Page 24 - DMGT404 RESEARCH_METHODOLOGY

Research Methodology

Notes 2.1 Research Problem

A research problem refers to some difficulty which an organisation faces and wishes to obtain a
solution for the same.

While doing research, defining the problem is very important because "problem clearly stated
is half-solved". This shows how important it is to "define the problem correctly". While defining
the problem, it should be noted that definition should be unambiguous. If the problem defining
is ambiguous, then the researcher will not know "what data is to be collected" or "what technique
is to be used" etc.
Example of an ambiguous definition: "Find out by how much sales has declined recently". Let us
suppose that the research problem is defined in a broad and general way as follows:

"Why is the productivity in Korea much higher than that in India"? In this type of question, a
number of ambiguities are there, such as:
1. What sort of productivity is to be specified; is it men, machine, materials?

2. To which type of industry is the productivity related to?
3. In which time-frame are we analysing the productivity?
Example of an unambiguous definition: On the contrary, a problem will be as follows:

"What are the factors responsible for increased labour productivity in Korean textile
manufacturing industries during 1996-07 relative to Indian textile industries?"

Notes Problem formulation is the key to research process. For a researcher, problem
formulation means converting the management problem to a research problem. In order
to attain clarity, the M.R. manager and researcher must articulate clearly so that perfect
understanding of each others is achieved.
In research process, the first and foremost step happens to be that of selecting and properly
defining a research problem. A researcher must find the problem and formulate it so that it
becomes susceptible to research. To define a problem correctly, a researcher must know: what a
problem is?

Did u know? Like a medical doctor, a researcher must examine all the symptoms (presented
to him or observed by him) concerning a problem before he can diagnose correctly.

Self Assessment

Fill in the blanks:
1. In order to attain clarity, the manager and researcher must ...................... clearly.
2. Problem ......................... is the key to research process.

3. To define a problem correctly, a researcher must know: ...................................

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