3.
2 | Research Criteria
Research Criteria
The research problem should of sufficient
magnitude and scope to fulfill the requirements
that motivate the study .  at the same time,  d)  Size – you have to exercise wisdom in
the research problem should have enough
variables.    It is also important that the researcher
should have interest in the problem area ,   and
finally he selected topic should be within
the researchers knowledge and skills .
 
Criteria in Selecting a Topic for Research
1. Personal factors which includes interest,
researchers capabilities (technical and economic)
and limitations, and size.
Personal Criteria means researcher own interest,
time and cost.  are some topics yet that have not been explored
Personal factors which includes
uniqueness/novelty, importance or value of the
research, critical mass(availability of data and
materials), department or unit where the research
is to be undertaken.
a)  Interest – you must be interested in the
problem to conduct the investigation with much
willingness, dedication, and commitment,
otherwise, the research may not reach
completion.
b)  Researcher’s Capabilities – you might be
qualified in terms of capabilities and training to
investigate the problem related to your field.
More over, the choice of your topic must be
“doable”(can be done) , and achievable as your
position in your institution is concerned. In other
words, you must not enroach on areas beyond
your authority.
c)  Economic capability – means that the amount
of time and money to complete the research
should be within your means ass a researcher;
otherwise, it would be wise to think of the
possibility of looking for both financial and non-
financial support from within the
institution/company or from outside sources.
considering the size of the problem and the time
to be consumed in the conduct of the research.
2.  External Factors
a)  Uniqueness/Novelty – novelty has to d with the
element of newness. Will the research to be
conducted contribute something new to the body
of existing knowledge? What features of the
research make it distinct and different from what
has been done before?
Although authorities in research say there are no
new topics in research since all disciplines have
done research, one way or the other, still there
thoroughly; hence they need to be explored more
extensively.
b)  Importance/Value of the problem – the
problem should result in some value in life. The
investigation of such problem should have some
practical or good contribution to the field of
concentration.
c)  Critical mass – data and materials should be
accessible to you. In addition, the must be
enough materials and sources of information to
study about; or else there is no reason why the
research has to be done.
d)  Department or Unit where the research is
conducted – in order that
management/administration support can easily be
solicited, it is always best to align the nature of the
research with the department or unit where you
belong.
3.  Moral and Ethical
a)  Moral, Ethical questions – there are value,
judgmental questions which are impossible to
answer objectively; they cannot be tested
scientifically and are difficult to draw conclusions.

b)  Philosophical questions – they maybe non-

scientific. Difficult to measure and not appropriate
as research questions.

c)  Theological questions – these are questions

which are purely religious in nature since they
cannot be subjected to scientific measurement.

In planning the research project, it is important for

you to:

-not only choose a workable and feasible research

concern, but also to consider the nature of data
that is required of the research;

-to have the means of data collection

-to consider your technical skills, capabilities and

limitations

-to consider your interest and support systems

-not to get spellbound and enthralled with the
allure and attraction of a topic , without
considering the possible consequences that the
research will bring.