EMM5100 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Problem Formulation
 Where Do Research Topics Come From?

 Experiences of practical problems in the field

 Learn from those experiencing the issues in the field
 Literature in your specific field
 Request for proposals
 Think up the research topics of their own

Q: How about yours?

 S.M.A.R.T.
What is SMART?

Specific: What precisely do you hope to achieve from undertaking the research?

Measurable: What measures will you use to determine whether you have achieved your
objectives?

Achievable: Are the targets you have set for yourself achievable given all the possible
constraints?

Realistic: Given all other demands upon your time, will you have the time and energy to
complete the research on time?

Timely: Will you have time to accomplish all your objectives?

 What is Problem Formulation?

 A problem formulation is/can be a question

or something you are wondering about.
 The problem should be something you can
solve/give answers to.
 A conclusion in a report is always the answer
to the problem formulation.
 Types of Problem Formulation
What – descriptive
is what you call a descriptive problem
formulation – it describes a problem!

Why – explanatory
is the explanatory problem formulation
– it explains a problem!

How – normative
is the normative problem formulation –
it tries to solve a problem!
 What is a Good Problem Formulation?
Interesting – keeps the researcher involved in it throughout the research
process.
Researchable – can be investigated through the collection and analysis of
data using case study or other techniques.
Understandable and logically build up – well formulated and has logical
structure with main question and following sub-questions.
Manageable – fits the level of researcher’s level of research skills, needed
resources and time restrictions.
Purposeful – establishes cooperation between researcher and business
which should lead to economical and practical development of both sides.
 What is a Good Problem Formulation?
(Contd.)

 Formulating a problem formulation is the first and most important step of a

research process.

 The problem formulation is like an identification of a destination before

undertaking a journey.

 The research problem serves as a foundation of a research study: like a

building and its foundation.

 If it well formulated, you can expect a good study to follow.

 Now you want to formulate
a research problem

(define areas, topics, problems/issues)

How to start ?????

 Before Formulating Problems
How much do you know about the areas/topics?

NOT MUCH 

Review literature to learn more

GOOD 
Can you describe the issues/problems
discussed to date?
 How to Set Up a Problem Formulation?

Step 1 : Choose an area/topic

 Your own interest is your most essential motivational factor.
 Brainstorm techniques.
 Be creative, be open to new ideas.

Step 2 : Narrowing down

 Be critical.
 Determine whether the information already exists.
 Think: what is the problem, why is it a problem, and who is it a
problem for?
 Divide the broad area into sub-areas.
 How to Set Up a Problem Formulation?
(Contd.)
Step 3 : Write the problem formulation
 Raise research questions + sub questions.
 Understanding language.
 Clearly delimited.
 Determine whether questions can be answered.
Step 4 : Double check
 Check everything (main questions, sub-questions).
 Ask yourself the question, if you are satisfied with your problem
formulation.
 Remember in any case to always justify why you choose
exactly the problem formulation you do, rather than other
possible problem formulations.
 Writing a 1st Draft and Creating an Introduction

Try to formulate an introduction in each part that states

a straightforward proposal / report / thesis.
The introduction:
 Establishes the focus of your subject.
 Attracts the attention of your readers.
 States the purpose of your proposal / report / thesis.
Do You Know When You See a Problem?
 Motivation
Writing a clear problem statement to define and guide an inquiry is a problem.
The issue of how to write a problem statement becomes important.
Defining a research problem is the driving factor in any scientific process, and is the
foundation of any research method and experimental design, from true experiment to case
study.
Research Steps
 Problem Statement
Research
topic

From research
topic to research
problem

Research
problem
 Problem Statement
(Contd.)
RESEARCH TOPIC and Basic research
PROBLEM Applied research

Explore
Describe
Understand ‘What’ questions
RESEARCH QUESTIONS
Predict ‘Why’ questions
and OBJECTIVES
Change ‘How’ questions
Evaluate
Assess impact

RESEARCH Inductive
STRATEGIES Deductive
 Problem Statement
(Contd.)
 Students experience some difficulty in narrowing
down their general interest.
 Often referred to as defining the research
problem and leads on to setting the research
question(s).
 The classic way is to consider the literature and
identify any gaps, as these indicate original area
to research.
 Many academic articles incorporate suggestions
for further research in their conclusions.
 Problem Statement
(Contd.)
A Problem Statement is a description of a difficulty or lack that needs to be solved or at least
researched to see whether a solution can be found.

It can also be described as either a gap between the real and the desired or a contradiction
between principle and practice.

Why the research problem is important:

It establishes the importance of the topic.
It creates reader interest.
It focuses the reader’s attention on how the study will add to the literature.

The ultimate goal of a problem statement is to transform a generalized problem (something

that bothers you; a perceived lack) into a targeted, well-defined problem one that can be
resolved through focused research and careful decision-making.
 Problem Statement
(Contd.)
In developing a problem statement, consider the followings:

 Do I know the field and its literature well?

 What are the important research questions in my field?
 What areas need further exploration?
 Could my study fill a gap? Lead to greater understanding?
 Has a great deal of research already been conducted in this topic area?
 Has this study been done before? If so, is there room for improvement?
 Is the timing right for this question to be answered? Is it a hot topic, or is
it becoming obsolete?
 Will my study have a significant impact on the field?
 Problem Statement
(Contd.)
A persuasive (convincing) problem statement consists of three parts:

Part A – the ideal: Describes a desired goal or ideal situation; explains

how things should be.
Part B – the reality: Describes a condition that prevents the goal,
state, or value in Part A from being achieved or realized at this time;
explains how the current situation falls short of the goal or ideal.
Part C – the consequences: Identifies the way you propose to
improve the current situation and move it closer to the goal or ideal.
 Problem Statement
(Contd.)
Part A – the ideal: Describes a desired goal or ideal situation; explains how things should be.
Example 1(A): Example 2(A):
According to the X university mission statement, the The Ministry of Youth is dedicated to allocating
university seeks to provide students with a safe, healthy enterprise development funds to both the youth
learning environment. Dormitories are one important and women. These funds are made available in
aspect of that learning environment, since 55% of X order to start entrepreneurial ventures that create
students live in campus dorms and most of these and expand employment.
students spend a significant amount of time working in
their dorm rooms.
 Problem Statement
(Contd.)
Part B – the reality: Describes a condition that prevents the goal, state, or value in Part A from being
achieved or realized at this time; explains how the current situation falls short of the goal or ideal.
Example 1(B): Example 2(B):
Students living in dorms A B C, and D currently do not have One of the main focuses of the ministry is consistency.
air conditioning units, and during the hot seasons, it is Unfortunately, consistency in allocating funds to the next
common for room temperatures to exceed 30 degrees generation of recipients requires prior knowledge of
Celsius. Many students report that they are unable to do previous allocations and established practices. The current
homework in their dorm rooms. Others report problems continuous disbursement method does not allow for
sleeping because of the humidity and temperature. The adequate analysis of previous disbursements before a
rooms are not only unhealthy, but they inhibit student current disbursement is done.
productivity and academic achievement.
 Problem Statement
(Contd.)
Part C – the consequences: Identifies the way you propose to improve the current situation and
move it closer to the goal or ideal.
Example 1(C): Example 2(C):
In response to this problem, the study proposes to Continuing with this current disbursement method
investigate several options for making the dorms more prevents consistency and causes decisions to become
hospitable. The study plans to carry out an all inclusive grossly political, which in turn inhibits the achievement of
participatory investigation into options for purchasing air the goals of the funds. Developing a more informed
conditioners (university-funded; student-subsidized) and disbursement system could help better implement the
different types of air conditioning systems. The research will consistency focus of the ministry and at the same time
also consider less expensive ways to mitigate some or all of help the ministry better monitor and evaluate its funds.
the problems noted above (such as creating climate- This proposed research aspires to explore options for a
controlled dorm lounges and equipping them with better new funds disbursement system that would focus on
study areas and computing space). consistency. To do this, the researcher will carry out a full
stakeholder analysis and use it to propose appropriate
policy interventions.
 Research Questions
A research problem is an educational issue or problem in the
study.
A research problem statement is a short (a paragraph or two) description of a specific research
area or issue that you intend to address, with an explanation of why that area/issue needs to be
addressed, why addressing this area/issue is of importance, and what overall benefit (i.e, to
society as a whole or to other researchers) addressing the issue may provide.

Research questions are those that the researcher would like

answered or addressed in the study.
Narrow down the research problem to one or more specific questions that are concrete and can
be answered by experiment/review of data/literature review, etc.
 Research Questions
(Contd.)
Reasons why research questions are crucial:
 Guide your literature search
 Guide your decisions about the kind of research design to
employ
 Guide your decisions about what data to collect and from
whom
 Guide analysis of your data
 Guide writing-up of your data
 Stop you from going off in unnecessary directions
 Research Questions and Hypotheses
A process of asking a question, or a series of related questions, and
then initiating a systematic procedure to obtain valid answers to that
question.
Hypotheses are more specific predictions about the nature and direction
of the relationship between two variables.
Hypotheses:
- Gives insight into a research question
- Are testable and measurable by the proposed experiments
- Offer a tentative explanation based on theories or previous research
- Concise
Each hypothesis is matched with a specific aim and has rationale.
 Research Objectives
The research objectives pursued in order to answer the research
questions.
In general, research objectives describe what we expect to achieve from
a project.
Writing the research objectives clearly helps to:
• Define the focus of your study
• Clearly identify variables to be measured
• Indicate the various steps to be involved
• Establish the limits of the study
• Avoid collection of any data that is not strictly
necessary.
 Research Objectives
(Contd.)
A statement of research objectives can serve to guide the activities of research.
Consider the following examples.

General objective:
To identify factors that affects the acceptability of VCT services and to assess community What is the
attitudes towards comprehensive care and support for people living with HIV/AIDS. difference
between the
Specific objectives: specific objectives
1. To assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of the community towards HIV/AIDS and the general
and VCT services. objective of a
research project?
2. To identify barriers and concerns related to VCT and its uptake.
3. To assess the awareness and perception of the study community regarding
comprehensive care and support for people living with HIV/AIDS.
 Expected Outcome of Research
Research Significance:

State clearly why this research is important, what the benefits will be and
how your work will contribute to knowledge in your field. This may
include commercial benefits, changes in current practice, a new
perspective on an old issue or other benefits to the community.
You need to indicate why it is significant and how it advances
understanding of the issues under discussion.
 Summary
 Preliminary steps in the research process include forming a research
problem, questions and hypotheses
 A hypothesis attempts to answer the question posed by the research
question
 Research questions illustrate a relationship between variables,
identify independent and dependent variables, include a population,
and imply that a problem is testable