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Research Methodology: Chapter 3: Formulating A Research Problem

This document discusses formulating a research problem. It covers the importance of properly formulating the research problem as the first and most important step. It discusses sources to identify research problems, considerations in selecting a problem, and the steps to take which include identifying the subject area, dissecting it into sub-areas, selecting areas of interest, and formulating objectives. It also discusses defining the study population and operational definitions. Qualitative research problems can be more flexible and open to new ideas compared to quantitative problems.

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Eva Danielle
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105 views14 pages

Research Methodology: Chapter 3: Formulating A Research Problem

This document discusses formulating a research problem. It covers the importance of properly formulating the research problem as the first and most important step. It discusses sources to identify research problems, considerations in selecting a problem, and the steps to take which include identifying the subject area, dissecting it into sub-areas, selecting areas of interest, and formulating objectives. It also discusses defining the study population and operational definitions. Qualitative research problems can be more flexible and open to new ideas compared to quantitative problems.

Uploaded by

Eva Danielle
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Research Methodology : Chapter 3

Formulating a Research Problem


Topics covered
Formulating a research problem in quantitative research
• Importance of formulating a research problem
• Sources of formulating a research problem
• Considerations in selecting a research problem
• Steps in formulating a research problem
• How to formulate research objectives
• The study population
• Operational definitions
Formulating a research problem in qualitative research
Importance of formulating a research
problem
• First and most important step
• Quality and relevance of the research relies on it
• Key to formulating the idea of what needs to be
investigated
• Determines the methodology and design of the project:
– Descriptive and qualitative
– Correlational and quantitative
• The clearer the research question, the easier the next
steps
Sources of research problems
• Look closely in your academic field or
discipline
• Use four Ps:
– People
– Problems
– Programmes
– Phenomena
• Apply to qualitative and quantitative research
Table 4.1 Aspects of the research problem
Considerations in selecting a research
problem
• Interest
• Magnitude
• Measurement of concepts
• Level of expertise
• Relevance
• Availability of data
• Ethical issues
Steps in formulating a research problem

Step 1: Identify the main subject area


Step 2: Dissect into sub-areas
Step 3: Select sub-areas of most interest
Step 4: Raise research questions
Step 5: Formulate objectives
Step 6: Assess objectives
Step 7: Double-check
Figure 4.1 Dissecting the subject area
of domestic violence into sub- areas
How to formulate research objectives

• Goals that inform what will be achieved


• Main objective – overall statement
– Describing the main focus
• Sub-objectives – specific aspects
– Clear and unambiguous wording
– Numerically listed
– Each contains one aspect
– Starts with action word: ‘to find out’, ‘to explore’
Figure 4.5 Characteristics of objectives
Figure 4.2 Steps in formulating a research
problem - alcoholism
The study population
• Second important aspect to the research
• Who constitutes the study population?
• Select appropriate participants from the study
population
• Definition may need to be narrowed down
• Be as specific as possible
Establishing operational definitions
• Explain working definitions specific to study
• Define specific terms, meanings to concepts
used
• These may differ to dictionary or legal
definitions
• Avoids ambiguity and confusion
• Develops a framework for the study
Formulating a research problem in qualitative
research
Different to quantitative research which is specific,
narrow and the framework confines the research
(tests hypotheses)
Qualitative research is flexible, open, freedom to
include new ideas at a later stage:
• Research problem can be reformulated
• Inductive reasoning
• Flexible conceptual framework to increase depth
and richness of data

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