Principles, Practices and Dynamics of Research Management LECTURE-3 Le Problematique: Understanding Research Problem Kazi Nurmohammad Hossainul Haque Senior Lecturer, Civil Service College Dhaka MPA 5 th Batch ( ) 10 January 2011 Monday BIAM 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 availability Methods 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 availability Methods 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 Problematisation Step – 6: Problem articulation or problem specifics Step – 5: Locating problem Step – 4: Consider priority field of study Step – 3: Review the body of research existing 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 ASK MY READER TO ACCEPT AS GIVEN FROM THE PAST EPISTEMOLOGICAL SPACE – WHAT I WILL EXPLORE TELEOLOGICAL BELIEF – WHAT THE FUTURE WILL/SHOULD LOOK 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 Logical Positivism (Inductivism, Deductivism, Falsification) Structuralism; Post Structuralism

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 events 3.Boundedness: the scope of a proposition should be appropriate not arbitrary 4.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 knowledge 13. 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!!!