Chap.3 Research Problem

Research skills Dr. Fawzi Ishtaiwa*Chapter 3 Formulating Research Problem

Research skills Dr. Fawzi Ishtaiwa

What is a Research Problem?Any question that you want to answer or any assumption or statement that you want to investigate or examine can become a research problem.

1. Questions to answer: a. Is there any relationship between decentralization and productivity levels? b. What are the effects of TV programs on children behavior?

*Research skills Dr. Fawzi Ishtaiwa


What is a Research Problem?2. AssumptionsThe average age of the male students in this class is higher than that of the female students. A total of 60 per cent of females and 30 per cent of males obtain ICDL certificates. 3. Statement / Challenge to investigate Exploring phenomenon, customer satisfaction with products, service or program. Improving productivity, quality of service or program



The importance of formulating a research problemFormulation of a research problem is the most important step of the research process. According to Kerlinger : If one wants to solve a problem, one must generally know what the problem is. It can be said that a large part of the problem lies in knowing what one is trying to do (1986:17). In the absence of a clear research problem, a clear and economical plan is impossible. A research problem is like the foundation of a building.



Sources of Research ProblemEveryday lifePractical issuesPast research (perhaps most important)TheoryExplanation or explanatory system that discusses how a phenomenon operates and why it operates as it does. Personal experience and interests of researchers. Various theories in the discipline of the researcher. Related Literature- Literature from ones own area of interest. A reproduction of past research studies. *Research skills Dr. Fawzi Ishtaiwa


Considerations in Selecting a Research ProblemInterest : you must select a topic that interests you most.

Magnitude: you should have sufficient knowledge about the research process to be able to estimate the work needed to complete the proposed topic.

Measurement of concepts: if you are using a concept in your study make sure you are clear about its indicators and their measurements.

Level of expertise: make sure you have an adequate level of expertise for the task you are proposing. *Research skills Dr. Fawzi Ishtaiwa


Considerations.(Cont.)Relevance: select a topic that is of relevance to you as a professional.. Availability of data: if your topic requires collection of information from secondary sources (office records, client records, census or other already-published reports, etc.), make sure that these data are available and in the format you want. Ethical issues: determine how ethical issues can affect the study population, and how ethical problems can be over-come should be thoroughly examined at the problem-formulation stage.



WHAT IS A PROBLEM STATEMENT?

* A problem statement is the description of an issue currently existing which needs to be addressed.

It provides the context for the research study and generates the questions which the research aims to answer.

Steps in formulating a research problemIdentify subject area of interest to youDissect the subject area into sub-areas Select the most interest to you Raise research questions Formulate objectives Assess your objectives Double-check *Research skills Dr. Fawzi Ishtaiwa


*Steps in formulating a research problem - AlcoholismSuppose you want to conduct a study in the area of alcoholism. In formulating your research problem take the following steps:

Step 1IdentifyAlcoholism

Step 2DissectProfile of alcoholismThe cause of itThe process of becoming an alcoholicThe effect of alcoholism on the familyCommunity attitudes toward alcoholismThe effectiveness of a treatment model, etc.


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Step 3SelectEffects of alcoholism on the family

Step 4Raise questions What impact has alcoholism on marital relationships?How does it affect the various aspects of childrens lives?What are the effects on the family finance?


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Step 5Formulate objectivesMain objectives:To find out the effects of alcoholism on the family Specific objectives:To ascertain the impact of alcoholism on marital relationshipsTo determine the ways in which alcoholism affects the different aspects of childrens livesTo find out the effects of alcoholism on the financial situation of the family, etc.

Step 6Make sure Assess these objectives in the light of:The work involvedThe time available to youThe financial resources Your (and your research supervisors) technical expertise in the area


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Step 7 Double-checkThat you are really interested in the study.That you agree with the objectives .That you have adequate resources.That you have the technical expertise to undertake the study


Research ObjectivesMain objective : is an overall statement of the thrust of your study. It is also a statement of main associations and relationships that you seek to discover or establish.

Sub-objectives : are the specific aspects of the topic that you want to investigate within the main framework of your study.*Research skills Dr. Fawzi Ishtaiwa


Characteristics of Objectives Clear CompleteSpecific Identify the main variables to be correlated Identify the direction of relationship *Research skills Dr. Fawzi Ishtaiwa


Sub-objectives Should be numerically listed Should be worded clearly and unambiguouslyEach sub-objective should contain only one aspect of the study. Should start with words such as To determine, To find out, To ascertain, To measure, To explore, etc. *Research skills Dr. Fawzi Ishtaiwa


Establishing Operational Definition In many cases you need to develop operational definitions for the variables you are studying and for the population that becomes the source of the information for your study. It is the definition of a variable in terms of the specific activities to measure or indicate in the empirical world Operational definition may differ from dictionary definition as well as from day-to-day meanings. These meanings may not be helpful in either identifying your study population or the concepts you are studying. *Research skills Dr. Fawzi Ishtaiwa


Establishing Operational Definition Operational definitions give an operational meaning to the study population and the concepts used. It is only through making your procedures explicit that you can validly describe, explain, verify and test. The following example studies help to explain this. The main objectives are: To find out the number of families living below the poverty line To ascertain the impact of immigration on family roles among immigrants To measure the effectiveness of a training program designed to help young people



Operationalisation of Concepts and the Study Populations *Research skills Dr. Fawzi Ishtaiwa

Study Concept Issue Study Population Issues 1Poverty line What constitutes poverty line?Children Who would you consider a child2Family roles What constitutes Family roles? Immigrants Who would you consider and immigrant? 3Effectiveness What constitutes effectiveness?The young Who would you consider a youngYou must Operationalise the concepts: define in practical, observable and measurable terms poverty, family roles and effectiveness. Operationalise the study population: define in identifiable terms children, immigrants, and young.


Operational Definitions*Research skills Dr. Fawzi Ishtaiwa

Concept Definition Concept Definition Poverty line Total value of assets, annual income below AED 50,000.00Child A person who has not attained puberty Family roles Ability of family to protect, guide, educate, and support its members Immigrant A person who leaves his native country to live elsewhereEffectiveness Ability to achieve decided, decisive, and desired results The young An individual aged between 18 and 35.


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Chap.3 Research Problem

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