THE RESEARCH PROCESS
Problem Identification
The research process starts by formulating a research problem that can be investigated through
research procedures.
Research Problem
This refers to some difficulty which a researcher experiences in the context of either a theoretical
or practical situation and wants to obtain a solution for the same.
Components of a ResearchProblem
1) There must be an individual or group which has some difficulty or the problem.
2) There must be some objective(s) to be attained.
3) There must be alternative means (or other courses of action) for obtaining the objectives(s)
one wishes to attain. Thus, there must be at least two means available to a researcher.
4) There must remain some doubt in the mind of a researcher with regard to the selection of
alternatives. This means that the research must answer the question concerning the relative
efficiency of the possible alternatives.
5) There must be some environment to which the difficulty pertains.
Identifying a Research Problem
The first step in selecting a research problem is to identify the broad area of interest. Such an
area should be related to the professional interests and goals of the researcher. The next step is
to identify a specific problem within the broad area that will form the basis of the research study.
Hence the researcher should narrow down from the broad area to the specific problem. In doing
this, the researcher should consider the key factors that help in indentifying a researchable
problem.
Points to Consider in Selecting the Research Problem
1) The problem should be an important one. As such, it should:
o Lead to findings that have widespread implications in a particular area.
o Challenge some commonly held truism.
o Review the inadequacies of existing laws, views or policies
o Cover a reasonable scope. The scope depends on the time available, resources
and availability of subjects or units of study.
2) Subject that has been overdone should not be chosen because it could be difficult to throw
a new light in such a case.
3) Controversial subjects should be avoided.
4) The subject selected should be familiar and feasible so that the related research material
or sources of research are within ones reach.
5) The selection should be preceded by a preliminary study especially when the field of
inquiry is relatively new and does not have available a set of well developed techniques.
Ways of Identifying a Specific Research Problem from the Broad Area
a) Existing theories → a theory contains generalization and hypothesized principles
which can be scientifically tested.
b) Existing literature → other written articles on the broad area give the researcher a
good background of basic information and an insight into various issues that could be
studied.
c) Discussions with experts → these involve experienced and well informed researchers in
the particular area that one may be interestedin.
d) Previous research studies → a review of such studies provides a researcher
with researchable projects that would, when carried out, add to the knowledge that has
been built up by other researchers.
e) Replication → involves carrying out a research project that has been done previously.
In this case the problem and procedures of the research are identical to a study that
was previously done. The aim is to find out whether findings hold over time and across
regions.
f) The media → issues frequently reported can also form the basis of a research problem.
Such issues are discussed in public fora and hence they are important to the majority of
the people.
g) Personal experience → these lead to vivid images or an intuition, thereby helping
the researcher to formulate a specific research problem from a general area.
Summary
After identifying the problem, the researcher should be able to write the title of the research
study and the introduction section. The title should be short and simple, yet informative. The titles
enable the reader to get some initial information about the area of research covered and it is
therefore a pointer to the content of the study. The title should also give an indication of the major
variables of the research (both the independent and dependent variables), the target population
and the geographical location of the research. The title is also used for indexing once the
document is official. The introduction section consists of the background of the study, the problem
statement, the objectives, hypotheses / research questions, significance / justification of the
research and the study area. The background information should broadly introduce the topic
under investigation. A global, regional and national overview of the research topic is briefly
discussed e.g. if the research is about domestic tourism in Kenya, the research should give an
overview of the status of domestic tourism globally, regionally (in Africa or East Africa) then
nationally (the Kenyan experience). In doing this, citations of existing studies and theories should
be properly done to support the problem. Background information is followed by the statement of
the problem and then objectives.
Statement of the problem
This begins with a brief introductory section which introduces briefly the general area of study.
The researcher then narrows down to the specific problem to be studied. A good problem
statement should have the following characteristics / elements.
a) Written clearly and in a way that the reader’s interest is captured immediately
b) The specific problem in the statement is objectively research able
c) The scope of the problem is indicated
d) The importance of the study in adding new knowledge is stated clearly
e) It should give the purpose of the research which should be stated in specific terms in one or
two sentences within the problem statement
NB: The symptoms of the problem should be manifested in a manner that the reader feels indeed
the study is warranted.
Stating the objectives
Objectives help the researcher to keep to the scope of the study by identifying the area of
knowledge that the researcher is focusing on. In stating the objectives, neutral phrases should be
used and not phrases that are biased or subjective.
Biased / subjectivephrases: To verify
To show To check
To prove To demonstrate
To confirm To indicate
To validate To differentiate
To explain To explore
To illustrate To find out
To examine
Neutral phrases To inquire
To determine To establish
To compare To test
To investigate
Usually, one begins by stating the general objective and then puts down
the specific objectives. The specific objectives should not be so many.
Objectives should be S.M.A.R.T. i.e. Specific, Measurable, Attainable,
Realistic and Time bound.
IlLUstration 1
Title:
INFLUENCE OF REMUNERATION ON THE MOTIVATION OF DIPLOMA
TEACHERS IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN KENYA
General objective:
The purpose of this study is to explore the influence of Remuneration
On The Motivation Of Diploma Teachers In Primary Schools In Kenya
Specific objectives:
The specific objectives of the study will be:
a) Determine the relationship between basic salary and
motivation of Diploma teachers in private primary schools in
Kenya.
b) To establish the effect of provision of housing on the
motivation of Diploma teachers in private primary schools in
Kenya.
c) To find out the effect of health scheme on the motivation of
Diploma teachers in private primary schools in Kenya
d) To determine the effect of pension on the motivation of
Diploma teachers in private primary schools in Kenya