Thesis Writing
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pad_590_research_problem_design_hsa590_example.docResearch Problem Design
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"Well begun is half done" -- Aristotle, quotes an old proverb |
The point was made earlier that if the researcher doesn’t have a research problem then there is no topic. What is a research “Statement of the Problem”? Since the researcher begins with the research statement of the problem, it is fitting to appreciate it with somewhat of a learning curve. Based on the literature it seems that a statement of the problem or research problem means many different things to many researchers, so it is very difficult to pin down exactly what it really is despite all of the well thought-out criteria and proposals. Researchers often find various attempts at or various versions of a definition for a statement of the problem and struggle to pull pieces of discussions together in the hope of constructing something that will be understood. This research partnership may do equally as well, hopefully better than that, then what is found here doesn’t fit the response, “I will know it when I see it”, because others must see it too.
Research configures and outlines a sequence that starts with the statement of the problem, a research question (and subquestions) or research hypothesis (and subhypotheses), and terminates with answers to the research questions and hypotheses as a resolution to addressing the problem under study, within the boundaries of the research problem area of interest and the context of the problem situation.
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Table: ____ A research statement of the problem is a complete written statement focused on a specific problem or issue the researcher intends to study, that is credible and worthy within the context of significance making a contribution to knowledge and or practice.
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It must be written clearly and to the point that the dependent variable within the problem and, factors referred to within the problem that are independent variables can be identified. As well it means, that it must be aligned and configured with a realistic research plan and design in the interest of producing a complete research work-product or research project with consistency, reality, reliability and validity. They are accounted for in specific terms and along with the aim and purpose of the research itself. Let’s observe the following statement of the problem offered in Hawkins (2001):
Table: ____Statement of the Problem
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Internet marketers have requirements in attaining their objectives of marketing to society. Marketers who recognize their effects and benefits of marketing to school age children will sustain their place in the Internet marketing industry. To successfully conduct business in Internet marketing to school age children, marketers are required to encourage and accept responsibility.
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Purpose of the StudyandPrimary Research Question
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The purpose of this study is to learn what are the effects Internet marketing have on school age children? A second interest in the study is to stimulate comprehensive and focused findings that will consider any threat to children where possible. Finally, it is in the interest of this study to observe the responsibilities that other stakeholders have in managing and monitoring Internet marketing to children. To extend the primary research question basis of the statement of the problem to subquestions, and that the information or data collected is applicable qualitative measures the research will be relevant, related to natural settings, validity based and will result in hopefully a better understanding and action.
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Subquestions/Subhypothesis
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What is Internet marketing and what are marketers’ requirements and benefits? |
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What is the range of the children’s audience in Internet marketing? |
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What effects do Internet marketers have on school age children? |
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What are the responsibilities of parents and other stakeholders in managing and monitoring Internet marketing to children? |
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Hawkins, 2001, pp. 7 – 11. |
Research Question or Hypothesis?
The primary research question or hypothesis are related to and are derived from the statement of the problem wherein the main research problem and actual purpose of the study are identified. This provides a direct basis for the research to be done and asks further delineation by the researcher, meaning break the primary research question or hypothesis down into the most applicable manageable units.
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Table: ____ Purpose of Study and Main Research Question The purpose of this research is to study how universities use Organizational Behavior’s interdisciplinary approach to educate business professionals about behaviors within organizations, and the Organizational Behavior/Social Science relationship? In response to the statement of the problem and main research question under study the following subquestions were looked into utilizing qualitative and quantitative designs and processes resulting in the ultimate application and benefits of triangulation research.
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Research Subquestions/Subhypothesis 1. What is Organizational Behavior, it’s core body of knowledge and interdisciplinary approach? (Qualitative) 2. What Social Science concepts influence the Organization Behavior field’s core body of knowledge and the correlation between them? (Quantitative/Hypothesis) 3. How are business professionals educated about behaviors occurring in organizations? (Qualitative)
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Adams, 2001, pp. 4-6. |
To do so makes available relevant subproblems or subhypotheses as the case may be, then the researcher is able to more clearly observe the dependent and independent variables, as we will see in Table_____. More than that, it quickly adds more obvious meaning to the probable direction the research itself is likely to take, whether qualitative, quantitative or triangulation in process and whether it will be descriptive, analytical or some other research type. As input there is the research centerpiece to the research planning and design that directs the researcher’s interest in seeking answers to research subquestions or responses to subhypotheses. It requires narration with the statement of the problem, while meeting the research goal(s) and objective(s) in a manageable way, with all elements attentive on a “straight line” toward addressing the research problem ultimately.
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Table: ____ Research Center Piece Qualities
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Statement of the Problem
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The Research Question Guides the direction and purpose of the research, revolves around a unit of research and provides the framework for organizing and communicating the research conclusions. Research Question/Subquestions: (Subquestions are developed from main research question. (Subquestions are more manageable. (can not be easily resolved, handled, addressed or answered. (takes more than one person to resolve, handle, address or answer. (raises the researcher to higher levels of thinking. (a work-product is produced at the end of the research process with answer/conclusion.
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The Research Hypothesis Guides the direction and purpose of the research, revolves around a unit of research and provides the framework for organizing and communicating the research conclusions.Research Hypothesis/Subhypotheses:(Subhypotheses are developed from main research hypothesis.(Subhypotheses are more manageable. (must be adequate for its purpose.(must be testable.(must be better than its rivals. (a work-product is produced at the end of the research process with answer/conclusion.
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Looking at other research problems, questions and hypotheses often times help to trigger ideas. |
Earlier the research statement of the problem is enumerated as a complete written statement focused on a specific problem or issue the researcher intends to study, that is credible and worthy within the context of significance making a contribution to knowledge and or practice. We have followed to this point the statement of the problem offered by Hawkins (2001), however, before proceeding to a six step feasibility check, it is fitting to consider what the researcher might be interested in with regards to a quality check. First, lets consider the researcher’s expectations, concerns and ability to manage the research statement of the problem. For a brief research statement of the quality control check the researcher might wish to apply the following considerations.
Table: ____Researcher’sStatement of the ProblemThree StepQuality Check
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(Does the statement of the problem articulate and introduce a realistic picture and purpose or basis for the research problem? (How and why is the statement of the problem worthy of research, and what are the key factors that will keep it linked to the major components of the research design, methodology and conclusions until the research workproduct is completed. (Is the researcher responsive to inquires about the statement of the problem or is the researcher defensive?
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The researcher’s interest, expectations and understanding are a meaningful barometer for judging functioning quality of the statement of the problem. How direct, specific and efficiently the research statement of the problem sets up the research will impact research quality from this beginning.
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Table: ____ResearcherStatement of the ProblemSix StepFeasibility Check |
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NO |
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Is the statement of the problem of current interest? Will the research results have social, educational or scientific value? Is it possible to apply the research results to knowledge or in practice as a contribution? |
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Is the research statement of the problem important? Will there be any scope (breadth and depth) remaining within the area of research interest? Will the research be free of any ethical problems, bias or other limitations? Who will be interest in the research result(s)? |
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Can the researcher find an answer to each research question/subquestions or research hypothesis/subhypotheses, that will contribute to effectively addressing the research problem under study? Is it possible for the research to reveal new problems and lead to further research? |
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Is it practically possible for the researcher to undertake the research? Can the researcher really handle the demand(s) of the statement of the problem? Is it possible for researcher or someone else to repeat the research based on the researcher’s methodology? If the research has value, was it computed or estimated for validity? |
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Is the researcher fully motivated to assume the researcher’s role and responsibilities? Is the researcher eligible or qualified and have the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to do the research? |
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Does the researcher have enough time, material and resources necessary fiscal resources to complete the research effort? Does the researcher have access to other than personal resources needed, such as, organizational, administrative, staff, software and computers? |
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Instructions: Mark or check a yes or no answer to any step that applies in its entirety. All items for which there no is mark or check, it is recommended the researcher address each one directly before proceeding. |
Identifying and deciding the research problem does not automatically mean that it will be presented satisfactorily. Some researchers choose to state the general nature of the research problem, and then refine it as they conduct their literature review. They may also wish to present the research problem in any one of the following two designs, however, only the three sentence affirmative descriptive (or affirmative declarative) design is tracked strategically in this practicum.
Three-Sentence Problem Design
The descriptive design will be the primary term (can assume to be affirmative) referred to as we continue out research discussions, unless there is an exception or is otherwise noted. The single sentence problem design is provided for comparative purposes and will be discussed because it is still preferred in many, many areas of academia. For now, the following example is intended primarily for those interested in the three-sentence affirmative design statement of the problem and research questions with constants, variables and components:
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Table: ____ Statement of the Problem
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Organizational Behavior touts itself as a field that extracts its contents from various social sciences, however a review of academic and professional journals revealed no studies illustrating the Organizational Behavior/Social Science linkage. Since Universities use Organizational Behavior text’s interdisciplinary approach to educate business professionals about behaviors occurring within organizations, this study investigates the Organizational Behavior/Social Science relationship. This independent research will analyze the correlation between Organizational Behavior’s core body of knowledge and the various Social Science core contents.
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Purpose of Study and Main Research Question The purpose of this research is to study how universities use Organizational Behavior’s interdisciplinary approach to educate business professionals about behaviors within organizations, and the Organizational Behavior/Social Science relationship? In response to the statement of the problem and main research question under study the following subquestions were looked into utilizing qualitative and quantitative designs and processes resulting in the ultimate application and benefits of triangulation research.
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Research Subquestions/Subhypothesis 1. What is Organizational Behavior, it’s core body of knowledge and interdisciplinary approach? (Qualitative) 2. What Social Science concepts influence the Organization Behavior field’s core body of knowledge and the correlation between them? (Quantitative/Hypothesis) 3. How are business professionals educated about behaviors occurring in organizations? (Qualitative)
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Constant ( (Organizational Behavior’s core body of knowledge and interdisciplinary approach. |
Variables ( (Social Science core contents. (Educate business professionals about behaviors occurring within organizations.
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Adams, 2001, pp. 4-6. |
Three-Sentence Problem Design
In this case the components of the three-sentence design research problem are important factors in understanding the intent and design. The first major point here is to reiterate the need for clarity and purpose. In other words, even if the statement or sentence is clear, if it is without purpose it is empty as far and research is concerned. If the latter occurs the researcher must at some early point, hopefully, present clarity and purpose before proceeding. Here for purposes of the statement of the problem it is suggested:
1. Introductory Sentence: The first sentence is the introductory sentence having the purpose of introducing the actual research problem affirmatively that is of primary interest to the researcher.
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Organizational Behavior touts itself as a field that extracts its contents from various social sciences, however a review of academic and professional journals revealed no studies illustrating the Organizational Behavior/Social Science linkage.
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2. The Problem Sentence: The second sentence is the problem sentence that presents what the researcher’s main research focus is and needs to address; it is the primary research issue of the research statement of the problem.
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Since Universities use Organizational Behavior text’s interdisciplinary approach to educate business professionals about behaviors occurring within organizations, this study investigates the Organizational Behavior/Social Science relationship.
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3. The Transition Sentence: The third sentence is the transition sentence – its purpose is to move the researcher towards beginning the actual process of research planning and design, and the actual research itself including collecting the data needed for analysis.
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This independent research will analyze the correlation between Organizational Behavior’s core body of knowledge and the various Social Science core contents.
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Anyone, with or without expertise in this intended research area of interest can immediately understand where the researcher is going with the research and why. This provides a basis for how the researcher will relate the research conclusion back to the statement of the problem, research questions, subquestions and hypothesis as the research moves forward. Researchers looking at this example are advised to consider what the researcher intended, not on the basis of what the researcher intends. In other words the examples offered herein are intended as informational and not as match for telling another researcher what to do. Given the research statement of the problem and research design complete responsibility for what needs to be done and how remains always with the researcher.
