BUSINESS
RESEARCH
METHODS -3
PROBLEM DEFINITION
A research problem is a statement about an area of concern, a condition to be
improved, a difficulty to be eliminated, or a troubling question that exists in
scholarly literature, in theory, or in practice that points to the need for meaningful
understanding and deliberate investigation.
Problem definition is thus the crucial step in the research process which is
considered the most crucial to the success of any research investigation.
Sekeran(2007) defines research problem as any situation where a gap exists
between the actual and the desired ideal stage.”
The problem statement introduces the key problem that is addressed in the
research project.
STEPS IN PROBLEM
FORMULATION
Ascertain the decision maker’s objectives
Identify the Broad Problem area for your study
Dissect the Broad Study Area into Subareas
Explore the Nature of the Problem
Study the research questions
Set out research Objectives and access it
RESEARCH QUESTION
A research question is defined as a statement that identifies phenomenon
to be studied.
The research question ,thus ,indicate the purpose and motive of the
research investigation.
The objectives of a research can be thus mirrored by the research
questions.
Developing a good research question involves thinking about the concept
of interest ,and which variables represent the important dimensions of that
concept.
Research question states what you want to learn.
TYPES OF RESEARCH
QUESTIONS
I.)Descriptive:When a study is designed primarily to describe what is going
on or what exists.Eg:What is the current state of quality of work life in
Nepalese commercial banks?
II.)Relational:When a study is designed to look at the relationship between
two or more variables.Eg:To what extent are pay and productivity related in
Nepalese business enterprises?
III.)Casual:When a study is designed to determine whether one or more
variables causes or effect one or more outcome variables.
HYPOTHESIS
A research hypothesis is a specific, clear, and testable proposition or predictive
statement about the possible outcome of a scientific research.
According to Rummel Hypothesis is “A statement capable of being tested and
thereby verified and rejected.
Often ,a hypothesis is possible a possible answer to research question.
Scientific research is mostly understood today as a process of forming hypothesis
and checking it by the means of observed data.
FEATURES OF GOOD
HYPOTHESIS
Power of prediction
Simplicity
Clarity
Testability
Relevant to problem
Specific
Relevant to available technology
Consistency and harmony
FUNCTIONS OF HYPOTHESIS
Shows the area of emphasis
Provides guidelines for collecting data
Informs about area of subjective priority
Basis of research
Helps to test empirically
FORMULATION OF
HYPOTHESIS
Discuss
Through internal data
Literature review
Interview
TYPES AND FORMATS OF
HYPOTHESIS
Descriptive Hypothesis
Relational Hypotheses
Directional and non-directional hypothesis
Null and alternative Hypothesis
DESCRIPTIVE HYPOTHESIS
Descriptive hypothesis presents the existence, size ,type and distribution of
variables.
This hypothesis describes the situation and helps to clear their thinking
about relationships to be found.
Format:60% of NABIL bank stockholders to increase in company’s stock
dividend
RELATIONAL HYPOTHESIS
Hypothesis that explains the relationship between two or more than two
variables is known as relational hypothesis.
A hypothesis which is formulated based on assumption that change in one
variable (independent variables) changes in another variable is known as
explanatory or casual hypothesis.
For example ,sharing company’s problem (independent variable) to the
employees leads to favorable attitudes(dependent)
DIRECTIONAL AND NON-
DIRECTIONAL HYPOTHESIS
A hypothesis that is formulated using the words more and less ,likes and
dislikes or comparing to variables is known as Directional Research
Example:Women employees are more loyal towards organization than male
employees.
Even though relationships between various variables can be estimated but
their relationship remains positive or negative that cannot be declared then
such hypothesis is known as non-directional hypothesis.
Example:there is difference in work culture of Nepalese employees and
Bhutanese employees.
NULL AND ALTERNATIVE
HYPOTHESIS
The null hypothesis is expressed as no relationship between two variables
or difference between two groups.
Ho:Effective training does not increase the productivity of employees.
Alternative hypothesis is a statement expressing a relationship between
two variables indicating differences between variables indicating
differences between groups.
H1:Effective training increases the productivity of employees
