PROBLEM STATEMENT
BROAD PROBLEM AREA Refers to the entire situation where one sees a possible need for research and problem solving EXAMPLE: 1. Problems currently existing in an organizational setting that need to be solved. 2. Areas that a manager believes needs to be improved in the organization. 3. Some research questions that a basic researcher wants to answer empirically.
MORE EXAMPLES… • Training programs are perhaps not as effective as anticipated. • The sales volume of a product is not picking up. • Inventory control is not effective. • The introduction of flexible work hours has created more problems than it has solved in many companies.
DEFINING THE PROBLEM STATEMENT • After the literature review, the researcher is in position to narrow down the problem from its original broad base and define the issues of concern more clearly.
WHAT MAKES A GOOD PROBLEM STATEMENT? The problem statement introduces the key problem that is addressed in the research project. Problem statement is a clear, precise, and short statement of the specific issue that a researcher wishes to investigate.
KEY CRITERIA FOR PROBLEM STATEMENT • There are three key criteria to assess the quality of the problem statement: 1. It should be relevant 2. It should be feasible 3. It should be interesting
A PROBLEM STATEMENT IS FEASIBLE : • If you are able to answer the problem statement within the restrictions of the research project. • These restrictions are possibly related to time and money and the expertise of the researcher. • Thus, it is important that you develop a narrowly defined question that can be investigated with a reasonably amount of time and efforts.
A GOOD PROBLEM STATEMENT Should CLEARLY indicate: • The issue/problem/ opportunity that need to be studied • Argument of literature that discussed what have been studied on the area relevant to your subject matter. IMPORTANTLY…highlight the gap in the literature that lead to the need for your study • Justify why your study is important. This is essential as to avoid the “SO WHAT” question from others..
Let’s Discuss about these examples. Is it good or not so good? Why? EXAMPLE 1 • The international tourist arrival by Middle East region has resulted to an increase in the demand of Syariah compliant accommodation which represents 10 percent of the world tourism market. The “Look East Policy” initiated in 1991 by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has attracted many Muslim countries to visit Malaysia (Pandian, 2005). However, only the De Palma Ampang hotel is recognised as an official Syariah compliant hotel (Wan, Suhaimi, Khairil & Yaakob, 2011).
EXAMPLE 2 • Previous studies have look into several aspects of Syariah compliant hotel including destination attributes on Muslim tourist’s choice (Battour et al. 2010) and implementation of Syariah Compliance Concept Hotel (Wan, Suhaimi, Khairil & Yaakob, 2011), however research focusing on the Muslim guest perception towards Syariah compliant hotel is still limited. EXAMPLE 3 • Most of the previous researches have focused on the development of heritage destination (Dunlap et al, 2001), and the management of heritage cites (Ortega, 2002). Some scholars also have attempted to explore the heritage tourism in Penang (Mohamed et. al, 2001), and the promotion and marketing of heritage destination (Adapa, 2011; Mohamed & Mustafa, 2005). However, the in-depth understanding toward psychographic characteristic of the visitor at heritage destination in Malaysia is still in its’ infancy especially the destination listed in UNESCO world heritage site.