Research proposal and Functions of research proposal ch 02.pptx

Research proposal
Functions of research proposal

1. Chapter 2 Research Problem Formulation 1

2. 2.1 What is a research problem? is the first and foremost step happens to be that of identifying and selecting and properly defining a research problem. A Research problem is the focal point of every research activity. A research problem refers to some difficulty which a researcher experiences in the context of either a t heoretical or practical situation and wants to obtain a solution/explanation for the same (Kotari 1990:30). It is a cornerstone of any research process 2

3. Research problem is like the foundation of a building . Poor definition of a research problem will lead to poor conclusion . In research process, the first and foremost step is selecting and properly defining a research problem. A researcher mu st find the problem and formulate i t so that it becomes susceptible to research. is any quation you want to answer and assumpution that you want to challe nge or investigate can become aresearch problem a need for the study. 3

4. 2.2.The Components of a Research Problem There must be an individual or a group which has some difficulty or problem There must be some objectives to be attained. If one wants nothing, one can not have a problem. There must be alternative means (or the course of action for obtaining the objectives) There must remain some doubt in the mind of a researcher with regard to the selection of alternatives. This means that research must answer the question 4

5. There are some important sources which are helpful to a researcher for selecting a problem. These include the following: 1. Professional Experience The day-to-day observation of the incidences in the working places and out of the working places. 2. Contact and Discussion with People Contacts and discussions with research oriented people in conferences, seminars or public lectures serve as important sources of problem. 3. Inference from Theory A research problem can be derived from a critical look into various theories .

6. Cont’d 4. Professional Literature Consultation of research reports, bibliographies of books and articles, periodicals, research abstracts … 5. Technological and social Change Changes in technology or social environment such as changes in attitudes, preferences, policies of a nation … 6. Consultations : Discussions with experts, researchers, administrators and business executives

7. Research TOPIC Selection Research topic must clearly show the area of investigation in succinct manner. It should be; Interesting – keeps the researcher interested in it throughout the research process Researchable – can be investigated through the collection and analysis of data 7

8. Research Topic Selection...Cont’d Significant – contributes to the improvement and understanding of educational theory and practice Manageable – fits the level of researcher’s level of research skills, needed resources, and time restrictions Ethical – does not embarrass or harm participants 8

9. Novelty or originality: Ignorance of prior studies may lead a student to spend time on a problem already investigated by some other worker . Availability of Data: The research worker should ensure the availability of valid and reliable data gathering devices and procedures. Courage and Confidence: such questions as “Will the researcher have the courage and confidence to pursue the study in spite of the difficulties and social hazards that may be involved?

10. The right topic to be researched often depends on a number of factors . It is not advisable to select the following topics: Common/over-used topics Controversial Politics/ religion related topics General/ broad topics Topics that are Too Narrow 10 What Can Be Researched ?

11. A. Common/over-used topics A number of research areas are very common and have been reused several times 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 Ethiopia has been well-researched, you may consider a topic on internet banking among rural banks in Ethiopia. 11

12. B. Controversial Topics related to religion/ politics Controversies have the propensity to arouse emotions in people, usually because the surrounding issues are highly subjective. Most importantly – you want to make sure you can complete the research on time and with relevant and appropriate data! 12

13. Some topics are too broad and general in scope , and thus should be avoided. A research on service marketing is too broad, however, service marketing in the insurance industry may be more appropriate. 13 C. General/Too broad topics

14. D. Too narrow topics Picking a topic that is too narrow should be avoided, because it will be near impossible to find enough information to conduct the research. For example, consider the research topic ‘Why Kibrom broke up with Sara’. This topic are too narrow and focused on a single event. if this topic is changed to: ‘ Determinants of break-ups in relationships among undergraduate students’ – the topic will become more researchable. 14

15. Additional factors in selecting Topic; You the researcher values, belief, interests, relevance, and personal experiences can influence the choice of a research topic Supervisor Find out the research interests of the potential supervisors; have a discussion with them; read their publications Data Sources researchers are sometimes restricted to particular topics because of access to or lack of access to data in the specific field of study or time availability 15

16. Current trends researchers can select a topic based on how important a particular issue is perceived to be to society at that point in time Research Gaps Discrepancies in existing research literature which need to be addressed or areas of study where there are reasonable gaps in the existing literature. The potential contribution to literature lies in the research gap. 16

17. Good Research topic must: Be original; Be of interest to both the researcher and the supervisor; Be timely and relevant ; (SMART) It must make a contribution to existing knowledge or respond to a research gap; Be specific and distinct, not too broad; Be clever, captivating and unforgettable; and The research questions that flow from it must be possible to address through a research design. 17

18. 6 Steps to Creating a Title for Research Identify broad topic and academic discipline Determine the scope Conduct Preliminary Literature Review Formulate Research Problem Determine Research Purpose and Questions Revisit your Topic to create a Title which fits your purpose and questions 18

19. 2.3. Research Problem Formulation 19

20. Formulation means translating and transforming the selected research problem /topic in to a scientifically researchable question. It is concerned with specifying exactly what the research problem is or why it is studied. To define a problem means to specify it in detail and with precision. 20 What is formulation /defining ?

21. Three principal components in the progressive formulation of a problem for research are : The originating question (what one wants to know) The rationale for the question (why aspect) The specifying question (possible answers to the originating question) Research Problem formulation.... 21

22. Do not look at a problem whose sole purpose is to compare two sets of data.      Finding a coefficient of correlation to show a relationship between two sets of data is not acceptable as a problem for research A problem that leads to a question that can be answered with “yes” or “no” is not suitable for formal , scholarly research. Do not use a problem in research as a r e use for achieving self-enlightenment. What is not a research problem 22

23. Steps in the formulation of a research problem Identify a broad field or subject area of interest to you. Dissect the broad area into subareas. Select what is of most interest to you. Raise research questions. Formulate objectives Assess your objectives Double-check 23

24. Necessary conditions for formulation of a research problem Systematic immersion in the subject matter through first-hand observation . Study of relevant literatur e on the subject Discussions with persons having rich practical experience in the field of study

25. Techniques involved in defining the problem or formulation process Developing title and Statement of the problem in a general way. Building a conceptual model understanding the nature of the problem Defining the objective of the study Setting Investigative Questions Formulation of Hypotheses Delimiting the Scope of the Study Survey the available litructure 25

26. 2.4. Research Hypothesis what is Hypothesis mean? A hypothesis is a tentative assumption drawn from knowledge and theory which is used as a guide in the investigation of other facts and theories that are yet unknown. A hypothesis is an assumption or proposition whose tenability is to be tested on the basis of the compatibility of its implications with empirical evidence and with previous knowledge. It is a tenetative statmen t/ solution/ explaination of the formulated problems

27. A hypothesis is a tentative generalization the validity of which remains to be seen. In social science investigations it is not mandatory to have hypothesis. you can conduct a perfectly satisfactory study with out formulating a hypothesis, but research questions.

28. Importance of Hypothesis it places clear and specific goals it sensitizes the individual facts and conditions it provides direction for the research it serve as a frame work for drowing conclusion s it prevents blind research It guide to the thinking process and the process of discovery It enables the investigator to understand, with greater clarity

29. Characteristics of a good Hypothesis it should be simple, specific, and conceptual clear it should be capable of verification it should be related to abody of knowldge it should be operationalizable it must be must be an adequate answer to the specific problem should be testable and not be a moral judgment . it should be logically consistent it should be free from value-judgment

30. Difficulties in the formulation of Hypothesis Lack of knowledge and clarity of the theoretical framework Lack of ability to ma ke use of the theoretical framework Lack of familiarly (acquaintance) with available research technique Vagueness of the statement

31. Sources of Hypothesis Theory : It gives direction to research by stating what is known Observation Intuition and personal experiences Findings of studies and past exprience State of knowledge Culture: similarity case studie

32. 1.5. Types of Hypothesis Descriptive hypothesis, Relational hypothesis. Working hypothesis, Null hypothesis , Alternative hypothesis Statistical hypothesis. Common-sense hypothesis, complex hypothesis analytical hypothesis.

33. Null hypothesis A null hypothesis proposes no relationship between two variables. Denoted by H0, it is a negative statement Alternative hypothesis Considered to be the opposite of a null hypothesis, an alternative hypothesis is donated as H1 or Ha. It explicitly states that the dependent variable affects the independent variable.

34. 2.6 Criteria for hypothesis formulation it must state an expected relationship between variables it must be testable it should be consistent with the existing body of knowledge. Finally, it should be stated as simply and concisely as possible. It must be specific . ... It must be measurable . ... It should be repeatable

35. Literature review A literature review surveys , summarizes , and links together research in a given field. Literature reviews also provide a solid background for a research paper's investigation. Comprehensive knowledge of the literature of the field is essential to most research papers . Literature can include books, journal articles, internet (electronic journals), newspapers, magazines, t heses and dissertations , conference proceedings, reports, and documentaries.

36. Purposes and functions a literature review: Describe the relationship of each work to the others under consideration Identify new ways to interpret , and shed light on any gaps in, previous research Bring c larity and focus of researc h, Improve your methodology , Broaden your knowledge base in your study area Contextualize your findings. To identify the variables to be measured in your research

37. Resolve conflicts amongst seemingly contradictory previous studies Point the way forward for further research Place one's original work (in the case of theses or dissertations) in the context of existing literature Determines w hat is known about a subject, concept or problem

38. D etermines gaps , co nsistencies & inconsistenci es about a subject, concept or problem Discovers unanswered questions about a subject, concept or problem Describes strengths & weaknesses of designs, methods of inquiry and instruments used in earlier works Generates useful research questions or projects/activities for the discipline

39. Literature review: Uses Theoretical framework The literature defines concepts and terms in relation to the study Problem statement and hypotheses The literature review helps to determine what is known and not known ; to uncover gaps , consistencies, or inconsistencies , and/or to reveal unanswered questions about a subject, concept or problem The literature review allows for refinement of research problems and questions and/or hypotheses

40. Design and method The literature review reveals strengths and weaknesses of designs and methods of previous research studies

41. Steps in literature review Searching for literature Sorting and prioritizing the return/retrieved literature Analytical reading of papers Evaluative reading of papers Comparison across studies Organizing the content Writing t he review

42. Characteristics of a good literature review The survey materials must be as recent as possible . Materials reviewed must be objective and unbiased . Surveyed materials must have been based upon genuinely original and true facts Review materials must n ot be too few nor too many . Materials surveyed must be relevant to the study . data to make them valid and reliable .

43. A review of the literature should: Theoretical Frameworks Emperical study Conceptual Framework

44. Plagiarism " w rongful adoption " and " stealing and publication" of another author's "language, thoughts, ideas, or expressions" and the representation of them as one's own original work. Using another writer’s words without proper citation Using a nother writer’s idea s without proper citation

45. Individual Assignment Select one topic of your interest from your previous topics/courses support your study with scientific literature reviews (be sure that you have made proper theoretical framework!) Clearly define your problem statement, Show your conceptual framework and briefly describe it. Note: by this time, it is expected that each student has clear research problem, clear research objectives and clear research questions/hypotheses .

46. Thank you!!