PHY-601:Research Methodology

 CRITERIA OF A GOOD RESEARCH

PROBLEM

Gaushiya A. Shaikh
What is Research?
According to Theodorson, “Research is a systematic and objective attempt
to study a problem for the purpose of deriving general principles”.
Robert Burns describe Research as systematic investigation to find solution to a
problem. There are three parts involved in any investigation:
1. The implicit question posed.
2. The explicit answer proposed.
3. Collection, analysis and interpretation of the information leading from the
question to the answer.
What is the difference between the Search and
Research?
 In Research, we must looking into something, and if we look for
something it means Search.
 Search is try to locate something.
 Research is the systematic investigation to establish facts.
Criteria that defines a good
Research problem:
1) Significance to the discipline 9) Solvable / Researchable
2) Originality 10) Current
3) Feasibility 11) Interesting and innovative
4) Administrative support 12) Clear and definite
5) Peer support 13) Empirical and verifiable
6) Availability of subjects 14) Relevant
7) Researcher’s competency 15) Systematic
8) Ethical consideration
1)Significance to the discipline
 A problem which the researcher is
selecting, should have significance to the
profession or discipline.
Some of the criteria to evaluate the
significance to the discipline are given,
The consumer benefit from the research
findings.
Promotes the theory development and
testing.
Provides solutions to the current practise
needs.
Generate information to get practical
implications for the profession.
2)Originality
 Every Research should be new,
unique in itself and nobody else
has done the similar work.
 Therefore it is the responsibility
of the researcher that innovative
knowledge is used for the
selecting a research problem so as
to extend the growth of existing
body of knowledge in a
profession.
3)Feasible
 Feasibility is an essential
consideration of any research
project.
 A research should be feasible in
terms of time, availability of 4)Administrative
subjects, facilities, equipment & Support
money and ethical consideration.
 Many researches require
administrative support.
 Financial & psychological
support is essential to
conduct research.
5)Peer Support
 Many research ideas have
failed because the
researcher did not receive
any peer support.
 It is useful to researchers
for increasing the level of
self-esteem, confidence and
positive feelings that they
are doing the research in a
good and meaningful way.
 A climate of shared interest
among the professional
members promote research
activities smoothly.
6)Availability of Subjects
Sometimes the potential
subjects may not meet the
study criteria or may be
unwilling to participate in the
study.
Therefore the availability of
the subjects should be well
ensured in advance.
7)Researcher’s competence
 A research problem can only
be feasible if it is in
accordance with the
researcher’s competence.
 A researcher should be
capable to handle a given
research problem.
8)Ethical Consideration
 The selected research
problem should be
ethically approved by the
ethical committee.
 Research often involves a
great deal of cooperation
among many different
people in a different
disciplines, ethical
standards promotes the
values that are essential to
collaborative work, such as
trust, accountability and
mutual respect.
9)Solvable/Researchable
 Only a research problem which is
solvable, is considered to be
good.
 A researcher should have to
minimize the chance of 10)Current research problem
insolvability.
 A good research problem must
be based on the current
problems and needs of
profession.
 Thus the generated result will
be more useful.
11)Interesting and Innovative
 A research problem must be
motivated to the researcher and
it should be fascinating to the
researcher.
 The research problem should be
novel, unique and innovative
that attract the attention of the
people.
 Thus a researcher will be
conducted it with all enthusiasm
and not merely for its
accomplishment.
12)Clear and Definite
 The research problem should
be cleared and definite that's
reflect the various aspects of
methodology.
13)Empirical and verifiable
 The selected research
problem should amenable
or agreeable to scientific
enquiry.
 The research should be
verifiable by scientific
calculations.
14)Relevant

 The chosen research problem should be relevant

to the profession, time need and the competency
of the researcher.
15)Systematic

 The research problem should be

systematic-in the sense, the researcher
should have to arrive at that problem
statement with the relevant selection
parameters or criteria.
Thank You