The Research Process

The Broad Problem Area

Preliminary Data Gathering
Literature Survey
Problem Definition
Ethical Issues

Dr. K.V. Kannan M.B.A., M.F.T., Ph.D. Senior Faculty, KSRBS, Tgode.
 Broad Problem Area
It refers to the entire situation where
one sees a possible need for research
and problem solving.
- A problem is not necessarily mean that
something is wrong with a current
situation that needs to be rectified
immediately .it could indicate an
interest in an issue where finding the
right answers helps to improve an
existing situation.
Issues need to be researched

Problems currently existing

Areas requiring improvement
Conceptual issue that needs to be
tightened
Researcher wanting to answer
empirically
Transform the broad problem
into a possible topic for
research by :
- make it more specific and precise
- choose a well-defined subject to
study .
- set clear boundaries .
Examples of broad problem areas
Training programmes are perhaps not as
effective as anticipated
The sales volume of a product is not picking
up.
The introduction of flexible work hours
has created more problems than expected
Minority group members in organisation are
not advancing in their career
Preliminary Data Collection
Unstructured interviews, structured
interviews and library research would
help the researcher to define the
problem more specifically and evolve a
theory.
 Types of Data gathered
- Secondary data : that already exist and not need
to be collected by the researcher. As : statistical
bulletins, government publications, published or
unpublished information (within or outside the
organization), previous research, case studies ,
company website (rules, company policies ,
procedures).
-Primary data : refers to information that are
obtained by observing events, people, objects.
Researcher gathers these data through
instrument , interviews , surveys .
The nature of information needed by the
researcher
1. Background information:
The origin and history of the company
Size of employees and assets
Purpose
Location
Resources.
Relationship with other institutions and the
external environments.
Financial position.
 The nature of information
needed by the researcher
2. Information on Structural Factors and
Management Philosophy
Roles and positions of employees at
each job level
Extent of specialization
Communication channels
Reward systems
 The nature of information
needed by the researcher
3. Perceptions, Attitudes, and Behavioural
Responses
Nature of Work
Superior-subordinate relationship
Participation in decision making
Co-workers
Opportunities for advancement
Companys involvement with community and
social groups

http://www.infosys.com/infosys_foundation/index.htm#
 Literature Survey
It is the documentation of a
comprehensive review of the published
and unpublished work from secondary
sources of data in the areas of specific
interest to the researcher.
 Reasons for the Literature Survey
To ensure that no important variable that
have had an impact on the problem is
ignored
To get clearer idea
To make the problem statement precise
To ensure testability and replicability of
the findings
To avoid reinventing the wheel (wasting
effort on trying to rediscover something
that is already known.
Conducting the Literature Survey
1. Identifying the relevant sources
Bibliographic databases: name of the
author, the title of the article or book,
source of publication, year, page number.
Abstract databases: provides abstract or
summary of articles.
Full-text databases
2. Extracting the Relevant Information
3. Writing up the Literature Review
 Data sources
Textbooks
Academic and professional journals
Theses
Conference proceedings
Unpublished manuscripts
Reports of government departments and
corporations
Newspapers
The Internet

2009 John Wiley & Sons Ltd. 14

www.wileyeurope.com/college/sekaran
 Problem Definition / Statement
It is a clear and precise statement of the
question or issue that is to be
investigated with the goal of finding an
answer or solution.
 A problem statement from the standpoint
Of managerial perspective :
- A problem that exists in an organizational
setting .
- An area that manager believe need to be
improved .
A problem statement from the standpoint of
academic perspective :
- Nothing is known about a topic .
- Much is known about a topic , but the
knowledge is scattered and not integrated.
- The results of research are contradictory .
 The characteristics of good
problem
- A good problem statement is relevant .
- A problem is feasible , ( restrictions are
related to time and money ) .
- The problem is interesting to the
researcher .
Examples of Well-Defined Problems
How has the new packaging affected the sales of the
product
Has the new advertising message resulted in
enhanced recall?
How do price and quality rate on consumers
evaluation of products?
What are the effects of downsizing on the long-range
growth patterns of companies?
Does expansion of international operations result in
an enhancement of the firms image and value?
 The Research proposal
The research basically contains the following :
Key element :
- purpose of the study .
- specific problem to be investigated .
- scope of the study .
- relevance of the study .
- research design , ( sampling design , data
collection methods , data analysis ) .
- time frame .
- budget
- selected bibliography .
 ETHICAL ISSUES IN THE PRELIMINARY
STAGESOF INVESTIGATION
If the research decides to carry out the
project :
- It is necessary to inform all
employees will be interviewed for
preliminary data gathering.
- It is not necessary to acquaint them
with the actual reasons for the study ,
because this might bias responses.
 - It is necessary to assure employees that
their responses will be kept confidential,
and that individual responses will not be
divulged to any one
- Employees should not be forced to
participate in the study, they have the
right to be protected from physical or
psychological harm, privacy and
confidentiality.
-Attempts to obtain information through
misleading means should be avoided at
all cost.
 Example :

Why is this research project worth doing ?

Have you informed all the employees of the
research project ? Why not ?
Do you explain the purpose of your research
to the participants ? Why not ?
Are participants given the opportunity to
decline participation ?