Identifying a Research Problem.ppt

Creswell, Educational Research: Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Quantitative and Qualitative Research, 4e

© 2012, 2008, 2005, 2002 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Chapter 2

Identifying a Research ProblemThis multimedia product and its contents are protected under copyright law. The following are prohibited by law: any public performance or display including transmission of any image over a network; preparation of any derivative work, including the extraction, in whole or in part, of any images; any rental, lease, or lending of the program.

Educational Research: Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Quantitative and Qualitative Research, 4e – CreswellISBN: 0132755912

© 2012, 2008, 2005, 2002 Pearson Education, Inc.

All rights reserved.2-2

By the end of this chapter, you should be able to:

Define and identify a research problem and explain its importance in a study

Distinguish between a research problem and other parts of the research process

Identify criteria for deciding whether you can or should study a research problem

Describe how quantitative and qualitative research problems differ

Learn the five elements that compromise a “statement of the problem” section

Identify strategies useful in writing a “statement of the problem” section




What Is a Research Problem?

A research problem is an educational issue or concern that an investigator presents and justifies in a research study.




Locating the Research Problem Look in the opening paragraphs of the study for one

or more of the following:

What is the issue or problem? What controversy leads to the need for a study? What concern is being addressed behind the study? Is there a sentence such as, “The problem being

addressed in this study is…”?




Why the Research Problem Is Important

It establishes the importance of the topic.

It creates reader interest. It focuses the reader’s attention on how

the study will add to the literature.




How the Problem Differs From Other Parts of Research

A research problem is an educational issue or problem in the study.

A research topic is the broad subject matter being addressed in a study.

A purpose is the major intent or objective of the study.

Research questions are those that the researcher would like answered or addressed in the study.




Differences among the Topic, Problem, Purpose, and Questions

General

Specific

Topic

ResearchProblem

PurposeStatement

ResearchQuestion

Distance learning

Lack of students in distance classes

To study why students do not attend distance education classes at a community college

Does the use of Web site technology in the classroom deter students from enrolling in a distance education class?




Determining Whether a Problem Should Be Researched

Can you study the problem? Do you have access to the research site? Do you have the time, resources, and skills

to carry out the research? Should you study the problem?

Does it advance knowledge? Does it contribute to practice?




Determining Whether a Problem Should Be Researched (cont’d)

Will your study fill a gap or void in the existing literature?

Will your study replicate a past study but examine different participants and different research sites?

Will your study extend past research or examine the topic more thoroughly?

Will your study give voice to people not heard, silenced, or rejected in society?

Will your study inform practice?




How Research Problems Differ for Quantitative and Qualitative ResearchUse quantitative research

if your research problem requires you to:

Measure variables Assess the impact of

these variables on an outcome

Test theories or broad explanations

Apply results to a large number of people

Use qualitative research if your research problem requires you to:

Learn about the views of the people you plan to study

Assess a process over time Generate theories based on

participant perspectives Obtain detailed information

about a few people or research sites




Five Elements of a “Problem Statement”

TopicEvidence for the Issue

Deficiencies in the Evidence

What Remedyingthe Deficiencies Will Do for SelectAudiences

FLOW OF IDEAS

Subjectarea

EducationalIssue

•A concern•A problem•Something that needs a solution

•Evidence from the literature•Evidence from practical experiences

•In this body of evidence, what is missing? •What do we need to know more about?

How will addressingwhat we need toknow help:– researchers– educators– policy makers– individuals such as those in the study




Advancing the Topic The topic is introduced in the first

paragraphs. The topic includes the general subject

matter. The topic must be introduced so that the

reader can relate to it.




The Narrative Hook The narrative hook should be the first sentence of the

study. Functions of the narrative hook

Causes the reader to pay attention Elicits an emotional or attitudinal response from the

reader Causes the reader to continue reading

Information that can be included in the narrative hook Statistics A provocative question Need for research Intent of the study




Stating the Research Problem

State the problem in the opening paragraph

Identify an issue Research-based research problems Practical problems

Reference the problem using the literature




Justifying the Importance of the Research Problem Justification based on what other

researchers have found Justification based on personal or

workplace experiences Justification based on the experiences

others have had in the workplace




Identifying Deficiencies in the Evidence What do we still need to know? What else do we need to know to

improve practice?




Identify the Audience

Ask the following question: “Who will profit from reading my study?”

Other researchers Practitioners Policy makers Special populations (e.g., parents)




Writing theStatement of the Problem Section

Include one paragraph for each of the five elements

Heavily reference this section to the literature

Provide statistics to support trends Use quotes from participants (in

moderation)




Example of the Flow of Ideas in the Problem Statement

Topic ResearchProblem

Justification for Research Problem

Deficiencies in the Evidence

Relating the Discussionto Audiences

Subjectarea

•Concern or issue•A problem•Something that needs a solution

•Evidence from the literature•Evidence from practical experience

•In this body of evidence what is missing or what do we need to know more about?

•How will addressing what we need to know help researchers, educators, policy makers, and other individuals?

An ExampleParents’ role in promoting access to college

Flow of Ideas

Need for Better accessfor studentsof color

• Past literature has documented poor attendance

Need to evaluate how parents canpromote access

•Parents can better assess their role• Counselors can better involve parents• Colleges can better work with parents

Identifying a Research Problem.ppt

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