Selection and

Formulation of Research
Problem
DR NORIZA MOHD JAMAL
DEPT OF MANAGEMENT, FPPSM

What Well Cover Today

Why need to formulate the research problem
Steps in formulating the research problem
How to identify the research problem
Formulation of problem statement
Formulating research question / hypotheses
Identify research objectives
Scope of research

Expected outcome of research

The Research Idea

Everyday

life (Professional experience)

Practical issues (Burning questions)
Past research/Literature (Research often
generates more questions, Disagreements
among studies can lead to worthwhile
research)
Professional meetings
Discussions

Research Topics
Observations
Behaviors
Concepts
Theories
Testing

of assessment and intervention

strategies

Narrowing the research topic

Idea

brainstorming
Literature review
Identify the variables for study
Formulate research problems and
questions/hypotheses

Number ONE Requirement

You

need to have an inquisitive and

imaginative mind
You need a Questioning attitude
Wonder why?

Answer the following

preliminary questions
Is

the problem/topic significant enough?

Is it feasible (practical/possible for me to do
it)?
Is it free of unknown hazards/dangers?
Is it clear (unambiguous)?

Actively involve yourself (and

other experts) in NARROWING &
REFINEMENT of the problem

Narrowing

the focus

Population
Situation

(time, condition, subject availability,

researchers readiness, resources available,
etc.)
Measurements
Issue(s) dealt with?
Setting the scope of the problem (this is my
lineI wont go beyond it)

Rifle vs. Shotgun Analogy

Characteristics of good
topics?
1.

Interesting keeps the researcher interested in it throughout the

research process

2.

Researchable can be investigated through the collection and

analysis of data

3.

Significant contributes to the improvement and understanding

of educational theory and practice

4.

Manageable fits the level of researchers level of research

skills, needed resources, and time restrictions

5.

Ethical does not embarrass or harm participants

A Research Question Must

Identify
1.

The variables under study

2.

The population being studied

3.

The testability of the question

Examples of good research problems

(in the form of questions)

Does client-centered therapy produce more satisfaction in clients than traditional

therapy? (experimental design)

Does behavior modification reduce aggression in autistic children? (single-subject

experimental design)

Are the descriptions of people in social studies discussions biased? (grounded

theory design)

What goes on in an elementary school classroom during an average week?

(ethnographic design)

Do teachers behave differently toward students of different genders? (causalcomparative design)

How do parents feel about the school counseling program? (survey design)

How can a principal improve faculty morale? (interview design)

Your research problem

What is your area of interest?

Where could you look for help in deciding upon a specific

research problem?

What criteria will you apply when deciding upon a specific

research problem?

How could you narrow down your research problem?

How might your value-judgments (preconceived ideas) affect

your research endeavors?

What is a research question

~ is a statement that identifies the phenomenon
to be studied

REASONS WHY RESEARCH

QUESTIONS ARE CRUCIAL

GUIDE YOUR LITERATURE SEARCH

GUIDE YOUR DECISIONS ABOUT THE KIND OF
RESEARCH DESIGN TO EMPLOY
GUIDE YOUR DECISIONS ABOUE WHAT DATA TO
COLLECT AND FROM WHOM
GUIDE ANALYSIS OF YOUR DATA
GUIDE WRITING-UP OF YOUR DATA
STOP YOU FROM GOING OFF IN UNNECESSARY
DIRECTIONS

Steps in formulating the research

questions

Ask these questions

Do I known the field and its literature well?
What are the important research questions in my field?
What areas need further exploration?
Could my study fill a gap? Or lead to greater understanding?
Has a great deal of research already been conducted in this topic
area?
Has this study been done before? If so, is there room for
improvement?
Is the timing right for this question to be answered? Is it a hot
topic, or is it becoming obsolete?
Will the study have a significant impact on the field?

Research Questions and

Hypotheses
A process of asking a question, or a series of
related questions, and then initiating a
systematic procedure to obtain valid answers
to that question.

Formulating research
question / hypotheses

A well-thought-out and focused research question leads

directly to your hypotheses.
Hypotheses are more specific predictions about the nature
and direction of the relationship between two variables.
Hypotheses,
Gives insight into a research question
Are testable and measurable by the proposed
experiments
Each hypothesis is matched with a specific aim and has
rationale.

Directional vs. Non-Directional

Hypotheses
Directional

hypothesis

Specifies the direction of the relationship between

independent and dependent variables

Non-directional

hypothesis

Shows the existence of a relationship between

variables but no direction is specified

research objectives
The

research objectives pursued in order to

answer the research questions.

Scope of research
masters vs PhD
Amount

of research work
Standard of writing
Level of independency

Expected outcome of
research
RESEARCH SIGNIFICANCE
State clearly why this research is important, what the
benefits will be and how your work will contribute to
knowledge in your field. This may include commercial
benefits, changes in current practice, a new perspective on
an old issue or other benefits to the community. You need
to
indicate why it is significant and how it advances
understanding of the issues under discussion.