RESEARH PROBLEM DEFINITION

SA Prathapar Research Methodology

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. 2.

3. 4.

Identify a broad topic Identify a narrow topic within the broad topic Raise questions 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 Interest and relevance Magnitude of work involved Level of expertise

Pick one based on:

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?

Unskilled Labor Low Labor Productivity Unsuitable Climate Inefficient Water harvesting Inefficient Irrigation

Water Scarcity Food Insecurity Unsuitable Crops

Lack of crop varieties adapted to climate

Farming Patterns do not Return nutrients

Low Land Productivity

Farmers cant afford fertilizers

Poor Soil
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Farmers unaware of best practices

Proposal Writing

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

Reduce it to a narrow topic by

the concept Practical significance

Establish Rationale:

Raising questions, and Stating answers from literature for most. 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 Survey Test GWT Analyze data Write Thesis
Quarter1 Quarter2 Quarter3 Quarter4

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Budget
SUMMARY OF FUNDS REQUESTED (RO) Year 1 Capital Equipment Recurrent Items Use of University Facilities Local Travel Costs Publication Costs Miscellaneous TOTAL 8000 1000 1000 500 2000 12500 Year 2 7500 6000 1000 1000 500 2000 18000 16000 1000 1000 2500 2000 22500 Year 3 TOTAL 7500 30000 3000 3000 2600 6000 53000

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