CHAPTER TWO
RESEARCH PROCESS
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CHAPTER OBJECTIVES
By the end of this chapter, students will be
able to:
1. Identify and write an acceptable research topic.
2. Write a focused research background with
historical, theoretical, conceptual and
contextual orientations.
3. Identify and state a research problem.
4. Generate and state clear and focused objectives,
questions.
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WHAT IS A RESEARCH TOPIC?
A topic is a statement of what the research is
all about. It is a concise and specific
statement that encompasses briefly all the
essential elements of a study.
Typically, a researcher selects a research
topic by identifying a wide area of interest or
concern (research area) and then narrows that
area to a manageable set of research
questions.
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Cont…
• A research topic may arise as a
problem to be solved or as an issue to
be better understood, or it may arise
as conditions which the researcher
wants to improve, or as difficulties to
be eliminated or questions for which
immediate answers are needed.
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The researcher focuses the research and
positions the central concept for the research
at an early stage through selection of a
research topic.
Note: A research topic is a brief statement of
about 12-18 words of detailed wording and
explanations.
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ELEMENTS OF A RESEARCH TOPIC
A well-written business research topic is a
brief statement that describes the “what”
and the “where” of a study. That “what”
describes the variables (subject and object)
and the “where” describes the area or the
target population of the study.
Research Topic is- what (subject + object) +
where (target population) of a study
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IDENTIFYING A RESEARCH TOPIC
The first step in identifying a research topic is to
determine a broad problem area that is closely
related to one’s interest or professional goals or
to one’s area of in-depth specializations, e.g.
Staff Motivation, Employee Behaviors,
Selection, Recruitment, Training, And Retention,
Organizational Outcomes such as Increased
Sales, Market Share, Profits, Growth, And
Effectiveness etc
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These are broad statements and it is
still possible to ask for example - What
is it about employee behaviors or staff
motivation? The researcher then seeks
out specific research problems within
those broad areas that could form the
basis of investigation.
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It is not possible, for example, to investigate
the whole of employee behaviors or the whole
of staff motivation. One can only study
particular aspects of them. That aspect selected
for investigation becomes the research topic.
The difference between a research area and a
research topic can be illustrated by the
following examples (i.e. Amoud Postgraduate
Students’ Topics):
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Cont…
Research Area: Financial Management
Practices
Research Topic: Effect of Financial
Management Practices on Performance of Small
Businesses in Borama Town, Somaliland.
Research Area: FGM Projects
Research Topic: Influence of FGM Projects on
the Prevalence of FGM in Borama District,
Somaliland.
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Cont…
Note: A research topic is not the same
thing as a research area. A research area is
a broad issue of concern whose specific
elements of investigation have not been
isolated. But a research topic is a focused
area that isolates the specific elements of
investigation and the target population.
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Sources of Research Topics
There are four common sources of research:
1. Personal experience: A topic can be
suggested from everyday experience for which
they are not scientific justification. So as long
as an experience raises questions then such an
experience is a potential sources of research
topic. Therefore, all experience which are
taken from granted without scientific
justification are potential sources of research.
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1. Needs Assessment: A need is a
deficiency which can be detrimental
if not satisfied. Need assessment is
the process of identifying significant
needs. Once needs are identified
than the procedure of satisfying the
need is the research issue.
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Existing theory: A theory is a set of
well-argue ideas intended to explain a
phenomenon. In every field, there are
several theories. There is applicability of a
theory in a particular context can only be
known if the theory is tested in the
context. All theories are potential sources
of research topic.
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Existing Literature: Literature is a source of
stored information which can be retrieved for
analysis. Literature can be suggested topics in
two ways:
Existing knowledge gaps through analysis: a
researcher may discover incomplete or that should
be inconsistence information resolved through
research.
Further recommendation: All research which
have been concluded and reported must end with
recommendation for further research. These are
ready topics for investigation.
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Selecting a Research Topic
It is important for a researcher to consider the
following issues when selecting a research topic:
1. Personal interest in the topic. One should not
choose a topic in which he or she has no interest,
or has only little interest. Such a study is likely to
fail or to be conducted haphazardly. A topic of
one’s interest provides him or her with
opportunity and motivation to do significant
independent work on a problem area that will
better prepare him or her for professional work.
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2. Cost. It is necessary to consider the cost of conducting
and reporting a study and be sure that it can be
accommodated within the constraints of the available
resources.
3. Importance of the research. A topic that is not
significant may not attract funding or readership as it
may not make a worthwhile contribution to the
available body of knowledge. A study may be complete
in all ways, but if it does not add value to the existing
business knowledge, then it is worthless. A good title
must address something new and worthwhile, and
extend knowledge by incorporating new elements or
new participants
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Cont…
4. Time available. A good topic is accomplishable within
the available time. Sponsors or organizations that call for
studies have prescribed times in which a study should be
concluded. A good topic should be manageable within the
constraints of time imposed by the organization that called
for it.
5. Researcher skills. A researcher must consider whether he
or she has the necessary skills required to study the topic
he or she has suggested, especially data analysis and
interpretation skills.
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Cont…
6. Ethical issues: Some topics raise
ethical issues which a researcher may not
easily overcome. Such topics should be
avoided
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MORE FACTORS…
Make sure the topic is
ethical to study.
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Writing a Research Topic
Once a research topic has been
identified, the next task is to write it out
precisely and briefly, using as few words
as possible but without losing clarity. The
conventional approach is to start with the
subject (IV), followed by the object (DV)
and the target population, joined by
suitable conjunctions.
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A research topic should clearly indicate
“what” is to be investigated (i.e. the
subject and the object), and “where” the
study will be conducted (i.e. the target
population). It is these “WHATs” and
“WHEREs” that distinguishes research
topics from research areas.
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There are five main approach to write a research
title:
1. BY USING ACTIVE VERB (Impact, effect,
influence etc.). The general trend is impact of
independent variable and dependent variable
and target population. For example: Influence
of FGM Projects on the Prevalence of FGM in
Borama District, Somaliland.
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2. USING THE METHOD OF
ANTICIPATING OF ANALYSIS. This is
called functional approach. Confidentially,
dependent variable as function of the
independent variable in the target population.
For example: Prevalence of FGM as a correlate
of FGM Projects in Borama District,
Somaliland.
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Cont…
3. USING THE ANTICIPATING OUTCOME
Note: Remember a well-written title, actually, is
the main hypotheses of the study.
The IV improves the DV in the Target
Population
The IV lowers the Dependent Variable in the
Target Population. For example: FGM Projects
Lowers (or Improves) Prevalence of FGM in
Borama District, Somaliland.
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Cont…
4. INDEPENDENT VARIABLE AND
DEPENDENT VARIABLE IN THE
TARGET POPULATION. For example,
FGM Projects and Prevalence of FGM in
Borama District, Somaliland.
5. OTHERS: Specifically, where the student has
only one variable, they are referred to as
“Status studies” and such titles are called status
topics. For example, Status of FGM Prevalence
in Borama District, Somaliland
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A research topic is written on the first page
(generally referred to as the title page), which
is usually not paginated. Though the topic is
written on the first page,
it is frequently formulated well after planning
has begun and the dimensions of the study
have been determined.
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The title page should have:
1. The topic of the research.
2. The full names of the researcher.
3. The purpose for which the study is
intended.
4. The Date (month and year) when the
study was concluded.
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Cont…
Note: According to the APA, the title page
should indicate:
1. Page Header is written right flush in title
case. It contains the first two or three words
of the title. It is in order to write page header
on all pages of a document, but it is not a
requirement. The page number appears just
below the page header or five spaces to the
right of it
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1. Running head is an abbreviated title. It
is typed left, upper case at the top of the
title page, in not more than 50 characters
(including spaces and punctuations). It is
a summary of the title. Most of the
times, it is the research area.
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Cont…
3. Topic is the theme of the study, in about 12-18
words typed in upper and lower case letters
(title case), centered and positioned on the
upper half of the page.
4. By-line indicates the names of the author(s) and the
institutional affiliation(s). It is typed in title case,
centered at the bottom of the page. For a dissertation
the purpose of the study should be indicated .
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Page header
RUNNING HEAD
Research Topic
By-Line
Author(s) Name(s)
Institutional Affiliation
A Research Project Submitted In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the
Degree/Diploma of (---name of the degree/diploma---) in (---area of specialization---)
Date of Submission
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Staff motivation
MONETARY MOTIVATORS ON PERFORMANCE OF STAFFS
Influence of Monetary Motivators on Performance of Staffs
in Rays Hotel in Borama Town, Somaliland
A/rashid. J. A/lahi
Amoud University
A Research Project Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree
of Master of Business Administration in Accounting
Octobar 2018
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Characteristics of a Well-Written
Research Topic
A good research topic should:
1. Summarize the main idea of the research
simply and with style. As a concise
statement of the theme of the study, a
research topic should identify the actual
variables or theoretical. issues under
investigation and the relationship between
them in a straight forward, uncomplicated,
easily read and understood manner.
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2. Be fully explanatory on its own, and
compress easily into a running head
3. Avoid words that serve no purpose,
which increase length and which can
be misleading. Words such as method,
results, a study of, an investigation, a
survey, among others- are unnecessary
because they compound the topic
without adding much value to it.
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Cont…
4. Avoid using abbreviations and most articles and
prepositions which just reduce accuracy.
5. Not below 12 and exceed 18 words, though different
organization may have their rules on this.
Note:
A. Research Area = WHAT IS THE STUDY ABOUT?
B. Research Topic = What are the variables of the
study + where will the study be conducted=
subject (IV) + object (DV) + target population.
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Theoretical Background
The theoretical perspective is a description of the theory
on which the study is based. It describes "any"
discovered relationships between the variables under
investigation and the theory to be used. A well-written a
theoretical background should:
1. Identify the theory and its author.
2. State the theory.
3. State the major tenant of the theory.
4. Explain the theory.
5. Justify the choice of the theory.
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Contextual Background
The contextual background describes the problems
in each operation of the variable in the context of
the target population, and points out the gaps that
need to be filled by the study. This description
should develop from global to local.
The contextual background is presented in several
paragraphs. Each paragraph describes the problems
associated with each operation of the independent or
the dependent variable, depending on how many
objectives of the study have been stated.
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For each operation, the researcher should:
A. Provide a constitutive definition. Only one
constitutive definition is required here, and it is also
taken as the working definition.
B. Provide ideal status of the operation in terms of
theories, principles and laws that govern the
variable.
C. Expose the gaps or shortcomings in the operation in
the context of the population by highlighting what
may happen if the ideal situation, as described, is not
attained.
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Characteristics of a Good Research
Background
A well-written research background should:
1. Proceed from a general (or global) to a specific (local),
by presenting descriptions of variables from the world,
regional, and country perspectives and then narrowing to
the specific area of study.
2. Be limited to not more than two printed double-spaced
pages.
3. Address the historical, theoretical, conceptual and
contextual aspects of the subjects under investigation.
4. Be problem-focused with each paragraph focusing on
unanswered issues that require research.
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Research Problem
A research problem refers to whatever the researcher has
identified as existing in literature, in theory or in practice; a
condition which needs to be probed and a solution
found. It may arise from:
a. Issues, difficulties, current practices or problems that
need to be solved or better understood or from
deductions from existing theories related to the
current social or political issues, practical
situations or personal experiences.
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a. An issue that a researcher wants to
describe, or from an event that has been
observed and needs to be explained, or
from a problem for which a solution is
needed.
b. A state of affairs that needs to be
changed, or from anything that is not
working as well as it ought to, or from a
difficulty to be eliminated.
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Identifying a Research Problem
Research problem is different from general problems in three
important ways. To separate the two, a research should answer the
following 3 basic questions:
Question 1
Is there a perceived inconsistency or discrepancy between “what is”
(the actual) and “what should be” (the ideal)? In other words, are
you seeing what you want to see or is there something different? If
the answer is NO, then there is no problem because things are just as
they should be, and the inquiry stops there. But if the answer is YES,
then there is a problem, but it may not necessarily be a research
problem. The YES answer leads to the second question.
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Cont…
Question 2
Is there a question about why there is a
inconsistency? In other words, is the discrepancy
understood or not? If there is no question about the
discrepancy, then there is no research problem because
the discrepancy has been, or can be explained from the
available facts and data, without research. But if the
answer is YES, then the discrepancy is not understood,
and it cannot be explained from the already available
data. Hence a problem exists, though it may not
necessarily be a research problem. The YES answer
leads to the third question.
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Cont…
Question 3
Are there possible and reasonable solutions or
answers to the discrepancy? If the answer is NO, then
the problem cannot be investigated through research
since it is not possible to generate or formulate
hypotheses. Hence, it is not a research problem. But if
the answer is YES, then there is a research problem, and
these possible answers now form the basis of
investigation.
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Cont…
Note:
These questions should be asked and
answered in that order. Unless all the
three questions have been answered
in the affirmative, there cannot be a
research problem.
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Problem Statement Vs Statement of the
Problem
Problem statement is a concept which
shows the fact that a research has a problem
and the problem has a certain universal
characteristic. The statement of the problem
is a description of a particular problem in a
particular research. What is stated in
academic research is the statement of the
problem.
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Stating a Research Problem
A statement of the problem must clearly bring out
the ideal, the actual and discrepancy between
them. These are usually brought out three themes
(perceptively).
i. The Ideal
The ideal focuses on the ideal status of the other
variable. It should be described with the respect to
the conceptualization of the variable in the
background.
Note: The description of the ideal should end with the
expected relationship between the variables.
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Cont…
ii. The Actual: This is described the status of
the problem variable in Target Population (TP) as a
problem. The description of the actual must begin
with the problem. This is called the fall/ the dearth
sentence. This is followed by empirical evidence
from the contextual perspective.
iii. The Discrepancy: This is the difference between
the ideal and actual in relation to the variable that
are under investigation.
iv. Implications of the Problem: This describes the
danger of leaving the gap unsolved. Develop this
form vantage in background.
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Research Objectives
Objectives are intended outcomes of a research process.
Outcomes is used to as an all impressing process that included
output and impact. An objective, therefore, must specify and
inter-joins. Objectives serve four main functions:
Research Focus: It creates focus by specifying the specific
intension of the research. Once objectives are specified, they
become the target of the research and any other target no
matter how it is important become irrelevant. A research
without objectives will seek to achieve anything and at the end
nothing.
Scope: It defines the scope of the research; the number of
objectives show on how wide study is but the element of
objectives shows the details of study.
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Cont…
• Selection bases: Objectives form the basis of the selecting,
analysis and data collection methods. A research must have a
design and must involve collection and analysis of data.
Evaluation: objectives form the basis of evaluation of a
research process. Evaluation is the process of determining the
extent to which objectives have been achieved. A research
without objectives can be not evaluated.
Note: There are two levels of evaluation in research process:
Before the research: A research can be accepted or rejected
before it is done based on the stated objectives. Either
objectives are not worthwhile or the proposed methods are not
relevant to the objectives as they are stated.
After the research: Determining the extent to which the
proposed objectives had been achieved.
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Levels of Research Objectives
There are three level of research objectives:
i. Research Purpose/Aim Level Objectives: The
purpose/aim indicates long and distance intension
with the research and may not guarantee to the present
study but which ultimately is the reason why the
research is conducted. Purpose/aim of the research is
not realizable at the end of the study. The aim is the
stated in broad terms so as to reveal the ideal state that
researcher wish to exist.
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General Research Objectives
This is the specific outcome of the purpose of the study.
It is restatement and explanation of the research title in
relatively more specific term than the purpose. It is the
researcher’s specific contribution to the realization of
the purpose. Unlike the purpose, the general objective is
realizable (attainable) at the end of the research
undertaken.
Note: It is the result of amalgamation of the specific
level of the study.
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Specific Research Objectives
This is the specific intended outcome of the research, they
are drawn from general objectives and they are specific unit
through which the general objectives are achieved. Specific
objectives are the breakdown of the title/General objectives
into small manageable unit.
Writing Specific Objectives
The specific objectives are derived from general objectives more
specifically they are derived from the operations of the variable in the title.
Once variables are operationalized, specific objectives are derived by
linking the operations of IV & DV using suitable action verbs. Common
active verbs include: Determine, Establish, Assess, Find out, measure, etc.
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The Characteristics of a Good
Research Objectives
A well-stated research objective has five basic
characteristics which can be abbreviated as SMART.
SMART is an acronym for:
A. Specific
B. Measurable
C. Attainable
D. Realistic
E. Time-bound or timeliness.
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Research Questions
Research begins with a research question.
Research question is a question which
cannot be answered unless “fresh” data is
collected.
General Question Vs Research Question
General question can be asked in research
but they are not research question. They
are questions that are asked to the
respondent to obtain answers to research
questions.
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Characteristics of a Good Research
Questions
A research question should have three basic characteristics:
i. Requirement of data: A good question demand
collection of data on it to be resolved.
ii. Variable: It must precisely indicate the variable which
the research seeks to answer or resolve.
iii. Clear: It is precise and succulent.
Note : Once the objective is stated the research question are
developed from them. The question must be
systematically and logically consistent with the
objectives. From our title the following research question
can be developed.
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Cont…
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