From Objectives to MethodsFrom Objectives to Methods

(c) Research Problem and Questions(c) Research Problem and Questions

A/Professor Rob CavanaghA/Professor Rob Cavanagh

April 16, 2008April 16, 2008

Why Start with a Problem?Why Start with a Problem?

Research is essentially inquiryResearch is essentially inquiry

The process of inquiry assumes an interplay The process of inquiry assumes an interplay between the inquirer and the object of the between the inquirer and the object of the inquiryinquiry

The inquirer has a reason or motivation for The inquirer has a reason or motivation for gaining a better understanding of something gaining a better understanding of something in his/her life or in the worldin his/her life or in the world

Implicit in the notion of ‘better Implicit in the notion of ‘better understanding’ is the presence of a ‘problem’ understanding’ is the presence of a ‘problem’ for the inquirer for the inquirer

What is a ProblemWhat is a Problem

Problem – any question or matter involving Problem – any question or matter involving doubt, uncertainty or difficultydoubt, uncertainty or difficulty

Problem – a question proposed for solution or Problem – a question proposed for solution or discussiondiscussion

Problem - difficult to train or guide; unruly ( a Problem - difficult to train or guide; unruly ( a pproblemroblem child) child)

Macquarie DictionaryMacquarie Dictionary

A Research ProblemA Research Problem

An operational definition:An operational definition:

A research problem is a question or matter A research problem is a question or matter involving doubt, uncertainty or difficulty that involving doubt, uncertainty or difficulty that is proposed for solution or discussionis proposed for solution or discussion

Key aspects of a research problem. It concerns:Key aspects of a research problem. It concerns:

1.1. A questionA question

2.2. Something which is Something which is not fully understoodnot fully understood

3.3. Something that has been deliberately Something that has been deliberately chosen as the subject of inquirychosen as the subject of inquiry

What is Not a Research Problem?What is Not a Research Problem?

A question that has an obvious or previously A question that has an obvious or previously confirmed answer confirmed answer

A statement of fact by the ‘researcher’ – the A statement of fact by the ‘researcher’ – the researcher already has an unequivocal researcher already has an unequivocal answer, view or positionanswer, view or position

A statement that precludes inquiryA statement that precludes inquiry

For example:For example: Outcomes based education leads to improved Outcomes based education leads to improved

student learningstudent learning

Foundations of a Research ProblemFoundations of a Research Problem

The researcher has a guiding image or The researcher has a guiding image or abstract ideal (an abstract ideal (an eidoseidos) that stimulates ) that stimulates engagement in inquiryengagement in inquiry

The researcher is knowledgeable, preferably The researcher is knowledgeable, preferably without bias, about the subject of inquirywithout bias, about the subject of inquiry

The researcher’s knowledge has been The researcher’s knowledge has been obtained in a systematic manner – literature obtained in a systematic manner – literature on the matter has been read and assayed on the matter has been read and assayed

From Problem to Research QuestionsFrom Problem to Research Questions

The problem should be expressible as a question The problem should be expressible as a question and if not already expressed as question needs and if not already expressed as question needs to be re-written as a questionto be re-written as a question

Consider:Consider:

What is doubtful, uncertain or difficult in the What is doubtful, uncertain or difficult in the matter to be investigated?matter to be investigated?

What has caused this doubt, uncertainty or What has caused this doubt, uncertainty or difficulty? For example:difficulty? For example:

1.1.Lack of prevailing knowledge or theoryLack of prevailing knowledge or theory2.2.Contradictions in prevailing knowledge or theoryContradictions in prevailing knowledge or theory3.3.Unproven relationships or connections between Unproven relationships or connections between

variablesvariables

Think in Terms of Research ObjectivesThink in Terms of Research Objectives

Research objectives specify the anticipated Research objectives specify the anticipated outcomes of the investigation outcomes of the investigation

The objectives of research could be classified as:The objectives of research could be classified as:

Exploratory – seeking new understandings Exploratory – seeking new understandings

Descriptive - describing better or alternatively Descriptive - describing better or alternatively exemplifying what is already known in a new exemplifying what is already known in a new context context

Confirmatory – testing/ validating hypothesesConfirmatory – testing/ validating hypotheses

Characteristics of Good Research Characteristics of Good Research QuestionsQuestions

Research questions should be feasible - that is, Research questions should be feasible - that is, capable of being investigated with available capable of being investigated with available resourcesresources

Research questions should be clear - that is, Research questions should be clear - that is, unambiguous unambiguous

Research questions should be significant - that is, Research questions should be significant - that is, worthy of investigationworthy of investigation

Research questions often (although not always) Research questions often (although not always) suggest a relationship to be investigated. The suggest a relationship to be investigated. The term 'relationship,' as used in research, refers to term 'relationship,' as used in research, refers to a connection or association between two or more a connection or association between two or more characteristics or qualitiescharacteristics or qualities

Concluding RemarksConcluding Remarks

Start with the eidos and at the level of the Start with the eidos and at the level of the problemproblem

The conceptual framework developed from The conceptual framework developed from the literature review is based on the problemthe literature review is based on the problem

The conceptual framework should reveal The conceptual framework should reveal possible connections or associations between possible connections or associations between concepts or variables that can be expressed concepts or variables that can be expressed as specific research questionsas specific research questions

Finally, the research questions must be Finally, the research questions must be answerableanswerable