Page 23 - DMGT404 RESEARCH_METHODOLOGY

Anand Thakur, Lovely Professional University
Unit 2: Research Problem

Unit 2: Research Problem Notes

CONTENTS
Objectives
Introduction

2.1 Research Problem
2.2 Selection of the Problem
2.3 Understanding the Problem

2.4 Necessity of Defined Problem
2.5 Self Questioning by Researcher while Defining the Problem
2.6 Summary
2.7 Keywords
2.8 Review Questions

2.9 Further Readings

Objectives

After studying this unit, you will be able to:

 Formulate a research problem
 Identify the selection of the problem
 Report the understanding of problem
 State about necessity of defined problem
 Demonstrate the Self Questioning by researcher while defining the problem

Introduction

In all organizations, some kind of research is required to support decision-making, for example,
examination of circulation records to determine if fund allocations should be changed. A manager
exists in three time dimensions: past, present and future. The past specifies an accurate sense of
what was achieved and what was not, while the present specifies what is being achieved. On the
other hand, the future time dimension specifies what a manager should achieve.
Research is used to provide facts on the first two, which supports the decisions that will have an
impact on the future. These decisions are made on the basis of collected data or facts. The
importance of the decisions and their impact on the organization will determine the importance
of research.

There is a famous saying that "problem well-defined is half solved". This statement is strikingly
true in market research, because if the problem is not stated properly, the objectives will not be
clear. If the objective is not clearly defined, the data collection becomes meaningless.
Research problem is a condition that causes a researcher to feel anxious, uneasy and confused. It
involves the complete analysis of the problem area involving who, what, where, when and why
of the problem situation.

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