Defining the Problem and Research Objectives

Marketing managers and researchers must work closely together to define the problem and agree on research objectives. The manager best understands the decision for which information is needed; the researcher best understands marketing research and how to obtain

Defining Research Objectives

Exploratory research

Marketing research to gather preliminary information that will help define problems and suggest hypotheses.

Descriptive research

Marketing research to better describe marketing problems, situations, or markets, such as the market potential for a product or the demographics and attitudes of consumers.

Causal research

Marketing research to test hypotheses about cause-and-effect relationships.

Research Objectives And Problems

the information. Defining the problem and research objectives is often the hardest step in the research process. The manager may know that something is wrong, without knowing the specific causes.

After the problem has been defined carefully, the manager and researcher must set the research objectives. A marketing research project might have one of three types of objectives. The objective of exploratory research is to gather preliminary information that will help define the problem and suggest hypotheses. The objective of descriptive research is to describe things, such as the market potential for a product or the demographics and attitudes of consumers who buy the product. The objective of causal research is to test hypotheses about cause-and-effect relationships. For example, would a 10 percent decrease in tuition at a private college result in an enrollment increase sufficient to offset the reduced tuition? Managers often start with exploratory research and later follow with descriptive or causal research.

The statement of the problem and research objectives guides the entire research process. The manager and researcher should put the statement in writing to be certain that they agree on the purpose and expected results of the research.

Continue reading here: Gathering Secondary Data

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Readers' Questions

  • kristin waechter
    Why is defining the problem considered the most difficult step of the marketing research process?
    1 month ago
  • Defining the problem is considered the most difficult step of the marketing research process for several reasons:
    1. Lack of clarity: Often, the problem may not be clearly articulated or defined by the stakeholders. They may have a general sense of an issue or challenge but may struggle to identify and articulate the specific problem. This lack of clarity makes it difficult for researchers to determine the scope and objectives of the research.
    2. Multiple perspectives: Different stakeholders may have different perspectives on the problem, leading to conflicting opinions and objectives. Aligning these diverse perspectives and defining a problem that satisfies all parties involved can be challenging.
    3. Complexity: Marketing problems are often complex and multifaceted, involving a variety of factors such as market trends, consumer preferences, competitive landscapes, and internal organizational dynamics. Navigating through this complexity and identifying the core problem can be challenging.
    4. Identifying the root cause: Sometimes, the perceived problem may be a symptom of an underlying issue. Researchers need to delve deeper to identify the root cause of the problem, which may require additional investigation and analysis.
    5. Limited resources: Conducting marketing research can be time-consuming, expensive, and resource-intensive. Organizations may have constraints in terms of budget, time, or expertise, which can add to the difficulty of defining the problem accurately.
    6. Unforeseen factors: External factors such as changing market conditions, technological advancements, or regulatory changes may impact the problem definition. Such unforeseen factors can further complicate the process of defining the problem.
    7. Overall, the difficulty in defining the problem arises from the complexities and uncertainties inherent in the marketing environment and the need to align stakeholders with diverse perspectives and objectives.
    • orazio
      How are research objectives related to the research problem?
      10 months ago
    • Research objectives are closely related to the research problem in that they provide a way to address the problem. Research objectives provide a roadmap for the researcher to follow and identify specific goals that need to be accomplished in order to answer the research problem. By helping to identify specific objectives, research objectives help to focus the research and make sure that the researcher is effectively addressing the research problem. They also provide a means by which to measure the success or failure of the research project.
      • ted
        What is the link between your research problem, research objectives and conceptual model?
        10 months ago
      • The research problem and objectives help to define the scope of the study and form the basis of the conceptual model. The research problem and objectives provide the context within which the conceptual model is structured and the variables that it needs to include. The conceptual model then provides a framework for analyzing and understanding the relationships between the variables, which in turn helps to provide an answer to the research problem.
        • hal
          What is the difference between research questions and research objectives?
          11 months ago
        • Research questions are the questions that are used to start the research process and provide direction for gathering information. Research objectives are the specific goals or aims that the researcher is trying to achieve in order to answer the research question.
          • tuulia
            What is the difference between research questions and research objective?
            1 year ago
          • Research questions are specific, narrowly focused questions used to explore a specific topic or issue. They are used to develop the research plan and guide the actual research. Research objectives are statements of the purpose of the research. They provide the direction of the research and state the expected outcomes. Research objectives are broader and more general than research questions.
            • felix
              Which of the following is the objective of causal research?
              1 year ago
            • To identify relationships between different variables and determine cause and effect
              • Michelle
                What are the three types of objectives a marketing research project might have?
                1 year ago
                1. Exploratory: This type of objective seeks to generate insights and understanding of a particular phenomenon or problem.
                2. Descriptive: This type of objective is used to describe the characteristics of a particular population or market.
                3. Predictive: This type of objective seeks to predict future trends and behaviours in a market or population.
                • WISEMAN
                  What are the three types of research objectives?
                  1 year ago
                  1. Exploratory objectives: To identify new issues, uncover trends, and explore unknown areas.
                  2. Descriptive objectives: To quantify the characteristics of a population or phenomenon.
                  3. Causal objectives: To determine cause-and-effect relationships between variables.
                  • eric
                    What is the difference between the "problem" and the "research objective" in marketing research?
                    1 year ago
                  • The problem in marketing research is a statement of what is determined to be the issue at hand. The research objective is a statement of the research goal or purpose of the study and how it will be accomplished. The problem defines what needs to be investigated, while the research objective states how the problem will be addressed or solved.
                    • MARINO
                      Is objective of the study in reserch is referred to as problem definition?
                      1 year ago
                    • No, problem definition is the first step that researchers take in the research process. The objective of the study is the goal or purpose of the research, which is usually stated as a research question or hypothesis.
                      • liya
                        Why define a research problem determination of the objective and intention?
                        1 year ago
                      • Defining a research problem, determining the objective, and intention are crucial steps in the research process. These steps help researchers identify the scope and purpose of their study and guide them in conducting a focused and systematic investigation. Here's why each step is important:
                        1. Define a research problem: A research problem provides a clear statement of the issue or question that the researcher wants to address. It helps in narrowing down the study's subject matter, focusing on a specific area of interest, and ensuring that the research has a clear direction. Defining a research problem helps in formulating research questions as well as setting boundaries and limitations for the study.
                        2. Determine the objective: The objective highlights the desired outcome or purpose of the research. It outlines what the researcher intends to achieve through the study. Determining the objective helps in refining the research problem further, as it specifies the goals, targets, or results that are expected to be obtained. Additionally, the objective sets the context for the study and provides a framework for conducting the research.
                        3. Intention: The intention refers to the researcher's motivation or reason for conducting the study. It helps in understanding why the research is being undertaken. The intention could be to contribute to the existing body of knowledge, address a specific societal problem, test a hypothesis, explore a new concept, or provide practical recommendations for decision-making. Clarifying the intention helps in deducing the significance and relevance of the research, as well as understanding the overall purpose behind the study.
                        4. By defining a research problem, determining the objective, and intention, researchers can ensure that their study has a clear focus, aligns with their goals, and has a purpose that contributes to the broader academic or practical context. These steps also enable researchers to communicate the essence of their research clearly and guide the entire research process, from data collection to analysis and interpretation of results.
                        • malva
                          What are body of objectives the problem of resaerch?
                          1 year ago
                        • The body of objectives in a research problem statement should include a summary of the current problem, the desired result, and the proposed solution. Specifically, it should explain the current issue, describe the desired outcome, suggest potential strategies or solutions, and identify any potential barriers or challenges to reaching the desired outcome.
                          • luam hagos
                            What is Research objectives images?
                            1 year ago
                          • Research objectives images are visual representations of research objectives. They typically include diagrams, infographics, or other graphic depictions that make it easier to understand and visualize the research objectives. Research objectives images can be used to help communicate the objectives of the research and make them easier to explain to stakeholders.
                            • sophie
                              How do you difine research ?
                              1 year ago
                            • Research is the systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions. It is an organized and objective analysis of a subject in order to discover, interpret, or revise facts, events, behaviors, or theories.
                              • philip
                                How to define the problem and research objectives?
                                1 year ago
                              • Defining the problem and research objectives involves asking questions to identify the issue that needs to be addressed, determining the purpose of the study, and establishing clear and measurable outcomes that can be evaluated. It involves carefully defining the research questions, examining the existing literature and studies, and considering the resources and manpower needed to conduct the research. Additionally, objectives should be SMART: specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timely.
                                • tero
                                  What is the problem of marketing research objective?
                                  1 year ago
                                • The main problem with marketing research objectives is that they can be difficult to identify and measure accurately. Additionally, marketing research objectives need to be carefully crafted to ensure that the data collected is useful and actionable. Finally, there is a cost associated with doing marketing research, which can make it difficult to justify the expenditure.
                                  • tiia p
                                    When the problem has been defined ,the manager and researcher must set?
                                    1 year ago
                                  • objectives for the research project.the objectives can vary depending on the type of research being undertaken,but should be measurable and specific. Objectives of a Market Research Project: 1. Identify and analyze the target market for a new product. 2. Determine potential customer awareness and attitudes towards the new product. 3. Analyze competitors and their offering in the market. 4. Establish the likely effectiveness of various marketing strategies. 5. Estimate the likely return on investment for various marketing campaigns. Objectives of a Social Research Project:
                                    1. Determine the root causes of a social issue.
                                    2. Identify and analyze societal attitudes towards the issue.
                                    3. Evaluate the effectiveness of existing policies related to the issue.
                                    4. Analyze potential policy solutions to the issue.
                                    5. Establish the likely impact of any proposed policies.