From Objectives to Methods (c) Research Problem and Questions

8/4/2019 From Objectives to Methods (c) Research Problem and Questions

1/10

From Objectives to MethodsFrom Objectives to Methods

(c) Research Problem and Questions(c) Research Problem and Questions

A/Professor Rob CavanaghA/Professor Rob Cavanagh

April 28, 2007April 28, 2007


2/10

Why Start with a Problem?Why Start with a Problem?

Research is essentially inquiryResearch is essentially inquiry

The process of inquiry assumes an interplay between theThe process of inquiry assumes an interplay between theinquirer and the object of the inquiryinquirer and the object of the inquiry

The inquirer has a reason or motivation for gaining aThe inquirer has a reason or motivation for gaining abetter understanding of something in his/her life or inbetter understanding of something in his/her life or inthe worldthe world

Implicit in the notion ofImplicit in the notion of better understandingbetter understanding is theis thepresence of apresence of a problemproblem for the inquirerfor the inquirer


3/10

What is a ProblemWhat is a Problem

ProblemProblem any question or matter involving doubt,any question or matter involving doubt,uncertainty or difficultyuncertainty or difficulty

ProblemProblem a question proposed for solution or discussiona question proposed for solution or discussion

ProblemProblem -- difficult to train or guide; unruly ( a pdifficult to train or guide; unruly ( a problemroblemchild)child)

Macquarie DictionaryMacquarie Dictionary


4/10

A Research ProblemA Research Problem

An operational definition:An operational definition:

A research problem is a question or matter involving doubt,A research problem is a question or matter involving doubt,uncertainty or difficulty that is proposed for solution oruncertainty or difficulty that is proposed for solution ordiscussiondiscussion

Key aspects of a research problem. It concerns:Key aspects of a research problem. It concerns:

1.1. A questionA question2.2. Something which isSomething which is not fully understoodnot fully understood3.3. Something that has been deliberatelySomething that has been deliberately chosen as thechosen as thesubject of inquirysubject of inquiry


5/10

What is Not a Research Problem?What is Not a Research Problem?

A question that has an obvious or previously confirmedA question that has an obvious or previously confirmed

answeranswer

A statement of fact by theA statement of fact by the researcherresearcher the researcherthe researcher

already has an unequivocal answer, view or positionalready has an unequivocal answer, view or position

A statement that precludes inquiryA statement that precludes inquiry

For example:For example:

Outcomes based education leads to improved studentOutcomes based education leads to improved student

learninglearning


6/10

Foundations of a Research ProblemFoundations of a Research Problem

The researcher has a guiding image or abstract ideal (anThe researcher has a guiding image or abstract ideal (aneidoseidos) that stimulates engagement in inquiry) that stimulates engagement in inquiry

The researcher is knowledgeable, preferably withoutThe researcher is knowledgeable, preferably withoutbias, about the subject of inquirybias, about the subject of inquiry

The researcherThe researchers knowledge has been obtained in as knowledge has been obtained in asystematic mannersystematic manner literature on the matter has beenliterature on the matter has been

read and assayedread and assayed


7/10

From Problem to Research QuestionsFrom Problem to Research Questions

The problem should be expressible as a question and if notThe problem should be expressible as a question and if notalready expressed as question needs to be realready expressed as question needs to be re--written as awritten as aquestionquestion

Consider:Consider:

What is doubtful, uncertain or difficult in the matter to beWhat is doubtful, uncertain or difficult in the matter to beinvestigated?investigated?

What has caused this doubt, uncertainty or difficulty? ForWhat has caused this doubt, uncertainty or difficulty? Forexample:example:

1.1.

Lack of prevailing knowledge or theoryLack of prevailing knowledge or theory

2.2. Contradictions in prevailing knowledge or theoryContradictions in prevailing knowledge or theory3.3. Unproven relationships or connections between variablesUnproven relationships or connections between variables


8/10

Think in Terms of Research ObjectivesThink in Terms of Research Objectives

Research objectives specify the anticipated outcomes of theResearch objectives specify the anticipated outcomes of theinvestigationinvestigation

The objectives of research could be classified as:The objectives of research could be classified as:

ExploratoryExploratory seeking new understandingsseeking new understandings

DescriptiveDescriptive -- describing better or alternativelydescribing better or alternativelyexemplifying what is already known in a new contextexemplifying what is already known in a new context

ConfirmatoryConfirmatory testing/ validating hypothesestesting/ validating hypotheses


9/10

Characteristics of Good Research QuestionsCharacteristics of Good Research Questions

Research questions should be feasibleResearch questions should be feasible -- that is, capable ofthat is, capable ofbeing investigated with available resourcesbeing investigated with available resources

Research questions should be clearResearch questions should be clear -- that is,that is,unambiguousunambiguous

Research questions should be significantResearch questions should be significant -- that is, worthythat is, worthyof investigationof investigation

Research questions often (although not always) suggest aResearch questions often (although not always) suggest arelationship to be investigated. The term 'relationship,' asrelationship to be investigated. The term 'relationship,' asused in research, refers to a connection or associationused in research, refers to a connection or associationbetween two or more characteristics or qualitiesbetween two or more characteristics or qualities


10/10

Concluding RemarksConcluding Remarks

Start with theStart with the eidoseidos and at the level of the problemand at the level of the problem

The conceptual framework developed from the literatureThe conceptual framework developed from the literaturereview is based on the problemreview is based on the problem

The conceptual framework should reveal possibleThe conceptual framework should reveal possibleconnections or associations between concepts orconnections or associations between concepts orvariables that can be expressed as specific researchvariables that can be expressed as specific researchquestionsquestions

Finally, the research questions must be answerableFinally, the research questions must be answerable

From Objectives to Methods (c) Research Problem and Questions

Documents

Transcript of From Objectives to Methods (c) Research Problem and Questions