From Objectives to Methods

1. From Objectives to Methods (c) Research Problem and Questions A/Professor Rob Cavanagh April 16, 2008

2. Why Start with a Problem? • Research is essentially inquiry • The process of inquiry assumes an interplay between the inquirer and the object of the inquiry • The inquirer has a reason or motivation for gaining a better understanding of something in his/her life or in the world • Implicit in the notion of ‘better understanding’ is the presence of a ‘problem’ for the inquirer

3. What is a Problem • Problem – any question or matter involving doubt, uncertainty or difficulty • Problem – a question proposed for solution or discussion • Problem - difficult to train or guide; unruly ( a problem child) Macquarie Dictionary

4. A Research Problem An operational definition: A research problem is a question or matter involving doubt, uncertainty or difficulty that is proposed for solution or discussion Key aspects of a research problem. It concerns: • A question • Something which is not fully understood • Something that has been deliberately chosen as the subject of inquiry

5. What is Not a Research Problem? • A question that has an obvious or previously confirmed answer • A statement of fact by the ‘researcher’ – the researcher already has an unequivocal answer, view or position • A statement that precludes inquiry For example: • Outcomes based education leads to improved student learning

6. Foundations of a Research Problem • The researcher has a guiding image or abstract ideal (an eidos) that stimulates engagement in inquiry • The researcher is knowledgeable, preferably without bias, about the subject of inquiry • The researcher’s knowledge has been obtained in a systematic manner – literature on the matter has been read and assayed

7. From Problem to Research Questions The problem should be expressible as a question and if not already expressed as question needs to be re-written as a question Consider: • What is doubtful, uncertain or difficult in the matter to be investigated? • What has caused this doubt, uncertainty or difficulty? For example: • Lack of prevailing knowledge or theory • Contradictions in prevailing knowledge or theory • Unproven relationships or connections between variables

8. Think in Terms of Research Objectives Research objectives specify the anticipated outcomes of the investigation The objectives of research could be classified as: • Exploratory – seeking new understandings • Descriptive - describing better or alternatively exemplifying what is already known in a new context • Confirmatory – testing/ validating hypotheses

9. Characteristics of Good Research Questions • Research questions should be feasible - that is, capable of being investigated with available resources • Research questions should be clear - that is, unambiguous • Research questions should be significant - that is, worthy of investigation • Research questions often (although not always) suggest a relationship to be investigated. The term 'relationship,' as used in research, refers to a connection or association between two or more characteristics or qualities

10. Concluding Remarks • Start with the eidos and at the level of the problem • The conceptual framework developed from the literature review is based on the problem • The conceptual framework should reveal possible connections or associations between concepts or variables that can be expressed as specific research questions • Finally, the research questions must be answerable