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Chapter 3
Preliminary
Information
Gathering and
Problem
Definition

Chapter Objectives

Chapter Objectives

Identify problem areas that are likely to be

studied in organisations

Develop relevant and comprehensive

bibliographies for any business research topic

State research problems clearly and

concisely

Apply all you have learned to a group project

Discus how problem areas can be identified

in work settings

Write a literature review on any given topic,

documenting the references in the prescribed
manner

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Catalyst for Business Research

The initial situation

Currently existing issue

Conceptual issue

The Literature Survey

Reasons for the literature survey
Conducting the literature survey

- Identify relevant resources

- Extracting the relevant information

Writing up the literature survey

Preliminary Information
Gathering

Nature of information to be collected

Specific information
Broader issues and context
Sources of Information
Organisational records
knowledge of staff, outside
information gathering, Internet,
libraries

Problem Definition

Problem or opportunity

Where a gap exists between the

actual and desired states
Symptoms vs Problems

A succinct statement of the question

or issue that is to be investigated with
the goal of finding a solution or answer.

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