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Identifying a Research Problem (WHAT IS A RESEARCH PROBLEM AND WHY IS IT…
Identifying a Research
Problem
WHAT IS A RESEARCH PROBLEM AND
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
Educational issues
Controversies
The disruptions caused by at-risk students in classrooms
The increase in violence on college campuses
The lack of parental involvement in schools for students with challenging behaviors
HOW DOES THE RESEARCH PROBLEM DIFFER FROM OTHER PARTS OF RESEARCH?
A research topic
Is the broad subject matter addressed by the study
A research problem
Is a general educational issue, concern, or controversy
A purpose
Is the major intent or objective of the study used to address the problem.
Research questions
specific questions that the researcher would like answered or addressed in the study.
Reshape a purpose or a research question as a research problem
Poor model
purpose statement
Improved model
A revision of it as a research problem
CAN AND SHOULD PROBLEMS BE RESEARCHED?
You can research a problem if you have access to participants.
Can You Gain Access to People and Sites?
Permission to enter a site and to
involve people at the location of the study
Gaining access to an elementary school
Can You Find Time, Locate Resources, and Use Your Skills?
Time
Qualitative studies typically take more time than quantitative
data collection by examining similar studies
contacting the authors
asking researchers who are more experienced
Resources
such as mailing labels, postage, statistical programs, or audiovisual equipment.
funds for equipment, for participants, and for individuals to transcribe interviews.
such as funds for equipment, for participants, and for individuals to transcribe interviews.
Skills
skills gained through courses, training, and prior research experiences.
in quantitative studies, the skills are computers,
employing statistical programs, or creating tables for presenting information.
qualitative researchers consist of the ability to write detailed passages, to synthesize information into broad themes,
Should the Problem Be Researched?
Study the problem if your study will fill a gap or void in the existing literature.
Study the problem if your study replicates a past study but examines different participants and different research sites.
Study the problem if your study extends past research or examines the topic more
thoroughly.
Study the problem if your study gives voice to people silenced, not heard, or rejected
in society.
Study the problem if your study informs practice.
HOW DOES THE RESEARCH PROBLEM DIFFER IN QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE RESEARCH?
quantitative research
Measure variables
Assess the impact of these variables on an outcome
Test theories or broad explanations
Apply results to a large number of people
Explaining or predicting relations among variables is an important characteristic
qualitative research
Learn about the views of individuals
Assess a process over time
Generate theories based on participant perspectives
Obtain detailed information about
a few people or research sites
exploring and understanding the nature of trust
HOW DO YOU WRITE A “STATEMENT
OF THE PROBLEM” SECTION?
The Topic
Encourage readers to continue reading
generate interest in the
study
narrative hook
Statistical data
A provocative question
A clear need for research
The intent or purpose of the study
The Research Problem
practical research problems
research based research problem
Justification of the Importance of the Problem
Personal
Experiences
Used in qualitative
research
Experiences in the
Workplace
Used in both quantitative and
qualitative research
Suggestions Made
by Other Researchers
Used in both
quantitative and
qualitative research
Defciencies in What We Know
deficiency
in the evidence
extend the research
replicate a study
explore a topic
lift
the voices of marginalized people, or add to practice.
The Audience
“statement of the problem”
WHAT ARE SOME STRATEGIES FOR WRITING THE “STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM” SECTION?
A Template
Audiences that will profit from
the study
Other Writing Strategies
references in your study will build credibility for your work
EXAMPLES OF “STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM” SECTIONS
REEXAMINING THE PARENT INVOLVEMENT AND THE MOTHERS’ TRUST IN SCHOOL PRINCIPALS STUDIES