08/02/2015 Prof. A.H.Sequeira 1
Research Questions
and
Research Objectives
By
Dr. Aloysius H. Sequeira,
Professor,
National Institute of Technology Karnataka,
Surathkal.
email : [email protected]
Why do research?
Main purpose of doing research :
1. To Fill knowledge gaps
-Academic research
2. For Problem solving
08/02/2015 Prof. A.H.Sequeira 2
What is Preplanned Research
Step1 : Usually begin with a
topic/problem (sources : personal
experiences, state of knowledge in the
field , solving problem , curiosity based on
something in the media , personal values,
social premiums and everyday life).
Step2 : Topic is narrowed down into
focused Research Question/s.
08/02/2015 Prof. A.H.Sequeira 3
Formulating Research
Questions Research answers questions - but what kinds
of questions - and where do the questions come from?
Understanding the reality – How is world is -what is happening –Positive questions?
Understanding how you want world to look like – Normative questions?
Research is well suited for answering positive questions .
Research does not help much in answering normative questions
08/02/2015 Prof. A.H.Sequeira 4
Research Questions
The research question defines the “area of interest” but it is not a declarative statement like a hypothesis
Research question :main broad questions -general focus
Research question may be complemented by a few Investigative Questions :secondary/sub questions-specific -to narrow the focus-important for data measurement
08/02/2015 Prof. A.H.Sequeira 5
Research Questions
A clear research statement or
problem must translate into a
research question.
Research question to be fact-oriented,
information –gathering question.
Research question must be capable of
being confirmed or refuted.
08/02/2015 Prof. A.H.Sequeira 6
Research Questions –
Qualitative study Both qualitative and quantitative studies
suit for some topics.
Some topics are well suited for qualitative
study – topics loosely defined- research
question become clear only during the
research process.
Data is used to narrow the focus in
qualitative study- literature review helps.
08/02/2015 Prof. A.H.Sequeira 7
Research Questions –
Quantitative study Topic is narrowed into a focused
Research question.
Focusing the question helps in developing
a testable hypothesis in quantitative study.
Research questions refer to relationship
among a small number of variables.
Listing the variables is needed to focus
the topic on research questions .
08/02/2015 Prof. A.H.Sequeira 8
Research Question -Example
Single question
Which methods and tools should be developed to
make current manufacturing control / supervision
systems reusable and swiftly modifiable?
08/02/2015 Prof. A.H.Sequeira 9
Research question - Example
Multiple questions
“Q1: What are the main components of logistics costs that determine the logistics and transport network design?
Q2: To what extent are the existing network design and evaluation
models sufficient and how can collaboration be incorporated in the network design methodology?
Q3: How can economies of scale and scope, present in the network,
be taken into account in the network design?
Q4: Is it possible to set boundaries to the development path of the network, and search for a feasible path instead of searching solely
for a feasible solution? “
08/02/2015 Prof. A.H.Sequeira 10
Research Questions –Example
Research Topic : An International
comparison of Technology Adoption Testing
the UTAUT Model
RQ1 How does acceptance of a
technology vary across cultures?
RQ2 What factors in the UTAUT model
most significantly differ across cultures
and what are the implications of these
differences?
08/02/2015 Prof. A.H.Sequeira 11
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
• Research objectives are the specific
actions/ activities to answer the research
questions .
• Objectives indicate what we are trying to
get from the study or the expected results /
outcome of the study.
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
• Research objectives should be clear , achievable and
verifiable - as they directly assist in answering the
research questions / problem .
• Objectives may be specified in the form of actions
(verbs) to answer the posed questions-
generally objectives begin with to :
discover …, determine …, establish …access……,
identify……, compare …., analyze , evaluate…..,
…etc.
Example I: How Research Questions
(RQs) and Research Objectives(ROs)
can be developed for a Research topic
Research Topic :
An Exploratory study on Ethnic population
and product choices with reference to Indian
settlers in Africa.
08/02/2015 Prof. A.H.Sequeira 14
Example :Research Topic – Exploratory study on
Ethnic population and product choices with
reference to Indian settlers in Africa.
Research Questions (RQ) & Objectives(RO)
RQ1.How far do settlers stick to their culture and values which is then reflected on consumption?
RO1. To measure the percentage of the Indian settlers in select African countries who still follow the culture and customs of their Country Of Origin.
08/02/2015 Prof. A.H.Sequeira 15
Example :Research Topic – Exploratory study on
Ethnic population and product choices with
reference to Indian settlers in Africa.
RQ 2. To what extent is the assimilation of
cultures taking place which will have a
bearing on consumption.
RO2. To determine the extent the Indian
settlers have a tendency to assimilate with
the host country.
08/02/2015 Prof. A.H.Sequeira 16
Example :Research Topic – An Exploratory study
on Ethnic population and product choices with
reference to Indian settlers in Africa.
RQ 3. Whether subsequent generations of
settlers exhibit the same characteristics of the first generation settlers?
RO 3. To determine the extent of acculturation that had taken place of these Indian settlers in the host country and the importance the Indian settlers place on ethnic values.
08/02/2015 Prof. A.H.Sequeira 17
Example :Research Topic – Exploratory study on
Ethnic population and product choices with
reference to Indian settlers in Africa.
RQ 4. To what extent host culture is
showing changes in adopting immigrant’s
culture and values.
RO 4 To find out whether the second and
subsequent generation of Indian settlers
exhibit similar behavior of the first
generation of Indian settlers.
08/02/2015 Prof. A.H.Sequeira 18
Example :Research Topic – Exploratory study on
Ethnic population and product choices with
reference to Indian settlers in Africa.
RO 5. To develop a model which can be
applied by the exporters to use the ethnic
advantage in their Product design.
(This objective specifically is focused on
Researcher’s contribution to the body of
knowledge – in a major project or thesis)
08/02/2015 Prof. A.H.Sequeira 19
Example II - Framing Research
questions for a problem
08/02/2015 Prof. A.H.Sequeira 20
Research Problem :
MCP is oldest of 3 banks in Mangalore.
It is also the largest of 3 cooperative banks in town.
It is observed that profits are declining for last 5 years.
Find an appropriate solution to the given problem through research ?
Step 1 : First stage of research
Process
08/02/2015 Prof. A.H.Sequeira 21
Identify and formulate the following:
a) What research approach to adopt?
b) Frame the research questions
c) Frame the investigative questions?
d) Write the research objectives?
Step 2 : Framing research questions
08/02/2015 Prof. A.H.Sequeira 22
What research approach to adopt?
Research Approach- exploratory
Frame the research question?
Research Question 1: ( main RQ- Focus is to find out lack of deposit growth )
What is the public position regarding financial services of the bank?
Step 3 : Framing the investigative
questions
08/02/2015 Prof. A.H.Sequeira 23
Frame the investigative questions?
Investigative questions 1: what specific financial services are used?
Investigative questions 2: how attractive are the various schemes
Investigative questions 3: What bank specific and environmental factors influence a person use specific service?
Step 4 : Framing research objectives
08/02/2015 Prof. A.H.Sequeira 24
Write the research objectives?
RO 1 : To study the public position of the bank regarding financial services and use?
RO2 : To determine the banks competitive position in the region?
RO3 : To suggest ways and means to improve the performance of the bank?
RO4 : To develop a strategy to maintain and enhance the image of the bank in the region ?
Summary-Research Questions
08/02/2015 Prof. A.H.Sequeira 25
Research questions ( broad/ general )
Investigative questions (specific/sub
question/ operationalization of
variables )
Research objectives ( statement of
intention/actions intended )