Research methodology

Research Topics and Research Problem formulation

By
Dr Vijayan
Session 2:
Code: MBA3305
3 April 2021
 Topic
• Research Topics s
• What is Problem statement?
Choice of Research topics
 Choice of Research Topic

1. Novel
When considering a research topic, the researcher has
to focus on one which has not been investigated
before.
2. Interesting
Researcher needs to consider her interest in the choice
of research problem.
3. Relevant
the results of the study should have practical
value and should be significant for researcher and
others
 Choice of Research Topic

4. Feasible
This means that a problem that a researcher is going to
work or can be completed on-time.
• Is the topic is too broad? ( effects of
computer games on children)
• Can the problem really be
investigated (Availability of information)
• What cost and time can be involved in
the analysis
 Choice of Research Topic

5. Researchable
Data can be collected to answer the problem posed by
researcher.
(Can the data be analysed or measured)
6. Ethical
The researcher should not be involved physical or
psychological harm or damage to human beings or
organizations. In other words, a study on a particular
topic should not put people or institution in a bad light.
Writing a problem statement
• Problem Statement

 “Problem Statement” is a description of a difficulty or

lack that needs to be solved. Or to see whether a solution
can be found. It can also be described as either a GAP
between the real and the desired or a contradiction
between principle and practice.
• Problem Statement
 The problem is the reason of doing any research
project. Without a focused problem, there is no
research.

 In order to be able to identify a research

problem, a researcher needs to know what are the
available sources.

 A research problem is usually posed as a

question, preferably a direct and simple one.
• What is the goal of a statement of problem?
The ultimate goal of a problem statement is to transform
a generalized problem (something that perceived as lack)
into a targeted, well- defined problem one that can be resolved
through focused research and careful decision making.

 Writing a problem statement should help you clearly

identify the purpose of the project you will propose.

 A statement problem need not be long. One page is good

enough for a good statement of problem.
• What are the key characteristics of a
statement of problem?

 A good research problem should at minimum:

1. Address a gap
2. Be significant enough to contribute the existing body
of
research
3. Be one that will lead to more research
4. Be interested to the researcher and suit his/her skill,
time and resources
5. Be ethical
• Types of Research problem
1. Descriptive Research
 Ask “what is” and suggests a survey research design.

Example:

 What is the level of awareness of solid waste segregation

at point of generation?
• Types of Research problem
2. Relationship Research
 Ask “what is” the relationship between two or
more variables and implies a correlational research
design.
Example:
 How does the relationship between environmental
awareness and human attitude influence solid waste
management ?
 How Environmental Awareness/Lifestyles affects
Household Consumption/Waste Generation?
• Types of Research problem
3. Difference Research
 Ask “what is” the difference between two or
more groups/ approaches.
Example:
 Is there any significant difference between the amount of
generated wastes and waste minimization practice ?
Four steps to write a statement problem
 Here are your simple four steps to write a
statement problem.
Step 1 (Statement 1)
Construct statement 1 by describing a goal or
desired state of a given situation, phenomenon.
This will build the ideal situation (what should
be, what is expected)
Four steps to write a statement problem
 Here are your simple four steps to write a
statement problem.
Step 2 (Statement 2)
Describe the condition that prevents the goal,
state, or value discussed in step 1 from being
achieved or realized at the present time. This
will build the reality, the situation as it is and
stablish a gap between what ought to be and
what is.
Four steps to write a statement problem
 Here are your simple four steps to write a
statement problem.
Step 3
Connect step 1 and 2 using a term such as “
but”, “however”, “ unfortunately” or “ in spite
of”
Four steps to write a statement problem
 Here are your simple four steps to write
a statement problem.
Step 4 (Statement 3)
Using specific details show how the situation in
step 2 contains little promise of improvement
unless something is done. Then emphasize the
benefits of research by projecting the
consequences of possible solutions as well.
Example
Step 1 (Statement 1) The government of XXX has a goal to
industrialized by the year 2030. In this regard it has encouraged
growth oriented micro and small enterprises that should graduate into
medium and large enterprises capable of contributing to the
industrialization goal.
Step 2 and step 3(Statement 2) Despite the said government
efforts there is slow growth of micro into small enterprises and even
slower growth of small into medium scale enterprises. The
government has officially acknowledged that there exist a missing in
XXX meaning that there is a gap between small and large enterprises
in the country.
Example
Step 4 (Statement 3)
Should the middle gap persist then the
missing
industrialization goal may be difficult to achieve. Need
therefore arises to investigate why despite government
effort there is a persist missing middle.
Example
Step 1 (Statement 1)
With the increasing number of industries in Malaysia
aiming to move toward industrialization by 2020, a huge
quantity of industrial solid wastes are generated each day.
Almost 95 ‒97 % of generated solid wastes is sent into
landfills for disposal without doing any processing. Due to
the increasing cost of handling the wastes, many open
dumping sites were created. Therefore sustainable waste
management should be improved and encouraged more
and more.
Example
Step 2 and step 3 (Statement 2)
It was reported that management of landfill sites is not up to the
standards in Malaysia that has a significant contribution to global
warming by generating greenhouse gases. Therefore, the core issues
regarding landfill sites and the necessity of applying proper solid
waste minimization system to mitigate the recent environmental crisis
of illegal dumping sites should be taken into consideration.
However, solid waste management and minimization is one of the
main issues in Malaysia. Lack of awareness and poor attitude toward
waste management principals hinder the effective implementation of
waste minimization
Example
Step 4(Statement 3)
Some gaps have found through the previous studies. As most
conducted studies focus more on general picture of the status of solid
waste management. While there are very few studies that focused on
in- depth industrial solid waste minimization practice and issues
among manufacturing industries in Malaysia. Most studies on 3R
activities in Malaysia focuses more on recycling that is not very
successful until now and less stress has been placed on reduction of
waste at source. Management of industrial solid waste generated by
industries in Malaysia usually are given lower priority comparing with
industrial hazardous wastes.
Literature review
Writing
• What is Literature review ?
• What is Literature review …..Cont..?
A paper that summarized and
discusses what has been previously
published on a topic.

It explores the past research and it’s

strengths and weaknesses.
What is the purpose of Literature Review?
• Importance of Literature review
KEY COMPONENTS OF LITERATURE REVIEW
KEY COMPONENTS OF LITERATURE REVIEW
Literature types:

1: Literature on Topic
2: Literature on Method
3: Theoretical Approach
4: Find a gap
5: Look for Figures and
results
What to look for in Article:
• Writing a literature review
Writing a literature review is not just about
summarising the articles/books that you have read.
Key Steps:
•Focus on Keywords– identify the keywords (including variables)
from your research topic/research problem.
•Search Good Resources – find articles based on the key words
by searching through good resources (databases/ journals). Write
down the reference for the articles used too.
•Extract Key Info – Extract the key information from the
resources.
•Compare and Contrast – Critically compare the info that you
have gathered from various articles (analyse and synthesize)
•Link and Justify – Make a link to your research problem and
provide good justifications.
• The general structure of Scientific paper
The sections appear in a journal style paper in
the following prescribed order:
• How to find a proper literature review?
TWO main requirements:
 Keyword
 Database
 Some of the common databases for searching are as
followings:
 Library
 ScienceDirect
 Scopus
 IEEE
 Google Scholar
 PubMed
 Medlin
Sciencedirect: http://www.sciencedirect.com/
• Example of literature review:

Review of subject in detail

• Finding Gap based on review of literatures: