Question 21 Which characteristic of good research involves distinguishing between the organization's symptoms, its problems, the manager's perception of the problems, and the research problem? a. Clearly defined purpose b. Detailed research process c. High ethical standards d. Thorough research design e. justifiable conclusions

The answer is **(a) Clearly defined purpose**. Here's why:* **Clearly defined purpose** in research means having a specific and focused research question or objective. This involves understanding the root cause of a problem, not just its symptoms. Distinguishing between symptoms, problems, manager's perception, and the actual research problem is crucial for defining a clear purpose.Let's look at why the other options are not the best fit:* **Detailed research process:** While important, a detailed process doesn't necessarily address the issue of defining the core research problem.* **High ethical standards:** Ethical standards are crucial for research integrity but don't directly relate to defining the research problem.* **Thorough research design:** A thorough design helps ensure the research is well-structured, but it doesn't inherently address the distinction between symptoms and the underlying problem.* **Justifiable conclusions:** Justifiable conclusions are a result of good research, but they are not the defining characteristic that helps distinguish between symptoms and the research problem. **In summary:** A clearly defined purpose in research requires a deep understanding of the problem, separating symptoms from the root cause, and ensuring the research focuses on the right issue.