UNIVERSITY OF RIZAL SYSTEM

BINANGONAN, RIZAL
SCIENTIFIC MANAGEMENT RESEARCH
DBA 603

REPORTER: CHONA L. LIM

PROFESSOR: VIRGILIO V. SALENTES

The Research Problem and Objectives

A research problem is a question that a researcher wants to answer or a problem that a researcher wants
to solve. Identification and formulation of a research problem statement is the first step of the research
process. However, it is considered as one of the challenging and difficult phase of any research project. It
is believed that selection of a good research problem is a discovery in itself. Selection of research problem
depends on several factors such as researcher’s skills, knowledge, interest, expertise, Motivation, creativity
with respect to the subject of inquiry.

The problem statement actually articulates the problems to be addressed and indicates the need for a study
through the development of an argument. In other words, the problem statement present the topic under
study, provides a rational for the choice of topic, represents a synthesis of fact and theory and direct the
selection of design

The Research Problem.

5 factors to consider to determine that a problem is researchable or not.

1. The problem existing in the locality or country but no known solution to the problem.
2. The solution can be answered by using statistical methods and techniques.
3. There are probable solutions but they are not yet tested.
4. The occurrence of phenomena requires scientific investigation to arrive at precise solution.
5. Serious needs/problems of the people where it demands research.

Research objectives

Research objectives are a specification of the ultimate reason for carrying out research in the first place.
They help in developing a specific list of information needs. Only when the researcher knows the problem
that management wants to solve can the research project be designed to provide the pertinent information.

Characteristics and source of a Research Problem

Specific The problem should be specifically tested

Measurable It is easy to measure by using research instruments, apparatus or equipment.
Achievable The data are achievable using correct statistical tools to arrive at precise results.
Realistic Real results are attained because they are gathered scientifically and not manipulated or
maneuvered.
Time-bound Time frame is required in every activity because the shorter completion of the activity, the
better.

Sources of Research Problem

1. Specialization of the researcher.

2. Current and past researches.
3. Recommendations from theses, dissertations, and research journals.
4. Original and creative ideas of the researcher based on the problems met in the locality and country.
Identification of Research Problem
Identification of research problem is the first step in a scientific method for conducting a research. To initiate
a research, there should be pre-occurred ideas that generated the necessity for the research to be carried
out. The ideas are developed while going though literatures, discourses with experts and continuation of
activities related to the subject matter. These ideas develop into some specific topics that will be interesting
or rewarding if investigated. These topics generally called problems.
Some guidelines for selecting problems:

The problem should be such in which the researcher may be deeply interested.

The problem should be related with the chain of thinking. Stray problems can mislead the whole research
project.

The problem selected should not necessarily be new one. It may be old problem or one on which work has
already been done i.e., verification of old problem may be equally useful.

The problem should be within manageable limits i.e. it should not be too comprehensive.
Determining of the objective

Objective is clear concern and declarative sentence which provide direction to investigate solution or
variable

Characteristic of objective _The objectives of a project should be "SMART." They should be:

S pecific: clear about what, where, when, and how the situation will be changed;
M easurable: able to quantify the targets and benefits;
A chievable: able to attain the objectives (knowing the resources and capacities at the disposal of the
community);
R ealistic: able to obtain the level of change reflected in the objective; and
T ime bound: stating the time period in which they will each be accomplished.

TYPES OF OBJECTIVES

A .Broad objective or general-States what is to be achieved by the study in general terms. Usually only
one per study Related to core problem and topic of the study Shows target population and place

Example: To determine the factors associated with increased number of diarrhea cases among under fives
in X village

B. Specific objective-it is short in term and small to focus general objective can broken in small
.general objective completed by specific objective and Describe the variables that are measured by the
study Several in one study Use action verb

Example: To find out methods used for excreta disposal.

To find out methods used for water treatment
To determine the feeding habits of the under fives

The problem statement illustrates what’s wrong, what’s missing, what we don’t know or need to
know better, and what needs to be done. This should be synthesized in a paragraph or two,
followed by your research purpose and a statement of your research objectives.

A GOOD PROBLEM STATEMENT is succinct, convincing, articulates the research need, provides a
rationale for the research purpose and objectives, and is developed further in the
literature review / scholarly context section of your proposal.

A research hypothesis is a specific, clear, and testable proposition or predictive statement about the
possible outcome of a scientific research study based on a particular property of a population, such as
presumed differences between groups on a particular variable or relationships between variables.

Theoretical Framework

A theoretical framework is a collection of interrelated concepts, like a theory but not necessarily so well
worked-out. A theoretical framework guides your research, determining what things you will measure, and
what statistical relationships you will look for.

Theoretical frameworks are obviously critical in deductive, theory-testing sorts of studies.

Surprisingly, theoretical frameworks are also important in exploratory studies, where you really don't know
much about what is going on, and are trying to learn more. There are two reasons why theoretical
frameworks are important here. First, no matter how little you think you know about a topic, and how
unbiased you think you are, it is impossible for a human being not to have preconceived notions, even if
they are of a very general nature. For example, some people fundamentally believe that people are basically
lazy and untrustworthy, and you have keep your wits about you to avoid being conned. These fundamental
beliefs about human nature affect how you look things when doing personnel research. In this sense, you
are always being guided by a theoretical framework, but you don't know it. Not knowing what your real
framework is can be a problem. The framework tends to guide what you notice in an organization, and what
you don't notice. In other words, you don't even notice things that don't fit your framework! We can never
completely get around this problem, but we can reduce the problem considerably by simply making our
implicit framework explicit. Once it is explicit, we can deliberately consider other frameworks, and try to see
the organizational situation through different lenses

Theories are formulated to explain, predict, and understand phenomena and, in many cases, to challenge
and extend existing knowledge, within the limits of the critical bounding assumptions. The theoretical
framework is the structure that can hold or support a theory of a research study. The theoretical framework
introduces and describes the theory which explains why the research problem under study exists.
Importance of Theory

A theoretical framework consists of concepts, together with their definitions, and existing theory/theories
that are used for your particular study. The theoretical framework must demonstrate an understanding of
theories and concepts that are relevant to the topic of your research paper and that will relate it to the
broader fields of knowledge in the class you are taking.

The theoretical framework is not something that is found readily available in the literature. You must review
course readings and pertinent research literature for theories and analytic models that are relevant to the
research problem you are investigating. The selection of a theory should depend on its appropriateness,
ease of application, and explanatory power.

The theoretical framework strengthens the study in the following ways.

 An explicit statement of theoretical assumptions permits the reader to evaluate them critically.
 The theoretical framework connects the researcher to existing knowledge. Guided by a relevant
theory, you are given a basis for your hypotheses and choice of research methods.
 Articulating the theoretical assumptions of a research study forces you to address questions of why
and how. It permits you to move from simply describing a phenomenon observed to generalizing
about various aspects of that phenomenon.
 Having a theory helps you to identify the limits to those generalizations. A theoretical framework
specifies which key variables influence a phenomenon of interest. It alerts you to examine how
those key variables might differ and under what circumstances.
By virtue of its application nature, good theory in the social sciences is of value precisely because it fulfills
one primary purpose: to explain the meaning, nature, and challenges of a phenomenon, often experienced
but unexplained in the world in which we live, so that we may use that knowledge and understanding to act
in more informed and effective ways.

Strategies for Developing the Theoretical Framework

Here are some strategies to develop of an effective theoretical framework:

 Examine your thesis title and research problem. The research problem anchors your entire study
and forms the basis from which you construct your theoretical framework.
 Brainstorm on what you consider to be the key variables in your research. Answer the question,
what factors contribute to the presumed effect?
 Review related literature to find answers to your research question.
 List the constructs and variables that might be relevant to your study. Group these variables into
independent and dependent categories.
 Review the key social science theories that are introduced to you in your course readings and
choose the theory or theories that can best explain the relationships between the key variables in
your study [note the Writing Tip on this page].
 Discuss the assumptions or propositions of this theory and point out their relevance to your
research.
 A theoretical framework is used to limit the scope of the relevant data by focusing on specific
variables and defining the specific viewpoint (framework) that the researcher will take in analyzing
and interpreting the data to be gathered, understanding concepts and variables according to the
given definitions, and building knowledge by validating or challenging theoretical assumptions.

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK:

What is a conceptual framework? How do you prepare one? This article defines the meaning of conceptual
framework and lists the steps on how to prepare it. A simplified example is added to strengthen the reader’s
understanding.

In the course of preparing your research paper as one of the requirements for your course as an
undergraduate or graduate student, you will need to write the conceptual framework of your study. The
conceptual framework steers the whole research activity. The conceptual framework serves as a “map” or
“rudder” that will guide you towards realizing the objectives or intent of your study.

What then is a conceptual framework in the context of empirical research? The next section defines and
explains the term.

Definition of Conceptual Framework

A conceptual framework represents the researcher’s synthesis of literature on how to explain a

phenomenon. It maps out the actions required in the course of the study given his previous knowledge of
other researchers’ point of view and his observations on the subject of research.

In other words, the conceptual framework is the researcher’s understanding of how the particular variables
in his study connect with each other. Thus, it identifies the variables required in the research investigation.
It is the researcher’s “map” in pursuing the investigation.
As McGaghie et al. (2001) put it: The conceptual framework “sets the stage” for the presentation of the
particular research question that drives the investigation being reported based on the problem statement.
The problem statement of a thesis presents the context and the issues that caused the researcher to
conduct the study.

The conceptual framework lies within a much broader framework called theoretical framework. The latter
draws support from time-tested theories that embody the findings of many researchers on why and how a
particular phenomenon occurs.

Step by Step Guide on How to Make the Conceptual Framework

Before you prepare your conceptual framework, you need to do the following things:

 Choose your topic. Decide on what will be your research topic. The topic should be within your field
of specialization.
 Do a literature review. Review relevant and updated research on the theme that you decide to work
on after scrutiny of the issue at hand. Preferably use peer-reviewed and well-known scientific
journals as these are reliable sources of information.
 Isolate the important variables. Identify the specific variables described in the literature and figure
out how these are related. Some abstracts contain the variables and the salient findings thus may
serve the purpose. If these are not available, find the research paper’s summary. If the variables
are not explicit in the summary, get back to the methodology or the results and discussion section
and quickly identify the variables of the study and the significant findings. Read the TSPU
Technique on how to skim efficiently articles and get to the important points without much fuss.
 Generate the conceptual framework. Build your conceptual framework using your mix of the
variables from the scientific articles you have read. Your problem statement serves as a reference
in constructing the conceptual framework. In effect, your study will attempt to answer a question
that other researchers have not explained yet. Your research should address a knowledge gap.

Example of a Conceptual Framework

Thesis statement: Chronic exposure to blue light from LED screens (of computer monitors and television)
deplete melatonin levels thus reduce the number of sleeping hours among middle-aged adults.

The study claims that blue light from the light emitting diodes (LED) inhibit the production of melatonin, a
hormone that regulates sleep and wake cycles. Those affected experience insomnia; they sleep less than
required (usually less than six hours), and this happens when they spend too much time working on their
laptops or viewing the television at night.

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

Fig. 1 The research paradigm illustrating the researcher’s conceptual framework.

Notice that the variables of the study are explicit in the paradigm presented in Figure 1. In the illustration,
the two variables are 1) number of hours devoted in front of the computer, and 2) number of hours slept at
night. The former is the independent variable while the latter is the dependent variable. Both of these
variables are easy to measure. It is just counting the number of hours spent in front of the computer and
the number of hours slept by the subjects of the study.

Assuming that other things are constant during the performance of the study, it will be possible to relate
these two variables and confirm that indeed, blue light emanated from computer screens can affect one’s
sleeping patterns. (Please read the article titled “Do you know that the computer can disturb your sleeping
patterns?” to find out more about this phenomenon) A correlation analysis will show whether the relationship
is significant or not.