13/03/2020

Discussion Points
BUQS 3011 • Finding research problems 
Identifying and Structuring Research  • Structuring research problems
Problems • Assignment 2
13 March 2020

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The U Model- Step 1 Alignment

Moving from problem area to research question

The Problem
The Problem Area Area
Title Aim
The
Research
Problem
The Research
Problem Research
Question

Research Cleaning up
Question

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The U Model- Cyclical

The U Model- Overview

The Problem Contribute The Problem

Area Area
! !
The The
Research Research
Problem Problem
Answer The Answer The
Research research Research
research
Question Question Question
Structured Question
Research Analyze and
Question synthesize the
results

Reality Reality
Detailed Literature HOW TO Detailed Literature HOW TO
Review EXTRACT Review EXTRACT
EMPIRICAL EMPIRICAL
EVIDENCE EVIDENCE

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Can I substantiate this

What Kind of Problem do I need ?
problem?
• Is it relevant to my discipline?
• What empiric evidence support this problem?
• Is it real – can it be substantiated? • Where is this problem discussed?
• Who owns this problem? • Who grapples with the problem?
• Will this problem be relevant in your specific
• What further contributions can be made through  circumstance?
addressing this problem?
• Will you find a problem sponsor?
• What other benefits can I get from addressing this  • How many recent sources of literature mentions it as a
problem problem?

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Extracting a Research Finding the Research Question 

Problem within the Research Problem
Substantiate Empirically
• It ends in a question mark!!!!!!
Background
Problem Substantiate BOK • It has a specific and considered scope
IN YOUR • It is probably complex and contain a 
DOMAIN number of possible sub‐questions and 
literature questions
Research
Problem • You may need assumptions to answer it
• There may be some limitations in your 
ability to answer it
Relevant, Contributes &
Do- able

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VGRID - PROCESS LAST DECISION

Research Paucity Filter EVERY
Problem QUESTION Pragmatic
Left after Decision NO I am
Blind Filter Paucity not going
filter to
answer
Main this
Research question
question
YES I am going to
answer this No
question Literature
Possible
– Leads to
questions Some
Scope cleared Not to be M Level - Limitation
out Limited Literature
answered in this Enough Literature
Research- Literature
Delineate out of Literature
Research Make an
study Sub question Assump
Sub-
-tion
question

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Exercise 1
First step in Vgrid

A substantiated problem 
Consider the following research problem:
Statement ..
leading to consequences
The
Research
We don’t know what the impact of eviction of people 
Problem More or less cleaned up from hijacked buildings is.
Into research question
(Not yes or No!!)
This will determine appropriate 
?
Research design The consequences are…..
In your groups – please determine a research question.
Find all the questions that could 
possibly exist in this 
Start with what is…… questions

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Important facts about the research  Hypothesis, Primary research question, 
question research statement …….
• Use the same concepts and terminology as used in the 
• Different forms of research require different central 
research problem – remember the golden thread
focus entities
• It is possible to ask questions that imply positivist 
• Positivist research requires an hypothesis
(mostly quantitative) and interpretivist (qualitative ) 
type questions within the same research problem • An hypothesis contains two variables and a 
relationship
• In positivist research (mostly quantitative) you ask 
questions that will be answered by describing or  Please consult the appropriate texts of the form of 
explaining something research that you aim to do
• In interpretivist research you ask questions that need  • You can get guidance from texts, your 
to be answered by understanding something syndicate leader, supervisors or in discussion 
classes
• Be aware of Dogmatism in this area!

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Exercise 2 Selecting Questions – The blind filter

Let us agree on a specific research question :
What questions can or will you not ask?
• Taboos based on ethics
What is the impact of evicting people from a hijacked 
• Taboos based on culture
building?
• Taboos based on domain and discipline
• Prevailing practice in discipline
Each group should identify at least ten possible questions 
that are implied within the research question above. • Main school of thought
• Experience
Then :Focus on the clarification  of the exact 
scope and assumptions (including definitions)

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Considering the blind filter What next

Now you have a long list of possible questions
• Un‐asked and unanswered questions – a key weakness in  • Try to get as wide a range of questions as possible
your research
• Do you have all the “what is meant by….” questions?
• Assumptions that you are unaware of Remember the reader wants to be on your page

• Limitations that you are unaware of • There should be a mix of qualitative and quantitative

questions
• BOK that you have not taken into account
• You want No UN-ADDRESSED questions
NOW YOU WANT TO CLEAR UP THE
•FUNDAMENTAL FOR INTER AND  QUESTION OR DELINEATE THE QUESTION
TRANSDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH 

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Applying the Paucity Filter The second Filter ‐ Paucity?

• Here I define the scope of my research
• I decide explicitly what to include or exclude in the 
Inside the research
Research • Delineation
Question • It is essential to be hones at this step and to articulate 
the exclusions clearly in my proposal and thesis
• This is essential in assuring that I spend the next set of 
analysis only where it matters (Pareto principle)
Outside the Research
Question

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Questions to ask in for paucity filter And Now ?
Now you have a shorter list of possible questions
How important is it to answer your research  To structure you have to really consider the questions left 
question? over

If its important – it is Inside the Research Question.
• Question a WHAT  IS THIS 
QUESTION AND 
• Question b WHAT CAN BE DONE 
The NOT IMPORTANTS Determine your Delineation WITH IT ?
• Question c
And is Outside your Research question • …………

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Order the questions
• There is an order in which you have to answer the  • Now order the questions at all the levels
questions
• First group the questions into sets that make sense  • This will give you an indication of your 
and sort out the hierarchy argument
• This hierarchy can be reflected in the grid by 
• Research question putting extra columns
• Sub question1 Sub 1
• Sub sub question 1.1 Sub sub 1
Sub sub 2
• Sub sub question 1.2 Sub sub 2.1
• Sub sub question1.2.1 Sub sub 2.2

• Sub question 2
etc 26

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Questions to ask in analysis Questions to ask in analysis
• Is it qualitative or quantitative , what paradigm?
• Are there ethical concerns and what are they?
NOW MAKE A PRAGMATIC DECISION – ARE YOU 
• What is the theoretical grounding? (specific  GOING TO BE ABLE TO ANSWER WITH EVIDENCE?
Literature)? (summarize to Lit Review topics)
There is no right or wrong
• What sources of data/ evidence exist?
• Do I have ethical access to that data/evidence?
• Are there validated and reliable instruments? Hint
Order the questions in 
• Do you have or can you acquire the skills set to  the order that they 
should be answered
answer this question?

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APPLYING THE PRAGMATIC Now you have

EVERY FILTER A structured research question
QUESTION Pragmatic
Left after Decision NO I am Under the
Paucity not going following
filter to Boundary
conditions
answer Literature  Research Sub
this Question question
question Research
YES I am going to
Literature  Research Sub Question
answer this No
Question question
question Literature
– Leads to •Delineation
Some •Limitation
Limitation
Limited Literature •Assumptions
Literature 
Literature Enough Literature Research Sub
Question question
Literature
Research Make an This argument needs to be
Sub question Assump
Sub- combined as applicable to
-tion
question your question

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Structuring Research (format)
Potential  How  Is it  Are there  What is the  What  Is ethical  Are there  Can  Do you  Is it possible 
Potential  YOU CAN NOT ANSWER IN THIS  YOU CAN ANSWER IN THIS 
question important  qualitative  ethical  theoretical  sources of  access to  validated  instrum have or can  to answer  question RESEARCH RESEARCH
is it to  or  concerns  grounding?  data  the data/  and  ent be  you acquire  this question 
answer  quantitative  and what  (specific topics  exist? evidence  reliable  develop the skills  within 
(Those 
your  , what  are they? and fields and  possible? instru‐ ed? set to  constraints? Knowledge to  No Knowledge  Sufficient  Some 
research  paradigm? linked ) to  ments? answer this  that 
question? literature survey question)
PRAGMATIC  support an  exist to support  knowledge exist  knowledge 
FILTER passed 
PAUCITY  assumption  an assumption in BOK exist but 
FILTER  the first 
exist empiric 
filter)
evidence is 
needed (or 
Possible contribution 
sub 
ques‐ to BOK)
tion
STATE AS  LEADS To A  ANSWER IN  SUB‐
ASSUMPTION LIMITATION LITERATURE  QUESTION
SURVEY.

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Getting to objectives Assignment 2

Empirical objectives The assignment will contribute 25% to the 

• Sub-question 1 final mark for BUQS 3011 and will be 
determined as follows:
• Up to last sub-question (3-5)
• Individual contribution – 30%
• Research question • Group contribution ‐ 70%

Literature objectives
• Literature questions
• Knowledge to address
Sub-questions

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• The group should then integrate these analyses and compile a

Assignment 2 list that contains at least 20 possible research questions (within
Task scope and delineation of research problem).
Please do the following: • From the analysis the group should develop an initial proposal
1. Select a suitable researchable problem in the topic  that will be evaluated according to the attached rubric.
area chosen for assignment 1.
• Include a section on the literature review. You may need to
2. Present and argue the problem by substantiating it 
empirically and from the literature investigated in  adapt assignment 1 so that it forms a logical part of your
assignment 1.  proposal. Although there are only 5% of the marks allocated
3. Translate this into a research question. for this section, failure to include it will be reflected in your
4. Each individual should identify at least 5 possible  mark for presentation and logic. You may improve on your
questions within the research question and within the  review based on the feedback received.
subtopic area that they have done their part of the  • The main document should be between 3000 and 3500
literature study. (These analysis will be presented as 
words. This includes the literature review that should be
annexures to the final document and will be used to 
determine the individual part of the marks for this group  around 1500 to 2000 words.
assignment)

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The following submissions are required:

• The research design does not have to be in detail but you are
1. Researchable question (Report and annexures). The cover page
expected to consider the ethical aspects of your proposed research.
should be marked with the group number as well as the names and
• Please do a 500 word reflection on the process that you followed,
student numbers of the group members. Submit the document
what you have learned and further learning needs. Also reflect on
through Sakai. The assignment should be named as follows
your readiness to do the next assignment in a group
[groupnumber_assignment2.pdf].
• A separate portfolio of evidence regarding the group functioning
2. Portfolio of evidence. The cover page should be marked with the
and project management should be attached to the submission.
group number as well as the names and student numbers of the
• Each individual should complete a copy of the contribution
group members. A hardcopy should be handed in at reception drop
assessment form FOR EACH OF THE OTHER MEMBERS IN
box.
THE GROUP AND FOR HIM, OR HERSELF. These documents
3. Individual submissions. Please submit this in a sealed
and a short reflection (half a page to a full page) on their
envelope marked with the name of your group as well as your
functioning within the group and the group functioning
own name and student number. The envelope should contain
should be handed in separately (by each individual) in a
your evaluation of your group members as well as yourself on
sealed envelope. This envelope should be clearly marked
the response form as given and an individual reflection.
with the relevant group number.

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Description of  Aspects evaluated Literature review Purpose and objectives of literature review is clear [5]

outcome 
Problem  Defined
statement  Substantiated empirically
Substantiated by body of knowledge
Clarity of aim
Utility in domain
Research  Scope clear
questions  Delineation clear
Sub questions clear
Literature questions clear
Limitations of study clear
Assumptions clear
Research objectives clear
Hypothesis  (or other) stated
Appropriate sources
Critically engaged with literature
[15] Literature synthesized
Conclusions of literature directly leads to empiric 
par of research
Research Design Proposed design appropriate [15]
Proposed design substantiated
Issues of research quality considered
[15] Ethical concerns identified and appropriate 
mechanisms proposed
Conclusion Contribution clear [5]
Practicalities of research has been addressed
Conclusion against introduction
Presentation  Clear logical argument [5]
Professional English
All elements needed to support proposal present
Structure of document appropriate

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Individual grading instrument
Description of outcome  Aspects evaluated
Portfolio of  Team charter [10] Identified questions Potential questions identified are linked to the  [5]
evidence Recommendations for group assignment  subtopic and fits into the research question
2, as done after group assignment 1 Analysis of questions Ethics issues fully identified [10]
Literature on question summarised and 
Indications of how this has been included 
referred to
in the planning and control process Other analysis done and reported on
Work breakdown structure Recommendations on  Realistic and based on evidence [10]
Roles and responsibility matrix how to treat potential  A suitable mix of options have been considered
Project plan questions Recommendations clearly articulated
Progress reports (such as meeting  Self‐reflection Clear and honest [5]
Reflects on all issues identified in team 
agendas, minutes of meetings)
contribution analysis
Updated planning documents as needed Includes understanding of how behaviour and 
Reflection on progress functioning within team may need to be 
Recommendations for final assignment adjusted

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Purpose of Group Reporting Purpose of
Evaluation of group contribution
• Identify clear concerns in group
• Provide evidence of the group’s understanding of the  • Evaluation of Contribution
process • Determining variance in performance
• Provide evidence to be assessed regarding the group’s  • Requires honesty
project management skills (especially planning and control) • Identify strengths and weaknesses for team roles in future
• Self assessment – understanding of learning needs and plan  • Identify‐ ability to manage conflict
on how to address it
• Identify ability to manage within diversity
• Develop reflective practitioners
• Indicate attitudes in dealing with co‐workers

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Evaluation of group contribution Evaluation yourself?
Group number:
Student number of reviewer: • Why?
To what extend did the group member (student Never Very Often Always • Self reflection
nr:_________) seldom
• Identifying areas of weakness and strengths
Contribute to team meetings
• Planning on how to develop professional skills
Prepare for team meetings

Attended team sessions

Facilitate other team members’ contributions Please do the following exercise ON YOUR OWN
Contributed as an individual outside of team 
meetings
It needs to be included in your sealed envelope
Fostered a constructive team climate

Responded appropriately to conflict  

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Questions

?
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