Common problem a researcher will have in starting a
conceptual idea is to find the research problem. Scientific problem identification is always
essential in starting the business research writing to direct the study and
hypothesis testing towards the right issue of the thesis.
Problem identification further notes its
importance to the actual undesirable situation that exist in a given business
firm. Several research scholars are
formulating their own technique in identifying the right problem of the firm in
order to give the right hypothesis and eventually find the scientific answer.
1 What is the current situation of the firm? Are there any undesirable
situations that need attention?
2 Are there any conditions, processes, etc., that could be improved?
3 Are any problems foreseeable in the future that could affect the
operations of the firm?4 Are there any potential opportunities in the future that the organization may capitalize on?
5 Is the problem identified really a problem, or is it a symptom of another problem?
6 Does the identification of the problem follow from the available evidence?
7 Is research needed to identify the problem that underlies some undesirable situation?
Direct Quotation from (Duane Davis, 1996. Business Research for Decision Making 4th
edition. Duxbury Press Wadsworth Publishing Company. ISBN 0-534-24612-5)
From the guide questions above, we can imply the importance
of research problem formulation in a given business research project. In my own professional opinion, you can also
identify that your problem is sensible or not when you formulate the next step
of research which is the objective of the research.
Granting that you formulated your research problem already but when you formulate your research objectives and your objective will not direct your research ideas formulated to the main thesis, check back your research objective formulation and your research problem; maybe your problem identification is wrong.
Likewise, in the research problem being formulated; research questions are also important to be used in formulating your hypothesis and eventually in answering your hypothesis.
Granting that you formulated your research problem already but when you formulate your research objectives and your objective will not direct your research ideas formulated to the main thesis, check back your research objective formulation and your research problem; maybe your problem identification is wrong.
Likewise, in the research problem being formulated; research questions are also important to be used in formulating your hypothesis and eventually in answering your hypothesis.
The purpose of all these techniques is to avoid the GIGO (Garbage in
Garbage out) dilemma in research.
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