which new information is sought.

25. The research problem and objectives
 Defining the problem clearly will help to find
answers to questions like:
 What data are to be collected?
 What characteristics of data are relevant and
need to be studied
 What relations are to be explored
 What techniques are to be used for the purpose

26. The research problem and objectives
 In the formal definition of the problem the
researcher is required
 to describe the background of the study, its
theoretical basis and underlying assumptions
in concrete, specific and workable questions.
 The problem statement should make a convincing
argument that there isn’t sufficient knowledge
available to explain the problem or
 there is, at least, a need to test what is known
and taken as fact.

27. The research problem and objectives
 Some ways to show that you are adding to the
knowledge in your field:
 Gap: A research gap is an area where no or little
research has been carried out.
 The research problem is defined by asking a
question to which the answer is unknown, and which
you will explore in your research.
 Counter-claiming: A conflicting claim, theory
or method is put forward.

28. The research problem and objectives
 Continuing a previously developed line of
enquiry: Building on work already done, but
taking it further (by using a new sample,
extending the area studied, taking more factors
into consideration, taking fewer factors into
consideration, etc).

29. The research problem and objectives
Steps in defining the research problem:
a) Statement of the problem in a general way
 Problem stated in a broad and general way
keeping in mind the practical concern or the
scientific or intellectual interest.
b) Understanding the nature of the problem
more clearly
 The next steps is to understand its origin and
nature clearly.
 The best way is to discuss it with other more
acquainted or experienced people.

30. The research problem and objectives
c) Developing the ideas through discussion
 Discussion concerning a problem often
produces useful information.
 The discussion sharpens the researcher’s focus
of attentions on specific aspects of the study.
d) Survey of the available literature
 Devote sufficient time to review both the
conceptual and empirical literature.

31. The research problem and objectives
 This exercise enables the researcher to
1. find out what data are available
2. find out whether the existing theory is
applicable to the problem under study.
3. ensure that no one else has already exhausted
the questions that you aim to examine, etc.
e) Rephrasing the research problem:
 Researcher rephrases the research problem into a
working proposition.
 Rephrasing – putting the research problem in as
specific terms as possible.

32. The research problem and objectives
f) In addition
 Technical terms or phrases, with special
meanings should be clearly defined.
 Basic assumptions or postulates relating to the
research problem should be clearly stated.
 The suitability of the time period and the
sources of data available must be considered in
defining the problem.
 The scope of the investigation within which the
problem is to be studied must be mentioned
explicitly in defining a research problem.

33. The research problem and objectives
Objectives of the study:
 This is the step of rephrasing the problem into
operational or analytical terms, i.e. to put the
problem in as specific terms as possible.
 in this section the specific activities to
performed are listed.
 The general objective provides a short statement
of the specific goals pursued by the research.
 The specific objectives are the objectives against
which the success of the whole research will be
judged.

34. The research problem and objectives
 The specific objectives are operational and
indicate the type of knowledge to be produced,
audiences to be reached, etc.
 An objective should be Specific, Measurable,
Achievable, Realistic and Time-bound – that is,
SMART.
 It must flow logically and clearly from the
purpose, problem statement and justification
already stated.

35. Literature Review
 Once the problem is formulated, the researcher
should undertake an extensive literature survey
connected with the problem.
 Others have conducted research that is
related to the topic.
 The purpose of the literature survey is to
provide the researcher with an understanding of
the literature as it relates to the current project.
 The literature survey enables you to learn as
much as you can from the efforts of others.
 Like most aspects of research it needs thoughts
and planning.

36. Literature Review
It is an extensive survey of all available past
studies relevant to the field of investigation.
It gives us knowledge about what others have
found out in the related field of study and
how they have done so.

37. Literature Review
 Gives theoretical rationale of problem being
studied, what research has been done and
how it relates to the problem
 Helpful to divide the literature into sub-
topics for ease of reading
 Quality of literature should be assessed
 Be sure to include well respected
‘individuals’ in the research area (if they
exist)

38. Literature Review
 Purposes of Review
 To gain a background knowledge of the research topic.
 To identify the concepts relating to it, potential
relationships between them and to formulate researchable
hypothesis.
 To identify appropriate methodology, research design,
methods of measuring concepts and techniques of
analysis.
 To identify data sources used by other researchers.
 To learn how others structured their reports.

39. Literature Review
 Sources of Literature
 Academic journals, conference proceedings,
dissertations, government reports, policy
reports, publications of international
organizations, books, etc. must be tapped
depending on the nature of the problem.
 Usually one source leads to the next and the
best place for the survey is the library.
The main goal is:
 to familiarize yourself with the issue and
prevent duplication of what had already
been done.

40. Literature Review
 Several articles can be summarized in one mention
 E.g. There have been numerous studies
attempting to measure the return to education
(see Becker (1963); Mincer (1968); Angrist and
Krueger (1988); Bound et al. (1991)).”
 General information: Google, etc.
 Books: Library, amazon.com
 Articles:
 JSTOR
 Web Pages

41. Literature Review
Structuring the review:
 Summarize every article briefly; a sentence
or two will do
 Interpret the article in light of its relevance
to your own study
 Critique it, if necessary
 Show the stock of knowledge building up
over the course of the literature
 Show how your research topic adds
naturally to this stock of knowledge

42. Literature Review
 Classifications of Literature Review
 Theoretical/conceptual review-
reviewing theoretical and conceptual
foundations of the research issue
 Empirical review- involves critical
review of previous research works on the
issue
 Methodological review- review of
methodological issues pertaining to the
research issue

43. Literature Review
Conceptual Framework
A clear meaning to different terms and
concepts that are relating to the research
problem. (Meaning)
A clearly defined terms and concepts will
hardly leave any room for confusions and
doubts in terms of understanding the
research problem. (Clear ideas)

44. Literature Review
 Points to consider in Literature
review
 Know key authors
 Be cautious for originality
 Focus on only relevant works
 Focus on up to date works (for empirical
review)
 Check for appropriate sourcing and citation
 Check for adequacy of the review

45. The research proposal
 Research proposals are generally required for
most types of research endeavors.
 The key to a successful research is the
research plan.
 And the heart of the research plan is the
research proposal.
 is the main vehicle for the planning.
 The research proposal provides an inventory of
what must be done and which materials have
to be used.

46. The research proposal
 The research proposal:
 helps the researcher to organize his/her
ideas in a form whereby it will be possible
for him/her to look for flaws or inadequacies
and is a pre requisite in the research
process.
 serves as a basis for determining the
feasibility of the project and provides a
systematic plan of procedure for the
researcher to follow.

47. The research proposal
 assures that the parties understand the project’s
purpose and the proposed method of
investigation.
 provides an operational plan for conducting the
research.
 For evaluators (funders, advisors, etc.) the
proposal is the means though which they
determine the intent of the research and feasibility.

48. The research proposal
 The research proposal should usually contain
the following categories of information:
 I. Introduction – this part should include the
following information
 a) The title – the title or the topic should
be worded in such a way that it suggests
the theme of the study.
 It should contain the key words – the
important words that indicate the subject.

49. The research proposal
b) Statement of the Problem
 This section makes up between one fourth and
one half of the proposal.
 It is an expansion of the title.
 It introduces the research by situating it (by
giving background), presenting the research
problem and saying how and why this problem
will be “solved.“

50. The research proposal
C) Objectives of the study:
 in this section the specific activities to
performed are listed.
d) Review of the Literature:
 Both conceptual and empirical literature is to be
reviewed for this purpose.

51. The research proposal
e) Significance of the Study:
 This section justifies the need of the study.
 It should indicate clearly how the results of the
research could influence theory or practice.
 The Rational can be to show:
 the existence of a time lapse between the earlier
study and the present one, and therefore, the
new knowledge, techniques or considerations
indicate the need to replicate the study.

52. The research proposal
 that there are gaps in knowledge provided by
previous research studies and to show how the
present study will help to fill in these gaps and
add to the quantum of existing knowledge.
 the lack of information about a problem by
presenting the supporting statements of other
research studies.

53. The research proposal
 The justification should also address:
 How the research relates to the priorities of the
Region and the country?
 What knowledge and information will be
obtained?
 What is the ultimate purpose that the
knowledge obtained from the study will serve?
 How will the results be disseminated?
 How will the results be used, and who will be
the beneficiaries?

54. The research proposal
f) Definition of terms and concepts:
 Technical terms or words and phrases having special
meanings need to be defined operationally.
g) Scope and limitations of the study:
 boundaries of the study should be made clear with
reference to
 (i) the scope of the study by specifying the areas to
which the conclusions will be confined
 (ii) the procedural treatment including the sampling
procedures, the techniques of data collection and
analysis, etc.

55. The research proposal
II) Methodology
 The methodology will explain how each specific
objective will be achieved.
 It is impossible to define the budgetary needs of
the research project in the absence of a solid
methodology section.
 Procedures for collecting data – the details
about the sampling procedures and the data
collecting tools are described.

56. The research proposal
(i) Sampling – in research situations the
researcher usually comes across unmanageable
populations in which large numbers are
involved.
(ii) Tools (instruments) – in order to collect
evidence or data for a study the researcher has
to make use of certain tools such as
observations, interviews, questionnaires, etc.
 The proposal should explain the reasons for
selecting a particular tool or tools for collecting the
data.

57. The research proposal
be sure to mention:
 Who your interview subjects are
 How you will interview them (if primary
data)
 How the data were collected (if secondary
data)

58. The research proposal
Procedures for treating data (method of
analysis)
 In this section, the researcher describes how
he/she organizes, analyses and interpret the
data.
 The details of the statistical techniques, if
any, and the rationale for using such
techniques should be described in the
research proposal.
 Statistical inference models- regression (ols)
 Mathematical programming models – Lp, Dp,
 Simulation models – abstract prototypes

59. The research proposal
Budgeting and Scheduling the Research
 Research costs money, depending on its
complexity and number of people and activities
employed.
 A proposal should include a budget estimating
the funds required for travel expenses, typing,
printing, purchase of equipment, tools, books,
etc.

60. The research proposal
 It would include all or some of the following
items:
 Management time
 Bought out resources time
 Data collection
 Data analysis cost – software and
hardware
 Transport cost
 Respondent’s incentives

61. The research proposal
 Research must also be scheduled appropriately.
 Researcher should also prepare a realistic time
schedule for completing the study within the
time available.
 Dividing a study into phases and assigning
dates for the completion of each phase helps
the researcher to use is time systematically.

62. The research proposal
IV. Citations and references
 It is important that you correctly cite all consulted
published and unpublished documents that you
refer to in the proposal.
 This allows the reader to know the sources of your
information.
 Every reference you cite must appear in the list of
references at the end of the proposal.

63. The research proposal
Bibliography
 Be sure to include every work that was referred to
in the proposal
 Formats vary slightly by journal, etc.
 A common format:
 For a book: Smith, Adam (1776 [1904]). An
Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the
Wealth of Nations. London: Dent and Sons
 For an article: Coase, Ronald (1937). “The
Nature of the Firm.” Economica 4, 386-405.

64. The research proposal
Appendix
 Mathematical formulae or proofs that are referred
to in the proposal
 Supporting documentation and evidence-
 letter from owner of data, etc.
 permission from any necessary authorities
 Evidence of material support
 Evidence of researcher qualifications
 Other supporting documentation

65. The research proposal
An Outline of a Proposed Study
 Introduction: Statement of the Problem;
 Hypotheses, if any;
 Limitation and Importance of the Study
 Review of Relevant Literature
 Survey Design; Data Collection and Analysis
Techniques
 Presentation and Discussion of Results,
 Conclusions and recommendations