Broad Problem Area

Broad Problem area refers to the entire situation where one sees a possible need for research and problem solving . The specific issues that need to be researched within the situation may not be identified at this stage.

Examples of Broad Problem areas

1. Sales volume of a products is not picking up. 2. Training programmes are perhaps not as effective as anticipated. 3. Inventory control is not effective. 4. The newly installed information system is not being managed by the managers for whom it was primarily designed. The Broad problem area would be narrowed down to specific issues after some preliminary data are gathered by the researcher . This may be through interview & Literature review .

Preliminary Data Collection methods 1. Unstructured interviews 2. Structured interviews 3. Library research Nature of Data to be Gathered 1. Back ground information of the organization. 2. Managerial Philosophy, Company policies, and other structural aspects. 3. Perceptions, attitudes, and behavioral responses of organizational member and Client system.

Primary Data: Data collected by the researcher from the actual site of occurrence of events are called primary data.

Secondary data The data that exists and do not have to be collected by the researcher is called secondary data. Secondary data sources are: Statistical bulletin, Govt. Publications, data available from previous research, Library research, website, journals, books, reports etc. Data bases: Bibliographic database, abstract database, Full-text database

Reasons for a good literature survey ( importance)

1. Important variables that are likely to influence the problem situation are not left out of study. 2. A clearer idea emerges as to what variables would be most important, why they should be important, and how they should be investigated to solve the problem. 3. The problem statement can be made with precision and clarity. 4. Testability and replicability of the findings of the current research are enhanced. 5. Avoid wasting efforts on trying to rediscover something that is already known (need not reinvent wheel) 6. The problem investigated is perceived by the scientific community on relevant and significant.

Writing

up

the

literature

review

The documentation of the relevant studies citing the author and the year of the study is called literature review or literature survey. It is a clear and logical presentation of the relevant research work done in the area of investigation.

The purpose of the literature review are

1. to highlight important variables 2. to document significant findings from earlier research 3. a good literature survey leads one logically to a good problem statement.

Problem definition
Problem definition or problem statement is a clear and precise statement of question or issue that is to be investigated with the goal of finding an answer or solution Eg: 1.How has the new packaging affected the sale of the product? 2.Has the new advertising message resulted in enhanced recall? 3. What are the components of quality of life?