Unit 2

Formulating a research problem

“Running away from the problem

only increases the distance away
from the solution.”
 Learning Objectives

1- Steps in the formulation of a research problem

2- Example
3- Considerations in selecting a research problem

1-2
Introductory Activity
 If you were to have a chance
for your life story to be
produced, what title would you
prefer to have? Why?
Formulating a research
problem
 refers to identifying what it is that you
want to find out about.
What is a research problem?
• A research problem is an educational
issue or problem in the study
• A research topic is the broad subject
matter being addressed in a study.
• A purpose is the major intent or
objective of the study.
• Research questions are questions the
researcher would like answered or
addressed in the study.
Differences Among Topic, Problem,
Purpose and Questions

General Topic Distance Learning

Research Lack of students in distance

Problem classes

Purpose To study why students do not

attend distance education classes at
Statement
a community college.

Research Does the use of web site technology

in the classroom stop students from
Question
Specific enrolling in a distance education
class?
Examples of research ideas (topic) and their derived
focus research questions
 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?
 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 provided by five star hotels in
Manila to their employees.

 To find out the opinion of the employees about the medical

facilities provided by five star hotels in Manila.

 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 Question Research Objective

Why have organizations To identify organization’s

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
 • Consumer behavior
• Customer satisfaction
1- Identify

• 1- Profile of satisfied customers

• 2- Antecedents of customers satisfaction
• 3- The effect of customer satisfaction on consumer related outcomes
2- Dissect • 4- Measurement of customer satisfaction

• Antecedents of customers satisfaction

3- Select
 • 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
4- Raise research satisfaction?
questions

• 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
5- formulate customer satisfaction
objectives
 • Assess your objectives in the light of:
• 1 work involved
• 2 time available to you
6- Make • 3 financial resources available
sure • 4 your technical expertise in the area

• 1 that you are really interested in the study

• 2 that you agree with the objectives
• 3 that you have adequate resources
7- Double- • 4 that you have the technical expertise to
check undertake the study
Considerations in selecting a
research problem
 interest,
 magnitude,
 measurement of concepts,
 level of expertise,
 relevance,
 availability of data,
 ethical issues.
Possible research problems
 Education
 (curriculum, teaching styles, study
habits, learning styles)
 Psychology
 Gender sensitivity
 Discipline
 Law enforcement
 Heads Up!
 Think of possible research topics (at least
2) with your group mates using the
process given in the discussion. Be
prepared with your topics this week!
 “Things turn out best for people who
make the best out of the way things turn
out.”
So let’s do research!