Characteristics of Research Problems - Essay Example

Characteristics of Research Problems Characteristics of Research Problems Introduction Research problem ments outline and convey in a brief set-up of a problem for the reader to comprehend what will be achieved by the research, how the research study connects with the topic and the literature review, and the reasons why the research is important in terms of time and exertion. The aim of this essay is to present a discussion of the characteristics of a research problem (Leedey and Ormond, 2010). A research problem is the state that causes the investigator or researcher to feel concerned, bewildered and bad at ease.  It is the delineation of a problem area in a certain circumstance linking the WHO or WHAT, the WHERE, the WHEN and the WHY of the problem circumstances. There are many sources that may lead to research.   Three sources of knowledge usually add to problem discovery.  Researchers own experience or other researchers experience may be a source of research problem.  Scientific literature could be another source of research problem.  A researcher may understand certified findings and observe that a certain discipline was not well covered.  This might lead to a researchable research problem.  Theories could lead to a research problem. In that the shortcomings in theories might be researchable. Research can therefore be intended at descriptive or substantiating a presented theory, at expounding conflicting findings, at amending a defective methodology, at amending the insufficient or inappropriate use of numerical techniques, at integration of contradictory opinions, or at providing solutions at existing realistic problems. The potential researcher does think of what influenced his or her need to conduct the research which is referred to as problem identification. The researcher thinks of what he/she needs to do: the researcher should think of the questions about research problem to which responses and findings have not been established. According to Winston-Bartlett (2001), research problem develops from a necessity that arises.  An apparent difference between the research problem and the purpose of research should be developed.  The research problems are the characteristic the researcher doubts, reflect about, and needs to find an explanation for.  The research purpose is to resolve the problem, which is discovering answers to the research question(s).  If there is no unambiguous research problem development, the research purpose and methods are pointless. Therefore, the researcher ought to’s to keep the following in mind; (1) Sketch out the wide-ranging context of the research problem topic. (2) Draw attention to important theories, ideas and concepts existing in this topic area of research. (3) List out a number of the fundamental assumptions of this research area. (4) Look at the importance of these research issues identified. (4) Identify the needs to be solved (5) collect background information in this area of research. A research problem ought to be stated in a way that it would guide investigative thinking by the researcher with the intention of developing a closing solutions to the stated research problem.  Therefore a research problem must be stated in the form of a questions or statements (Leedy and Ormrod, 2010). Characteristics of a Researchable Problem According to Leedy and Ormrod (2010) the following are the main characteristics of a research problem presented in the following paragraphs. Specific and Makes a difference; the research problem have to be particularly stated. The research should aim at focusing on an area that important, something that is distinctive and will create a difference just Leedy and Ormrod (2010) sates that research should make a difference. Ellis and Levy (2011) on the other hand, states that research needs to solve a specific problem. By observing the research problem, it should help decide if the research will be important, and nourishing, and establish if it is certainly a research commendable problem. According to Creswell (2011), a research problem should be in a position to contribute to the current body of knowledge. A research problem that cannot contribute to the body of knowledge cannot be considered a good research. The contribution of knowledge is made in the following ways: (a) bridging a known knowledge gap in the main part of knowledge, (b) repainting or mounting prior research by means of different investigational conditions, (c) increasing preceding investigation exploring other sources of a research problem, or (d) looking at recognized limitations concerning recognized solutions. Winsten-Bartlett (2011) states that research can add to new knowledge by adding more support to existing theories. Leedy and Ormrod (2010) complement that research must lead to philosophy in modern ways, or motivate new research in the area of study. In cases where the research problem does not add new facts to the topic of concern then this research is not important. Interpretation of data. A research study that mainly collects data is not a good research (Leedy and Ormrod, 2010). They state that research should make the researcher think critically and collect data that will produce research meanings. Ellis and Levy (2011) hypothesize that the research questions and research hypotheses will establish the methodology used in the research, which gives the results. It is the findings, or data, which then allows conclusions that give answers to the research questions and research hypotheses. A research problem cannot be said to be absolute until the findings are obtained and conclusions derived. A researchable problem has to be of a convenient size, and desires to be surrounded in a way that it can be achieved in a logical timeframe. Additionally, there are expenses in time and funds in any project, and these research project calls for consideration to guarantee that the research can be carried out in a way that is practicable. In any research it is indispensable to recognize the probable costs of executing the project and then ensure that there is enough time, money, people, information, and tools to cover up these requirements. If a research is too big, or the expenses are too extraordinary, it is not practicable to carry out that specific research study. Above all, a good research problem should be easily measured by means of research instruments, tools or equipments. It should be achievable in that it should elicit data that are attainable using accurate statistical instrument used in this specific research problem. It should be realistic in that it should produce accurate findings. Lastly, a research problem should be time bound in all activities because the earlier conclusion of the action, the better the findings. A research problem start by describing the idea the researcher is interested in investigating. In case the researcher is investigating the effects of discipline style among pupils’ self-esteem, the researcher should read everything bout discipline styles and what is already recognized about the effects different discipline styles have on learners’ self-esteem. The researcher should describe why the idea is significant then explain that learner’s self-esteem is significant for the creation of a given culture and that discipline style is a vital issue in developing self-esteem, for instance. The research problem may be: The intention of this research is to evaluate the discipline styles is connected with definite self-esteem in learners. Components of the Statement of Research Problem The Problem Statement is a section that directs the accomplishment of a research plan (Leedy & Ormrod, 2010; Ellis & Levy, 2011). The statement should be clearly stated and should be between 250 to 300 words. The statement should clearly express the universal problem or impression, and express the exact problem to be handled along with records and based on reason of conducting research. According to Hernon and Metoyer-Duran (1993), there are nine description connected with research problem. Most of these descriptions are connected to stating the research problem. (1) Simplicity and exactness. (2) What will be considered in research? (3) General view of research, (d) statement of the research projects significance, benefits, and rationalization, and avoiding the use of jargon. Leedy & Ormrod, (2010) state that a good research statement is the objective for the research attempt. The statement entails identification of sub- research problems that will be analyzed independently to provide more information on the research problem. The problem statement includes; (1) The exact guesses investigated or questions investigated. (2) The limits of the research conducted. (3) The connotation of conditions, or expressions used in research. (4) The research assumptions. Therefore, the researcher needs to state clearly the research questions and hypothesis he or she intends to cover. A reasonable theoretical framework Literature review forms the foundation of the research problem. The literature review presents the reality of a research problem, or knowledge gap or vulnerability in theory, or suggestions of expansion on what has been done based on the topic under investigation. The worth of research is established through the literature review conducted. Research is developed on sequential point of view. The problem statement directs the sub-problems that assist to respond on the problem, the sub- problems outline the research hypotheses and research questions, which then develops the research methodology that develops the findings that permit the conclusions, which at last respond to the research questions. Ellis & Levy (2011) state that the line of reasoning in research builds on the prior one. Each line of reasoning has to be supported by the literature related to the topic, and be influential in terms judgment. This leads to deduction in research, it is necessary that each activity conducted in research rationally precedes and directs the research in the broad area of knowledge. In conclusion, a Problem Statement is a brief paragraph that reorganizes a problem, and briefly states the reasons for conducting the research. The Problem statement states a significant investigative problem. The problem statement develops the knowledge or theory of the area of research. The Problem statement comprise of a short expression of what the research problem to be investigated. It has sub-problems that support the main research problem, and outlines research hypotheses and research questions concerning what might be created in the research. A Problem Statement develops through a methodical literature review that chains each proposal thereby providing a rational theoretical framework stating why the research problem is significant, and reasons for conducting investigation. In summary the problem statement should be evaluated as follows; The problem should not be too broad or too precise. The problem should be flexible to change as information are obtained and analyzed. The problem should not be prejudiced with preventive assumptions or preferred findings. The problem should be printed in “how” and “what” ways to concentrate on unfolding the phenomena. The problem should comprise a vital question in addition to the respondents and the area of research. References Creswell, J. W. (2011). Educational research: Planning, conducting, and evaluating quantitative and qualitative research (4th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson. This article presents introduction to offer balanced, inclusive, integrated treatment of educational research, this text comprehensively addresses both quantitative and qualitative approaches, with the goal of starting students on the path to doing their own research as well as evaluating the research of others. After an overview of the nature of educational research, eight chapters explore specific steps in the research process from identifying a problem through reporting ones findings Ellis, T. J., & Levy, Y. (2011). Framework of problem‐based research: A guide for novice researchers on the development of a research‐worthy problem. Informing Science: The International Journal of an Emerging Transdiscipline, 11(1), 17‐33. Retrieved from http://inform.nu/Articles/Vol11/ISJv11p017‐033Ellis 486.pdf The article presents the elementary terms, such as research problem, research question and research topic, in an understandable way, and gives instructions and even examples on how to present one’s research problem in a way that justifies its research-worthiness. Hernon, P., & Metoyer-Duran, C. (1993). Problem statements: An exploratory study of their function, significance, and form. Library & Information Science Research, 15, 71-92. Retrieved from http://www.lis-editors.org/bm~doc/editorial-problem-statement.pdf This article provides a  Reflective Inquiry and Developing Problem Statement: Leedy, P. D., & Ormrod, J. E. (2010). Practical research: Planning and design (9th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Merrill. The article presents Practical Research: Planning and Design, 9/E Leedy & Ormrod 2010 | Pearson | Paper; 360 pp | Instock . ... Leedy, P. D., & Ormrod, J. E. Practical research: Planning and design (9th ed.). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Merrill Prentice Hall. Winsten-Bartlett, D. (2011, November 15). Call for clarity – an update Discussion Forum comment]. Retrieved from http://learners.ncu.edu/discussion_forum/ discussion_entries.asp?discussion_header_id=55960&return_to=/discussion_forum/discussion_headers.asp?dis_forum_category_code=p:6 Read More