\ CARIBBEAN STUDIES Stages/Steps in the Research Process 1, Identifying a problem > In identifying a research problem, one should keep in mind the following: Is it important to Caribbean Development and can I justify it as a significant piece of research? Can I obtain information on it easily or with minimum inconvenience? Will I be able to research this issue in an ethical way? Can this problem be studied empirically — Can I collect information “in the field” about it? Is the issue or problem written as clearly so that readers understand what my focus is? ‘The process of identifying a problem that is researchable ends when we write it and, it then becomes a problem statement. Problem Statement (Research Problem) This is a clear, concise description of the focus of your research. The problem statement identifies the problem and the relationships that the researcher would like to know more about. Problem statements can be written in declarative (as a statement) or problem forms (as a question), Writing a Problem Statement can help you clearly identify the purpose of your research. Research problems must demonstrate a relationship between at least two variables in a study. A variable is a concept, condition or characteristic of the study. Variables can be classified in two (2) ways: * Independent variable ~a characteristic or condition whose changes are not affected by a change in another characteristic. Eg. Age, sex, height. * Dependent variable ~a characteristic that is interrelated, changes, or is impacted by the change(s) in another characteristic or condition. Eg. Number of cigarettes smoked in a day, weight, temperature. Statement of the Problem This is a further statement that clarifies the problem we want to study and includes the variables, relationships, and specific aspects you wish to study as well as the need for the study, Itis a concise description of the nature of the problem you are going to study. It is not a re- statement of the topic or a re-statement of the problem statement itself but a short paragraph, providing some depth of the problem and why this problem is worthy of being studied. Afier identifying a researchable problem, it is written as the problem statement. The problem is further clarified in the statement of the problem. This statement of the problem. gives a good idea of the focus of the study, what is being claimed, the aspects being investigated, and usually how the data will be gathered.2. Formulating Research Questions > From the statement of the problem, the researcher derives one or more research questions. * Research Questions These are specific questions that the investigation or study seeks to answer. - Research questions flow naturally and logically from the problem statement and the focus of the statement of the problem. ~ Research questions help the researcher to keep the investigation focused on particular issues as outlined in the statement of the problem. “© Hypotheses = _ Instead of writing research questions, the researcher may prefer to use a hypothesis (or hypotheses) to test his or her beliefs about the problem. - A hhypothesis is a statement that indicates the relationships the researcher expects to find on investigating the issue. ~ _Itis.a prediction of the relationships that will be found operating between the variables in the study. The findings of your study will either support or reject your hypothesis. - Example: Gun violen more common in urban areas than in rural areas. The variables are: (a) number of gun-related crimes in urban areas (b) number of gun-related crimes in rural areas Examples of Problem Statements, Statement of the Problem, and Research Questions Here are a few examples of problem statements along with the appropriate statement of the problem and possible research questions. These examples cover some of the listed themes for the research project. Example 1 - Health Research Topic: “The Impact of HIV/AIDS on Development” Problem Statement: “The Impact of the HIV/AIDS Epidemic on Economic, Social and Human Development in the Caribbean” ‘Statement of the Problem: The Caribbean is the region with the second highest incidence of HIV/AIDS worldwide. Persons between the ages 15-44 years are considered to be most at risk by the epidemic. In this study, the researches attempts to investigate how the epidemic affects variousaspects of development in the Caribbean and what are ways that the Caribbean can minimize the impact of the disease. Research Questions: 1. How does HIV/AIDS affect economic, social, and human development in the Caribbean? 2. What are some of the measures that have been implemented by the Caribbean to address these effects of the epidemic, and how effective have they been? 3. What other solutions can be made-to help fight the spread of the disease and reduce it effects on Caribbean Development? Example 2 ~ Crime Research Topic: “The Impact of Crime on Inner-cities in Jamaica” Problem Statement: “How does gun violence affect the lives of Denham Town Residents?” ‘Statement of the Problem: This research aims at investigating the impact of gun violence on the residents of one inner-city community in Jamaica. From a survey of the residents, the researcher attempts to understand the extent to which the lives of these individuals are affected and the implications for the country as a whole in its bid to control crime. Research Questions: 1. How does gun violence impact on the lives of persons of different ages, gender, and educational background within the Denham Town community? 2. To what extent are their lives affected? 3. What is the impact on the society as a whole? Example 3 ~The Work Place Research Topic: “Preparation of Students for the World of Work” Problem Statement: “Student's Perceptions of the World: How is the School Preparing Them?” Statement of the Problem: The purpose of this study is to investigate how Wolmer’s Boys’ and Girls’ Schools are preparing 4" and 5" formers for the world of work, Informal chats with students reveal that they know very little about choosing careers and they have no informed plans about higher leaming. The researcher feels that the school may have too heavy an emphasis on academic work, but less on the realties of the competencies about how to select a career and develop it, Furthermore, students are not informed of the changing nature of certain careers in the face of a global recession. This study therefore aims to assess the school’s curricula, looking for examples of career development and how the school prepares or does not prepare students for the workplace Research Questions: 1, What kind of career aspirations do students have? 2. Why do students choose these careers? 3. What factors do students think influence whether they achieve their aspirations or not? 4. What are some of the ways the students think the schools can better prepare them for their career aspirations?