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RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

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Formulating research problem


depends on
Expertise in research methodology
Knowledge in subject area
Understanding of the issues to be
examined
The extent to which the focus of the
study is pre-determined.
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Any

question that you want to answer in any


assumption or assertion that you want to
challenge or investigate can become a
research problem or research topic.
Potential research question may occur on us
on a regular basis but the process of
formulating them in a meaningful way is not at
all an easy task.
It is essential for the problem you formulate to
be able to withstand scientific scrutiny in
terms of procedures required to be undertaken
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The formulation of a research problem is the first and most


important step of the research process.
A research problem is the foundation of the building. The
type and the design of the building depends on the
foundation.
The research problem serves as the foundation of a
research study: if it is well-formulated, you can expect a
good study to follow.
The way you formulate a problem determines almost every
step that follow: the study design, the sample, the
instruments, etc.
The formulation of a problem is like the input into a study
and output-the quality of the content of research report
and the validity of the association or caution established-is
entirely depend upon it.
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Aspect of a
study

about

Study of

Study of
population

people

Individuals, organizations,
groups, communities

Subject area

Problem

Issues, situations, associations,


needs, population, composition,
profile, etc.

Program

Content, structure, outcomes,


attributes, satisfaction,
consumers, service, providers,
etc.

phenomeno Cause and effect relationship,


n
the study of phenomenon itself,
etc.
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Interest
Magnitude
Measurement of concept
Level of expertise
Relevance
Availability of the data
Ethical issues

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In choosing a research problem, the two crucial determinants to keep


in mind are
1. the interest in subject area
2. manageability of the study within the own constraints.
The steps to formulate research problem
1. identify a broad area of interest in your academic/professional field
2. dissect the broad area into sub-areas
3. select a sub-area or areas in which you would like to conduct your
research
4. raise research question that you would like to answer through your
study
5. formulate objectives, main and sub, for your study
6. assess these objectives to ascertain the feasibility of attaining them
in the light of time , resources, and technical expertise at your
disposal,
7. double check that you are sufficiently interested in the study and
have adequate resources for undertaking it.
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Objectives should be listed under two headings


1. main objective
2. sub-objectives
Main objective is an overall statement of the thrust
of your study. It is also a statement of the main
association and relation that you seek to discover or
establish.
Sub-objectives should be numerically listed. They
should be worded clearly and unambiguously.
The way the main and sub-objectives are worded
determines how your research is classified
(descriptive, correlational, or experimental)

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The main aim of formulating research problem is to


clearly and precisely define the research problem.
In a research study, it is important to develop,
define, or establish a set of rules, indicators, or
yardsticks in order to clearly establish the meaning
of such word items.
In a reserch study, you need to define these clearly
to avoid ambiguity or confusion.
Operational definition may differ from dictionary
definition as well as from day-to-day meanings.
Operational definitions give an operational meaning
to the study population and the concept used.

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