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IDENTIFYING AND STATING A RESEARCH PROBLEM, image, image, image, image,…
IDENTIFYING AND STATING A RESEARCH PROBLEM
The first step in selecting a research problem is to identify a general subject area that is related to your area of expertise and is of particular interest to you. Remember, you will be spending a great deal of time reading about and working with your chosen problem. Having one that interests you will help you maintain focus during the months of conducting your study.
SOURCES OF RESEARCH PROBLEMS
The five main sources of research problems are theories, personal experiences, previous studies that can be replicated, electronic mailing lists, and library searches.
STUDIES THAT CAN BE REPLICATED
A replication is a repetition of a study using different subjects to retest its hypothesis. No single study, regardless of its focus or breadth, provides the certainty needed to assume that similar results occur in all or most similar situations.
LIBRARY SEARCHES
The library is most useful to the researcher after a problem has been narrowed. Then library resources can provide information to place the problem in perspective, reveal what researchers have already learned about the problem, and suggest methods for carrying out a study.
PERSONAL EXPERIENCES
Another common way to identify research problems is to examine some of the questions we often ourselves about education. Questions may arise when we participate in class discussion, read articles in local newspapers and educational journals, or interact with others.
ELECTRONIC MAINLING LISTS
Electronic mailing lists are designed by organizations or special interest groups to facilitate communication among their members. Through one of these lists, you can expect to receive announcements and bulletins related to your area of interest.
THEORIES
A theory is an organized body of concepts, generalizations, and principles that can be investigated. Educationally relevant theories, such as theories of learning and behavior, can provide the inspiration for many research problems.
CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD PROBLEM
A good problem has theoretical or practical significance; its solution contributes in some way to improving the educational process.
A good problem is one that is ethical and does not harm participants in any way.
A good problem for you must be a problem that can be adequately investigated given your current level of research skill, the available resources, and time and other restrictions.
STATING THE RESEARCH PROBLEM
QUANTITATIVE
A well-written problem statement for a quantitative study generally indicates the variables of interest, the specific relations among those variables, and the characteristics of the participants.
QUALITATIVE
Qualitative research problems are usually stated in
general language because qualitative researchers need to become attuned to the research context before narrowing their problem.
NARROWING THE PROBLEM
After an initial problem is identified, it often needs to be narrowed and focused into a manageable problem to study.
Quantitative research problems are usually narrowed quickly at the start of a study.
Qualitative research problems are not usually narrowed until the researcher has more information about the participants and their setting.
FORMULATING AND STATING A HYPOTHESIS
HYPOTHESIS
A hypothesis is a researcher’s prediction of the research findings.
A hypothesis in a quantitative study is formulated based on theory or on knowledge gained while reviewing the related literature.
TYPES OF HYPOTESIS
DEDUCTIVE
It is derived from theory and provides evidence that supports, expands, or contradicts the theory. A research hypothesis states an expected relation or difference between variables.
NONDIRECTIONAL
A nondirectional hypothesis states simply that a relation or difference between variables exists.
INDUCTIVE
It is a generalization based on specific observations. The researcher observes that certain patterns or associations among variables occur in a number of situations and uses these tentative observations to form an inductive hypothesis.
DIRECTIONAL
A directional hypothesis states the expected direction of the relation or difference.
DEVELOPING RESEARCH QUESTIONS
Developing research questions breathes life into the research problem statements.
The research questions add another level of specificity to the development of the research and provide the researcher with an action plan for the development and identification of research instruments.
