Research Methodology

(Lecture 3)

Dr. Mohamad Al-Dabbagh

 Previous Lecture
− Applications of Research

− Research Process

− Research Tools

− Research Objectives

− Research Characteristics
 Outline
− Research Process

− Formulate Research Problem

− Considerations in selecting a research problem

− Steps in formulation of a research problem

 Research Process
− The research process is like undertaking a journey. For a
research journey, there are two important decisions to
make:

− What you want to find out about OR

what research questions (problems)
you want to find answers to.

− How to go about finding their

answers
 Research Process
− There are practical steps through which you must pass in
your research journey in order to find answers to your
research questions.

− The path to finding answers to your research questions

constitutes research methodology.
 Research Process
− Typical Steps of research process:
Define research problem
literature Review
Developing the objectives
Preparing the research design
Data collection
Data analysis
Generalization and Interpretation
Writing Report
 Research Problem
− Define Research Problem:
− It is the first and most crucial step in the research
process

− Main function is to decide what you want to find out

about.

− The way you formulate a problem (problem

statement) determines almost every step that follows.
 Research Problem
− Define Research Problem:
− Given an initial idea, need to determine: –
− Has this work been done previously?
− What similar work has been done
leading up to this point?
− How is any previous work
distinguished from what I’m
planning to do?
− Tools:
− Literature Review using library resources (e.g. online
databases such as ASCE and SCOPUS, popular
magazines).
 Research Problem
− Define Research Problem:
− Research problem formulation varies based on the
field of research
− For example, Research in social sciences revolves
around 4 Ps:
1. People: a group of individuals
2. Problems: examine the existence of certain issues or problems
relating to their lives
3. Programs: to evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention
4. Phenomena: to establish the existence of a regularity
− In practice most research studies are based upon at least a
combination of two Ps.
 Research Problem
− Define Research Problem:
− Every research study has two aspects:
1. Study population
People: individuals, organizations, groups, communities
They provide you with the information or you collect
information about them
2. Subject area
Problems: issues, situations, associations, needs, profiles
Program : content, structure, outcomes, attributes, consumers,
Service providers, etc.
Phenomena : cause-and-effect relationships, the study of a
phenomenon itself.
 Research Problem
− Define Research Problem:
− Research problem formulation in applied research
considers the “empirical” nature of the research
questions
− Such research is conducted to test to a hypothesis
based on experimentation or observation (evidence)".
− The word empirical means information gained by
experience, observation, or experiment.
− In scientific method, the word "empirical" refers to the
use of working hypothesis that can be tested using
observation and experiment.
 Research Problem
− Define Research Problem:
− Considerations in selecting a research problem:
These helps to ensure that your study will remain
manageable and that you will remain motivated:
1. Interest:
− a research endeavor is usually time consuming, and
involves hard work and possibly unforeseen problems.
− If you select a topic which does not greatly interest
you, it could become extremely difficult to sustain
the required motivation and hence its completion as
well as the amount of time taken could be affected.
 Research Problem
− Define Research Problem:
− Considerations in selecting a research problem:

2. Magnitude:
− It is extremely important to select a topic that you can
manage within the time and resources at your disposal

− Even if you are undertaking a descriptive study, you

need to carefully consider its magnitude.

− Narrow the topic down to something manageable,

specific and clear.
 Research Problem
− Define Research Problem:
− Considerations in selecting a research problem:

3. Measurement of concepts :
− Make sure that you are clear
about the indicators and
measurement of concepts (if
used) in your study.
 Research Problem
− Define Research Problem:
− Considerations in selecting a research problem:
4. Level of expertise:
− Make sure that you have adequate level of expertise for
the task you are proposing
− Also allow for the fact of learning
during the study and help from
supervisor.
− But you need to do the work yourself.
 Research Problem
− Define Research Problem:
− Considerations in selecting a research problem:
5. Relevance:

− Ensure that your study adds to the existing body of

knowledge, bridges current gaps and is useful in
policy formulation.

− This will help you to sustain

interest in the study.
 Research Problem
− Define Research Problem:
− Considerations in selecting a research problem:
6. Availability of data :
− If your topic entails
collection of information
from secondary sources.

− Before finalizing the topic,

make sure that data are
available.
 Research Problem
− Define Research Problem:
− Considerations in selecting a research problem:
7. Ethical issues:
− How ethical issues can affect the study population and
how ethical problems can be overcome should be
thoroughly examined at the problem
− Examples:
− Adverse effects of direct or indirect
information.
− Expectation to share sensitive or
private information.
 Research Problem
− Define Research Problem:
− Steps in formulation of a research problem:
Identify a broad field or subject area of interest to you

Dissect the broad area into subareas

Select what is of most interest to you

Raise research questions

Formulate Objectives

Assess your objectives

Double Check
 Research Problem
− Define Research Problem:
− Steps in formulation of a research problem:
1 Identify a broad field or subject area of interest to you

− Identify a broad field or subject area of interest

to you

− This will help you find an interesting topic and

one which may be of use to you in the future.
 Research Problem
− Define Research Problem:
− Steps in formulation of a research problem:
2 Dissect the broad area into subareas

− You will realize that all the broad areas have

many aspects
− In preparing this list of subareas you should
also consult others who have knowledge of the
area and the literature in your subject area
− Once you have developed an exhaustive list of
the subareas from various sources,
 Research Problem
− Define Research Problem:
− Steps in formulation of a research problem:
3 Select what is of most interest to you

− It is neither advisable nor feasible to study all

subareas.
− Out of this list, select issues or subareas about
which you are passionate.

− One way to decide what interest you most is to

start with the process of elimination.
 Research Problem
− Define Research Problem:
− Steps in formulation of a research problem:
4 Raise research questions

− What is it that I want to find out about in this

subarea?

− List down questions and then choose the best

one.
 Research Problem
− Define Research Problem:
− Steps in formulation of a research problem:
5 Formulate Objectives

− Formulate your main objectives and sub

objectives from your question.
− The main difference between objectives and
research questions is the way in which they are
written.
− To find out
− To determine
 Research Problem
− Define Research Problem:
− Steps in formulation of a research problem:
6 Assess your objectives

− Now examine your objectives to ascertain the

feasibility of achieving them through your
research endeavor.
 Research Problem
− Define Research Problem:
− Steps in formulation of a research problem:
6 Double Check

− Go back and give final consideration to

whether or not you are sufficiently interested
in the study and have adequate resources to
undertake it.
Questions & Answers