Research Methods (STA630)
Assignment No. 2
Marks: 20
No.7
“No. 7” is a Pakistani denim manufacturer company dealing in colored fabric. For last three years, sales of “No. 7” have been declining significantly. The reason, shown by sales data, was its color scheme. Two types of color schemes were being used. In first type, light colors were contrasted with dark ones; while in other, block dark colors were used. It was found that the sale of dark block colors was declining hence affecting the overall sales; however the combination of dark and light was in demand.
There are a number of factors which can affect the customers’ color choices. In order to further explore the issue and to make the appropriate strategy, a team of researchers was assigned the task to identify the factors affecting the color choice.
You, as a part of research team, are required to:
• Identify the broad problem area (4 marks)
• Identify the problem (4 marks)
• Write Problem statement (4 marks)
• Identify the possible factors affecting the color choice (at least 3) (4 marks)
• Formulate the hypotheses on the basis of identified factors (4 marks)
Deadline:
• Make sure that you upload the solution file before May 31, 2011. No assignment will be accepted through e-mail after the due date.
Formatting guidelines:
• Use the font style “Times New Roman” and font size “12”.
• It is advised to prepare your document in MS-Word 2003 format (doc).
• Use black font color only.
Solution guidelines:
• Use APA style for referencing and citation. For guidance search “APA reference style” in Google and read various website containing information for better understanding or visit
• For acquiring the relevant knowledge do not rely only on handouts but watch the video lectures and use other reference books also.
Rules for Marking
Please note that your assignment will be graded Zero (0) if:
• It has been submitted after due date
• The file you uploaded does not open or is corrupt
• It is in any format other than .doc (MS. Word)
• It is copied from other students, internet, books, or journals etc.
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Solution:
QUESTION # 1
Identify the broad problem area (4 marks)
Color scheme
QUESTION # 2
Identify the problem (4 marks)
Sale of dark block colors was declining
QUESTION # 3
Write Problem statement (4 marks)
We want all of our products releases to go to production seamlessly, without defects, where everyone is aware and informed of the outcomes and status. (Vision)
Today we have color scheme failures that result in dark color blocks failures. If we ignore this problem; resources will need to increase to handle the cascading problems, and we may miss critical customer deadlines which could result in lost revenue, NO 7, lost business, and further damage to our quality reputation. (Issue Statement)
We will use our best efforts in evaluating the last release to help us improve our processes. (Method)
QUESTION # 4
Identify the possible factors affecting the color choice (at least 3) (4 marks)
1.Sagging Economy
2.Poor Sales Forecasting
3.Poor Individual Performance
4.Ineffective Sales Pipeline
QUESTION # 5
Formulate the hypotheses on the basis of identified factors (4 marks)
Four steps for formulating a hypothesis:-
> Define the problem statement
For last three years, sales of No. 7 have been declining significantly. The reason, shown by sales data, was its color scheme
> Determine the solution of the problem statement
The sale is effecting by the DARK color combination as quality of the colors are same but the taste of the customer has been changed. So company will take care of her valued customers and choice i.e. Grow the production of Medium Shades
> Write the proof
Combination of Dark and light colors was in demand so under this consiceration company will prefer the choice of customers.
> Methods for checking the proof
By conducting several surveys
1. Face to face talk
2. Telephonic talk
3. Suggestions by mail etc
By checking the sales
By checking the increasing demand of the customers
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Requirement:
• Identify the broad problem area
• Identify the problem
• Write Problem statement
• Identify the possible factors affecting the color choice (at least 3)
• Formulate the hypotheses on the basis of identified factors
Solution:
1. Broad Problem Area:
Identification of the broad problem area through
the process of observing and focusing on the situation is called broad
problem area in research. This refers to the entire situation where one sees a
possible need for research and problem solving. The specific issues that need
to be researched within this situation may not be identified at this stage.
Such issues might pertain to problems currently existing in an organizational
setting that need to be solved
In this case, the demand for single color product is very short due to which
the sales of the company decline.
2. What is the Problem?
After describing the broad area, we find out the real
problem. A research problem is the situation that causes the researcher to
feel apprehensive, confused and ill at ease. It is the demarcation of a
problem area within a certain context involving the WHO or WHAT, the
WHERE, the WHEN and the WHY of the problem situation. In this case,
the main problem is that why customer dislikes that product. For this, we
conduct a research analysis and try to find out the rationale.
3. Problem Statement:
A problem statement is a clear concise description of the issue(s) that
need(s) to be addressed by a problem solving team. It is used to center and
focus the team at the beginning, keeps the team on track during the effort,
and is used to validate that the effort delivered an outcome that solves the
problem statement.
The situation shows that the problem is that the customer does not like the
product and company’s sales begged off.
How to get started?
The 5 'W's - Who, What, Where, When and Why - is a great tool that helps
get pertinent information out for discussion.
Who - Who does the problem affect? Specific groups, organizations,
customers, etc
What - What are the boundaries of the problem, e.g. organizational, work
flow, geographic, customer, segments, etc. - What is the issue? - What is the
impact of the issue? - What impact is the issue causing? - What will happen
when it is fixed? - What would happen if we didn’t solve the problem?
Where - Where is the issue occurring? Only in certain locations, processes,
products, etc.
When - When does the issue occur? - When does it need to be fixed?
Why - Why is it important that we fix the problem? - What impact does it
have on the business or customer? - What impact does it have on all
stakeholders, e.g. employees, suppliers, customers, shareholders, etc. Each
of the answers will help to zero in on the specific issue(s) and frame the
Issue Statement. Your problem statement should be solvable. That is, it
should take a reasonable amount of time to formulate, try and deploy a
potential solution.
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QUESTION #1
Color scheme
QUESTION #2
Sale of dark block colors was declining
QUESTION #3
We want all of our products releases to go to production seamlessly, without defects, where everyone is aware and informed of the outcomes and status. (Vision)
Today we have color scheme failures that result in dark color blocks failures. If we ignore this problem; resources will need to increase to handle the cascading problems, and we may miss critical customer deadlines which could result in lost revenue, NO 7, lost business, and further damage to our quality reputation. (Issue Statement)
We will use our best efforts in evaluating the last release to help us improve our processes. (Method)
QUESTION #4
Identify the possible factors affecting the color choice (at least 3) (4 marks)
1.Sagging Economy
2.Poor Sales Forecasting
3.Poor Individual Performance
4.Ineffective Sales Pipeline
QUESTION # 5
Formulate the hypotheses on the basis of identified factors (4 marks)
Four steps for formulating a hypothesis:-
> Define the problem statement
For last three years, sales of No. 7 have been declining significantly. The reason, shown by sales data, was its color scheme
> Determine the solution of the problem statement
The sale is effecting by the DARK color combination as quality of the colors are same but the taste of the customer has been changed. So company will take care of her valued customers and choice i.e. Grow the production of Medium Shades
> Write the proof
Combination of Dark and light colors was in demand so under this consiceration company will prefer the choice of customers.
> Methods for checking the proof
By conducting several surveys
1. Face to face talk
2. Telephonic talk
3. Suggestions by mail etc
By checking the sales
By checking the increasing demand of the customers
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