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Lecture 2Formulating and Specifying

the Research Topic

Lesson 2

RMB Research Methodology

for Business

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Syllabus1. Introduction to Business & Management

Research2. Formulating & Specifying a Research Topic3. Preparing a Literature Review 4. Choosing a Research Methodology5. Collecting Secondary Data6. Collecting Primary Data I: Sampling Methods7. Collecting Primary Data II: Observation &

Interview Methods8. Collecting Primary Data III: Survey Methods9. Analysing Quantitative Data10. Analysing Qualitative Data11. Understanding Access & Research Ethics and

Writing Up a Dissertation or Research ReportLesson 2

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Formulating & Specifying the Research Topic

At the end of the lesson, students will able to understand the basic techniques of Formulating and Specifying the Research Topic:1.Introduction2.Formulating the Research Topic3.Specifying the Research Topic

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Importance of Problem Formulation• There are infinite problems in the world to be

solved by men (or women)• One needs to be realistic about problem-solving

and thus there is a need to formulate problems (e.g. How does the brain work?)

• Problem formulation helps to clarify the means of solving the problem and guide the way to the solution (e.g. Narrow the scope of coverage for a research topic)

• Skills in problem formulation are difficult to acquire (e.g. Singapore’s managers are known to be good in solving problems, but were frequently criticized for being poor in formulating problems)

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Why Formulate a Problem?

The human mind has to first construct forms, independently, before we can find them in things….

……..the formulation of a research problem is often more essential than its solution…………..

….… Albert Einstein

Lesson 2

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What is Problem Formulation?

Problem Identification

Problem Identification

Problem Definition

Problem Definition

Criteria for Problem Selection

Criteria for Problem Selection

Problem Selection

Problem Selection

Problem Formulation

Lesson 2

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Problem Identification• Look for symptoms of problems

• Consult experts in the field of study

• Perform a literature search for “researchable leads”

• Seek out for “knowledge gaps”

• Explore opportunities of improving the methodology employed in existing studies

• Etc?

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Problem Identification

Look for symptoms of problemLook for symptoms of problem

High Turnover of Employee in XYZ Company

High Turnover of Employee in XYZ Company

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Problem Identification

Consult experts or management in the field of HRM for possible causes

Consult experts or management in the field of HRM for possible causes

Possible causes:

- Leadership issue

- Compensation system

- Team spirit problem

- Communication between functional departments

- Safety and working environment

- Performance appresail system

- Career Adancement

- Etc.

Possible causes:

- Leadership issue

- Compensation system

- Team spirit problem

- Communication between functional departments

- Safety and working environment

- Performance appresail system

- Career Adancement

- Etc.

Lesson 2

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Problem Identification

Perform a literature search for “researchable leads”Perform a literature search for “researchable leads”

The Impact of Leadership Styles on Employee Turnover Rate

The Impact of Leadership Styles on Employee Turnover Rate

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Problem Identification

Seek out for a “knowledge gap”Seek out for a “knowledge gap”

Analysing the factors of different leadership styles and their Effects on Employee Turnover Level

Analysing the factors of different leadership styles and their Effects on Employee Turnover Level

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Problem Identification

Improve the methodology of an existing research study Improve the methodology of an existing research study

A Three-Stage Hierarchical Correlation-Based Methodology for the Study of the factors of high Employee Turnover

A Three-Stage Hierarchical Correlation-Based Methodology for the Study of the factors of high Employee Turnover

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Problem Selection• In a world of competing demand(s) for

limited resources, problem selection is necessary

• Out of a number of identified problems, a researcher may have to select a particular problem for study or investigation

• Normally, not all problems are worth researching (e.g. the findings have little or no practical value)

• Problem selection requires a set of criteria to help in choosing a problem

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Criteria for Problem Selection1. Level of researcher’s interest (e.g. Is the

research topic able to sustain your personal interest and hence commitment?)

2. Significance and impact of the research (e.g. Does the study score well in terms of research requirements such as originality and knowledge contribution?)

3. Availability of resources and support (e.g. Do you have the necessary resources (i.e. funding for travelling expenses or postage for executing surveys) to embark on the study?)

4. Chance of finding a “feasible” solution (e.g. Are you likely to obtain plausible results within the timeframe allocated for the study)

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Criteria for Problem Selection – Example 1

Problem Title:

The Economic Returns of Financial Planning for Married Couples

CRITERIA FOR PROBLEM SELECTION L M H

Level of researcher’s interest

Significance and impact of research

Availability of resources and support

Chance of finding a “feasible” solution L: Low; M: Medium; H: High

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Criteria for Problem Selection – Example 2

Problem Title:

Understanding Corporate Governance Failures in Public Listed Companies

CRITERIA FOR PROBLEM SELECTION L M H

Level of researcher’s interest

Significance and impact of research

Availability of resources and support

Chance of finding a “feasible” solution L: Low; M: Medium; H: High

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What is a Problem Definition?

1. Overall Purpose

2. Motivation

3. Scope

4. Outcome

Problem definition helps one to clearly define the research topic so that dedicated efforts may be better focused on relevant aspects that matter. Problem definition covers the following areas:

Lesson 2

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Problem Definition

Overall Purpose

RESEARCH PROBLEM

Outcome

Sco

pe

Mo

tiva

tion

WHY

WHAT

Lesson 2

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Problem Definition

Overall PurposeOverall Purpose

The objectives, goals and aims associated with conducting the research study

The objectives, goals and aims associated with conducting the research study

Lesson 2

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Problem Definition

MotivationMotivation

The reasons and underlying rationale behind the intention to solve the research problem

The reasons and underlying rationale behind the intention to solve the research problem

Lesson 2

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Problem Definition

ScopeScope

The extent, span and scale of the “anticipated solution” to the research problem under study

The extent, span and scale of the “anticipated solution” to the research problem under study

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Problem Definition

OutcomeOutcome

The research deliverables in terms of output arising from conducting the research study

The research deliverables in terms of output arising from conducting the research study

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Problem Definition

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Specifying the Research Topic Research problems are often complicated in

nature and the solutions are therefore correspondingly complex

In most situations, a complicated Research Problem needs to be clearly specified, i.e. requires Problem Specification

Problem specification is an iterative process and may involve three areas: Problem Refinement Framing Research Questions Developing Research Hypotheses

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Problem Specification

Problem Specification

Problem Specification

Problem

Refinement

Problem

Refinement

Problem Formulation

Problem Formulation

I S D

Frame Research Questions

Frame Research Questions

Develop Research

Hypotheses

Develop Research

Hypotheses

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Refining a Research ProblemResearch Problem

Research Problem

Sub-Problem

1

Sub-Problem

1

Sub-Problem

3

Sub-Problem

3

Sub-Problem

2

Sub-Problem

2

Sub-Problem

n

Sub-Problem

n……...

Researchable Problems

Lesson 2

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Framing Research Questions“One of the most difficult things to do in science is to ask the right question…. That’s an art.”…...

Ahmed Zewail, Nobel Laureate (Chemistry), 1999

Lesson 2

I stumbled on a fascinating rule:“The act of framing a question precisely was the key to understanding”……

Sir Harry Kroto, Nobel Laureate (Chemistry), 1996

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Framing Research Questions - Guidelines

1. Brainstorm critical questions about the Research Problem

2. Frame research questions surrounding the Problem with an objective in mind

3. Move from broad-based and general inquiry to narrow and focused research questions

4. Research questions should aim to describe, explain, clarify, illuminate……so as to address the Research Problem

5. Be aware of the nature of the research output (outcome) arising from the research questions

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Framing Research Questions – Further Guidelines

6. Challenge the current thinking (e.g. theories, concepts and principles) about the Research Problem

7. Stretch the limits (e.g. relevance in different context) of prior ideas about the Problem

8. Revisit the underlying assumptions (e.g. whether these assumptions are overly simplistic and impractical)

9. Deepen the prevailing knowledge in relation to the Research Problem (e.g. move away from purely operational issues to strategic issues)

10. Ensure that all research questions collectively address the Research Problem

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Characteristics of Good Research Questions

InterestingInteresting

NovelNovel

FeasibleFeasible

RelevantRelevant

EthicalEthical

Characteristics of A Good Research Question

Characteristics of A Good Research Question

Lesson 2

One of the most important things that a researcher does is to ask a question that is important and that has a chance of being solved…..Steven Chu, Nobel Laureate (Physics), 1997

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Framing Research Questions: Short-listing Steps

Group Questions By Theme

Group Questions By Type

Group Questions By Area

…………

Characteristics of Good Questions

Characteristics of Good Questions

Framing Research Questions

Short-listing Questions

Research Questions for Study

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Framing RQs–Example For example, your research problem is about

“The Importance of Electronic Privacy”, possible research questions could be:

1. What privacy risks do the Internet and other recent technological developments create?

2. What are the existing government regulations in relation to protecting electronic privacy?

3. Are existing government regulatory measures for electronic privacy adequate, effective, fair?

4. Should people be concerned about the issue of electronic privacy?

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Developing Research Hypotheses:

A Hierarchical Approach

Research Hypotheses

Research Questions

Research Problem / Objectives

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Hypothesis 1

Hypothesis 1

A Research Question

Research Hypotheses: The Development Process

Hypothesis 2

Hypothesis 2

Hypothesis 3

Hypothesis 3

Hypothesis n

Hypothesis n…..

Empirical TestingEmpirical Testing

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What is a Hypothesis?• A hypothesis is an idea, an assumption, or may

be even a postulated theory about the behavior of one or more variables in a population (Pelosi, Sandifer & Sekaran 2001).

• A hypothesis is thus a hunch derived from an informed reading of literature or personal observations or experience, and must be capable of being tested (Nardi 2003).

• Empirical testing of hypotheses or hypothesis testing is a statistical procedure or technique that involves using sample data collected from respondents to decide on the validity of the hypothesis.

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Developing Research Hypotheses Well thought-out and focused research

questions of a topic normally lead directly into hypotheses

Hypotheses are therefore logical extension of a research question

Each hypothesis must be matched with a specific research question

Hypotheses should give further insights into a research question

Hypotheses are basically specific predictions about the nature and the relationship between variables

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Developing Research Hypotheses Independent and dependent variables should

be identified first before one develops research hypotheses in a study

Each hypothesis may thus be formulated as causal relationships with “if-then” implications

Each hypothesis must be testable by “controlled experiments” in a research study

Variables associated with each hypothesis must be measurable by statistical data and should be validated by the use of appropriate statistical tests (e.g. correlation tests)

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Researching a Problem

Problem Identification

Problem Identification

Problem Definition

Problem Definition

Criteria for Problem Selection

Criteria for Problem Selection

Problem Selection

Problem Selection

Problem Specification

Problem Specification

Problem

Refinement

Problem

Refinement

Frame Research Questions

Frame Research Questions

Develop Research

Hypotheses

Develop Research

Hypotheses

Problem FormulationProblem Formulation

Overall Purpose

Motivation

Scope

Outcome

• The Guidelines• Characteristics

of Good Research Questions

• The Short-listing Steps

• Hierarchical Approach

• The Development Process

• Characteristics

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Group Exercise 2:

Conduct this exercise in groups. Identify a Research Topic of your interest. Based on the topic, carry out the following tasks among your group members:

(1) Work out the problem definition of your research topic

(2) Specify the research topic by framing a list of Research Questions

(3) Develop hypotheses based on (2)

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End of Lecture 2

Lesson 2

RMB Research Methodology

for Business