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