RESEARCH PROBLEM DEFINITION

Research Methodology

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Why define the Research Problem?

Defining your destination before beginning a journey.

It determines, what you will do, will it withstand scientific scrutiny, how you will do it, and what you may achieve!

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How is a research problem selected?

Researchers interest in a topic National or agency priorities Urgency of an issue Availability of research funds Availability of supervision

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Steps in defining research problems

1. Identify a broad topic2. Identify a narrow topic within the

broad topic3. Raise questions 4. Formulate objectives

Use action-oriented words - To demonstrate; To evaluate; To measure…

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Identifying Broad Topics

Think of the BIG PICTURE What is the problem you are trying to solve? Think of something you like to learn more

about Consult text books, journal or your supervisor

Pick one based on: Interest and relevance Magnitude of work involved Level of expertise

yours and your advisors

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Examples of Broad Topics

Optimizing productivity of land and water resources

Ensuring Food Safety & Security Sustaining Agricultural & Marine

Environments

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From Broad Topic to Narrow Topic

Examples of a narrow topic: Liver disease in Goat Greenhouse Agriculture Milk Quality Greywater reuse potential in Oman

When selecting a narrow topic think how it can contribute towards solving the BIG PROBLEM!

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Problem Tree – Keep asking Why?

Food Insecurity

Low Labor Productivity

Low Land Productivity

Unskilled Labor

Water Scarcity

Unsuitable Crops

Poor Soil

Inefficient Irrigation

Lack of crop varieties adapted to climate

Inefficient Water harvestingUnsuitable Climate

Farming Patterns do not Return nutrients

Farmers can’t afford fertilizers

Farmers unaware of best practices

Proposal Writing

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Sections

Title Introduction

additional sub sections if necessary Objectives Materials & Methods

additional sub sections if necessary A tentative time table A budget .

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Title

Specific & Short This forms the first impression

about your research If vague – Reader will be cynical

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Introduction

Convince the reader that you have identified a research problem, worthy of investigating.

Start very general – Broad Topic Highlight

the concept Practical significance

Reduce it to a narrow topic by Raising questions, and Stating answers from literature for most.

Establish Rationale: Research is necessary questions for which there is

no answer yet.

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Objectives

Provide a clear statement of the overall question- General objective

Follow it with action oriented tasks - Specific objectives.

If more than one specific objective state them sequentially

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Methodology

State it explicitly Enough detail for the reader to follow First give an overall summary of your study design and

methodological approach. Then provide the methodology for each specific

objective. Describe

the specific design (what will you do and how, number of replicates, etc.),

the materials and techniques that will be used, and the feasibility of these techniques. Use literature to support design, materials & techniques Need not repeat standard procedures – but give a

reference.

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References

List all references In alphabetical order

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GANTT Chart (Time line)

Task Quarter1

Quarter2

Quarter3

Quarter4

Survey

Test GWT

Analyze data

Write Thesis

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Budget

SUMMARY OF FUNDS REQUESTED (RO)

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 TOTAL

Capital Equipment 7500 7500

Recurrent Items 8000 6000 16000 30000

Use of University Facilities 1000 1000 1000 3000

Local Travel Costs 1000 1000 1000 3000

Publication Costs 500 500 2500 2600

Miscellaneous 2000 2000 2000 6000

TOTAL 12500 18000 22500 53000