The eight-step model for carrying out
Research Step I
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Module 02
The eight-step model for carrying out
research
PHASE I DECIDING WHAT TO RESEARCH
Step I Formulating a research problem
PHASE II PLANNING A RESEARCH STUDY
Step II Conceptualizing a research design.
Step III Constructing an instrument for data collection.
Step IV Selecting a sample.
Step V Writing a research proposal.
PHASE III CONDUCTING A RESEARCH STUDY
Step VI Collecting data.
Step VII Processing and displaying data.
Step VIII Writing a research report.
Step I Formulating a research problem
The Research Problem
Broadly speaking, any question that you want
answered and any assumption or assertion that you
want to challenge or investigate can become a
research problem or a research topic for your study.
However, it is important to remember that not all
questions can be transformed into research problems
and some may prove to be extremely difficult to
study.
Step I Formulating a research problem
The importance of formulating a research
problem
The formulation of a research problem is the first
and most important step of the research process. It is
like the identification of a destination before
undertaking a journey.
In the absence of a destination, it is impossible to
identify the shortest – or indeed any – route.
Similarly, in the absence of a clear research problem,
a clear and economical plan is impossible.
Step I Formulating a research problem
To use another analogy, a research problem is
like the foundation of a building.
The type and design of the building are
dependent upon the foundation. If the
foundation is well designed and strong you can
expect the building to be also.
The research problem serves as the foundation
of a research study: if it is well formulated,
you can expect a good study to follow.
Step I Formulating a research problem
Sources of research problems
Most research in the humanities revolves around four
Ps:
people;
problems;
programmes;
phenomena.
Step I Formulating a research problem
Sources of research problems
Step I Formulating a research problem
You can study a problem, a programme or a phenomenon in
any academic field or from any professional perspective. For
example, you can measure the effectiveness of a programme
in the field of health, education, social work, industrial
management, public health, nursing, health promotion or
welfare, or you can look at a problem from a health, business
or welfare perspective.
Similarly you can gauge consumers’ opinions about any aspect
of a programme in the above fields.
Examine your own academic discipline or professional field in
the context of the four Ps in order to identify anything that
looks interesting.
Step I Formulating a research problem
Considerations in selecting a research problem
Interest.
Magnitude.
Measurement of concepts.
Level of expertise.
Relevance.
Availability of data.
Ethical issues.
Step I Formulating a research problem
Steps in formulating a research problem
Step 1 Identify a broad field or subject area of interest to
you.
Step 2 Divide the broad area into subareas.
Step 3 Select what is most interest to you.
Step 4 Raise research questions.
Step 5 Formulate objectives.
Step 6 Assess your objectives.
Step 7 Double-check.
Step I Formulating a research problem
Step I Formulating a research problem
The formulation of research objectives
Objectives are the goals you set out to attain in your study.
Since these objectives inform a reader of what you want to
achieve through the study, it is extremely important to word
them clearly and specifically.
Objectives should be listed under two headings:
main objectives;
Sub-objectives.
The main objective is an overall statement of the drive of
your study. It is also a statement of the main associations and
relationships that you seek to discover or establish.
The sub-objectives are the specific aspects of the topic that
you want to investigate within the main framework of your
study.
Step I Formulating a research problem
The subobjectives should be numerically listed.
They should be worded clearly and unambiguously.
Make sure that each subobjective contains only one aspect
of the study.
Use action-oriented words or verbs when writing your
objectives. The objectives should start with words such as
‘to determine’, ‘to find out’, ‘to ascertain’, ‘to measure’
and ‘to explore’ an overall statement of the thrust of your
study. It is also a statement of the main associations and
relationships that you seek to discover or establish.
Summary
The formulation of a research problem is the most important step
in the research process.
It is the foundation, in terms of design, on which you build the
whole study. Any defects in it will adversely affect the validity
and reliability of your study.
There are no specific guidelines but the model suggested in this
lecture could serve as a useful framework for the beginner.
The Eeight-step model helps you to narrow your broad area of
interest to enable you to decide what specifically you want to
study. It is operational in nature and follows a logical sequence
that takes the beginner through the complexities of formulating a
research problem in a simple and easy-to-understand manner.
Continue
It is important to articulate the objectives of your study
clearly. Objectives should be specific and free from
ambiguity, and each one should relate to only one aspect
of the study. They should be under two headings: main
objective and sub-objectives. Use action-oriented words
when writing your objectives.
Thank you