Operation Excellence
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ResearchDesign.ppt
Meaning of Problem Statement in a Research
A problem statement refers to clear description of issues(s) such as the vision, issues statement as well as approach that is needed to solve a particular problem (Bryman, 2008).
A problem statement is used to help an individual or a team to remain focus on research efforts so as to solve a given problem. A problem statement should be designed to address the following questions:
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What is the problem? - In this sense the focus is on boundaries of the problem such as customers or work flow among others
Who has the problem? – Focuses on the person or group that is affected by the problem. For instance, it can be customers or particular groups among others.
Why- Relates to the reasons that indicate the importance of solving a particular problem?
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When- Relates to particular time when the problem occurs.
Where- Relates to specific area that is affected with the problem such as certain places or process among others.
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The purpose for writing problem statement is as follows:
Introduce the significance of studying particular topic or issues to readers
Put the problem is a given context to make it easy for carry out study on it
Gives information concerning the tools that will be needed to display required information.
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Description of a Background
The main issue in the background of the problem is the ability to reflect on facts related to problem so that other readers can understand the problem well.
Background description enables researchers to have better understanding on how to design the experiment (Schindler & Cooper, 2014).
In order to have a good description of background information the researcher needs to consider answering the5W’s.
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General information in a Background Search
Wide view of the subject of study (root of the problem)
Definition of the topic
Major dates as well as events in the study
The key words and specific concepts concerning the study.
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Problem Description and Research objective
Description of the problem includes particular important points such as the hypothesis concerning the research, main treatments, and explanation of the location and scope of the study. Problem description should be done on specific terms other than general terms.
Research objectives are the descriptions what researchers expect to achieve at the end of the study (David, 2011). The objectives in this case are determined through looking at the kind of research that needs be done as well as information that should be obtained by the study. The kind of questions and subjects of study are the important factors for determining the research objective
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Examples on How Samples can be used
Samples are used when collecting data to represent the entire population. For instance, collecting sample data through observing a particular group of people so as to help in making inferences concerning the general population.
Some of the information such as individual opinions can be obtained through sampling (opinions of college students) to give a bigger picture concerning the popularity of particular political candidate among the youths among others.
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Definition of Limitations of Research and Example
Research limitations refers to shortcomings or influences that put restriction to the methodology and conclusion of a research yet the researcher has no control over such issues (David, 2011).
Some of the areas that can be used to identity limitations include the analysis, choice of date collection methods, nature of self-reporting, nature of the samples (scope) used in the experiment as well as the time limit.
An example of a research limitation is on a study that is done in a particular city involving men is subjected to limitations such as gender, sample size as well as the location.
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Example of Diagram and Chart
The percentage of new students who joins different sports in their school each year
Example of number of cars sold within particular period
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Chart1
| Football |
| Rubgy |
| Tennis |
| Others |
Sheet1
| Sales | |
| Football | 40% |
| Rubgy | 20% |
| Tennis | 25% |
| Others | 15% |
| To resize chart data range, drag lower right corner of range. |
Chart1
| week 1 | week 1 | week 1 |
| week 2 | week 2 | week 2 |
| week 3 | week 3 | week 3 |
| week 4 | week 4 | week 4 |
Sheet1
| Nissan | Toyota | others | |
| week 1 | 1o | 7 | 8 |
| week 2 | 3 | 10 | 5 |
| week 3 | 7 | 7 | 4 |
| week 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| To resize chart data range, drag lower right corner of range. |
Conclusion
Most of the research studies have gaps which need to be foundation for conducting other studies in the future.
When mentioning limitations the researcher should state the choices
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Recommendations
Every researcher should strive to reduce the scope of limitations during the study.
Every researcher should follow all the necessary steps when doing a research in order to have a comprehensive research study.
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References
Bryman, A. (2008). Social research methods, 4th edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press
Schindler, P., & Cooper, D. (2014). Business research Methods. New York: McGraw-Hill.
David, S.(2011). Qualitative research: Issues of Theory, method and practice, 3rd edition. New Delhi: Sage Publications.
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