Research Process

DEFINITION

 

Research process consists a series of actions or steps necessary to effectively carry out research and the desired sequencing of these steps.

DEFINITION

 

Research process consists a series of actions or steps necessary to effectively carry out research and the desired sequencing of these steps.

Review Concepts and theories

Define Research Problem Review Previous Research Findings

Formulate Hypothesis

Review of Literature Design Research (including sample design) Collect Data (Execution) Analyze Data (Test Hypotheses if any) Interpret and Report

Expert Opinion Initial Observation

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•

Research Problem Identification

Research Problem Definition

Literature Review

•

Theoretical framework 

Development of Hypotheses

Identification of Variables Research Problem formulation

• •

Research Proposal

Research Design

•

•

Conducting Research Study NO

Research Problem Solution ?

•

•

Analysis of data

Types of Research Measurement design Data Collection Method Analysis method

• •

Primary data collection

Hypothesis testing Model testing Derivation of  relationship

Yes

Report of results

RESEARCH PROCESS

Contents  

Research Problem Definition



Kinds of Research



Theoretical Framework 

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Tentative Hypotheses/ Model Development



Research Planning (Design)



Execution of Research Study



Data Preparation & Analysis



Reporting Results

Research Problem Definition  

The tentative and general statements of problems obtained in the identification phase are converted into researchable questions and propositions.



Clear and unambiguous statements of the problem are made and the information required for research is stated.

Deductive and Inductive Theory 

Many kinds of research  LOGICAL (mathematics, philosophy) EVALUATION (judging, appraising)

INVESTIGATIVE (law, government hearings, journalism)

DEMOGRAPHIC (economics, census, polling)

MODUS OPERANDI (forensics, medical diagnosis)

EMPIRICAL/SCIENTIFIC (social science, education, physical science)

Mixed Methods Quantitative

 Empirical Research

Qualitative

Experimental

Correlational

Quantitative

Single subject

Descriptive Metaanalysis

Quasiexperimental

Phenomenological

Interpretive



Understanding a situation from the participant perspective

Ethnographic

Grounded Theory

Qualitative

Critical Understanding and critiquing power within society

Action Research

Dialectics

QUAL-quant

Mixed Methods

QUANT-qual

QUAL-QUANT

Mixed Methods Quantitative



Qualitative

VALIDITY •

•

•

•

Replicability Reliability Probabilistic Method & instruments

•

•

•

•

Credibility Verisimilitude Confirmability Researcher 

Mixed Methods



Quantitative

Qualitative

GENERALIZABILITY Nomothetic statements Similarity Sample to population Justifiability through standard techniques Researcher makes explicit claim about generalizability

Idiographic statements Similarity & difference Thick description Researcher as instrument Readers judge the transferability

LITERATURE REVIEW  Questions a Literature Review can answer 

What are the major issues and debates about the topic?  What are the key sources?  Who are the key authors? Who influenced them?  What are the key concepts, models, principles, theories and ideas?  What are the main questions and problems that have been addressed to date? 

Questions a Literature Review can answer  What are the origins of the topic?  How has it been defined? 



Official sources; academic definitions

What is the context to the topic?  How is knowledge on the topic structured and organised? 

The Critical Literature Review Its Central Importance  2. Informs Research Problem

Literature Review

Research Design

1. Informs

3. Reforms 4. Contributes to

Research Findings

Literature sources available to you 



PRIMARY e.g. reports, theses, emails, conference, Reports, company reports, some govt. publications, Unpublished manuscript sources



SECONDARY e.g newspapers, books, journals, internet, Some govt. publications



TERTIARY e.g indexes, abstracts, catalogues, encyclopaedias, dictionaries, bibliographies, citation indexes.

Tentative hypotheses/models development  

The

problem

definitions/propositions

are

converted

into

hypotheses or models, which are in testable form to ascertain whether they can be verified statistically or are feasible for  solution procedures 

Hypotheses and theoretical frame work are termed research  problem formulation.

The Critical Literature Review Outcomes of the Review 

Skills Developed  distinguishing what has been done from what needs to be done  discovering  important variables relevant to the topic  synthesising and gaining a new perspective  identifying relationships between ideas and practice  establishing the context of the topic or problem  rationalizing the significance of the problem

The Critical Literature Review Outcomes of the Review (Cont’d.)  Skills Developed (Cont’d.)    



enhancing and acquiring the subject vocabulary understanding the structure of the subject relating ideas and theory to applications identifying the main methodologies and research techniques that have been used placing the research in a historical context to show familiarity with state-of-the art developments

Questions a literature review can answer What are the major issues and debates about the topic?

What are the key sources?

What are the political standpoints?

What are the key concepts theories and ideas?

Literature search and review on your topic

How is knowledge on the topic structured What are the origins and and organised? definitions of the topic?

What are the epistemological and ontological grounds for  the discipline? What are the main questions and problems that have been addressed to date?

Theoretical Framework   

Variables required for solving the problem are identified, partly from literature and partly by the researcher for defining the  problem.



The problem is related to the existing research-theories, constructs, and hypotheses in a theoretical framework that will ensure step-bystep progress of knowledge (as in pure research) or a strong basis for the current problem solving (as in applied research).

Research Planning (design)  •

(i)

This involves the following steps: Determining the type of research to be carried out for data

collection- secondary data, experiment, ex post facto, or  model building; (ii) Selection of the measurement and scaling of the variables that is, whether questionnaires, or observations or interview techniques are used;

Research Planning (design)  (iii) Selection of the representative sample: specification of how many respondents, and what kind of respondent or objects to measure; (iv) Selection of the appropriate method/techniques of analysis of  data; (v) Preparation of a research proposal. In addition to the above steps in research design specification of  the time schedule of research,

Research Planning (design)  cost estimates and usefulness of the research are summarized in a research project proposal. This serves as a means of 

communication to the sponsorer or the administration of a university for obtaining funds or approval.

Execution of research study  Data is collected as per the sampling plan using the instrument developed as per the specification in the design  phase. Data Preparation and Analysis:

The raw data collected in the earlier step is converted into data

usable

for

research

by

carrying

out

coding,

transformation, and performing descriptive analysis, as required.

 This converted data is used for verifying hypothesis, deriving significant relationships, or testing models, as required, and inferences are drawn from the study and result are analyzed.

Reporting Results The results obtained in the research are presented in the form of  a written report, thesis, or in an oral presentation.

Research Problem  

Decide on the general area of study or investigation 

Generally influenced by your own experiences

Area

The Problem Definition Process Tasks Involved

Discussion with Decision Maker(s)

Interviews with Experts

Secondary Data  Analysis

Qualitative Research

Environmental Context of the Problem

Step I: Problem Definition Management Decision Problem Marketing Research Problem

Step II: Approach to the Problem

Objective/ Theoretical/ Foundations

 Analytical Model: Verbal, Graphical, Mathematical

Research Questions

Hypotheses

Step III: Research Design

Specification of  Information Needed

Steps in Defining the  problem 



General area of investigation --Madsen’s criteria: 

Sustain your interest & stimulate your imagination



Within your range of competencies



Manageable in size



Potential to make a contribution to body of knowledge

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Based on obtainable data

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Demonstrate your independent mastery of both the subject and method

The Problem Audit 



A comprehensive examination of a marketing problem with the purpose of understanding its origin and nature 

 



 

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The events that led to the decision that action is needed or the history of the problem The alternative courses of action available to the DM The criteria that will be used to evaluate the alternative courses of  action The potential actions that are likely to be suggested based on the research findings The information that is needed to answer the DM's questions The manner in which the DM will use each item of information in making the decision The corporate culture as it relates to decision making

Factors to be Considered in the Environmental Context of the Problem  PAST INFORMATION AND FORECASTS RESOURCES AND CONSTRAINTS OBJECTIVES BUYER BEHAVIOR  LEGAL ENVIRONMENT ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT MARKETING AND TECHNOLOGICAL SKILLS

Management Decision Research Problem

Problem

Vs.

Marketing

Management Decision Problem

Business Research Problem

Should a new introduced?

To determine consumer preferences and purchase intentions for the  proposed new product

product

be

Should the advertising campaign be changed?

Should the price of the brand be increased?

To determine the effectiveness of the current advertising campaign

To determine the price elasticity of  demand and the impact on sales and  profits of various levels of price changes

Proper Definition Research Problem Business Research Problem

Broad Statement

Specific Components

of

the

Steps in defining the problem  

General area of investigation, continued 

“My study is about…….” or “the purpose of …….”



Make it twelve words or less if possible



Becomes a working title for your research.

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Is it researchable?

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Example – My study is about the effect of size and color of  screen icons on user perceptions

Steps in Defining the problem   Narrow the general topic down

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To a specific statement of the research problem

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Use a single paradigm if possible

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Difficulty --the topic & research question must be formulated before you have a thorough understanding of research NARROW

 Narrow

Technique in defining a  problem 



Statement of the problem in a general way

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Understanding the nature of the problem

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Surveying the available literature

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Developing the ideas through discussions

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Rephrasing the research problem

Steps General statement

Formulate Objective

Develop Sub objectives



Search Different Reasons

Pilot Study

Problem Definition In the department store project, the marketing research problem is to determine the relative strengths and weaknesses of Reliance Mart, vis-à-vis other major competitors, with respect to factors that influence store  patronage.   Specifically, research should provide information on the following questions 



What criteria do households use when selecting department stores?

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How do households evaluate Reliance Mart and competing stores in terms of  the choice criteria identified in question 1?

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Which stores are patronized when shopping for specific product categories?



What is the market share of Reliance Mart and its competitors for specific  product categories?

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What is the demographic and psychological profile of the customers of  Reliance Mart? Does it differ from the profile of customers of competing stores?

Development of Research Questions and Hypotheses Components of the Marketing Research Problem Objective/ Theoretical Framework 

Research Questions

Analytical Model Hypotheses

Research Questions and Hypotheses  

Research questions 



(RQs) are refined statements of the specific components of the problem.

Hypothesis (H) An unproven statement or proposition about a factor or   phenomenon that is of interest to the researcher. Often, a hypothesis is a possible answer to the research question.



Department Store Project  

RQ: Do the customers of Reliance Mart exhibit store loyalty?

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H1: Customers who are store-loyal are knowledgeable about the shopping environment.

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H2: Store-loyal customers are more risk-averse than are non-loyal customers.

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