Transcript Problem Definition and the Research Proposal
Exploring Marketing Research
William G. Zikmund
Chapter 5: Problem Definition and the Research Proposal
Remember - Uncertainty Influences the Type of Research CAUSAL OR DESCRIPTIVE COMPLETELY CERTAIN ABSOLUTE AMBIGUITY EXPLORATORY
Problem Discovery and Definition
• • • First Step – Problem, Opportunity, or Monitor Operations Discovery before Definition Problem means Management Problem
Problem definition
• The indication of a specific marketing decision area that will be clarified by answering some research questions .
Defining Problem Results in Clear Cut Research Objectives Symptom Detection Analysis of the Situation Exploratory Research (Optional) Problem Definition Statement of Research Objectives
The Process of Problem Definition Ascertain the decision maker’s objectives Determine unit of analysis Understand background of the problem (situation analysis) Isolate/identify the problem, not the symptoms Determine relevant variables State research questions and objectives
Ascertain the Decision Maker’s Objectives
• • Decision makers’ objectives Managerial goals expressed in measurable terms.
The Iceberg Principle
• The principle indicating that the dangerous part of many marketing problems is neither visible to nor understood by marketing managers.
Understand the Background of the Problem
• • Exercising Judgment Situation analysis - The informal gathering of background information to familiarize researchers or managers with the decision area.
Isolate and identify the problems, not the symptoms
• Symptoms Can Be Confusing
Symptoms Can Be Confusing
• • • Twenty-year-old neighborhood swimming association: Membership has been declining for years. New water park -residents prefer the expensive water park????
Demographic changes: Children have grown up .
Organization Twenty-year-old neighborhood swimming association in a major city.
Symptoms Membership has been declining for years. New water park with wave pool and water slides moved into town a few years ago.
Problem Definition Based on Symptom True Problem Neighborhood residents prefer the expensive water park and have negative image of swimming pool. Demographic changes: Children in this 20 year-old neighborhood have grown up. Older residents no longer swim anywhere.
Determine the Unit of Analysis
• • Individuals, households, organizations, etc.
In many studies, the family rather than the individual is the appropriate unit of analysis.
Determine the relevant VARIABLE
• Anything that may assume different numerical values
Types of Variables
• • • Category – – Limited number of distinct variables Ex. Male or female Continuous – Infinite range of numbers – Ex. Sales volume Causal research – Dependent variable – variable that is expected to be predicted or explained – Independent variable – influences the dependent
Hypothesis
• • • • • An unproven proposition A possible solution to a problem Guess Problems are interrogative Hypotheses are declarative and more specifically related to research operations and testing.
Decision-oriented Research Objectives
• • • • Objective is researcher’s version of the marketing problem.
Objective is derived from the problem definition and it explains the purpose of the research in measurable terms.
Objectives must specify the information needed to make a decision.
Objectives should be managerial action standard.
– If measurement turns out to be X, then management will do A, if measurement is Y, management will do B.
Basic Questions Problem Definition
• • • • • • • What is the purpose of the study?
How much is already known?
Is additional background information necessary?
What is to be measured? How?
Can the data be made available?
Should research be conducted?
Can a hypothesis be formulated?
Basic Questions Basic Research Design
• • • What types of questions need to be answered?
Are descriptive or causal findings required?
What is the source of the data?
Basic Questions Basic Research Design
• • • • Can objective answers be obtained by asking people?
How quickly is the information needed?
How should survey questions be worded?
How should experimental manipulations be made?
Basic Questions Selection of Sample
• • • • • • • • Who or what is the source of the data?
Can the target population be identified?
Is a sample necessary?
How accurate must the sample be?
Is a probability sample necessary?
Is a national sample necessary?
How large a sample is necessary?
How will the sample be selected?
Basic Questions Data Gathering
• • • • Who will gather the data?
How long will data gathering take?
How much supervision is needed?
What operational procedures need to be followed?
Basic Questions Data Analysis
• Will standardized editing and coding procedures be used?
• • • • • How will the data be categorized?
What statistical software will be used?
What is the nature of the data?
What questions need to be answered?
How many variables are to be investigated simultaneously?
• Performance criteria for evaluation?
Basic Questions Type of Report
• • • • Who will read the report?
Are managerial recommendations requested?
How many presentations are required?
What will be the format of the written report?
Basic Questions Overall Evaluation
• • • • How much will the study cost?
Is the time frame acceptable?
Is outside help needed?
Will this research design attain the stated research objectives?
• When should the research be scheduled to begin?
Anticipating Outcomes
• • Dummy tables Representations of the actual tables that will be in the findings section of the final report; used to gain a better understanding of what the actual outcomes of the research will be.
Example of Dummy Table
Male Female Smokes Non-Smoker