1. Lecture 2 Formulating and Specifying the Research Topic
RMB Research Methodology for Business
Lecture 2
Formulating and Specifying
the Research Topic
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2. Syllabus Introduction to Business & Management Research
Formulating & Specifying a Research Topic
Preparing a Literature Review
Choosing a Research Methodology
Collecting Secondary Data
Collecting Primary Data I: Sampling Methods
Collecting Primary Data II: Observation & Interview Methods
Collecting Primary Data III: Survey Methods
Analysing Quantitative Data
Analysing Qualitative Data
Understanding Access & Research Ethics and Writing Up a Dissertation or Research Report
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3. 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:
Introduction
Formulating the Research Topic
Specifying the Research Topic
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4. 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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5. 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
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6. What is Problem Formulation?
Problem Identification
Problem Selection
Problem Definition
Criteria for Problem Selection
Problem Formulation
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7. 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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8. Problem Identification
Look for symptoms of problem
High Turnover of Employee in XYZ Company
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9. Problem Identification
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.
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10. Problem Identification
Perform a literature search for “researchable leads”
The Impact of Leadership Styles on Employee Turnover Rate
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11. Problem Identification
Seek out for a “knowledge gap”
Analysing the factors of different leadership styles and their Effects on Employee Turnover Level
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12. Problem Identification
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
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13. 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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14. Criteria for Problem Selection
Level of researcher’s interest (e.g. Is the research topic able to sustain your personal interest and hence commitment?)
Significance and impact of the research (e.g. Does the study score well in terms of research requirements such as originality and knowledge contribution?)
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?)
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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15. 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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16. 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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17. What is a Problem Definition?
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:
Overall Purpose
Motivation
Scope
Outcome
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18. Problem Definition
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19. Problem Definition Overall Purpose
The objectives, goals and aims associated with conducting the research study
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20. Problem Definition Motivation
The reasons and underlying rationale behind the intention to solve the research problem
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21. Problem Definition Scope
The extent, span and scale of the “anticipated solution” to the research problem under study
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22. Problem Definition Outcome
The research deliverables in terms of output arising from conducting the research study
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23. Problem Definition
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24. 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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25. Problem SpecificationD
Problem Specification
Problem Formulation
Problem Refinement
Frame Research Questions
Develop Research Hypotheses
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26. Refining a Research Problem
Sub-Problem 1
Sub-Problem 2
Sub-Problem 3
Sub-Problem n
……...
Researchable Problems
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27. 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
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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28. Framing Research Questions - Guidelines
Brainstorm critical questions about the Research Problem
Frame research questions surrounding the Problem with an objective in mind
Move from broad-based and general inquiry to narrow and focused research questions
Research questions should aim to describe, explain, clarify, illuminate……so as to address the Research Problem
Be aware of the nature of the research output (outcome) arising from the research questions
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29. Framing Research Questions – Further Guidelines
Challenge the current thinking (e.g. theories, concepts and principles) about the Research Problem
Stretch the limits (e.g. relevance in different context) of prior ideas about the Problem
Revisit the underlying assumptions (e.g. whether these assumptions are overly simplistic and impractical)
Deepen the prevailing knowledge in relation to the Research Problem (e.g. move away from purely operational issues to strategic issues)
Ensure that all research questions collectively address the Research Problem
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30. Characteristics of Good Research Questions
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
Interesting
Characteristics of A Good Research Question
Novel
Relevant
Feasible
Ethical
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31. Framing Research Questions: Short-listing Steps
Group Questions By Theme
Group Questions By Type
Group Questions By Area
…………
Short-listing Questions
Characteristics of Good Questions
Research Questions for Study
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32. Framing RQs–Example
For example, your research problem is about “The Importance of Electronic Privacy”, possible research questions could be:
What privacy risks do the Internet and other recent technological developments create?
What are the existing government regulations in relation to protecting electronic privacy?
Are existing government regulatory measures for electronic privacy adequate, effective, fair?
Should people be concerned about the issue of electronic privacy?
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33. Developing Research Hypotheses: A Hierarchical Approach
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34. Research Hypotheses: The Development Process
A Research Question
Hypothesis 1
Hypothesis 2
Hypothesis 3
Hypothesis n
…..
Empirical Testing
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35. 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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36. 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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37. 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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38. Researching a Problem Lesson 2 Problem Identification
Overall Purpose
Motivation
Scope
Outcome
Problem Identification
Problem Selection
Problem Definition
Problem Specification
Criteria for Problem Selection
Problem Refinement
Frame Research Questions
Develop Research Hypotheses
Problem Formulation
The Guidelines
Characteristics of Good Research Questions
The Short-listing Steps
Hierarchical Approach
The Development Process
Characteristics
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39. 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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40. RMB Research Methodology for Business
End of Lecture 2
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