Formulating a Research Problem Dr.Srirath Pakdeeronachit.
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Transcript of Formulating a Research Problem Dr.Srirath Pakdeeronachit.
Formulating a Research Problem
Dr.Srirath Pakdeeronachit
The Research Problem
No problem, no research
A problem that someone would like to research
Researchable
Power Meenaghan&Twoomney (1985): “Potential research questions may occur to us on a regular basis, but the process of formulating them in a meaningful way is not at all an easy task”
Researchable vs. Non-researchable Questions
Fraenkel JR,
The Importance of formulating a Research Problem
Formulating a research problem is the first and most important step of the research process.
Identify the destination before taking the journey
Research question = Foundation of building
The Importance of formulating a Research Problem
Research problem determines type of study design type of sampling strategy research instrument type of analysis
Sources of Research Problems Journal, article, etc. Personal interest and experiences Deduction from theory Experts Conversation with colleagues or at professional
conferences. Observation Literature reviews. Replication of studies
Considerations in Selecting a Research Problem
Interest Magnitude Measurement of concepts Level of expertise Relevance Availability of data Ethical issues
Considerations in Selecting a Research Problem
Interest should be the most important consideration keeps the researcher interested in it throughout
the research process
Magnitude Measurement of concepts Level of expertise Relevance Availability of data Ethical issues
Considerations in Selecting a Research Problem Interest
Magnitude Not too broad or too big Not too narrow Manageable, specific and clear
Measurement of concepts Level of expertise Relevance Availability of data Ethical issues
Considerations in Selecting a Research Problem Interest Magnitude
Measurement of concepts If a concept is used in the study, Be clear about
its indicators and their measurement
Level of expertise Relevance Availability of data Ethical issues
Considerations in Selecting a Research Problem Interest Magnitude Measurement of concepts
Level of expertise fits the level of researcher’s level of research
skills, needed resources, and time restrictions
Relevance Availability of data Ethical issues
Considerations in Selecting a Research Problem Interest Magnitude Measurement of concepts Level of expertise
Relevance contributes to the improvement and
understanding of educational theory and practice Relevant to your area of professional
Availability of data Ethical issues
Considerations in Selecting a Research Problem Interest Magnitude Measurement of concepts Level of expertise Relevance
Availability of data If you want to collect information from secondary
sources (office record, client records, already-published reports), Make sure that these data are available and in the format you want
Ethical issues
Considerations in Selecting a Research Problem Interest Magnitude Measurement of concepts Level of expertise Relevance Availability of data
Ethical issues Do no harm to person/society involved
Considerations in Selecting a Research Problem
Interest Magnitude Measurement of concepts Level of expertise Relevance Availability of data Ethical issues
FUNDABLE!!!
Steps in Formulation of a Research Problem
Step I: Identify a broad field or subject area of
interest to you
Step II: Dissect the broad area into subareas
Step III: Select what is the most interest to you
Step IV: Raise research question
Step V: Formulate objectives
Step VI: Assess your objectives
Step VII: Double-check
The Formulation of Objectives
Objectives are the goal you set out to attain in your study
Should be listed under 2 headings Main or overall objectives - overall statement Sub- or specific objectives - clearly listed and
unambiguously
Usually use the action words such as to study, to analyze, to explore, to assess, to interpret,
to develop, to elucidate, to identify, to articulate, to establish, to construct, to propose, to argue, to compare
The Formulation of Objectives
Objectives are the goal you set out to attain in your study
Should be listed under 2 headings Main or overall objectives
- overall statement of the study Sub- or specific objectives
- specific aspects of the topic that you want to investigate- clearly listed and unambiguously
The Formulation of Objectives
Usually use the action-oriented words such as to study, to analyze, to explore, to assess, to interpret,
to develop, to elucidate, to identify, to articulate, to establish, to construct, to propose, to argue, to compare
Examples of Objectives
To describe the major treatment program provided by Siriraj hospital to alcoholics in Bang Plad Area (descriptive research)
To ascertain the impact of migration on family roles (correlational research)
To compare the effectiveness of different teaching methods on the comprehensive students (correlational research)
To ascertain if an increase in youth unemployment will increase the incidence of street crime (to test a hypothesis)
Defining Terms in Research
3 common ways to clarify ambiguous or unclear terms in research question involve the use of Constitutive (dictionary-type) definition Definition by example Operational definition
Defining Terms in Research
Constitutive (dictionary-type) definition Use additional terms to clarify the meaning
Operational definition Describes how examples of a term are to be
measured or identified
Defining Terms in Research
Important to develop, define or establish a set of rules, indicator in order to clearly establish the meaning of such words/items
Important to define clearly the study population from which you need to obtain the required information
Example of Establishing Operational Definitions
Main objective – to find out the number of children living below the poverty line in Bangkok
Define the word “poverty line” Define the word “Children”
Key Terms to Define in a Research Study
Terms necessary to ensure that the research question is sharply focused
Terms that individuals outside the field of study may not understand
Terms that have multiple meanings Terms that are essential to understanding
what the study is about Terms to provide precision in specifications
for instruments to be develpoed