Critical Thinking Discussion Questions

Critical Thinking Discussion Questions

Instructions/Descriptions

Critical Thinking Discussion Questions

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Course Learning Outcomes for Unit IV Upon completion of this unit, students should be able to:

2. Analyze a business research problem using academic scholarly journals. 2.1 Investigate published scholarship to find calls for further research.
3. Formulate a purpose statement that is aligned with a problem statement for proposed research

project. 3.1 Assemble a purpose statement that aligns with a study’s purpose statement.

5. Develop research topics into focused problem statements that are useable for business research.

5.1 Assemble a problem statement that is measurable and focused on a specific, observed issue. 5.2 Apply the iterative steps for defining a research problem.

Course/Unit

Learning Outcomes Learning Activity

2.1 Unit Lesson Chapter 3 Unit IV Assignment

3.1 Unit Lesson Chapter 3 Unit IV Assignment

5.1 Unit Lesson Chapter 3 Unit IV Assignment

5.2 Unit Lesson Chapter 3 Unit IV Assignment

Required Unit Resources Chapter 3: Selecting and Planning Business Research Proposals and Projects Unit Lesson

Introduction Albert Einstein explained that the formulation of a problem is often more essential than its solution. This is good advice for doctoral students in business administration, and it applies to working on issues that one finds in business and organizations. Although the problem definition stage of the research and writing process is probably the most important stage, it is frequently neglected. Knowing what is to be accomplished by a study determines the research process.

An error in problem definition in the field can result in a costly mistake that cannot be corrected in later stages of the process. At the doctoral research stage, an error in problem definition can result in time lost during the concept paper and dissertation processes.

Research begins with discovery of the problem, and identifying the problem is the first step toward solving it. In general usage, the word problem connotes that something has gone wrong. Unfortunately, the term problem does not connote a business opportunity, such as expanding operations into a foreign country, nor does it connote the need for the evaluation of an existing program, such as developing an understanding of employees’ satisfaction with professional development programs.

Therefore, the research task may be to clarify a problem, evaluate a program, or define an opportunity. Within business administration, problem discovery and definition are understood within this broader context. The initial stage is problem discovery rather than definition. The researcher might not have a clear-cut problem statement at the outset of research. Often, only symptoms are apparent in the beginning.

Profits may be declining, but management may not know the exact nature of the problem. Thus, the problem statement is often made in general terms. What is to be investigated is not yet specifically identified. A problem well-defined is a problem half-solved is an adage worth remembering because a clear articulation of the problem gives a sense of direction to any investigation. If the researcher devotes attention to defining the problem, then the researcher can set the proper research objectives.

If the purpose of the research is clear to the researcher, the chances of collecting the necessary and relevant data, without unneeded data that create static, will be much greater. When we think of science, we most often associate it with experiments. A variety of business experiments are conducted by both theorists at research universities and pragmatic businesspeople. The research methodology is typically dictated by the degree of uncertainty.

Exploratory research: An ambiguous problem

Descriptive research: Aware of the problem

Causal research: A clearly defined problem

“Absenteeism is increasing, but we do not know why.”

“What kind of people favor trade protectionism?”

“Which of two different training programs is more effective?”

“Would people be interested in our idea for a new product?”

“How did last year’s product recall impact our stock prices?”

“Can I predict the value of an energy stock if I know the dividends and the growth rate of the dividends?”

“What task conditions influence the leadership process in our organization?”

“Why has the average merger rate for savings and loans increased in the past decade?”

“Will buyers purchase more of our product if it is in a new package?”

Figure 1: Types of Business Research Exploratory research is conducted in the early stages of decision-making when the situation is ambiguous and management is uncertain about the nature of the problem. When management is aware of the problem but not knowledgeable about the situation, descriptive research is conducted. Causal studies require sharply defined problems, even though uncertainty about future outcomes exists.

The Iterative Research Process

Careful planning is the basis of good research. Business research, like any other form of scientific research, is a sequence of interrelated activities and an iterative process. Iterative means that the steps in the research process overlap and go back and forth during planning and execution while following a generalized pattern; see Figure 2.

Iterative research steps overlap chronologically and are functionally interrelated. Sometimes, the later stages are completed before the earlier ones, or the earlier stages are revised in light of later discovery. The terms forward linkage and backward linkage refer to the interrelatedness of the stages. Forward linkage implies that the earlier stages of research will influence the design of a later stage;

the objectives of the research outlined in the problem statement will have an impact on the selection of the sample and the way in which the data will be collected. The decision concerning who will be sampled will affect the wording of questionnaire items. The notion of backward linkage means that the later steps in the research process have an influence on the earlier stages.

For example, if the data will be computer analyzed, then computer coding requirements are included in the design of the questionnaire. Perhaps the most important backward linkage is the knowledge that the executive must possess to read and understand the report. The researcher in the business administration field anticipates executives’ need for information in the planning process of a study and considers this need during the analysis stage.

Defining the Problem Defining a research problem involves smaller interrelated steps, which are listed below. 1. Understand the background of the problem. 2. Isolate and identify the problem rather than its symptoms. 3. Determine the unit of analysis. 4. Determine the relevant variables. 5. State the research questions (hypotheses) and research objectives.

A researcher must first determine the focus on what should be researched. Next, the researcher must make a formal statement of the problem and the objectives of the research. This can only be done after any necessary exploratory research has been completed and the research problem is not only identified but also clarified. This delineates the type of information that should be collected and provides a framework for the scope of the study or research project.

The best definition of a problem statement is that it is a well-formed, testable research hypothesis. A hypothesis is a statement that can be refuted or supported by empirical data. For example, an exploratory study might lead us to the hypothesis that male-dominated workplaces discriminate against women who want to advance. In research, a theory or the conceptual framework for a study is the guide that helps to generate hypotheses.

Once the hypothesis is developed, the researcher is ready to select a research design. The formal quantitative research process should not begin until the problem has been clearly defined. Properly and completely defining a business problem is easier said than done. When a problem or opportunity is discovered, managers may have only vague insights about a complex situation.

If quantitative research is conducted before learning exactly what issues are important, false conclusions may be drawn from the investigation. The right answer to the wrong question may be worthless. A decision made based on a solution to the wrong problem may actually be harmful.

You may be wondering how to identify a significant business problem that needs research. Identifying problems to study can come from the researcher’s personal experiences in the field of business. Many doctoral students who are beginning researchers are employed or have been in the workforce.

Many employees have ideas about a better way to do something (e.g., a way to increase efficiency or improve morale), or they know of a real-life problem that can be solved with research and data. Practical experience can be a source of researchable problems. Finally, any problem that the researcher puts into words must correspond with and seek to fill a gap in the research. Therefore, the literature is the final arbiter of researchable problems for the doctoral student.

The concept paper and dissertation must show that the problem in the doctoral student’s study fits with recent scholarship in terms of answering a gap. The gap in the research or the call for further studies can be found in published articles’ overviews and summaries, which are helpful in narrowing down a problem area; specifically, studies often indicate next-step studies that need to be conducted in the overall exploration of a problem.

The suggested next step may involve a logical extension of the described study or simple replication of the study in a different setting in order to establish the generalizability of its findings. Defining the Purpose You cannot address an entire problem area in one study, but you will be telling your readers what part of the problem your study will address.

The purpose of your study should relate directly to the research problem you identified. The purpose should tell the reader if you will be doing a quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods study. You start the purpose with one clear sentence, which may begin with statements such as “The purpose of this study is to…” or “The purposes of this study are to…” Defining the purpose of the research involves smaller interrelated steps, which are detailed below.

1. Identify the purpose statement. a. Include the research design, method, and specific problem. b. Ensure the statement refers to the phenomenon. c. Identify the target population to which the results can be generalized.
2. Discuss sampling design. a. Determine sampling method (e.g., purposive). b. Study population number and characteristics. c. Identify the sample frame, such as an organization’s email list. d. Identify the sample size, and cite a methodologist for support.
3. Identify the recruitment strategy, and specify how participants will be accessed and screened for inclusion/exclusion criteria.
4. Identify data collection instruments. 5. Identify the analytic plan (e.g., thematic, coding), and refer to the chosen methodologist for support. 6. Discuss triangulation.

You have a good purpose statement if it meets the criteria listed below.

• There are no dissertations or major studies that have already fulfilled your research purpose. • There are articles, dissertations, and other existing research that will help address this area. • Data are available that you can access legally. • You have permission to conduct the research at the research site you listed.

The Purpose Statement The following is a sample purpose statement that can work for both qualitative and quantitative studies. The purpose of this (methodology and method/design) study is to (verb) (the phenomenon) among/with/in (participants) at (research study site).

Parts of a Sample Quantitative Purpose Statement Parts of a quantitative purpose statement are diagrammed as follows:

1. If you plan to test a theory, put it in the purpose statement. II. You have the following options for using variables in a purpose statement.
2. Relate two or more variables. b. Compare a variable composed of two or more groups in terms of the dependent variable (DV). c. Describe one variable.

So, if we combine I with II(a), our purpose statement may be written as shown below. The purpose of this methodology and method/design study is to test name of the theorist and/or theory by relating independent variable (IV) to dependent variable (DV) for participants at research site.

If we combine I with II(b), our purpose statement may be written as shown below. The purpose of this methodology and method/design study is to test name of the theorist and/or theory by comparing Group 1 and Group 2 in terms of the DV for participants at research site. If II(b) only applies, our purpose statement may be written as shown below. The purpose of this methodology and method/design study is to compare Group 1 and Group 2 in terms of DV for participants at research site.

If II(c) only applies, our purpose statement may be written as shown below. The purpose of this methodology and method/design study is to describe the effect of IV on DV for participants at research site. Parts of a Sample Qualitative Purpose Statement Parts of a qualitative purpose statement are detailed below:

• uses the term qualitative or tells the qualitative type of study you are conducting; • uses qualitative terms, such as explore, discover, and describe; • states the central phenomenon you plan to investigate; and • states the participants and research site in the study.

See the example below. The purpose of this methodology and method/design study is to explore/discover/describe the central phenomenon of/for participants at/in research site. Action Research One last type of study that bears mentioning is action research.

The action research study is used to improve policy or professional practice on a variable found at a specific research site. A purpose statement for action research can be worded as shown below. The purpose of this action research study is to describe the impact of training program/policy/practice on variable in research site.

Conclusion

The problem statement acts as the who, what, when, where, and how of a study; the purpose statement is the why. The problem and purpose statements align to give a backbone to the study, and they guide the researcher through all of the remaining parts of study design—from research questions to the conclusions. Writing the problem statement and relating it to the purpose is challenging, but when they are present, clear, cogent, and complete, they will be the touchstone for the study.

Course Learning Outcomes for Unit IV

Learning Activity

Required Unit Resources

Unit Lesson

Introduction

The Iterative Research Process

Defining the Problem

Defining the Purpose

The Purpose Statement

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Parts of a Sample Quantitative Purpose Statement

Parts of a Sample Qualitative Purpose Statement

Action Research

Conclusion

Critical Thinking Discussion Questions

Critical Thinking Discussion Questions

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Critical Thinking Discussion Questions

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