.

Characteristics of a Good Research Problem:

• Clear and specific: It should be well-defined and focused.

• Researchable: It must be possible to investigate it using available methods and

resources.

• Significant: It should contribute to knowledge, solve a real-world issue, or help

improve understanding of a concept.

• Relevant: It must be important to the field of study or practical application

3.Sources of a research problem refer to the origins or inspirations from which a researcher can
identify a meaningful and researchable issue. Here are some common sources:

1. Personal Experience

• Everyday life challenges or observations can inspire research problems.

• Example: A teacher noticing declining student motivation may research

classroom engagement strategies.

2. Literature Review

• Gaps, contradictions, or unanswered questions in existing research.

• Example: A study may mention a need for further research in a certain area.

3. Theory

• Limitations or extensions of existing theories can lead to new research problems.

• Example: Testing a psychological theory in a new context or population.

4. Previous Research

• Follow-up studies or replication studies based on previous findings.

• Example: Exploring the long-term effects of a finding that was only tested short-
term.

5. Social Issues

• Real-world problems like poverty, climate change, or mental health can be

explored scientifically.
 • Example: Researching the effectiveness of community programs on reducing
homelessness.

6. Policy and Practice

• Gaps between policy and implementation or effectiveness can prompt research.

• Example: Investigating whether a new education policy improves literacy rates.

4.Great! Here’s a research problem and title focused on the university context:

Field: Higher Education

Topic: Time Management and Academic Performance

Research Problem:

Many university students struggle with balancing academic responsibilities, part-time work, and
personal life. Poor time management is often cited as a major contributor to low academic
performance, yet there is a lack of focused research on how time management skills directly
impact university students’ academic success.

Research Title:

“The Relationship Between Time Management Skills and Academic Performance Among
University Students”

Would you like it tailored to a specific course of study (like engineering, business, or
psychology) or a different issue in the university setting (like mental health, online learning, or
student motivation)

5.Here are some techniques for developing a research idea or topic—helpful when you’re
starting out and need to find or refine what to research:

1. Brainstorming

• Write down broad topics you’re interested in.

• Break them down into sub-topics or related questions.

• Ask “What do I want to know more about?” or “What problems exist in this area?”

2. Literature Review

• Read recent journal articles, theses, or books in your field.

 • Look for:

• Gaps in research

• Unanswered questions

• Conflicting findings

• “Future research” suggestions from authors

3. Current Events and Trends

• Use news, blogs, reports, or social media to identify emerging issues or debates.

• Ask how these relate to your field of study.

4. Problem Identification

• Think of real-world problems you’ve observed in school, work, or your

community.

• Consider how research can help solve or understand those issues.

5. Discussion with Others

• Talk to classmates, lecturers, or professionals.

• They can help you see topics in a new way or suggest current areas of interest in
the field.

6. Mind Mapping

• Start with a central theme and branch out with related ideas, questions, or
concepts.

• This helps visually explore connections and narrow down your focus.

7. Personal Interest or Experience

• Reflect on your own experiences or passions.

• Topics you care about tend to be more motivating and easier to stick with.

8. Use the 5Ws and 1H (Who, What, Where, When, Why, How)

• These help turn a general idea into a specific researchable question.

• Example: Why do some university students procrastinate more than others?

Would you like to try one of these techniques together now to develop your own research topic
6.Developing clear and precise research objectives is a crucial step in guiding your research
project effectively. These objectives delineate the specific goals you aim to achieve, ensuring
that your study remains focused and methodologically sound.

Steps to Develop Research Objectives:

1. Identify the Research Problem:

• Begin by clearly articulating the issue or gap in knowledge that your research
intends to address.

2. Conduct a Literature Review:

• Examine existing studies related to your topic to understand the current state of
research and identify areas that require further exploration.

3. Define the Scope of Your Study:

• Determine the boundaries of your research, including the variables, population,

and context you will focus on.

4. Formulate Specific Objectives:

• Break down your main research aim into smaller, manageable objectives. Each
objective should be clear and focused, guiding a particular aspect of your study.

5. Ensure Objectives are SMART:

• Make sure each objective is Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and

Time-bound. This framework enhances the clarity and feasibility of your research goals.

6. Use Action-Oriented Language:

• Begin each objective with action verbs such as “to assess,” “to evaluate,” “to
analyze,” or “to compare,” which clearly convey the intended research activity.

Example:

Research Title: “The Impact of Online Learning on Academic Performance and Engagement
Among University Students”

Research Problem: With the increasing adoption of online learning platforms in higher
education, there is a need to understand their effect on student performance and engagement
compared to traditional classroom settings.

Research Objectives:

1. To evaluate the academic performance of university students enrolled in online

courses versus those in traditional face-to-face courses.
 2. To assess the level of student engagement in online learning environments
compared to traditional classroom settings.

3. To identify factors that influence student satisfaction and learning outcomes in

online education.

4. To provide recommendations for enhancing the effectiveness of online learning

platforms in higher education.

By meticulously crafting your research objectives following these steps, you establish a solid
foundation for your study, facilitating a structured approach to data collection, analysis, and
interpretation.

For a more in-depth understanding of formulating research objectives, you might find the
following video helpful:

7.Developing clear and precise research objectives is essential for effectively addressing the
relationship between time management skills and academic performance among university
students. Building upon the previously formulated research problem and title, here are the
specific objectives:

Research Title:

“The Relationship Between Time Management Skills and Academic Performance Among
University Students”

Research Objectives:

1. To evaluate the current time management practices among university students.

• This objective aims to assess how students plan, prioritize, and allocate their
time for academic and non-academic activities.

2. To analyze the correlation between time management skills and students’

academic performance.

• This involves examining whether effective time management is associated with

higher academic achievements, as measured by grades or GPA.

3. To identify common challenges university students face in managing their time

effectively.

• Understanding these challenges can provide insights into factors that hinder
effective time management.

4. To recommend strategies for improving time management skills among university

students to enhance academic outcomes.
 • Based on the findings, this objective seeks to propose practical interventions or
programs that can help students manage their time more effectively.

.Thanks for sharing the document. Based on the section you mentioned—Unit II: Research
Process, starting from “Common mistakes/challenges faced by students in formulating research
objectives” and going downward—here’s an explanation of the listed points in simple terms:

Common Mistakes/Challenges Faced by Students in Formulating Research Objectives

These refer to the typical errors students make when writing research objectives, such as:

• Making objectives too broad or too vague

• Writing objectives that are not measurable or achievable

• Not aligning objectives with the research problem

• Using unclear or weak verbs (like “know” or “understand” instead of “analyze” or

“evaluate”)

Research Questions and Hypothesis

• Research Questions: These are specific questions your research seeks to

answer. They guide your investigation and are directly tied to your objectives.

• Hypothesis: A hypothesis is a testable prediction about the relationship between

two or more variables. It’s common in quantitative research.

Similarities and Differences (between Research Questions and Hypotheses)

• Similarities: Both are based on the research problem and guide data collection.

• Differences:

• Research questions ask; hypotheses predict.

• Hypotheses are often used in experimental or quantitative studies.

Variables

Variables are the elements you study in research. There are:

• Independent Variables (the cause or factor you manipulate)

• Dependent Variables (the effect or outcome)

• Control Variables (factors you keep constant)

Literature Review and Its Sources

This involves reviewing existing studies related to your topic. Common sources include:

• Academic journals

• Books

• Theses/dissertations

• Government or institutional reports

Types of Literature Review

• Narrative Review: Summarizes and interprets literature on a topic

• Systematic Review: A more structured and comprehensive approach to

reviewing literature

• Meta-analysis: Combines statistical results from various studies

Developing a Literature Review

Steps include:

1. Identifying relevant studies

2. Reading and analyzing them

3. Organizing findings by themes or arguments

4. Linking them to your research problem

Importance of Literature Review

• Shows what is already known

• Identifies gaps your study can fill

• Helps refine your research questions

• Avoids duplication

Theoretical Framework & Conceptual Framework/Model

• Theoretical Framework: Based on established theories that guide your study

• Conceptual Framework: A model that illustrates the variables and how they relate
in your specific study context

Empirical Literature Review

Focuses on studies based on real data (experiments, surveys, etc.), not just theory.

Importance of the Literature Review

• Justifies your research

• Helps you develop methodology

• Builds a foundation for your arguments

Citation and Referencing

Properly crediting the sources you use. Two main purposes:

• Avoiding plagiarism

• Giving credibility to your work

Types of In-text Citation

• APA style: (Author, Year)

• MLA style: (Author Page Number)

• Chicago style: Footnotes or endnotes

Styles of Citation

Refers to the formatting rules used (APA, MLA, Harvard, etc.)

Importance of Citation

• Recognizes original authors

• Builds trust and scholarly integrity

• Allows readers to trace sources

Let me know if you want me to continue explaining Stage 3: Research Design or need a
breakdown in a different format (e.g., summary notes, flashcards, slides)