ResMethods - Session2

Research Methods
Session 2 – Selecting A Topic
Lecturer: Dr. Richard Boateng, UGBS

Contact Informa1on: richboateng@ug.edu.gh
2013/2014 – 2016/2017
Session Overview
•  Before star1ng any research, the researcher needs
determine the topic or issue to study.

•  However, the ques1on is how does the researcher
select a research topic or issue? Can every topic be
researched? What is researchable and what is not
researchable?

•  This session seeks discuss how to select a research

topic and start a review on the topic.
Research Methods -‐ Dr. Richard Boateng, UGBS 12-‐Mar-‐15 Slide 2

Session Outline
The key topics to be covered in the session are as follows:
1.  What Can Be Researched
2.  What can Influence the Choice of a Topic
3.  Research Gap and Topic Selec1on
4.  Crea1ng A Research Title

Reading List
Chapter Two

Boateng, R. (2014)
Research Made Easy,
Accra: PearlRichards
FoundaIon

Topic One
WHAT CAN BE RESEARCHED

The Research Process
1.  SelecIng a Topic – Research Topic
2.  Determining the Problem (Preliminary Literature Review) – Research Problem
3.  Determining Research Gaps – Research Gaps
4.  Determining the Hypotheses (Prelim. Literature Review) – Research Hypotheses
5.  Determining the Objec1ves – Research Objec1ves
6.  Determining the Ques1on – Research Ques1on
7.  Detailed Review of Literature – Literature Review
8.  Determining Research Framework – Research Framework (including hypotheses)
9.  Designing the Research – Research Design
10. Collec1ng Data – Research Data Collec1on
11. Analyzing and Interpre1ng Data – Research Analysis and Conclusion
12. Informing Others – Research Write Up and Publishing

What Can Be Researched
The right topic to be researched oben depends on a
number of factors. First, let’s consider topics to avoid:
1.  Common/over-‐used topics
2.  Topics related to religion/controversy
3.  General/ broad topics
4.  Topics that are Too Narrow
5.  Controversial Poli1cs related topics

Common/over-‐used topics
•  A number of research areas are very common and have been
reused several 1mes by numerous other students. Most
importantly, try to be original. You can pick an over-‐used topic but
you can place it in another context or sector.

•  For example, if internet banking in Ghana has been well-‐
researched, you may consider a topic on internet banking among
rural banks in Ghana.

Topics related to Religion, Poli1cs/Controversy
•  Controversies have the propensity to arouse emo1ons in

people, usually because the surrounding issues are highly
subjec1ve.
•  Select this topic – if required by programme of study.
•  Most importantly – you want to make sure you can
complete the research on 1me and with relevant and
appropriate data!

General/Too Broad Topics
•  Some topics are too broad and general in scope, and thus
should be avoided.
•  A research on service marke1ng is too broad, however,
service marke1ng in the insurance industry may be more
appropriate.
Too Narrow Topics
•  Picking a topic that is too narrow should be avoided, because it will
be near impossible to find enough informa1on to conduct the
research.
•  For example, consider the research topic ‘Why John broke up with
Sarah’. This topic are too narrow and focused on a single event.

•  if this topic is changed to: ‘Determinants of break-‐ups in
rela<onships among undergraduate students’ – the topic will
become more researchable.
Topic Two
WHAT CAN INFLUENCE THE CHOICE OF A TOPIC
What can influence choice of topic
the researcher values, belief, interests, relevance,
YOU and personal experiences can influence the choice of
a research topic
Find out the research interests of the poten1al
SUPERVISOR
supervisors; have a discussion with them; read
their publica1ons
Data Source researchers are some1mes restricted to par1cular topics
because of access to or lack of access to data in the specific
field of study or 1me availability
Current Trends Researchers can select a topic based on how important a
par1cular issue is perceived to be to society at that point in
1me
Selec1ng A Topic

Sponsor researchers can also restricted by the sponsor or funding
agency. Most funding agencies have specific topics of
interests which are based on their goals and objec1ves.
Discrepancies in exis1ng research literature which need to be
Research addressed or areas of study where there are reasonable gaps in the
Gaps exis1ng literature. The poten1al contribu1on to literature lies in
the research gap.
Research Problem – illustra<ng a research gap
Corporate governance and financing decisions of Ghanaian listed firms

Corporate governance has been iden1fied in previous studies to influence firms'
financing or capital structure decisions which also affect performance
(see Berger et al., 1997; Friend and Lang, 1988). These empirical studies tended
to focus mainly on developed economies with inconclusive results. Very li\le,
however, has been done on corporate governance in Sub-‐Saharan Africa,
especially with respect to firms' financing decisions. In Ghana, for instance,
economic development and restructuring have introduced modern forms of
business ac1vity and diverse financing structures like the Ghana Stock Exchange
(GSE) in the past two decades (Ghana Stock Exchange, 1993).
Thus firms are being exposed to more financing op1ons than previously. It is crucial
to determine how current issues in corporate governance affect the financing
decisions of Ghanaian firms. This paper specifically examines the rela1onship
between various variables of corporate governance and the capital structure
decisions of firms listed on the GSE during the six-‐year period (1998-‐2003).
Abor, J. (2007) "Corporate governance and financing decisions of Ghanaian listed firms", Corporate Governance, Vol. 7 Iss: 1, pp.83 -‐ 92
Ghana Stock Exchange. Ghana Stock Exchange Handbook 1993. Accra, Ghana: Marke1ng Department, Ghana Stock Exchange, 1993.
The good research topic must:
Research Research Research

Topic Gap Title
1.  Be original;
2.  Be of interest to both the researcher and the supervisor;
3.  Be 1mely and relevant;
4.  It must make a contribu1on to exis1ng knowledge or respond to a research gap;
5.  Be specific and dis1nct, not too broad;
6.  Incorporate the main purpose of the research;
7.  Be clever, cap1va1ng and unforgerable; and
8.  The research ques1ons that flow from it must be possible to address through a
research design.
Topic Three
RESEARCH GAPS
AND TOPIC SELECTION
Research Gap -‐ Explained
1.  Discrepancies in exis1ng research literature which need to be
addressed
2.  Areas of study where there are reasonable gaps in the exis1ng
literature.

Cri1cal Component of the research problem – and through which research
objec1ves and ques1ons emerge. Hence, the poten1al contribu1on to
literature lies in the research gap
Research Gap -‐ Explained
•  Answers the ques1ons:
–  Why should I read your work?
–  Are you just duplica1ng previous research?
–  What is the poten1al contribu1on of this research?
–  Is there any value or something new to be learnt or discovered,
described or explained?
Cri1cal Component of the research problem – and through which

research objec1ves and ques1ons emerge
Types of Research Gaps
A.  Issue Gap

§  An issue which is less discussed, or less represented in literature. Very lirle is known about it.
B.  Theory Gap
§  A theory or theore1cal framework which is less discussed, or less represented in literature.
Theory gap can also exist when current theories or conceptual models are inadequate in
addressing a par1cular research issue.
C.  Method Gap
§  A research method which is less discussed or less represented in literature in respect to a
par1cular research topic/issue. Some1mes researchers make a case for new research methods
or approaches to be used for a par1cular research issue. Inconclusive/conflic1ng empirical
results can also create method gaps.
D.  Context Gap
§  A research context – geographic region – which is less discussed or less represented in
literature, especially in respect to a par1cular research issue.
E.  Level of Analysis Gap
§  A level of analysis (meta, macro, meso and micro) – which is less discussed or less represented
in literature, especially in respect to a par1cular research issue.
Types of Research Gaps
Research gaps are some1mes complex in their presenta1on,

thus two or more types of research gaps are combined to
create a Complex Research Gap.
1.  Issue + Context
2.  Issue + Theory
3.  Issue + Method
4.  Issue + Level of Analysis
5.  Theory + Context
6.  Theory + Method
Research Gap -‐ How
By Reviewing Exis1ng Literature:
Establish the field
1.  Iden1fy the broad problem and state its
importance
Summarize previous research 2.  State what is significant in what has already
and complement
been wriren.
3.  Describe the gaps and select the gap you
Create a research space propose to fill in the exis1ng research
literature. This then creates an opportunity for
you to make a contribu1on to the research in
the area.
Establish Research
4.  Establish your research purpose, objec1ves and
ques1ons.
Proposed by Swales (1981), quoted in Bruce (1995) as cited by Collins, E. (2000) Research Gaps, Academic Writer 2000, Retrieved from:
hrp://vlc.polyu.edu.hk/academicwriter/Evidence/Secondary%20Sources/researchgaps.htm, on June 25, 2012
Research Problem – illustra<ng a research issue gap
complement
While there has been some research on the general impact
of female unemployment (Coyle,1984; Popay,1985), li\le
has been wri\en about the effects of pit closure on
women's lives.

Research Gap idenIfied: The effects of pit closure [in coal mining]
on women's lives.
Gap
Research Problem – illustra<ng a research issue gap
Social networking in Public Sector in Mexico
The adop1on of social media by the government confronts a series of barriers. Some of these
barriers relate to records management, privacy and security issues, accuracy, and administra1on-‐
specific requirements (Bertot et al., 2012; Bryer and Zavararo, 2011;Landsbergen,
2010 and Sherman, 2011). As social media includes two-‐way communica1ons, the risk of
inser1ng malware into governments' websites exists (Bertot et al., 2012), so the IT people should
be prepared to protect government's informa1on technology infrastructure. Governments that
would like to implement social media need to verify if people in charge of upda1ng the media
will have the 1me to update the new communica1on channel; they also need to answer other
ques1ons such as what to post, how and when oben they will update (Bryer and Zava\aro,
2011 and Landsbergen, 2010). The lack of resources and procedures could undermine the
accuracy of the informa1on posted on social media.
Although the use of social media in Mexican state government portals is recent, the
development of rela1onships between government and ci1zens is growing fast (Sandoval-‐
Almazán et al., 2011). However, in contrast with other countries, to our knowledge, there is sIll
no guideline for the use of social media in Mexico. The study of perceived risks, benefits, and
strategies will be very helpful in the development of those guidelines.
Sergio Picazo-‐Vela, Isis Gu1érrez-‐Marznez, Luis Felipe Luna-‐Reyes (2012) Understanding risks, benefits, and
strategic alterna1ves of social media applica1ons in the public sector, Government Informa1on Quarterly,
Research
Volume 2M 9, ethods
Issue 4, -‐ ODctober
r. Richard Boateng,
2012, 12-‐Mar-‐15
UGBS hrp://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.giq.2012.07.002.
Pages 504-‐511, Slide 29
Research Problem – illustra<ng a research theory gap
In educa1on in general, evaluaIon has played a vital role for more than one hundred
years (Madaus et al, 1983). In English Language Teaching also, evalua1on has been
a major concern for over twenty years (Strevens, 1976; Stern, 1983; Lynch, 1996). In
contrast, it is only recently (Star, 1994; Gardner & Miller, 1999) that a\enIon has
been paid to the evaluaIon of learning outcomes in self-‐access centres. However,
if we are to argue that such centres provide an effec1ve and efficient alterna1ve to
other exis1ng modes of language learning, it remains a ma\er of serious concern
that there is no research-‐based model designed for their evaluaIon.
This paper will suggest four key issues which need to be addressed when considering
the development of such an evaluaIon model…
Research Gap iden1fied: A research-‐based model for the evalua1on of self-‐
access language learning centres.
Research Problem – illustra<ng a research method gap
complement
There have been a number of valuable studies of self-‐

employment using cross-‐sec1on data (Rees and Shah, 1986;
Blanchflower and Oswald, 1993; Taylor, 1996), all of which present
evidence on a number of employment and personal characteris1cs on
the sector. However, none of these studies provides a picture of the
changes over the last decade or forecasts the trends in self-‐
employment as the recession of 1990 took hold.

Gap

Research Gap idenIfied: The need for a study of the changes in self-‐
employment over the last decade.
Research Problem – illustra<ng an issue-‐context gap
Corporate governance and financing decisions of Ghanaian listed firms
Corporate governance has been iden1fied in previous studies to influence firms'
financing or capital structure decisions which also affect performance
(see Berger et al., 1997; Friend and Lang, 1988). These empirical studies tended
to focus mainly on developed economies with inconclusive results. Very li\le,
however, has been done on corporate governance in Sub-‐Saharan Africa,
especially with respect to firms' financing decisions. In Ghana, for instance,
economic development and restructuring have introduced modern forms of
business ac1vity and diverse financing structures like the Ghana Stock Exchange
(GSE) in the past two decades (Ghana Stock Exchange, 1993).
Thus firms are being exposed to more financing op1ons than previously. It is crucial
to determine how current issues in corporate governance affect the financing
decisions of Ghanaian firms. This paper specifically examines the rela1onship
between various variables of corporate governance and the capital structure
decisions of firms listed on the GSE during the six-‐year period (1998-‐2003).
Abor, J. (2007) "Corporate governance and financing decisions of Ghanaian listed firms", Corporate Governance, Vol. 7 Iss: 1, pp.83 -‐ 92
Ghana Stock Exchange. Ghana Stock Exchange Handbook 1993. Accra, Ghana: Marke1ng Department, Ghana Stock Exchange, 1993.
Research Problem – illustra<ng a context-‐issue gap
complement
Extant literature has fairly covered studies on the mobile phone’s usage and mobiles
for development in sub-‐Saharan Africa. The studies include mobile phones and
fisherman and farmers in Ghana (Boadi et al., 2007); mobile phone sharing prac1ces in
Ghana (Sey, 2009); mobile phones and development in Nigeria (Heeks and Jagun, 2007;
Jagun et al., 2008); mobile payments in Uganda (Duncombe, 2009) and mobile phone
ownership and social capital in Tanzania and South Africa (Goodman, 2005).

Despite these studies, there is a call for more studies to test earlier findings in
different contexts and in different micro-‐economic acIviIes in order to contribute to
berer understanding of the impact of mobile phones in developing economies.
Gap
Gaps may be communicated as:
1.  Missing issues in literature

2.  Limited discussion in literature
3.  Conflicts in theoreIcal approach
4.  Missing theoreIcal model
5.  Conflicts/ in empirical methods (data collecIon and context)
6.  Mixed previous empirical results
7.  Less contextual evaluaIon or geographic representaIon
8.  Complex (limited previous results, conflicts, absence, mixed views)
Proposed by Swales (1981), quoted in Bruce (1995) as cited by Collins, E. (2000) Research Gaps, Academic Writer 2000, Retrieved from: hrp://
vlc.polyu.edu.hk/academicwriter/Evidence/Secondary%20Sources/researchgaps.htm, on June 25, 2012
Research Gap -‐ IdenIfy
•  Academic Journal Ar1cles
–  Gaps are usually presented in the introducIon of the journal arIcles
These gaps focus on why it is important to read that journal ar1cle. It establishes
the gaps in the previous research and points out the focus of the journal ar1cle.
–  Future Research DirecIons or Gaps for Future Research

Usually the conclusion of an academic journal ar1cle focuses on discussing the
implica1ons of the findings of the research and also point out gaps for future
research. This is important for researchers to find out the gaps pointed out by
previous researchers.
Topic Four
CREATING A RESEARCH TITLE
6 Steps to CreaIng a Title for Research
Research Research Research

Topic Gap Title
1.  Iden1fy broad topic and academic discipline

2.  Determine the scope
3.  Conduct Preliminary Literature Review
4.  Write Research Problem
5.  Determine Research Purpose, Objec1ves and Ques1ons
6.  Revisit your Topic to create a Title which fits your purpose and
ques1ons
IdenIfy broad topic and academic discipline
Business Problem Research Problem
Decline in employee Employee produc1vity in

produc1vity organiza1ons

How can our company improve What factors influence employee
the produc5vity of its produc5vity?
employees? What are the characteris5cs of
produc5ve employees?
Determine the Scope
1.  Studying one part of an organiza1on

2.  Comparing several parts or func1ons of an organiza1on
3.  Studying one organiza1on
4.  Comparing two or more organiza1on
5.  Studying a sector/industry
CreaIng a Title for Research
1.  Iden1fy broad topic and academic discipline

2.  Determine the scope
3.  Conduct Preliminary Literature Review
4.  Write Research Problem
5.  Determine Research Purpose, Objec1ves and Ques1ons
6.  Revisit your Topic to create a Title which fits your
purpose and ques1ons
Session Ques1on
– Iden1fy Research Gaps in the text
Cyber fraud has a poten1al to widen the digital divide, crumble the informa1on infrastructure
and affect consumer confidence in online transac1ons (Salifu, 2008; Longe et al., 2009;
Oumarou, 2007). Literature is, however, sparse on na1on-‐specific extent of these fraudulent
cyber ac1vi1es as well as na1on-‐specific measures put in place to address them. For instance,
Ghana, our country of interest, in this research ranked among the top ten for the source of
fraudulent cyber ac1vi1es in the world with Nigeria ranking 3rd in the 2008 Internet Crime
Report (I3C, 2008). The Ghanaian government has made concerted efforts to create a
‘knowledge-‐based economy’ thereby making Ghana an ICT –driven economy. The use of the
Internet in Ghana has also seen a significant increase since the liberaliza1on of the
telecommunica1on industry in the 1990s. The country had 43 Internet users per 1,000 people
in 2008 as compared to 1 Internet user in 1999 (ITU, 2009). The number of PC ownership
doubled to 52 owners per 1,000 people between 1999 and 2005 (ITU, 2007).
With these developments also come nega1ve effects and unintended consequences of ICT,
par1cularly, cyber crime. Our effort in this paper is directed towards understanding the extent
of fraudulent cyber ac1vi1es as well as measures put in place to address them in Ghana.
References
1.  Boateng, R. (2014) Research Made Easy, Accra: PearlRichards
Founda1on
2.  Photo Illustra1ons from Gery Images – www.geryimages.com
and www.cartoonstock.com

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Research Methods

Session 2 – Selecting A Topic

Lecturer: Dr. Richard Boateng, UGBS

• This session seeks discuss how to select a research

Research Methods -­‐ Dr. Richard Boateng, UGBS 12-­‐Mar-­‐15 Slide 2

Research Methods -­‐ Dr. Richard Boateng, UGBS 12-­‐Mar-­‐15 Slide 3

Research Methods -­‐ Dr. Richard Boateng, UGBS 12-­‐Mar-­‐15 Slide 4

WHAT CAN BE RESEARCHED

Research Methods -­‐ Dr. Richard Boateng, UGBS 12-­‐Mar-­‐15 Slide 5

Research Methods -­‐ Dr. Richard Boateng, UGBS 12-­‐Mar-­‐15 Slide 6

Research Methods -­‐ Dr. Richard Boateng, UGBS 12-­‐Mar-­‐15 Slide 7

Research Methods -­‐ Dr. Richard Boateng, UGBS 12-­‐Mar-­‐15 Slide 8

• Controversies have the propensity to arouse emo1ons in

Research Methods -­‐ Dr. Richard Boateng, UGBS 12-­‐Mar-­‐15 Slide 9

WHAT CAN INFLUENCE THE CHOICE OF A TOPIC

What can inﬂuence choice of topic

Corporate governance and ﬁnancing decisions of Ghanaian listed ﬁrms

Research Research Research

Cri1cal Component of the research problem – and through which

A. Issue Gap

Research gaps are some1mes complex in their presenta1on,

There have been a number of valuable studies of self-­‐

1. Missing issues in literature

– Future Research DirecIons or Gaps for Future Research

CREATING A RESEARCH TITLE

Research Research Research

1. Iden1fy broad topic and academic discipline

Business Problem Research Problem

Decline in employee Employee produc1vity in

1. Studying one part of an organiza1on

1. Iden1fy broad topic and academic discipline

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•  This session seeks discuss how to select a research

Research Methods -‐ Dr. Richard Boateng, UGBS 12-‐Mar-‐15 Slide 2

Research Methods -‐ Dr. Richard Boateng, UGBS 12-‐Mar-‐15 Slide 3

Research Methods -‐ Dr. Richard Boateng, UGBS 12-‐Mar-‐15 Slide 4

Research Methods -‐ Dr. Richard Boateng, UGBS 12-‐Mar-‐15 Slide 5

Research Methods -‐ Dr. Richard Boateng, UGBS 12-‐Mar-‐15 Slide 6

Research Methods -‐ Dr. Richard Boateng, UGBS 12-‐Mar-‐15 Slide 7

Research Methods -‐ Dr. Richard Boateng, UGBS 12-‐Mar-‐15 Slide 8

•  Controversies have the propensity to arouse emo1ons in

Research Methods -‐ Dr. Richard Boateng, UGBS 12-‐Mar-‐15 Slide 9

A.  Issue Gap

There have been a number of valuable studies of self-‐

1.  Missing issues in literature

–  Future Research DirecIons or Gaps for Future Research

1.  Iden1fy broad topic and academic discipline

1.  Studying one part of an organiza1on

1.  Iden1fy broad topic and academic discipline