Unit Three

The Research Problem and Research

Proposal Writing
 3.1. Techniques in selecting research
topic
 Selecting a research title is a systematic
procedure which clarifies the concern of
the researcher.

Selecting a research title depends on:

1. Passion/Interest
2. Area, Field and Aspect
3. Identifying problems in chosen research area
4. Generating Research title
Techniques in selecting research topic
Cont’d
1. Passion/Interest
 In prior to choose and develop a research title,
you should discover your passion/interest that
reflects your academic or professional habits.

 Quality of your research will be much better if

you feel genuine passion for your work, choose
a topic that you find both fascinating and
socially significant.
General idea Interest Topic
What about this topic interests
What is your potential you?
topic?
I think what interests me about this
is like … why college students
Lack of sleep in college
don’t sleep very much and what
students. the consequences are for their
schoolwork.

Tentative topic:

The causes of lack of sleep in

college students and its
consequences for academic
performance.
Techniques in selecting research topic
Cont’d
2. Area, Field and Aspect
 The passion and interest towards
research tells you which area/
fields/aspect profoundly connect to your
skill-set.
 Area (i): Human Resource Management
 Field (ii): Performance Management
 Aspect: Employee stress causes to poor
performance
How to Select Research Title Cont’d

2. Area, Field and Aspect

 Area (i): Marketing
 Field (ii): Marketing Mix
 Aspect: Price fluctuation
How to Select Research Title Cont’d
3. Identifying problems in chosen
research area
 In order to construct research topic, it is
highly essential to explore the problems
and gaps involved in a certain area.
 The research gaps and problems can be
discovered by considering appropriate
sources such as previous researches,
case studies, issue based articles,
journals and other related documents.
How to Select Research Title Cont’d
4. Generating Research Title
 The following techniques will help to
construct a right research title:
i). Brainstorming by integrating the problems,
gaps and ideas
o Brainstorming is a free association technique of
spontaneously listing all points, ideas, concepts
and questions about a topic.
o Then, sort the lists and categorize the points,
concepts and ideas
Techniques in selecting research topic
Cont’d
4. Generating Research Title
o Sorting helps you to search for evidences;
o Sorting also allows you to see in which direction
you are most interested.
ii). Organization of the problems
 Organizing the problems with convincing evidences
iii). Discussion with project supervisor
 Better to discuss with project advisor about the
proposed research title by showing the associated
problems and gaps which will be filled by the study
Techniques in selecting research topic
Cont’d
 A good Research title is feasible in terms
of:
o Time
o Money
o Quality
o Scope (manageable topic)
 Techniques in selecting research topic
Cont’d
 The right topic to be researched often depends on a
number of factors:
1. Originality : Not Common/over-used topics
2. Topics not related to religion controversy
3. Not General/ broad topics
4. Not too narrow
5. Not controversial or politics related topics
6. Research Gaps: discrepancies in existing research literature
3.3. Meaning of Research Problem

 Research is normally born out of a problem hence the

phrase “statement of problem” or “Problem
statement” is the central issue in any research.
 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.
 Meaning of Research Problem Cont’d
 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.

 Writing a Problem Statement should help you clearly identify the

purpose of the project you will propose.
 The Problem Statement will also serve as the basis for the
introductory section of your final proposal.
 It directs your reader’s attention quickly to the issues that your
proposed project will address and providing the reader with a concise
statement of the proposed project itself.
 A statement problem need not be long and windy.

 One page is more than enough for a good statement of problem.

What are the key characteristics of a statement
of problem?
 A good research problem should at minimum:
1. Address a gap
2. Be significant enough to contribute to the existing body of
research
3. Be one that will lead to more research
4. Renter itself to be investigated via collection of data
5. Be interesting to the researcher and suit his/her skills, time
and resources
6. Be ethical
 3.4. Identification of Research Problem

 A persuasive problem identification consists of three

parts:

1) the ideal,
2) the reality, and
3) the consequences.
 Parts of a problem statement:

1. Part A- the ideal: Describes a desired goal or ideal

situation; explains how things should be.

2. 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.
3. Part C - the consequences: Identifies the way you
propose to improve the current situation and move it
closer to the goal or ideal.
 Simple four steps to write a statement problem:
 Step 1 (statement 1):
o Construct statement 1 by describing a goal or desired state of a
given situation, phenomenon ,etc.
o This will build the ideal situation (what should be, what is
expected, desired).

 Step 2 (statement 2):

o Describe a condition that prevents the goal, state, or value
discussed in step 1 from being achieved or realized at the
present time.
o This will build the reality, the situation as it is and establish a
gap between what ought to be and what is
 Simple four steps to write a statement problem Cont’d:

 Step 3
o Connect steps 1 and 2 using a term such as "but," "however,"
"Unfortunately," or "in spite of”.

 Step 4 (statement 3)
o Using specific details show how the situation in step 2 contains
little promise of improvement unless something is done.
o Then emphasize the benefits of research by projecting the
consequences of possible solutions as well.
 Examples:
 Example 1:
o Part A: According to the Wolkite University’s
mission statement, the university seeks to provide
students with a safe, healthy learning environment.
Dormitories are one important aspect of that learning
environment, since 55% of the university students live
in campus dorms and most of these students spend a
significant amount of time working in their dorm
rooms (Wolkite University annual report, 2015) .
 Example 1 Cont’d

o However,
o Part B: Students living in dorms A B C, and D currently do
not have air conditioning units, and during the hot seasons, it is
common for room temperatures to exceed 80 degrees F
(Metrology Report of the University, 2015). Many students
report that they are unable to do homework in their dorm
rooms. Others report problems of sleeping because of the
humidity and temperature. As the experience of the researcher,
the rooms are not only unhealthy, but they inhibit student
productivity and academic achievement.
 Example 1 Cont’d:
o Part C: In response to this problem, our study
proposes to investigate several options for making the
dorms more hospitable. We plan to carry out an all
inclusive participatory investigation into options for
purchasing air conditioners (university-funded;
student-subsidized) and different types of air
conditioning systems. We will also consider less
expensive ways to mitigate some or all of the
problems noted above (such as creating climate-
controlled dorm , lounges and equipping them with
better study areas and computing space).
 Example 2 :
 STEP 1 (statement 1)
o The government of Kenya has a goal to industrialize by the
year 2030 (Ministry of Agriculture, 2016). In this regard, it
has encouraged growth oriented micro and small enterprises
(MSEs) that should graduate into medium and large
enterprises capable of contributing to the industrialization
goal. There are several sessional papers like (Kenyan MSE
Development Strategy, 2014; Kenyan Industrialization
Program, 2015; Kenyan Five Years Development Plan,
2016) that contain specific measures to encourage and
support MSEs.
 Example 2 Cont’d:
 Step 2 and 3 (STATEMENT 2)
o Despite the said government efforts, there is slow
growth of micro into small enterprises and even
slower growth of small into medium scale
enterprises(Kate, 2015). The government has also
officially acknowledged that there is a gap between
small and large enterprises in the country
(Government of Kenya, 2015).
 Example 2 Cont’d:
 STATEMENT 3:
o If this gap persists, the industrialization goal may be
difficult to achieve. Therefore, this study initiated to
investigate why despite government efforts there is a
persistent gap in development of MSEs in Kenya.
 Example 3:
 STATEMENT 1:
o The government of countries are expected to design
different development programs and enhance
economic growth and make fair resource distribution
to improve the wellbeing of their citizens (Todaro,
2004). In this regard, the government of Ethiopia
periodically declares that the country is registering
dramatical growth (11% annual growth of GDP) and
all citizens are enjoying the economic growth of the
country. It was also indicated that the per capita of
the country was reached to $640 (MoFEC,2016)
which shows how the wellbeing of the citizens is
changing.
 Example 3:
 Step 2 and 3 (STATEMENT 2):
o However, is it was observed from different parts of the
country, citizens are strongly protesting that the
government’s economic policy is not benefiting them
and the distribution of resource in the country was not
fair to bring changes on wellbeing of the citizens. In
addition, the report of the coalition of opposition
parties, 2016 clearly shows that the trend of corruption
and rent seeking among government bodies is highly
increasing from time to time which leads to the
accumulation of resources on hands of few citizens
and will create economic elites in the country.
 Example 3:
 Step 4 (STATEMENT 3):
o If this condition persists and the government fails to
diagnose the root causes of protests of people in
different corners of the country, the nation will be led
to political and social unrest and instability. Therefore,
this study is the only study designed to investigate
why despite government efforts in ensuring economic
growth, citizens are strongly protesting the action and
systems of government in the country.
 Source of Research Problem:
 Steps in formulating a research Problem:
1. Identify a broad area of interest in your
academic/professional field
2. Dissect the broad area in to sub-areas (brainstorm)
3. Select the sub area in which you have decided to conduct the
research
4. Raise research questions that you would like to answer
through the study
5. Formulate objectives for the study (one main objective and
other specific objectives
6. Assess objectives to make sure that they can be attained in
time, financial, human resources and technical expertise
available.
7. Double check as you are sufficiently interested in the study
and have adequate resources for doing it.
 Suppose you want to study in area of “Smoking” and see
how the above steps help you.
 Step 1: Identify: Smoking

 Step 2: Dissect:
o The cause of smoking
o The process of becoming addictive of smoking
o The effect of smoking on the family
o Community attitude towards smoking

 Step 3: Select: The effect of smoking on the family

 Step 4: Raise questions:
o What effect does smoking has on marital relations?
o How does it affect the various aspects of children’s life?
o What is the effect of smoking on health of addicted person?
o What are the effects of smoking on income of the family?

 Step 5: Formulate objectives:

o Main objective:
 To investigate the effect of smoking on family’s life
o Specific objectives:
 To assess the effect of smoking on marital relations
 To examine the ways in which smoking affects the life of children
 To analyze the effects of smoking on health of the addicted person and
on family income.
 Step 6: Make sure:
o Assess these objectives in the light of:
o The work involved;
o The time available
o The financial resources at your hand;
o Your technical knowledge in the area

 Step 7: Double check:

o That you are really interested in the study;
o That you agree with the objectives;
o That you have adequate resources and technical
knowledge
 Evaluation of the problem:

o The research problem should be evaluated in terms of

the following criteria:
• Is the problem researchable?
• Is the problem new?
• Is the problem significant?
• Is the problem feasible for this particular
research?
 Types of Research Gaps-in writing a research
problem:

A. Issue Gap
o An issue which is less discussed, or less represented
in literature. Very little is known about this issue.
Ex: Corporate Governance, Think-tanks
B. Method Gap
o A research method which is less discussed or less
represented in literature in respect to a particular
research topic/issue.
o Inconclusive/conflicting empirical results can also
create method gaps.
 Types of Research Gaps-in writing a research
problem Cont’d:

C. Theory Gap
o A theory or theoretical 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
particular research issue.
o Example: Evaluation model for distance learning
outcomes.
 How do we use theory to show research gap ?
 Theories in ethical action:

 Egoist Hedonism Vs Utilitarianism (Social Hedonism)

 Egoist Hedonism : is ethical doctrine that believes pleasure is
the highest goal, and production of pleasure is the criterion of
right action. It views pleasure as the ultimate goal. It is the
doctrine that the pursuit and production of one's own pleasure is
the highest good and criterion of right action.

 Utilitarianism (Social Hedonism) : contradicts the above view of

right action, and instead based on Benevolence Principle. To this
theory, happiness is to be distributed as widely and as equally as
possible among all people to conclude one’s action as right.
 Types of Research Gaps-in writing a research
problem:

D. Context Gap
o A research context – geographic region – which is
less discussed or less represented in literature,
especially in respect to a particular research issue.

E. Level of Analysis Gap

o A level of analysis (meta, macro, and micro) –
which is less discussed or less represented in
literature, especially in respect to a particular
research issue.
 Research Gaps-illustration
• While there has been some research on the general
impact of female unemployment (Coyle,1984;
Popay,1985), little has been written about the effects of
coal mining on women's lives.

 Research Gap identified: The effects of coal

mining on women's lives.
 Sources of Research Gaps:

• Academic Journal Articles

o Gaps are usually presented in the introduction of
the journal articles
o It establishes the gaps in the previous research and
points out the focus of the journal article.
• Future Research Directions or Gaps for Future
Research
o Usually the conclusion of an academic journal article focuses
on discussing the implications 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.
 3.5. Designing Research objective, Basic
Research Questions and Hypothesis
3.5.1. Research Objectives
 Specification of the objectives of research, both during
planning and reporting.

 Objectives are what you hope to accomplish or

accomplished with your study.

 They are the statements which indicate in more

specific terms what the researcher intends to achieve.
 Objective/s
 Objectives should be also derived from stated problems and
have linkage with basic research questions.

 Objectives can be general/broader or specific.

 General or broader objectives have to be clarified with the

specific objectives that are operational in nature.

 Objective statements can be formed with use of action verbs

that can be measurable.
 Objectives lead the development of data collection
tool//survey questionnaire.
 3.5.2.Research Questions
 Research questions are interrogative statements
that focus on what variables or concepts are to
be described and what relationships might
exist among them.

 Questions should be stated by using “WH”

(What, when, why, how, where).
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 Research Objectives and Questions-Examples

Research Objectives:
• The objectives of this study are:
1. To examine the main risks of using social media by government
2. To investigate the potential benefits of using social media by
government.
3. To assess strategic guidelines to take advantage from social media
of government.

Research Questions:
1. What are the main risks of using social media by government?
2. What are the potential benefits of using social media by
government?
3. What could be some strategic guidelines to take advantage from
social media of government?
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 3.5.3. Hypothesis Formulation

The word hypothesis consists of two words:

•Hypo + thesis = Hypothesis
o ‘Hypo’ means tentative or subject to the verification
and
o ‘Thesis’ means statement about solution of a
problem.
•It is a tentative statement about the solution of the
problem.
•Hypothesis offers a solution of the problem that is to be
verified empirically and based on some rationale.
•It is a brilliant guess about the solution of a problem.
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 The Hypotheses
• It is a proposition that is stated in testable form and predicts a
particular relationship between two (or more) variables.

• By test we mean either to confirm it to our satisfaction or to

prove it wrong.

• A clearly written hypothesis helps researchers to decide what data

to collect and how to analyze them.
o It typically implies that a change in one variable is caused by change in
another variable.

Example:
o Employees who perceive greater opportunities for participation in decision
making would have a higher level of commitment.
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 The Hypotheses
• Hypotheses predict a particular relationship between two
(or more) variables.

• It predicts the relationship between independent and

dependent variables.
o Dependent Variable: The values depend and changes because
of a change on other variables.
 Dependent variable: Level of commitment
o Independent variables: the values of variables do not depend
on anything else.
 Independent variable: Perception of greater opportunities for
participation in decision making
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 The Hypotheses- Cont’d
Two Types of Hypothesis:

 For hypothesis testing: It is common to state research and null

hypotheses.
 A null hypothesis (H0): is a statement about a status quo
 Alternative hypothesis (H1) : is the opposite of the null hypothesis
 Alternative hypothesis is the research hypothesis- what a
researcher wants to investigate.
Examples:
H0 : There is no average academic performance difference between male
and female students
H1 : There is significant average academic performance difference
between male and female students.

47
 Research questions versus Hypothesis
• Research questions are usually broad in nature, and may
lend themselves to a number of answers, but a
hypothesis is capable of being tested and is predictive.

• For example, the statement ‘Why is street crime more

common in inner-city areas’ is a research question and
not a hypothesis.
• Hypothesis:
o ‘High street crime in inner-city areas is a product of liberal
policing policies’.
• Measurement, however, can only occur if the variables contained
in the hypothesis can be operationally defined (see the next slide).
48
 Operationally defining variables-Cont’d
Example:
• What factors provide the key drivers for ensuring
business success in the medium term?
o the question is far too vague to provide a basis for
measurement. Returning to the question, we need to
operationally define.
o what we mean by ‘business success’: is it output, profitability,
cost control or perhaps a combination of all of these?
• Similarly, what is meant by ‘medium term’? Is it one
year, two years, ten years?

49
 Group Activity
• Examine each of the following statements and decide
which (if any) make valid hypotheses.

1. Mixed ability teaching leads to disappointing levels of

student attainment.
2. What are the major causes of car theft in inner-city areas?
3. The ‘Total Quality Care’ system will increase levels of
patient satisfaction.
4. Training programs improve the quality of life of the
chronically unemployed.

50
 Feedback

1. Not a good hypothesis, since it contains the

subjective word “mixed methods” and
‘disappointing’. The statement should contain a
parameter capable of measurement.
2. This is a research question (to which there could be
a variety of answers) not a hypothesis, capable of
being tested.
3. A good hypothesis since it is testable. Levels of
patient satisfaction can be measured and we can see
whether levels increase, decrease or stay the same.

51
 Feedback-cont’d
4.
• It is not easily testable as stated here:
 to what type of training program does the
hypothesis refer?
What does quality of life mean?
It complicates about how to measure variables and
from whom to collect data

52
 3.6. Writing Research Proposal
 The research proposal is a systematic plan,
which brings to focus the preliminary
planning that will be needed to accomplish
the purpose of the proposed study .

Two important points are to be remembered

while writing research proposal.
 Writing Research Proposal Cont’d
One: the research proposal is a ‘proposal’ on
which at some point of time , in the future
research will be done . Therefore the language
should be in ‘future tense’.
Two: the researchers need to convince the
authorities that the research exercise will take
care of Relevance, Validity, Reliability and
Genralizability – RVRG.
 Research Proposal Cont’d
Importance of Research Proposal:

• It serves as a basis for determining the feasibility of

the project.

• It gives the research supervisor a basis for guiding the

researcher while conducting the study.

• It reduces the probability of costly mistakes.

55
 Components of a proposal

• A good proposal should consists of the first three

chapters of the thesis.
• It should :-
o begin with a research background, statement of the
problem, research questions, objectives and scope:
Introduction (Chapter 1)
o A review of the literature (Chapter 2)
o Defining of the research methodology (Chapter 3)

56
 Structure
• Title
• Table of Contents
1. Introduction
1.1. Background to study/Research background
1.2. Problem statement/Research problem
1.3. Research questions and/or hypotheses
1.4. Objectives of research
1.5. Significance of study
1.6. Scope and limitation of study
1.7. Structure of the thesis
2. Literature review
3. Methodology
4. Proposed schedule/Time Schedule
5. Budget Schedule
• References
57
 Title
• A good proposal has a good title
• It is the first thing that help the reader begin to
understand the nature of work
o Focused
o Highlighting the main contribution of the research
work
o Use the keywords
o Avoid ambiguous or confusing word

58
 1. The Introduction

• Background /Motivation of the study: -a general review

of the area of research (general to specific).

• This section is like a mini- literature review.

o How the current research is related to other research

o Do not review single, isolated studies-introduce larger
groups of studies to present broader picture of the
literature.

59
 The Introduction

1.1. Research Background

• Usually provides an introduction to the research

issue
• It may examine current discourse, trends or views
concerning a social phenomena in order to pose a
research question
• The research question will not be explicitly stated but
implied in an argument.

60
 1.2. Research Problem

• A situation in need of:

o a solution, improvement, or alteration; or

o a discrepancy between the way things are and the

way they ought to be.
• Statement of the Problem:
o Conveys information about a research PROBLEM
o The authors justify why it needs to be studied
o Indicate why the problem is important by citing references
that justify the need to study the problem.

61
 Components of Proposal Cont’d
1.3. Research Questions/ Hypotheses:
• Formulate the basic research questions that specify
the problem and need to be answered.
• Research questions are interrogative statements that
to be answered at the end of the study.
• Research questions serve as a baseline for selecting
research method.
• Research questions guide the analysis and discussion
of findings at the end of the study.
• Hypotheses that predict the relationship between two
variables to be formulated ( if necessary) 62
 Proposal Components Cont’d

1.4. Objectives:
 Specification of the objectives of the research, both
during planning and reporting.

 Objectives are what you hope to accomplish or

accomplished with your study.
 They are the statements which indicate in more
specific terms what the researcher intends to achieve.
 Objectives can be the statement form of research
questions, but not word by word duplication.

63
 Proposal Components cont’d
 Objectives should be also derived from stated problems and
have linkage with basic research questions.

 Objectives can be general/broader or specific.

 General or broader objectives have to be clarified with the

specific objectives that are operational in nature.

 Objective statements can be formed with use of action verbs

that can be measurable.
 Objectives lead the development of data collection
tool//survey questionnaire.

64
 Components of the Research Proposal-Cont’d
1.5. Significance of the study
 This section discusses the potential benefits or
implications of this research study on Future Research,
Practice and Policy

o Implications to research: how does it inform research area?

o Implications to Practice (managers, practitioners, employees,
organizations ,etc)
o Implications to Policy (if applicable)—what do your findings
tell government, international community, development
agencies, etc.

65
 Components of the Research Proposal-Cont’d

1.6. Delimitations of the Study/Scope of the study

• One way of making a study on a problem more focused is by
delimiting it.
• Delimiting research is giving full disclosure of what the researcher
intends to do or does not intend to do.
• When a researcher is able to set the scope and delimitation of the
study, one can make the research manageable. At the same time,
this can direct the choice of research method to employ.

66
Points for delimiting study:
1. Purpose of study
2. Time coverage of investigation
3. Geographical coverage of inquiry
4. Variables to be studied
5. Specific indicators of variables

67
 Research Delimitations
• Delimitations are choices made by the researcher which should
be mentioned. They describe the boundaries that they have set
for the study. This is the place to explain:

o things that you are doing (and why you have chosen to do
them).
o the population you are studying (and why).
o the methodological procedures you will use (and why you
will use them).

68
 Proposal Components Cont’d

1.7. Structure of the thesis

 The researcher has to indicate what the
organization of the thesis will be.

69
2. Literature Review/Relevant Literature

• The literature review section in a research proposal

often seeks to explain the concepts behind the
research and also present a theoretical approach to
addressing the research questions.
• Introduce the relevant literature you need to read or
review for your research.
• Explain the key concepts in the research and possible
factors or issues to be explored.
• Develop a research framework and you can mention
it.
70
 Components of the Research Proposal-Cont’d
3. Methodology of the Study
3.1. Research Types and Approaches:
• What research types will be used to conduct the study and
why were those types selected?
o Descriptive, explanatory, exploratory, applied , quantitative, etc.
3.2. Data Sources and Data Collection Instruments
o Where data will be collected and what methods will be used? – Why?

3.3. Population and Sampling Frame

o Sampling Techniques and Sample Size
3.4. Data Analysis Methods
• The data analysis involves three major steps, done in roughly this order:
 Cleaning and organizing the data for analysis (Data Preparation)
 Describing the data (Descriptive Statistics)
 Testing Hypotheses (Inferential Statistics) with the use of computer
software.

71
 Components of the Research Proposal-Cont’d

4. Time Schedule
oActivities to be done
oTime required
oTime it will be finished

5. Budget Schedule/financial breakdown/

Bibliography/References: You should include
a short list of references to key articles and texts
used for the study.
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Appendixes (optional)
Research instruments
•Questionnaire
•Interview guideline
•Focus group discussion guide

73
73
 Final write up format of your thesis

Structure of Thesis Remember your final

write up
is different from
your proposal
• Abstract
• Chapt. 1 – Introduction
• Chapt. 2 – Literature Review
• Chapt. 3 – Research Methodology
• Chapt. 4 – Results and Discussion
• Chapt. 5 – Conclusion & Recommendation
• References
• Appendices
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 Group Assignment

Identify researchable area/topic and then

write the research proposal of 10-15
pages
Submission data: Dec 29, 2018.

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• End of Chapter Three