LECTURE 3:RESEARCH RS 351: Research

PROBLEM; RESEARCH Methods

OBJECTIVE AND SIGNIFICANCE; By: Makafui M.
Tayviah
RESEARCH QUESTIONS
 Introduction
Last week we studied that some of the sources of hypotheses are personal
experiences or observation, literature review, theories, logic
A Research process refers to the different steps involved in a desired sequence in
carrying out research.
The following are the steps necessary to effectively carry out research:
Formulating the research problem
Developing the hypothesis
Literature review
Preparing the research design
Collecting the data
Analysis of data
 Formulating The Research Problem
Quite often we all hear that a problem clearly stated is a
problem half solved.
This statement signifies the need for defining a research
problem.
A research problem is the issue being addressed in a study.
The issue can be a difficulty or conflict to be eliminated, a
condition to be improved, a concern to handle, a troubling
question, a theoretical or practical controversy (or a gap) that
exists in scholarly literature.
It is the focus or reason for engaging in a research.
A research problem helps in narrowing the topic down
to something that is reasonable for conducting a study.
 Formulating The Research Problem..
Creswell (2012) defined research problem as “a general
educational issue, concern, or controversy addressed in research that
narrows the topic”.
Ogbonna (2006) defines research problem as “a felt difficult, a
puzzle, a vague feeling or a guest in the researcher’s mind to
complete a blank or fill in a gap in the researcher’s experience.”
Awotunde and Ugodulunwa (2004) defines a research problem as
an unanswered question.
Identification of research problem is the first step in a research
process.
It serves as a foundation upon which other activities in the research process
are built.
If the problem is well formulated, you can expect a good study to
follow.
 Identifying The Research Problem
Identifying the research problem could be accomplished by
asking ourselves the following questions;
what is the issue, problem, or controversy that needs to be
addressed?
What controversy leads to a need for this study?
What were the concerns being addressed prior to this study?
Is the researcher well equipped in terms of his background to
carry out the research?
Does the study fall within the budget the researcher can afford?
Whether the necessary cooperation can be obtained from those
who must participate in research as subjects?
 Steps In Formulating A Research Problem
The formulation of a research problem is the most crucial part of the
research since the quality and relevance of the research entirely depends upon
it.
After the identification of research problem, the next step is to formulate research problem.

In formulating a research problem, there are a number of steps to

follow:
a. Identify a broad field or subject area of interest: A researcher should
think of a research area that he/she is interested in.
b. Divide the broad area into subareas: Eg. Development has broad
areas; area of energy are many (gas, oil, thermal, wind, hydro etc)
C. The researcher should select what is of most interest him/her: The
researcher should select the sub-area which he or she feels suitable or
passionate about.
 Steps In Formulating A Research Problem..
d. Raise research question: At this step the researcher should ask his/her self:
 ‘What is it that I want to find out about in this sub-area?’
He/she should make a list of whatever questions come to his/her mind
involving the chosen sub-area and
if he/she thinks the questions are too many then,
He or she should chose the ones that are more important and discard the
rest.
e. Formulate objectives: Both the main objectives and sub objectives
should be formulated,
the objectives should be drawn from the research questions.
The main difference between objectives and research questions is the way in
which they are written.
 Steps In Formulating A Research Problem..
Research questions are obviously in question form.
Objectives transform the questions into behavioral (social) aims by
using action oriented words such as ‘to find out’, ‘to determine’, ‘to
ascertain’ and ‘to examine’ ‘to analyse’.
f. Assess objectives: The researcher should examine the objectives to:
find out the feasibility of achieving them through the research process.
Consider them in the light of the time, resources (financial and human) and
technical expertise at disposal.
g. Double-check: The researcher should go back and give final
consideration to whether or not
he/she is sufficiently interested in the study, and
Whether or not he or she has adequate resources to undertake it.
 Sources Of Research Problem
a. The classroom, school, home, community and other agencies of
education are obvious sources.
b. Researcher’s experience (s) or observation
C. Social developments and technological changes constantly bring
forth new problems and opportunities for research.
d. Record of previous research e.g. encyclopedias, research
abstracts, research bulletins, research reports, journals,
dissertations and many similar publications are rich sources of
research problems.
e. Text book assignments, reports and term papers suggests
additional areas of needed research.
f. Discussions e.g Classroom discussions, seminars and any
exchange of ideas
 The Sources Of Research Problem..
g. Questioning attitude: A questioning attitude towards prevailing practices
and research oriented academic experience can create a problem awareness
h. Scholars’ Views about a subject matter
i. Published Government Policies
J. Electronic (Internet) Sources
K. Propounded Theories
 Research Questions
Research questions help researchers to focus on their research by providing a path through the
research and writing process.
There are Major (Main question) and Minor (sub-research questions)
Steps involved in developing a research question are as follows:
a. Choose an interesting general topic
b. Do some preliminary research on your general topic and narrow it down: Search
current periodicals and journals on the topic to see what’s already been done, this will
assist in narrowing the focus.
c. Consider the audience: Always keep your audience in mind when narrowing your
topic and developing your question.
d. Ask questions relating to the research topic: Taking into consideration all of the
above, the researcher should ask “how” and “why” questions about your general topic.
e. Evaluate the question asked: evaluate these questions to determine whether they
would be effective research questions or whether they need more revising and refining
 Research
Is the research question clear?
Questions..
Research questions must be as clear as possible in order to be effective in helping the writer
direct his or her research.
Is the research question focused?
Research questions must be specific enough to be well covered in the time available.
Is the research question complex?
Research questions should not be answerable with a simple “yes” or “no” or by easily-found
facts.
Instead, the research questions should require both research and analysis on the part of the
writer. They often begin with “How” or “Why.”
f. Start the research: After coming up with the research questions, think about the possible
paths the research could take.
What sources should be consulted as the researcher seeks answers to the question/questions?
What research process will ensure that a variety of perspectives and responses to the question /
questions are found?
 Objectives Of Research
The purpose of any research is to find solutions to problems through the
application of scientific procedures.
Another purpose of a research is to find out the truth which is not known
and which is yet to be revealed.
To gain acquaintance with a phenomenon or to have understandings into it
(studies with this objective in mind are tagged exploratory or formative
research);
• To show accurately the features of a particular individual, situation or a
group (studies with this objective are known as descriptive research);
• To determine the rate at which something occurs or with which it is
associated with something else (studies with this kind of objective in view are
known as diagnostic research);
• To test a hypothesis of a causal relationship between two or more variables
(such studies are referred to as hypothesis-testing research).
 Significance Of Research
Some of the major significances of research are as follows:
Research provides the basis for nearly all government policies in our
economic system.
Research has its special significance in solving various operational and
planning problems of business, industries and organisations.
Research is equally significant for social scientists in studying social
relationships and in seeking answers to various social problems.
To those students who are to write a master’s or Ph.D. thesis, research
may mean a career or a way to attain a high position in the social
structure;
To professionals in research methodology, research may mean a source
of livelihood;
 Significance Of The Research..
(c) To philosophers and scholars, research may mean the outlet for new
ideas and insights;
(d) To literary men and women, research may mean the development of
new styles and creative work;
(e) To analysts and intellectuals, research may mean the generalisations
of new theories.
In summary, research is the fountain of knowledge for the sake of
knowledge and an important source of providing guidelines for solving
different business governmental and social problems.
Research is a sort of formal training which enables one to understand
the new developments in one’s field in a better way.