Selection of Research

Problem
Research Methodology (RCH 601)

Nepal Engineering College

Center for Postgraduate Studies (nec-CPS)

11
(The lectures are adapted from the Dr. M.K. Dhamala, nec-CPS)
 Consumers of Research
In this scientific age, all of us are in many
ways consumers of research results
(academician/scientists/students)
Research courses generally focus on how to
do research rather than how to evaluate it.
Rather than learning to plan, execute,
analyze, and write up a research study,
students need to learn how to read research
and evaluate it systematically.
2
2
We can’t assume that learning to conduct individual research will
simultaneously teach to be good consumers of other people’s
research. If we prioritize our ability to read journal articles, we may
not understand everything we read in a journal article, but we can
get used to coping with a piece of writing that we do not fully
understand. It takes skill to identify what we know and what we need
to understand better.

• Instead of just conducting the research, we need to have/build a

capacity to critically analyze/understand what the author want to
deliver
• To be a good consumer of research we need to have/build a
capacity to evaluate the research work of others

After summarizing an article, we can use the four validities to

evaluate four aspects of quality of any journal article.

3
external validity (the extent to which a study’s findings can generalize to other
populations and settings); “Can we generalize?” (External);

internal validity (the ability of a study to rule out

alternative explanations and support a causal claim); “Was it an
experiment? If so, was it a good one?”(Internal);
– construct validity (the quality of the study’s measures and
manipulations); “How well did they operationalize that
variable?” (Construct); and
– statistical validity (the appropriateness of the study’s conclusions based
on statistical analyses). “Did they have enough people to detect
an effect? How bigwas
the effect? Is it significant?”(Statistical). Beth Morling,
2014

4
 Benefits:

• Make us able to judge the adequacy of the

methods by which they have been
obtained.
• helps to evaluate and enables to take
rational decisions.
• analytical information and consequential
inference(s) may well be communicated
• Easier to conduct the research

5
 Research Topic
• Booth et al. (1995) suggest that the process
for focusing on the formulation of your
research problem/topic is as
1. Find an interest in a broad subject area (problem
area)
2. Narrow the interest to a plausible topic
3. Question the topic from several points of view
4. Define a rationale for your project

6
• Initially, it is useful to define no more than a problem
area, rather than a specific research problem, within
the general body of knowledge that interests you
• Your aim should be to subsequently narrow down the
scope of the idea or problem until it becomes a highly
specific research problem
• This narrowing process will require a lot of background
reading in order to discover what has been written
about the subject already, what research has been
carried out, where further work needs to be done and
where controversial issues still remain

7
• You should keep in mind three questions when
engaged in the preliminary exploratory work

what is your motivation for doing the research?

• A major motivation should be a curiosity about

the research results
• Another will undoubtedly be the fulfillment of the
requirements of a research degree
• Learning about the process of research –
practical knowledge that can be used in the future
– is also likely to be a motivation

8
• The second question is,
what relevant interest, experience or expertise do
you bring to bear on the subject?
• Obviously, interest in a subject is essential if you
are to concentrate happily on it for a year or more
• Although experience or expertise in a subject is
not a prerequisite to doing research in that field, it
does have an effect on the preliminary and
information-gathering stage of the work, as you
will be familiar with the literature and the potential
problem areas
• However, a ‘new light’ may be cast on a subject
by someone looking at it with ‘fresh eyes’

9
• The third question is,

what are you going to produce?

• As a researcher, your priority will be to

produce a defendable thesis or useful
research report within your time limit

10
 Types of Research Problem

1. Theoretical research problem

2. Applied research problem
3. Action research problem

11
Theoretical Research Problem
• Theoretical explanation of a research
problem
• Gives only theory and meaning of
the problem
• Defines the problem theoretically
• There is no need of hypothesis and
verification

12
Features
• It is exploratory
• It is theoretical in nature
• It provides basic meaning

13
Applied Research Problem
• Practical use of the theoretical knowledge
• Field work and visits to problematic
situation is necessary
• It has the design of hypothesis and
verification

14
Features
• It is practical in nature
• It has exploratory hypothesis
• It wants verification

15
Action Research Problem
• Action research problem is that one for
which the immediate solution is required
• This type of research is continuous and
needs quick solution in emergency basis

16
Features
• It is welfare oriented
• It is service oriented
• It is sensitive and immediate decision
required for solution

17
 Components of a Research
Problem
• A research problem refers to some difficulty
either of a theoretical or practical character
which an individual or organization is
experiencing and wants to obtain a solution for
the same
• There are number of components (elements)
which a problem must have before it becomes a
research problem ready for study: 5-Wh i.e.
Why, What, When, Where, Who

18
1. Objective or aim of the problem which is to be
investigated
– This answers the question ‘why?’
– Why is there a need for investigation, inquiry or
study?

19
2. Topic or theme which need to be investigated
– This answers question ‘what?’
– What is to be researched or studied?
– Right question needs to be addressed if research
is to help decision makers
– Decision makers can’t acquire all the information,
but it is often feasible to identify the factors that
are critical to the existing problem
– These factors are then included in the problem
definition

20
3. Time dimension of a decision problem is
always the future
– The period or time of the study when the
data are to be gathered
– This answers the question ‘when?’
– When is the research to be conducted?
– It is essential that the decision maker as
well as the researcher determine the right
time reference for the decision

21
4. Area or location in which the study is to be
conducted
– This answers the question ‘where?’
– Where we need to conduct the study?
– Political divisions or subdivisions, geographical
divisions, biophysical divisions
– The universe of the interest should be defined
either conceptually or by enumeration

22
5. Population or universe from whom the data
needs to be gathered
– This answers the question ‘who?’ or ‘from whom?’
– Who are respondents?
– From who are the data to be collected?
– They may include persons, groups of persons,
business establishments

23
 Characteristics of a Good
Research Topic
1. Research topic must be very clear & easy to
understand, it should not distract people
2. Research topic should be will defined, topic
should not create doubt & double impression
3. Easy language is a key to success, use
technical words if necessary otherwise use
simple words
4. Topic should not be obsolete & should have
importance in the current day
24
Conditions for Problem Formulation
• There are several conditions conducive for
formation of research problem
• The conditions vary with the study area,
problem theme, targeted conditions and so
on
• Some of the important conditions for
problem formulation are:

25
1. Knowledge about the selected area
2. Knowledge about the problem
3. Critical mind of the researcher
4. Availability of the resources
5. Research equipments and tools
6. Analysis experience
7. Findings and report writing

26
 Research Resources
• During the selection of research problem, a
researcher will see to the resources available
• If these resources like money, time, laboratory
facilities, equipments and tools, data availability,
accommodation, transport etc. are available to
the selection place, then the selection of the
problem easy

27
Time-lines of the Problem
• Some problems take little time for its
solution while others take more time
• So it depends on the time in which we
have to complete his/her research work
Data Availability
• If the desired data is available to the
researcher, then the problem would be
selected

28
Essential Conditions that has Proved to be Conductive
to Formulation of a Research Problem

(1) Systematic Immersion in the Subject Matter

through First-Hand Observation
The first and foremost essential condition for the
formulation of a research problem is the systematic
immersion in the subject matter through first-hand
observation.
(2) Study of Relevant Literature on the Subject
This requires that the researcher should be well-
conversant with the relevant theories in the field, reports
and records, etc. This would help the researcher to know
whether there are certain gaps in the theories or whether
the prevailing theories applicable to the problem are
inconsistent with each other.

29
(3) Field Observation:
He may make a preliminary study or an exploration. He
must be well acquainted with the relevant theories and
empirical generalization in the area of research. The
researcher should be familiar with the result of the
findings in the similar area. He can find out the gaps in
the theory or inadequacy or loophole etc.
(4) Discussion with Learned Minds:
The researcher may undertake an experience survey
and discuss the matter with the learned people
(Administrators, social workers, community leaders, etc.).
Their advice, comments, information and judgments are
usually invaluable to the researcher.
(5) Research Topic Manageable:
While formulating the research problem the researcher
should see that the topic itself must be of manageable
magnitude.
30
Individual Research
▪ Research carried on a personal venture with
independent funds and free to pursue his own interest
▪ Use clerical/mechanical aids if required
▪ accept, modify, or reject the findings of others & relate
his work to others
▪ Test & re-test his theories with his previous
observations or the observation of others
▪ Have maximum flexibility and minimum embedment in
institutional obligations, tension, influence
▪ Associated with his own idea to satisfy his curiosity,
extend knowledge of society, conception of scientists
personal integrity.

31
Organizational research
▪ Research carried on in an organizational
function/responsibility
▪ More ambitious
▪ Effort to modify sociological theory
▪ Group effort will bring the most rapid
solution
▪ Trained personnel with different
skill/knowledge/background brought
together to solve the problem efficiently

32
 Writing a Research Proposal
▪ The essential first step to conduct and execute a
research
▪ An intellectual scholastic contract between a
student and advisory committee that describes:
– What you will do?
– Why it should be done?
– How you will do?
– What you expect from it?

33
 Suggested Format (nec-CPS)
1. Title page
2. Introduction
• Background
• Statement of problem
• Research questions
• Research objectives
• Scope and limitation of the study
3. Literature review
4. Research methodology
5. Research plan
6. Budget
7. References
34
 Important aspects to be considered
in each section/sub-section
1. Title page
▪ Avoid long title
▪ Stay brief and reflective of the issue you are covering
▪ Examples:
• Study of socio-economic of natural resources
management in Nepal: A case study of water
resources management through WUA in Banke
district of Nepal
• Social Benefit Cost Analysis of Involvement of Water
Users’ Association in Banke, Nepal
• Performance and Risk Assessment of Salyankot
Water Supply Project in Post-earthquake Scenario

35
 Important aspects to be considered
in each section/sub-section
2. Introduction
• Background
▪ In the form of brief literature review of related
literature is necessary to build statement of
problem, research rationale, research
question and research objective as well as
clarify scope and limitation of the study
▪ Should discuss the problem or situation you
want to investigate

36
2. Introduction
• Statement of problem
▪ Must indicate exactly what the problem is

▪ Justify why you need to conduct the

research
▪ Indicate why and how it is a problem, which
must be supported by statistics or evidences.
This should be derived from background
section to illustrate connectivity
▪ Should be as brief as possible
37
2. Introduction
• Research question
▪ Should be based on statement of the problem
and rationale of the study
▪ It should clearly indicate what the research
will looking for

38
2. Introduction
• Research objectives
▪ General objective (single)
• It should be in line with the title
▪ Specific objectives
• They should be in line with research questions
and are more or less equal in numbers of
research questions
• Collectively should meet the general objectives
of the study

39
Significance of study

• Explain who be benefited from the results

• How your study will benefit them
• Applicability of the output from the research

40
2. Introduction
• Scope and limitation
▪ Scope: should cite the focus of the study
either geographical area or target
group/population
▪ Limitation: not a must in a proposal
• Indicate the expected challenges in the study
that may limit authenticity of the study

41
Important aspects to be considered
in each section/sub-section
3. Literature Review (LR)
▪ Survey of published materials on the topic of
interest, authored by accredited scholars and
researchers
▪ It is quite important to uncover what is already
known in the body of knowledge prior to
initiating any research
▪ LR is crucial endeavor for any academic
research

42
4. Research methodology (Will be discussed in
detail later)
▪ This section should comprise of:
• Research design (describe the nature and pattern
the research intends to follow)
• Research approaches (qualitative/quantitative)
• Study area
• Study population
• Sample selection
• Methods of data collection
• Data analysis

45
 Important aspects to be considered
in each section/sub-section
5. Research plan
▪ It is the schedule or time table of activities
covering the period over which the research is
to be implemented
▪ It can be presented in the tabular form or in the
form of Gantt chart

46
Research Plan (Example of Gantt Chart)

47
 Important aspects to be considered in
each section/sub-section
6. Budget Plan
▪ This is financial plan for implementation of the
proposed research
▪ Its itemization should be based on the
institutional requirement as well as nature of
the research
▪ The items included could be: travel, cost
involved in field work, chemicals, equipments,
stationeries, etc.

48
 Important aspects to be considered
in each section/sub-section
7. References
▪ This is a list of all works cited in the proposal
according to the approved format
▪ Must acknowledge authors of all publications
you have referred while writing proposal
▪ Don’t copy word by word
▪ If done (copied word by word), do not forget to
use quotation mark
▪ Be aware of plagiarism
49
 Research Methodology
▪ Discussion of the way to conduct the proposed
research in order to meet its objectives.
▪ This section should describe selected
methodology in detail and be presented in
simple term.
▪ Should be supported by justification for
selecting methodology

50
 Research Methodology

This section should comprises of:

– Research design
– Research approaches
– Study area
– Study population
– Sample selection
– Methods of data collection
– Data analysis

51
 Research Design
▪ Also termed as research method or type of
research
▪ It describes the nature and pattern, the research
tend to follow
▪ It could be of following types:
• Historical research
• Case study
• Experimental research
• Field research
• Survey research

52
 Research Design

Historical Research
▪ Analysis of past events in order to explain the
present and predict the future
▪ Such research is often based on literature
review
▪ This research method is applicable when the
research problem chosen by the researcher is
historical in nature (e.g. Political instability)

53
 Research Design

Case Study
▪ A fairly intensive examination of a single unit
▪ Helps to explore problems, issues and
relationships in a particular situations, thus
does not allow to generalize the research
▪ Possible to select a number of case studies
which will represent certain aspect of the
subject matter from which generalizations could
be made

54
 Research Design
Experimental Research
▪ Such research describes what will happen if
certain variable(s) are carefully controlled or
manipulated
▪ Researchers are expected to control or vary
all the variables involved in the study

55
 Research Design
Field Research
▪ Based on careful observation of behavior in a
natural environment (field)
▪ Researcher need to immerse in the day-
today life of the entire social unit without
altering their social environment
▪ Careful observation, taking notes on
observations
▪ Researcher must be very observant

56
 Research Design
Survey Research
▪ A technique of investigation by collecting
information through interviews
▪ Usually understood as a sample survey
▪ Often begins by identifying number of
individuals considered to be representatives
of the group to be studied

57
 Research Approaches

Quantitative
• It is an inquiry into a identified problem based on
testing a theory, measured with numbers and
analyzing with statistical techniques
• e.g. Experimental research, survey research

Qualitative
• Understanding a social problem from multiple
perspectives
• Field research, historical research

58
 Study Area
▪ A description of the geographical area where
population of the study exists
▪ This section should discuss the justification for
selecting the study area

59
 Study Population
▪ Population: the entire set of items or individuals
of interest in a study from which a sample is
chosen
▪ Also called universe, group or aggregation
(Young, 1998)

60
 Sample Selection
▪ Numbers involved in population is potentially large, hence
may not be feasible to survey the entire population
▪ Some form of selective survey by means of sample is
necessary
▪ It may be possible to survey the entire population (e.g.
Nepal’s population in every ten years, the electoral
registers…)
▪ For simple analysis, a sample size of at least 30 is
desirable
▪ In case of multivariate analysis, sample size should be at
least 5 times the numbers of variables that will be
analyzed simultaneously
61
 Methods of Data Collection
Primary Data Collection Tools
– Observations
– Personal Interviews
– Questionnaire Survey
– Key Informant Interviews
– Focal Group Discussions

Secondary Collection Tools

– Library Method

62
 Data Analysis
▪ Have to choose the correct statistical method
for analyzing a set of data
▪ Selection should be based on the objective of
the study
▪ The focus of analysis can take three basic
forms:
– Data description
– Estimation
– Hypothesis testing

63