IR1 IMEM RESEARCH METHODOLOGY Formulating Research Problem, BREDA SEP2011

IR1 IMEM

RESEARCH METHODOLOGYFormulating Research Problem,

BREDA SEP2011

Recap review literature

INDICATORS FOR A GOOD SOURCE

1. Carries a title2. Has the author/s clearly listed3. Uses sources according to an international standard

• reference list & in-text referencing according to e.g., APA4. Is published at credible publishing houses 5. Is referenced by other researchers too

If 1-3 are not met, the source is of questionable quality => refrain from using itIf 4-5 are met, the source is of good quality => use it!

SOURCES ( Links added to ResearchMethods.nl)

http://scholar.google.comhttp://portal.acm.orghttp://ieeexplore.ieee.orghttp://sciencedirect.comConference paper => less time to prepare, less time to review, more recent, limited scopeJournal paper => more preparation, strict review process, established knowledge, easier to generalizeBook chapter => even more established knowledge but no peer review

SEARCHING vs. FINDING

Search easy but Find not easy Main problems:

Sticking to the obvious

Using tutor cited literature

Inefficient search strategies

Content is not possible to be accessed

DEVELOP THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

Sort material under main themes & theoriesHighlight agreements & disagreementsIdentify unanswered questions or gaps

Iterative process

DEVELOP CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

Which part of theory are you going to researchHow?

The Research Problem

IMPORTANCE OF FORMULATING Research Problem

‘…like the foundation of a building.’ (Kumar, p.44)The way a RP is formulated can determine:

Type of study design

Sampling strategy

Research instrument

SOURCES FOR Research Problem

PeopleStudy population

ProblemsIssues, needs

ProgrammesIntervention

PhenomenaCause and effect

CONSIDERATIONS IN SELECTING A R. P.

Interest MagnitudeMeasurement of conceptsLevel of expertiseRelevanceAvailability of dataEthical issues

STEPS IN FORMULATING A R)

CourseResearchMethods

CourseResearchMethods

Step 1Identify

Step 2Dissect

Step 3Select

Step 4Raise Question

Step 7Double check

Step 6Make Sure

Step 5Formulate Objectives


ResearchMethodsResearchMethods

Step 1Identify

1. Pass rate Low2. Book difficult3. Too little time4. Abstract

thinking too low


thinking too low

Step 2Dissect

Step 3Select


Step 7Double check

Step 6Make sure




Step 1Identify


thinking too low


thinking too low

Step 2Dissect

• Pass rate low• Pass rate low

Step 3Select


Step 7Double check

Step 6Make sure




Step 1Identify


thinking too low


thinking too low

Step 2Dissect


Step 3Select

Step 7Double check

Step 6Make sure


• What causes a low pass rate

• How to improve the pass rate

• How to improve the knowledge level







Step 1Identify


thinking too low


thinking too low

Step 2Dissect


Step 3Select

Step 7Double check

Step 6Make sure

To Improve the pass rate of the course1.Find out why

2.Come with new more effective ways to teach/train3.Measure the effects of the new chosen method

To Improve the pass rate of the course1.Find out why

2.Come with new more effective ways to teach/train3.Measure the effects of the new chosen method











Step 1Identify


thinking too low


thinking too low

Step 2Dissect


Step 3Select








Step 7Double check

1. Amount of work2. Time available3. Financial

resources4. Technical

expertise

1. Amount of work2. Time available3. Financial


expertise

Step 6Make sure

To Improve the pass rate of the course1.Find out why2.Come with new more effective ways to teach/train3.Measure the effects of the new chosen method





Step 1Identify


thinking too low


thinking too low

Step 2Dissect


Step 3Select








1. Really interested2. Agree with

objectives3. Adequate


expertise

1. Really interested2. Agree with

objectives3. Adequate


expertise

Step 7Double check

1. Amount of work2. Time available3. Finacial resources4. Technical

expertise

1. Amount of work2. Time available3. Finacial resources4. Technical

expertise

Step 6Make sure




Characteristics for Objectives

ClearClear


ClearClear CompleteComplete


ClearClear CompleteComplete SpecificSpecific



Identify main

variables to

correlate

Identify main

variables to

correlate



Identify main

variables to

correlate

Identify main

variables to

correlate

Idetify the direction

of relation

Idetify the direction

of relation

STUDY POPULATION

Clearly identify the study populationIn the example we just discussed what would be the study population?

Why is it important to define the study population?

Establish Operational Definitions

In our example we have some concepts defined

What is a low pass rate?

What is Knowledge level?

When is the pass rate improved?

So Be as precise as possible when defining the research problem! Do not expect that everybody has the same reference

OPERATIONALIZING

Quantitative research !

SUMMARY

The 4 P’s ( People, Problems, programmes, phenomena)Considerations ( Interest, Magnitude, Measurement of concepts, Expertise, Relevance, Availability of data, Ethical Issues)Steps 9 Identify, Dissect, Select, Raise Questions, Formulate Objectives, Make sure, Double check)Define the study PopulationEstablishing operational definitions (How do you define poverty, income, study succes etc.)

Documents

IR1 IMEM RESEARCH METHODOLOGY Formulating Research Problem, BREDA SEP2011