The Research Question: Formulation of the Problem

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The Research QuestionFormulation of the Problem

• Chapter 2

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The Research Question

• Who cares?
• New Coke
• Research Problems v. Research Opportunities

Source wikipedia.org
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Problem Formation
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Step 1 Meet with Client

• Why?
• Planned Change v. Unplanned Change

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Step 2 Clarify the Problem/Opportunity

• Comes from client meetings
• Example New product is not selling
• Normal thinking

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Step 3 State the Managers Decision Problem

• What is a decision problem?
• Ex.- Why are store revenues low?
• Two types
• Discovery-oriented problem
• Answers _________? or ________? about a
  problem
• Unplanned changes
• Strategy-oriented problem
• Answers ________? about a problem
• Planned changes

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Step 4 Develop Possible Research Problems
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Step 4 Develop Possible Research Problems
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Step 5 Select Research Problems to be Addressed

• Limitations
• How many to research?

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Step 6 Prepare Research Request Agreement

• Document prepared by researcher after client
  meeting that summarizes problem and what
  information is needed
• Includes
• Background
• Decision problem
• Research problem
• Use
• Population
• Logistics

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Research Proposal

• Research Proposal
• Request for Proposal (RFP)
• Document that describes problem for which
  research is sought, and that asks providers to
  offer proposals , including cost estimates and a
  description of how they would do the job.

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Research Proposal

• Sections
• Problem recognition
• Research design
• Sampling plan Data collection forms
• Analysis
• Time schedule
• Personnel requirements
• Appendices

Source www.chipabf.org