Selecting a Research Selecting a Research ProblemProblem

Problem!Problem!

1.1. A question raised for inquiry, A question raised for inquiry, consideration or solutionconsideration or solution

2.2. A complex unsettled questionA complex unsettled question

Source: Webster’s 7th New Collegiate Dictionary

What do we do with What do we do with Problems?Problems?

► Ignore themIgnore them►Talk about themTalk about them►Try to solve themTry to solve them

What is a Research Problem?What is a Research Problem?

► It is a problem that someone would like It is a problem that someone would like to investigate.to investigate.

► It is considered a situation that needs It is considered a situation that needs to be changed or addressed.to be changed or addressed.

► These problems consist of:These problems consist of:► Areas of concernAreas of concern► Conditions to be improvedConditions to be improved► Difficulties to be eliminatedDifficulties to be eliminated► Questions seeking answersQuestions seeking answers

The Research ProblemThe Research Problem

► In educational research, the research In educational research, the research problem is typically posed as a problem is typically posed as a question.question.

Factors to consider in Factors to consider in Selecting a Research Selecting a Research

ProblemProblem► The topic should be The topic should be important important

(significant)(significant) Writing a thesis or dissertation is an exercise Writing a thesis or dissertation is an exercise

to learn how to conduct research.to learn how to conduct research. However, graduate students can learn the However, graduate students can learn the

research process on an important topic just research process on an important topic just as easy as learning the research process on as easy as learning the research process on daily topic!daily topic!

More Factors to Consider…More Factors to Consider…

► Consider the Consider the feasibility feasibility of the project. of the project. How muchHow much time time do you have available do you have available

► Do you really want to do a longitudinal study that will Do you really want to do a longitudinal study that will take 3 years to complete for a MS thesis?take 3 years to complete for a MS thesis?

How How difficultdifficult is it. Are data available? is it. Are data available? How much will it How much will it costcost??

More Factors…More Factors…

►Make sure the topic is Make sure the topic is ethicalethical to study. to study.

Factors to Consider in Factors to Consider in Selecting a Research Selecting a Research

ProblemProblem►You should have a You should have a personal interestpersonal interest in in

the topic.the topic. By the time you are done, you may really By the time you are done, you may really

be tired of the topicbe tired of the topic

More Factors to Consider…More Factors to Consider…

►The “The “newnessnewness” of the topic may hold ” of the topic may hold you interest longer, however there is you interest longer, however there is some value in repeating previous some value in repeating previous researchresearch

More Factors…More Factors…

►Make sure the research question is Make sure the research question is clearclear..

Researchable vs. Non-researchable Researchable vs. Non-researchable QuestionsQuestions

Writing Clear QuestionsWriting Clear Questions

► Don’t use words open to interpretationDon’t use words open to interpretation Humanistic, teacher centered classroomHumanistic, teacher centered classroom

► Be very specificBe very specific 4-H agents, not extension agents4-H agents, not extension agents

► It is measurableIt is measurable End of Course Test Scores, not learningEnd of Course Test Scores, not learning

Defining TermsDefining Terms

► There are 3 ways to clarify important There are 3 ways to clarify important terms or meaning in a research question:terms or meaning in a research question:1) use of 1) use of constitutive definitionconstitutive definition (the dictionary (the dictionary

approach)approach)

2) use of proper example(s)2) use of proper example(s)

3) use of 3) use of operational definitionoperational definition (specifying (specifying operations used to measure or identify operations used to measure or identify examples of the term)examples of the term)

See p. 53, “Key Terms to Define in a Research Study”

How does one find How does one find topics to research?topics to research?

► Become a scholar in an area of Become a scholar in an area of specializationspecialization

► Read, listen, discuss and think criticallyRead, listen, discuss and think critically► Follow up on ideas that stem from present Follow up on ideas that stem from present

researchresearch► Explore areas of dissatisfactionExplore areas of dissatisfaction

Steps in “Zeroing In” Steps in “Zeroing In” on a Problemon a Problem

► Identify a broad area that interests youIdentify a broad area that interests you► Read the literatureRead the literature► Narrow the area to 2 or 3 topicsNarrow the area to 2 or 3 topics► Thoroughly examine the literature on the 2-Thoroughly examine the literature on the 2-

3 topics3 topics► Select a single problem from 2-3 topicsSelect a single problem from 2-3 topics

Refining the TopicRefining the Topic

►The topic has to be “sized”!The topic has to be “sized”! Generally this means reducing the scope Generally this means reducing the scope

of the topic, occasionally it might be of the topic, occasionally it might be expanded.expanded.

Graduate students often select topics that Graduate students often select topics that are too broadare too broad

I want to research the effect of providing

immediate feedback to university students!

Way too general and broad!

Refining the TopicRefining the Topic

►The topic has to be “clarified”!The topic has to be “clarified”! The topic needs to reworded so that it The topic needs to reworded so that it

states clearly and unambiguously states clearly and unambiguously ►the matter to be investigated, the matter to be investigated, ►the variables to be investigated, the variables to be investigated, ►and participants, if any, that will be involved.and participants, if any, that will be involved.

I want to research the impact of providing

immediate feedback via e-Instruction responders in AEE graduate classes!

Much Better!

Refining the TopicRefining the Topic

►A series of research questions or one A series of research questions or one or more hypotheses, or both, should or more hypotheses, or both, should be stated.be stated.

►Such questions and hypotheses orient Such questions and hypotheses orient the study, add cohesiveness, and are the study, add cohesiveness, and are essential in helping solve the problem.essential in helping solve the problem.

Does the use of e-Information responders to provide immediate feedback to graduate students in AEE classes:

1. Increase student learning?2. Improve student evaluations of

classes?

It is hypothesized that:It is hypothesized that:

►Graduate students in AEE classes Graduate students in AEE classes who use the e-Instruction who use the e-Instruction responders will score higher on responders will score higher on mid-term and final exams than mid-term and final exams than graduate students in AEE classes graduate students in AEE classes who do not use the e-Instruction who do not use the e-Instruction responders.responders.

It is further It is further hypothesized that:hypothesized that:

►Graduate AEE classes in which e-Graduate AEE classes in which e-Instruction responders are used Instruction responders are used will have higher course will have higher course evaluations than will graduate AEE evaluations than will graduate AEE classes in which the e-Instruction classes in which the e-Instruction responders were not used.responders were not used.