RESEARCH METHODOLOGY10/25/15 soraya 1 Formulating research problem depends on Expertise in research methodology Knowledge in subject area Understanding of the issues to be examined The extent to which the focus of the study is pre-determined. 10/25/15 soraya 2 Any question that you want to answer in any assumption or assertion that you want to challenge or investigate can become a research problem or research topic. Potential research question may occur on us on a regular basis but the process of formulating them in a meaningful way is not at all an easy task. It is essential for the problem you formulate to be able to withstand scientific scrutiny in terms of procedures required to be undertaken 10/25/15 soraya 3 The formulation of a research problem is the first and most important step of the research process. A research problem is the foundation of the building. The type and the design of the building depends on the foundation. The research problem serves as the foundation of a research study: if it is well-formulated, you can expect a good study to follow. The way you formulate a problem determines almost every step that follow: the study design, the sample, the instruments, etc. The formulation of a problem is like the input into a study and ‘output’-the quality of the content of research report and the validity of the association or caution established-is entirely depend upon it. 10/25/15 soraya 4 Aspect of a study about Study of Study of population people Individuals, organizations, groups, communities Subject area Problem Issues, situations, associations, needs, population, composition, profile, etc. Program Content, structure, outcomes, attributes, satisfaction, consumers, service, providers, etc. phenomeno Cause and effect relationship, n the study of phenomenon itself, etc. 10/25/15 soraya 5 Interest Magnitude Measurement of concept Level of expertise Relevance Availability of the data Ethical issues 10/25/15 soraya 6 In choosing a research problem, the two crucial determinants to keep in mind are 1. the interest in subject area 2. manageability of the study within the own constraints. The steps to formulate research problem 1. identify a broad area of interest in your academic/professional field 2. dissect the broad area into sub-areas 3. select a sub-area or areas in which you would like to conduct your research 4. raise research question that you would like to answer through your study 5. formulate objectives, main and sub, for your study 6. assess these objectives to ascertain the feasibility of attaining them in the light of time , resources, and technical expertise at your disposal, 7. double check that you are sufficiently interested in the study and have adequate resources for undertaking it. 10/25/15 soraya 7 Objectives should be listed under two headings 1. main objective 2. sub-objectives Main objective is an overall statement of the thrust of your study. It is also a statement of the main association and relation that you seek to discover or establish. Sub-objectives should be numerically listed. They should be worded clearly and unambiguously. The way the main and sub-objectives are worded determines how your research is classified (descriptive, correlational, or experimental) 10/25/15 soraya 8 The main aim of formulating research problem is to clearly and precisely define the research problem. In a research study, it is important to develop, define, or establish a set of rules, indicators, or yardsticks in order to clearly establish the meaning of such word items. In a reserch study, you need to define these clearly to avoid ambiguity or confusion. Operational definition may differ from dictionary definition as well as from day-to-day meanings. Operational definitions give an operational meaning to the study population and the concept used. 10/25/15 soraya 9