RSC 001 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY CAT 1

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a). Identify and describe the critical issues in stating a research problem? (4 marks)
A research problem is a statement about an area of concern, a condition to be improved, a
difficulty to be eliminated, or a troubling question that exists in scholarly literature, in theory, or
in practice that points to the need for meaningful understanding and deliberate investigation. In
some social science disciplines the research problem is typically posed in the form of a question.
A research problem does not state how to do something, offer a vague or broad proposition, or
present a value question. While stating a research problem, one should consider the following
critical issues;
 Clarity and precision [a well-written statement does not make sweeping
generalizations and irresponsible statements],
 Identification of what would be studied, while avoiding the use of value-laden words
and terms,
 Identification of an overarching question and key factors or variables,
 Identification of key concepts and terms,
 Articulation of the study's boundaries or parameters,
 Some generalizability in regards to applicability and bringing results into general use,
 Conveyance of the study's importance, benefits, and justification [regardless of the
type of research, it is important to address the “so what” question by demonstrating
that the research is not trivial],
 Does not have unnecessary jargon; and,
 Conveyance of more than the mere gathering of descriptive data providing only a
snapshot of the issue or phenomenon under investigation.
b). Describe the major considerations in writing the background of the study? (5 marks)
While writing an effective background, the following major considerations should be followed;
 Don’t write a background that is too long or too short. Focus on including all the
important details but write concisely.  
 Don’t be ambiguous. Writing in a way that does not convey the message to the readers
defeats the purpose of the background, so express yourself keeping in mind that the
reader does not know your research intimately.  
 Don’t discuss unrelated themes. Try and center your discussion around the pivotal
aspects of your research topic i.e. highlight the gaps in the literature, state the novelty of
the study, and the need to conduct the study.
 Don’t be disorganized. Not discussing the themes in a chronological manner can confuse
the reader about the progress in the field, so try and organize your writing carefully.
c). Name and explain the major components of an introduction of a research study (6
marks)
The introduction to a research paper simply introduces the topic being researched. The
introduction contains a topic sentence, a thesis statement, then three to five reasons, details
and/or facts supporting your research followed by a conclusion. It should be relatively brief,
concise and clear.
The Topic Sentence
The topic sentence in the introduction simply states the main idea of your paper. It should be
clear and concise yet thorough enough for a reader to understand what will be presented.
The Thesis Statement
The thesis statement in the introduction makes the main idea of your paper clear to the reader.
Examine your outline for direction, then write several thesis statements and choose the one that
most appropriately fits your topic sentence. Utilizing expressive words and vivid action verbs
help the thesis grab the reader's attention. Refine your thesis statement by reading it aloud several
times to ensure clarity and cohesion.
Supporting Sentences
Three to five reasonable arguments should be presented in the form of reasons, details and/or
facts. These arguments must support your research. This is where the significance of the
researched information can be summarized concisely before you express it in the body. An
introduction can contain all reasons, all details, all facts or a combination of the three. Giving
this pertinent information further leads the reader to discover why this research is important.
The Conclusion Sentence
The concluding sentence of the introductory paragraph simply recalls the main idea and adds a
strong ending to a paragraph. When writing the concluding sentence, rewrite the topic sentence
using different words but keep the main idea intact. Also, add a new detail or insight about the
main idea. The conclusion should use words that grab the reader's attention.
Total 15 Marks