CHOSSING AND READING ABOUT
YOUR RESEARCH TOPIC
by:
Fatima Oufaska
Ismail Oubelek
Chaimaa Benkhada
Mohammed Fathi
Mohamed Ait El Hadj
Content
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choosing about your farming research developing a literature
research topic problem review.
4
formulating a research
question
Chossing your Research topic
The research process starts with selecting a
topic, identifying a specific problem, and
examining relevant literature. This approach
refines your focus and helps you formulate a
well-defined research question to direct
your study.
Selecting a Topic
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Look to your own
classroom and school for Identify issues to change,
research inspiration. improve, or validate.
03
Choose a topic that is
significant to you and
feasible to complete
within available
resources.
Brainstorm and Refine
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List and prioritize your Choose topics that are Choose the topic that
ideas based on your meaningful, realistic, and excites you the most
interests and classroom impactful and assess its potential
challenges. advantages and
difficulties.
04
Discuss with peers to
clarify your focus.
why topic selection
is significant
1 2
Guarantees that your Creates a positive
research is valuable and influence on students,
supports both personal colleagues, and the
and professional broader education
development.
community.
Framing the Research
Problem statement
What is a Problem Statement?
Why is the Problem Statement essential in research?
What are the components of an effective Problem Statement?
Definition
•Problem Statement defines the issue that will be addressed in the research and serves as an
introduction to the research
importance
•Identifies the issue or gap to be addressed
•Guides the direction of your study.
Components of an Effective Problem Statement
•Context: Provides background information and sets the stage for the
problem.
•The Issue: Clearly identifies the specific problem being addressed.
•Relevance: Explains the significance of the problem and why it's worth
investigating.
•Objectives: Outlines the research goals and what the study aims to
achieve.
Example of a problem statement
(Context) In Morocco, media plays a significant role in shaping the social landscape. Media such as
television shows, films, and social media platforms are not just entertainment; they are also powerful
tools that can reinforce or challenge societal norms and stereotypes.
(The Issue) Moroccan media often shows stereotypes that simplify or give a negative view of certain
groups, affecting public attitudes and how people treat each other. (Relevance) It's important to address
these stereotypes to help create a more united society where everyone is understood and respected.
(Objectives) This research aims to investigate how stereotypes are presented in Moroccan television
and social media and to understand how these portrayals impact public opinions and attitudes. The
study will answer the following questions: What types of stereotypes are portrayed in Moroccan media?
How do these media portrayals influence the public’s behaviors towards different group of people?
Suggestions to Improve Your Problem Statement
Choose an issue that you can explore within your time and resources.
Define central concepts and terms that may not be familiar to the reader.
Describe a situation or concern that motivated you to choose the topic.
DEVELOPING THE
LITERATURE
REVIEW
Definition of the Literature Review
• A literature review is a summary and synthesis of research put forward by others that
is pertinent to the researcher’s own inquiry; it establishes the rationale for the study by
highlighting the importance of the research question.
•The synthesis allows you to gain a better understanding of the background and
context of the study you are about to undertake.
•Sources for the literature review include peer-reviewed journal articles, professional
books, conference papers, institutional publications, media reports, and documents
located on websites.
•The process of preparing to write the literature review usually follows several
sequential steps: locating sources for the literature review, reading literature to identify
themes, and constructing a literature review outline.
STEP1: Locating Sources for the Literature Review.
•The process of writing a literature review begins with locating credible sources to
gather background information on your topic. While internet search engines can
quickly identify relevant materials(Use academic databases eg .ERIC, JSTOR), they
may also present questionable information. In contrast, academic journal articles,
professional books, and conference presentations undergo a peer review process,
ensuring their credibility. Therefore, it's crucial to use references that have been
rigorously reviewed.
•When possible, use primary sources (descriptions of the original research reported
by the researchers who conducted the study) rather than secondary sources
(publications in which authors describe ideas, works, and studies done by others).
• Before beginning your library search, transform the problem statement into
library search terms (called descriptors) by defining your research focus and
deciding on the specific issues to be included.
STEP2: Reading Literature to Identify Themes
•The themes are usually made up of perspectives, approaches, ideas, or results
from relevant existing studies. As you review the literature relevant to your
investigation, you identify the themes that drive your narrative.
•The following are steps that we’ve found useful for identifying themes to be
discussed in the literature review:
•Begin by skimming quickly through each article (or other documents) to get a
general idea of its content
•Read the marked sections again, this time slowly and in depth, paying
attention to the themes that emerge. In the margin, write down thesethemes.
•Take notes on each article as soon as you finish reading it and write a narrative
summary of each relevant theme.
•Read each article critically and record your response, agreement, or criticism
of each source.
STEP3: Constructing a Literature Review Outline.
The outline of the literature Review can be written in a narrative style or as a
series of bullets. Analyze the similarities and differences between the themes and
subthemes and turn them into topics and subtopics. Make sure you record the
name(s) of the author(s) next to each theme.
•The review should be organized logically around themes and subthemes, from
the general to the specific, from historical to contemporary, from theory to
practice, and from definitions to examples.
•Visual mapping is an effective means of graphically organizing and displaying
the topics and subtopics of the literature review.
STEP 4: Writing the Literature Review
•There are usually three main sections: (a) an introduction, (b) the main
section of the report, and (c) a summary and concluding remarks that
end with the specific research question(s).
TIPS ON WRITING A LITERATURE REVIEW:
•1. Introduction:
• - Use an advanced organizer to outline topics.
• - Define key terms unless previously clarified in the
problem statement section.
.
•2 Main Section Structure
• - Organize thematically and discuss relevant theories/studies.
• - Vary discussion length based on source significance.
• - State themes or arguments supported by citations.
•3. Writing Techniques
• - Use transitional phrases for logical flow.
• - Point out agreements, controversies, and gaps in the literature.
• - When authors agree, summarize once and reference all.
•4. Citation and Referencing
• - Limit direct quotations; reference all ideas.
• - Include page numbers for specific references when quoting.
•7. Summary
• - Highlight major themes and their implications.
• - Critique studies and identify knowledge gaps or limitations of the
current knowledge.
• - Justify the need for your research questions.
•6. Additional Guidelines
• - Maintain objectivity; attribute ideas to sources.
• - Ensure all citations in the text appear in the reference list.
• - Seek feedback on the draft from someone unfamiliar with the topic.
Importance
Conclusion
In conclusion, selecting a meaningful research topic, framing a clear research
problem, conducting a thorough literature review, and developing focused
research questions are essential steps in the research process. These elements
ensure the study is relevant, grounded in existing knowledge, and designed to
address specific gaps or issues. Together, they lay the foundation for impactful
research that contributes to personal growth, professional development, and
advancements in the chosen field.
Any Questions?