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EDU 540 EDU 540 Problem definitionProblem definition
Lesson objectivesLesson objectives
Define research problem Write problem statement Describe quantitative and qualitative
research
Where we are now…Where we are now…
Observation/ Background survey
Broad area of research
Literature review
Problem definition
Problem statement
Research questions
Theoretical framework
Variables clearly identified
Hypothesis generation
Research design
Methods
Data collection
Analysis
Interpretation
Deduction
Hypothesis substantiated?
RQ answered?
The broad problem areaThe broad problem area
The entire situation where one sees a possible need for research or problem solving
Examples Malay students studying Physics Soft skills of Faculty of Education students Instructors lecturers using instructional
technology
Narrowing your researchNarrowing your research
Narrow it down to specific issues Malay students have problems studying certain Physics
topics More specific Issue : Problem solving skills, Difficulty in
grasping concepts,
P&HE students not displaying soft skills needed More specific issue: Poor communication skills
Women lecturers are having difficulties using instructional technology
Specific issue: technophobia, technology training
Putting things in perspectivePutting things in perspective
Research questions
Background survey
Research problem
Theoretical framework
Problems
RESEARCH INTEREST/AREA
Issues
Concerns
Background surveyBackground survey
Justifying your choice of the area in research What is there a need to do this research
Need backing up Government policies Institutional reports/ strategic plans Research reports Press report/ speeches
Problem definitionProblem definition
Defining a problem Not necessarily something that is seriously
wrong Can be an issues of interest
Find answers to improve existing situation
A situation where a gap exist between actual and desired state
Problem definitionProblem definition
Could be An issue/ matter you want to understand Existing educational problems that you are
seeking to solve Situations that you want to improve Areas where some conceptual clarity is needed Situations in which the researcher is trying to
answer a research question empirically
The research problem is..The research problem is..
a set of conditions needing discussion, a solution, and information.
implies the possibility of empirical investigation, that is, of data collection and analysis
The research problem is not..The research problem is not..
how to do something; a vague or too broad a proposition; a value question.
Try this..Try this..
The purpose of the study is to determine: whether the suspension policy should be changed. the truth of the proposition that Malaysian education has
encouraged exam oriented learners who aim at getting a string of As
how students can overcome test anxiety. if there is a difference in the mean gain scores in
reading achievement between students taught word attack skills and those taught comprehensive skills.
Try one ..Try one ..
Soft skills of Faculty of Education students What is the research problem? What is the background?
Government policies Institutional reports/ strategic plans Research reports Press report/ speeches
What to read in order to justify? What to research?
Problem definitionProblem definition
Essential to define your research problem very carefully, Ask why you’ve chosen it , why not another problem
Helps you to choose a suitable method of researching it
Prevent you from reading rather indiscriminately you don’t know quite what you’re looking for make more notes than you need.
Problem definitionProblem definition
Be as deductive as you can Relate your research problem to a theory
A theory is an explanation of events or phenomena or behaviour Phenomena in education - theories from cognitive psychology,
sociology, psycholinguistics, management, computer science.
Example: Finding out whether providing children with multimedia presentations explaining science concepts will enhance understanding
Theory?
Let’s look at your research Let’s look at your research problemproblem The area of your research State whether
Existing educational problems that you are seeking to solve
Situations that you want to improve Areas where some conceptual clarity is needed Situations in which the researcher is trying to
answer a research question empirically Why do you choose this ‘problem?
Problem TreeProblem Tree
Drawing a problem treeDrawing a problem tree
Identify core problems Identify effects Identify causes Identify all possible causes and effects
Withdrawal, Deferment of studies, Dropout
Failure to achieve meaningful experience
Complaints Poor grades
Anxiety Frustration
Dissatisfaction
Learning outcomes not achieved
Distance Learners not able to learn effectively
Effects
CORE PROBLEMCauses
Epistemological problems (course structure, difficulty
level and so forth)
Learners cannot manage their learning
environment
Learners cannot manage their
learning activities
Institutional / Administrative
Problems
Learners’ personal problems and characteristics
Lack of learning skills/ StrategiesAmbiguous instructions and other pedagogical issuesInability to sustain
motivation
Lack of self-regulation
ProcrastinationPoor time
management
Inability to maintain strong
attention to goals sought
Lack of discipline
Logistic/Infrastructure problems
Isolation
Lack of support and feedback
Poorly designed learning materials
Travel problemsCommunication problems
Anxiety, fear of technology & technology failure
Minimal F2F sessions
Role conflictsFamily problemsFinancial problemsLearning style / approach does not fitLow academic self-concept
Learner problems
Unsure of new learning modeLack readinessLack self-direction Lack of
structure and direction
Lack technical ability
ExampleExample
Let’s try oneLet’s try oneNo harmony on campus
No cooperation between groups
Bitterness
Learners cannot tolerate each other
Learners stay in their own groups
There exists differences between students from
different clusters
Effects
CORE PROBLEM
Causes
Perceived competence
Learner characteristics
Social and economic background
ExerciseExercise
Students do not have the acceptable level of soft
skills
Effects
CORE PROBLEM
Causes
Problem statementProblem statement
Problem statement A clear, precise and succinct statement of the
question/issue that is to be investigated How ?
no one "right" way to state one American vs. British
Problem statementProblem statement
Introduces the reader to the importance of the problem. The reader is oriented to the significance of the study and the research questions or hypotheses to follow. You could relate your problem to the findings of prior
research ( a few) Places the problem in a context ( remember
Botswana elearning readiness?) Provides the framework for reporting the results.
Indicate what is probably necessary to conduct the study and explain how the findings will present this information.
Flow of Ideas in a Problem Flow of Ideas in a Problem StatementStatement
Topic
Evidence for the Issue
Deficiencies in the Evidence
Remedyingthe deficiencies For whom? 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 like those in the study
Documenting/ ReportingDocumenting/ Reporting
Visualize the statement of the problem as the first five paragraphs background research problem justification deficiencies relate discussion to audience
ExampleExample
TAKE A BREAKTAKE A BREAKNext: Qualitative and Quantitative ResearchNext: Qualitative and Quantitative Research
Quantitative vs. QualitativeQuantitative vs. QualitativeSee handoutSee handout
Quantitative vs. QualitativeQuantitative vs. Qualitative
Let’s look at one exampleLet’s look at one example
Research problem Since the computer-related technologies became widely
available, companies started to employ the new technologies seeking efficiency and effectiveness benefits. With such huge spending on IT, it is interesting to find out if there is any scientific evidence for association between IT capability and a company’s competitive advantage.
The question posed : Does a company benefit from employing IT? If so, how?
Research 1Research 1
TOPIC: A resource-based perspective on IT capability and firm performance: An empirical investigation
In this research, IT in a company is studied from the point of resource-based view of company
The research method employed in this paper is statistical testing of hypotheses.
The author comes up with two main hypotheses: Superior IT capability will be associated with significantly higher
profit ratios. Superior IT capability will be associated with significantly lower cost
ratios Sample: 56 companies
Research 2Research 2
Implementing supply chain management: Lessons learned at Medi-Alpha
This research deals with implementation of the IT technology at a major manufacturer of medical equipment and supplies.
The focus of the research is on the question, whether launching of new technology did improve company’s performance.
The object of this single in-depth case study was the company’s strategy.
Research 3Research 3
Approaches to the development of multi-dimensional database: Lessons from four case studies
The research explores the manner in which an organization’s data can be effectively utilized to assist an organization to achieve its business objectives. It presents Multi-Dimensional Data Bases (MDDB) as a new tool of making a more efficient use of company’s data
The research method employed was a combination of classic case study and implementation of a prototype.
Four case studies were carried out. The analysis of the four case studies intended to explore suitability of different approaches to system development.
Statistics anyone?Statistics anyone?
Statistical analysis is helpful when there is a need to determine certain facts, or correlations between facts. Helpful when doing research on a broader scale Generally, it provides an answer to ‘what?’
question ‘How’ question is better answered by qualitative
researching
Qualitative Problem statementQualitative Problem statement
Qualitative research problem statement The problem should be stated clearly and
unambiguously The problem should express what is it that
you want to explore , to understand What is the meaning of A? How does A exist ? Why A happens?
Quantitative Problem statementQuantitative Problem statement
Quantitative research problem statement The problem should be stated clearly and
unambiguously The problem should express a relation between two
or more variables Is A related to B? How are A and B related? How is A related to B under condition C? Is there a difference between A and B in terms of C?
Implies possibilities of empirical testing
TasksTasks
Write your problem statement Conduct background reading Decide on qualitative or quantitative approach
NextNextWriting research questionsWriting research questions