principles, practices and dynamics of research management lecture-3 le problematique:...
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Research Problem in the Research Process Define Research Problem Review Concepts and Theories & Review Previous Research Findings Formulate Hypotheses Design Research Collect Data Data Analyses Interpret & Report WritingTRANSCRIPT
Principles, Practices and Dynamics of Research Management
LECTURE-3
Le Problematique:Understanding Research Problem
Kazi Nurmohammad Hossainul HaqueSenior Lecturer, Civil Service College Dhaka
MPA 5th Batch (2010-11)10 January 2011 MondayBIAM Foundation Complex
Structure of Today’s Discussion
• Locating research problem in the research process• Meaning of research problem• Criteria of problematisation• Steps of problematisation• Defining research problem: 4 considerations• Characteristics of research problem• Group Exercise
Research Problem in the Research Process
Define Research Problem
Review Concepts and Theories
& Review Previous Research Findings
Formulate Hypotheses
Design Research
Collect Data
Data Analyses
Interpret & Report Writing
Meaning of Research Problem
• A research problem – a research(able) problem (not just problem)
• Research problem is sometimes equated with “a topic of research or statement of the problem. It is wrong to think so. A topic or statement of the problem and research problem are not synonymous but they are inclusive. The problem concerns with the functioning of the broader area of field studied whereas a ..... statement of the problem is the verbal statement of the problem while (the) topic is the definition of the problem which delimits or pin points the task of a researcher (Singh 2005: 60).”
Criteria of Problematisation
Problem
Novelty or newness Avoidance of
duplication
Importance for the field
Inclination
Data availabilityMethods
Structural-contexual factors
Logistical & budgetary considerations
Time factor
Criteria of Problematisation (Cont.)
Problematisation Ecology
Problem
Novelty or newness Avoidance of
duplication
Importance for the field
Inclination
Data availabilityMethods
Structural-contexual factors
Logistical & budgetary considerations
Time factor
Criteria of Problematisation (Cont.) – Problematique Questionnaire for the Researcher• Is the problem ‘really’ important?• Is the problem interesting to ‘others’?• Is the problem chosen a ‘real’ problem?• Does the problem display ‘originality’ and ‘creativity’?• Am I really concerned with finding the solution?• Am I able to state hypotheses from the problem in a testable form?• Will I learn something new from this problem?• Do I understand the relationship of this specific problem to the
broader problem area?• Am I able to select a sample from which I can generalise to some
population?• Can someone replicate the study?• Will the proposed methods give the information I want?• Is the study, including the application of its results, practical?
Steps of ProblematisationStep – 6: Problem articulation or problem specifics
Step – 5: Locating problem
Step – 4: Consider priority field of study
Step – 3: Review the body of researchexisting
Step – 2: Expertise on the research field
Step – 1: Determine field of research (narrowing down)
Defining Problem: Considerations
• Ontology – Epistemology – Methodology• Methodological approaches• Measurement validity• Causation
Defining Problem (I): Ontology - Epistemology - Methodology
ONTOLOGICAL STANCE – WHAT I WILL NOT QUESTION AND ASKMY READER TO ACCEPT AS GIVEN FROM THE PAST
EPISTEMOLOGICAL SPACE– WHAT I WILL EXPLORE
TELEOLOGICAL BELIEF – WHAT THE FUTURE WILL/SHOULDLOOK LIKE
PRESCIPTION - HUMAN AGENCY AND THE CAPACITY TO WILL AND MAKE A BETTER WORLD
EVALUATION – KNOWING WHAT IS A BETTER SOCIETY
PREDICTION – WHAT WILL STRUCTURES LOOK LIKE IN THE FUTURE
Defining Problem (II): Methodological Approaches
Defining Problem (III): Measurement Validity of Concepts
• Measurement validity of concepts is warranted for appropriate problematisation
• In case of a concept that qualifies in measurement validity test, the meaning is explicit and the operational definition can be verified.
• Operationalisation of terms is necessary for operationalisation of research
• Reconceptualisation might be necessary for operationalisation of terms
• Limit vocabulary in linguistic history of understanding akin to the socio-cultural context concerned.
• Vague and stretched conceptualisations that use less precisions yield undefined limitless generalisations
Defining Problem (IV): Causation
Defining Problem (IV): Causation (Cont.) 16 Criteria of Causation
1. Specification: What outcomes? What set of cases? Are Internal arguments consistent? Are key terms operational?
2. Breath: a proposition should inform about many events3. Boundedness: the scope of a proposition should be appropriate
not arbitrary4. Completeness: a proposition should be sufficient in its
explanation. 6. Parsimony: a proposition should be simple in presenting its
content.7. Differentiation: a cause should be separate from the effect.8. Priority: Whether the cause precedes the effect?
Defining Problem (IV): Causation (Cont.) 16 Criteria of Causation (Cont.)9. Independence: a cause should be independent from other causes
as well as the outcome. 10. Contingency: a cause should be linked to relevant background
factors.11. Mechanism: a cause should lead to the effect through a process
chain.12. Analytical utility: whether a proposition coherently fits into
existing body of knowledge13. Intelligibility: the proposition shouldn’t be external to public
domain of understanding. 14. Relevance: whether a proposition is relevant to human concerns
that can be addressed.15. Innovation: a proposition should add new knowledge.16. Comparison: a cause should be drawn by weighing in with other
potential causes.
Characteristics of Research Problem
• It should ask about a relationship between two or more variables (Independent & Dependent)
• It should be stated clearly and unambiguously, usually in question form
• It should be possible to collect data or answer the question asked.• It should not represent a moral or ethical judgement
Group Exercise
• Let’s divide into 3-5 groups to work on some research excerpts to answer the following tasks:
• A very brief introduction to the research• What is the research problem?• If and how much the research problematisation answer
some of the Problematique Questionnaire for the Researcher
• Does the glimpse of the research problematisation from the research excerpts meet characteristics of research problem
Thanks for your attention!!!