Chapter 3

Preliminary
Information
Gathering and
Problem
Definition
 Chapter Objectives
• Identify broad problem areas
• Preliminary Information Gathering
 Broad Problem Area
Problem Discovery and Definition
• First step in a research process
• Problem? , opportunity?
• Discovery before definition
• Problem means Economic/ Business/
management problem
• “The formulation of the problem is often
more essential than its solution”.
Albert Einstein
 Problem Discovery and Definition
• A problem is any situation where a gap
exists between the actual and the desired
ideal states.
• Anyone who faces or observes a problem
may provide initial clue (e.g. Researcher,
Manager, employees, supervisors,
Management, consultant etc.)
• Example: training program is not as
effective as anticipated
 Defining Problem Statement
• A succinct statement of the question or
issue that is to be investigated with the
goal of finding a solution or answer.

• Research Objectives
• Research Questions
 Defining the Research Problem
A research problem, in general, 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 the same.
• Research Problem Statement: is a clear, precise and to
the point statement of the question or issue that is to be
investigated with the goal of finding an answer or solution.
Three key criteria to assess the quality of the problem
statement are
• – Relevant, Feasible, and Interesting.
 Basic Questions: Problem Definition

What is the purpose of the study?

• How much is already known?
• Is additional background information necessary?
• What is to be measured? How?
• Can the data be made available?
• Should research be conducted?
• Can a hypothesis be formulated?
Management Decision Problem Vs
Research Problem
Symptoms of Problems are not
Defined as the Real Problem
 The Process of
Problem Definition
???
 Preliminary Information Gathering
• It is the information that the researcher obtains by
himself by Reading relevant reports, Journals,
Newspapers, articles, talking , observing, and
administrating questionnaires
• The collection of information can be about:

– Contextual factors ( background information of

the organization/ issue )
– Structural factors ( philosophy, policies, goals,
system structure, reward system )
– Attitudinal factors ( information about
believes and reactions of the members of
organization about certain subjects like ,
nature of the work, reward system,
opportunities )
– Behavioral factors (actual work habits )