Transcript Selection and Formulation of Research Problem

Selection and
Formulation of Research
Problem
DR NORIZA MOHD JAMAL
DEPT OF MANAGEMENT, FPPSM
What We’ll Cover Today
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Why need to formulate the research problem
Steps in formulating the research problem
How to identify the research problem
Formulation of problem statement
Formulating research question / hypotheses
Identify research objectives
Scope of research
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Expected outcome of research
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The Research Idea
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Everyday life (Professional experience)
Practical issues (Burning questions)
Past research/Literature (Research often
generates more questions, Disagreements
among studies can lead to worthwhile
research)
Professional meetings
Discussions
Research Topics
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Observations
Behaviors
Concepts
Theories
Testing of assessment and intervention
strategies
Narrowing the research topic
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Idea → brainstorming
Literature review
Identify the variables for study
Formulate research problems and
questions/hypotheses
Number ONE Requirement…
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You need to have an inquisitive and
imaginative mind
You need a Questioning attitude
Wonder why?
Answer the following
preliminary questions…
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Is the problem/topic significant enough?
Is it feasible (practical/possible for me to do
it)?
Is it free of unknown hazards/dangers?
Is it clear (unambiguous)?
Actively involve yourself (and
other experts) in NARROWING &
REFINEMENT of the problem
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Narrowing the focus
Population
Situation (time, condition, subject availability,
researcher’s readiness, resources available,
etc.)
Measurements
Issue(s) dealt with?
Setting the scope of the problem (“this is my
line…I won’t go beyond it…”)
Rifle vs. Shotgun Analogy
Characteristics of good
topics?
1.
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5.
Interesting – keeps the researcher interested in it throughout the
research process
Researchable – can be investigated through the collection and
analysis of data
Significant – contributes to the improvement and understanding
of educational theory and practice
Manageable – fits the level of researcher’s level of research
skills, needed resources, and time restrictions
Ethical – does not embarrass or harm participants
A Research Question Must
Identify
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The variables under study
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The population being studied
3.
The testability of the question
Examples of good research problems
(in the form of questions)
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Does client-centered therapy produce more satisfaction in clients than
traditional therapy? (experimental design)
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Does behavior modification reduce aggression in autistic children? (singlesubject experimental design)
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Are the descriptions of people in social studies discussions biased?
(grounded theory design)
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What goes on in an elementary school classroom during an average week?
(ethnographic design)
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Do teachers behave differently toward students of different genders?
(causal-comparative design)
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How do parents feel about the school counseling program? (survey design)
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How can a principal improve faculty morale? (interview design)
Your research problem
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What is your area of interest?
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Where could you look for help in deciding upon a specific
research problem?
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What criteria will you apply when deciding upon a
specific research problem?
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How could you narrow down your research problem?
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How might your value-judgments (preconceived ideas)
affect your research endeavors?
What is a research question
~ is a statement that identifies the phenomenon
to be studied
REASONS WHY RESEARCH
QUESTIONS ARE CRUCIAL
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GUIDE YOUR LITERATURE SEARCH
GUIDE YOUR DECISIONS ABOUT THE KIND OF
RESEARCH DESIGN TO EMPLOY
GUIDE YOUR DECISIONS ABOUE WHAT DATA TO
COLLECT AND FROM WHOM
GUIDE ANALYSIS OF YOUR DATA
GUIDE WRITING-UP OF YOUR DATA
STOP YOU FROM GOING OFF IN UNNECESSARY
DIRECTIONS
Steps in formulating the research
questions
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Ask these questions
 Do I known the field and its literature well?
 What are the important research questions in my field?
 What areas need further exploration?
 Could my study fill a gap? Or lead to greater understanding?
 Has a great deal of research already been conducted in this topic
area?
 Has this study been done before? If so, is there room for
improvement?
 Is the timing right for this question to be answered? Is it a hot
topic, or is it becoming obsolete?
 Will the study have a significant impact on the field?
Research Questions and
Hypotheses
A process of asking a question, or a series of
related questions, and then initiating a
systematic procedure to obtain valid answers
to that question.
Formulating research
question / hypotheses
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A well-thought-out and focused research question leads
directly to your hypotheses.
Hypotheses are more specific predictions about the
nature and direction of the relationship between two
variables.
Hypotheses,
 Gives insight into a research question
 Are testable and measurable by the proposed
experiments
Each hypothesis is matched with a specific aim and has
rationale.
Directional vs. Non-Directional
Hypotheses
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Directional hypothesis
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Specifies the direction of the relationship between
independent and dependent variables
Non-directional hypothesis
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Shows the existence of a relationship between
variables but no direction is specified
research objectives
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The research objectives pursued in order to
answer the research questions.
Scope of research –
masters vs PhD
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Amount of research work
Standard of writing
Level of independency
Expected outcome of
research
RESEARCH SIGNIFICANCE
State clearly why this research is important, what the
benefits will be and how your work will contribute to
knowledge in your field. This may include commercial
benefits, changes in current practice, a new perspective on
an old issue or other benefits to the community. You need
to
indicate why it is significant and how it advances
understanding of the issues under discussion.