CHAPTER 3

THE RESEARCH PROCESS: THE BROAD PROBLEM AREA AND DEFINING THE PROBLEM STATEMENT

Instructional Goals

1. To clarify to the students that though the Research Process has distinct phases, some of the steps follow an
iterative, rather than a linear process. For example, the problem statement could be redefined after the
theoretical framework is conceptualized, after data analysis, and in fact, at any of the stages in the process.
2. To illustrate that identifying the Broad Problem Area sets the stage for focusing on literature search and
subsequently clearly defining the problem.
3. To emphasize that preliminary data collection through interviews offers a great opportunity to narrow down
the problem and identify the prospective variables influencing it.
4. To develop interviewing and problem identification skills in students.
5. To create a mindset in students of viewing a problem as a gap between desired and actual state of things in a
system, and a solution as narrowing this gap.
6. To encourage students to develop bibliographies by accessing available on-line data bases.
7. To require students to write a good literature review in the areas of their research interests and to make
them aware that most class term papers could use this type of introduction to enhance their value.

Discussion Questions

1. How would you describe the research process?

The research process includes a series of steps in identifying the variables to be studied and the method
for conducting the study. The problem statement is a critical aspect. Though it is generated by having a good
feel for where the gap between a desired state and the actual state exists in the system, the problem
statement can be repeatedly honed and made more precise at various stages in the research process. The
theoretical framework and hypotheses are important parts of the research process since these focus on
finding the answers to the research question. Good research design helps in finding reliable answers to the
problem that is investigated.
2. Explain the preliminary data collection methods.
Preliminary data can be obtained through interviews and/or through literature search. These processes
help to define the problem statement precisely and to formulate the theoretical framework. Interviews
conducted at various levels are aimed at obtaining background information on the system that is
investigated, the structure and processes that operate in the system, the perceptions, attitudes, and
behaviors of the people in the institution, and other related matters. The literature search will be based on
the factors that seem pertinent to the problem that is investigated. After locating all the references in the
area, the work relevant to the problem at hand will be studied and a literature review written up.
3. Why is it important to gather information on the background of the organization?
The background information of the company is likely to offer the researcher several clues on when the
problems that are currently experienced by the company could have started and how they could have
originated. One can also assess how the other companies operating in similar types of environment in the
industry might be different and in what way. Since multiple factors can influence the problem, the possibility
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 that some of the background features of the company are influencing the situational problem cannot be
ruled out. Additionally, the background factors offer the researcher a good idea of how the philosophy and
culture of the company are shaped, and to what extent they can be changed, if necessary.
Collecting background information also helps to focus on critical issues and raise appropriate questions
during the interview process. Examples of this are provided in the book.
4. Should a researcher always find information on structural and job characteristics from those interviewed?
Give reasons for your answer with examples.
It is almost always advisable for the researcher to gather some information on the structure and job
characteristics even though it may appear that the problem may not be related to either of these factors. For
example, the problem of not meeting the production deadlines may be directly related to the delayed
deliveries of the raw materials by the suppliers. In such a case, the tendency might be to focus the data
collection mainly as it relates to suppliers. However, interviewing the employees and ascertaining their
reactions to their job, work-flow interdependencies, structure, and the like, might offer the solution that
deadlines can be met even with delayed raw material supplies by changing the workflow patterns, or other
structural aspects. It is for such reasons that some time should be spent on finding the job and structure-
related information.
There is also another way of looking at this. Human beings operating in organizations face a multitude of
factors surrounding them, many of which, directly or indirectly, influence their operating effectiveness. The
structural factors such as policies and procedures, reward systems and job factors do play a critical part in
how outcomes for the organization are achieved. Because of this, it certainly helps to get a feel for these
factors. Of course, there is no need to spend a great deal of time on these unless there is some indication
that there could be problems in these areas.
As an example, it is possible that the age of the machinery could be blamed for low production, and
sophisticated machinery might be installed without any appreciable difference in the results. Further
investigation might throw light on the fact that the current incentive system does not encourage high levels
of production, and this fact, rather than the type of machinery used, is the problem. Not finding this before
investing heavily on new equipment would be a costly mistake!
5. How would you go about doing a literature survey in the area of business ethics?
I would first obtain all the references and abstracts relating to the area of business ethics through on-line
systems, then organize the studies based on the particular aspects they address, and finally, write up a
review of the available literature.
6. What is the purpose of the literature survey?
Basically to make sure that none of the important variables are left out in the study and to generate a
parsimonious set of factors which would help to explain or predict the phenomenon under investigation.
7. Why is appropriate citation important? What are the consequences of not giving credit to the source from
which materials are extracted?
Most published articles are copyrighted. There are rules as to how much can be quoted from the original
text without obtaining the journal’s and the author’s permission. If permission is not obtained for quotes
exceeding the authorized limit, the individual quoting the material is liable to be sued for plagiarism and can
even be expelled from the professional society to which he or she belongs.
8. “The problem definition stage is perhaps more critical in the research process than the problem solution
stage”. Discuss this statement.
Finding the right solution to an incorrectly identified problem helps no one because the original concerns
will still continue to exist. Hence, pinpointing where exactly the gap lies, for which a solution is needed, is
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 critical.
9. Why should one get hung up on problem definition if one already knows the broad problem area to be
studied?
Since a problem statement is a clear, precise, and concise statement of the issue to be researched, it
offers a focus and direction to the research. In other words, it sets out the exact purpose of the research and
clearly states the question to which we are trying to find an answer. The broad problem area, however, due
to its vagueness and wide scope of the issues that could be involved, leaves the focus of the research
undetermined, and hence offers no sense of purpose or direction to the research.
To put it differently, a broad problem area does not highlight the specific problem that exists. Unless the
precise problem is identified, a solution to it cannot be found. This is akin to an individual going to a doctor
saying he is losing weight (broad problem). Unless the physician can locate the reason for this weight loss
(define the problem), the situation cannot be rectified.
10. Offer a clearly focused problem statement in the broad area of corporate culture.
What constitutes corporate culture? Or,
How does corporate culture influence employee performance?
11. After studying and extracting information from all the relevant work done previously, how does the
researcher know which references, articles, and information should be given prominence in the literature
survey?
The mass of information extracted from the various published research and technical and other reports,
will indicate to the researcher the key variables that need to be considered in the particular situation where
the problem has been identified. The choice of the variables for inclusion in the study will be a function of
the frequency with which they are repeatedly found to be significant in the various research studies, the
relevance of the variables to the current research context, and considerations of parsimony. Having decided
on the key variables for inclusion in the study, the researcher can then integrate the information found in the
studies that discuss these variables. Other studies which had equally relevant variables but which had to be
excluded from the current research for certain valid reasons should also be briefly discussed. The reasons for
their exclusion should be explicitly stated in the literature survey section.
12. Below is the gist of an article from Business Week. After reading it, (a) identify the broad problem area, (b)
define the problem, and (c) explain how you would proceed further.
While Chrysler’s minivans, pickups, and sports utilities take a big share of the truck market, its cars trail
behind those of GM, Ford, Honda, and Toyota. Quality problems include, among other things, water leaks
and defective parts.
a. The broad problem is that the Chrysler cars are lagging behind in market share.
b. Problem statement: How can the market share of Chrysler cars be improved?
c. It is best to interview the users of GM, Ford, Honda, and Toyota car users and obtain from them their
reactions – both positive and negative - to the cars they use and why they prefer them. Similar reactions
from the users of Chrysler cars should also be gathered. One should proceed further based on the analysis of
these responses.
13. Comment on the following:
From 1932 to 1972, a research study was conducted in Tuskegee, Alabama, to chart the effects of
withholding treatment to African American men with syphilis.

This research smacks of a totally unacceptable and unethical approach to the investigation.
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14. What is the problem statement in the following situation?

Employee Loyalty
Companies benefit through employee loyalty. Crude downsizing in organizations during the recession
crushed the loyalty of millions. The economic benefits of loyalty embrace lower recruitment and training
costs, higher productivity of workers, customer satisfaction, and boost the morale of fresh recruits. In order
that these benefits may not be lost, some companies, while downsizing, try various gimmicks. Flex leave, for
instance, is one. This helps employees receive 20% of their salary, plus employer-provided benefits while
they take a 6-12 month sabbatical, with a call option on their services. Others try alternatives like more
communication, hand-holding, and the like.
Problem statement. How can employee loyalty be maintained during periods of downsizing?

15. How would you define the problem in the following case?
Accounting Gets Radical
The GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) do an unacceptable job of accounting for the
principal activities of the Information Age companies. Today, investors are in the dark because the
accounting is irrelevant. The basic purpose of accounting is to provide useful information to help investors
make rational investment, credit, and similar decisions, but today’s most important assets and activities –
intellectual capital and knowledge work – are totally ignored. Professor Robert A. Howell wants to reform the
accounting system with the goal of making clear the measurement of how companies produce cash and
create value.
Problem Definition: What is the best way to improve the accounting system in the Information Age that
would furnish useful data and information to investors to make rational decisions?

Practice Projects

Answers will vary.

Additional Topics For Bibliography & Literature Survey

Absenteeism Financial Markets

Alienation Interpersonal Communication
Appraisal Systems Leverage Buyout
Conflict Price Wars
Control Systems in Organizations Role Ambiguity
Communication Role Conflict
Competence Sense of Competence
Drug Abuse and Alcoholism in Industry Stress
Executive Stress Tax Reforms

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