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

The answer is **(c) Clearly defined purpose**. Here's why:* **Clearly defined purpose** means having a specific and focused research question. This involves understanding the difference between: * **Symptoms:** Observable issues or signs of a problem. * **Problems:** The underlying causes of the symptoms. * **Manager's perception:** How the manager interprets the symptoms and problems. * **Research problem:** The specific question the research aims to answer, which should be grounded in the actual problem, not just the manager's perception.Let's look at why the other options are incorrect:* **High ethical standards:** Important for research, but doesn't directly address the distinction between symptoms, problems, and perceptions.* **Thorough research design:** A well-designed research plan is crucial, but it doesn't inherently define the purpose in this way.* **Detailed research process:** A detailed process is necessary, but it's a consequence of a clearly defined purpose, not the purpose itself.* **Justifiable conclusions:** Justifiable conclusions are the outcome of good research, but they are based on a clearly defined purpose and a well-conducted process. **In essence, a clearly defined purpose ensures that the research focuses on the real problem, not just surface-level symptoms or the manager's subjective interpretation.**