Writing a Research Paper for Publication Problem Formulation Guide for preparing and writing paper, review and publication Bobby D. Gerardo, Ph.D. PSITE NCR Seminar October 10, 2011, TIPQC

Problem Formulation Guide in choosing a field of study and research topics. How do we formulate research questions based on the chosen topic?

Practical problems in the field Where do research topics come from?

Practical problems in the field Literature in the field Where do research topics come from? (cont)

Practical problems in the field Literature in the field Your own thinking Where do research topics come from? (cont)

Tradeoff between rigor and practicality How long it will take Ethical constraints Needed cooperation Costs Is the study feasible?

Review the scientific literature Do the review early The review can help you ◦ See if your idea has been tried ◦ Include all relevant constructs ◦ Select instruments ◦ Anticipate common problems The Literature Review

8 Definitions Theory: "A set of interrelated constructs (concepts), definitions, and propositions that present a systematic view of phenomena specifying relations among variables, with the purpose of explaining and predicting the phenomena.” Scientific Research: "Scientific research is systematic, controlled, empirical, and critical investigation of hypothetical propositions about the presumed relations among natural phenomena.” Hypothesis: "A conjectural statement, a tentative proposition, about the relation between two or more phenomena or variables.” "If X occurs...then Y will follow." Concept: "Expresses an abstraction formed by generalization from particulars. E.g. "weight expresses numerous observations of things that are more or less "heavy or "light." Others: Mass, energy, force, achievement, intelligence, motivation, extraversion., aggressiveness, conformity. Construct: "is a concept with added meaning, deliberately and consciously invented or adopted for a special scientific purpose.“ E.g. intelligence – used for a special purpose to relate to school achievement and to other variables of interest. Operational definition: "assigns a meaning to a construct or a variable by specifying the activities or ‘operations’ necessary to measure it.”

9 Research Questions Establishing a background Choosing a topic (want to & can do) ◦ Bootstraps approach (lit review cycle) ◦ Your area of interest ◦ Feasibility  something you can manipulate (think theory)

10 Research Question (cont) Formulating the question  Definitions  Maps: ◦ A good question  asks about relationships among constructs  Researchable? Operational definitions adequate?  Is it important? Will it advance theory?  Does it test competing theory  Propositions: central or peripheral? ◦ Sources  Theory, intuition, prior research, practical problems, analogy

11 Formulating a Question (cont) Review of literature ◦ Purposes:  Provides scientific context  Avoid duplication  Id potential problems in conducting the research ◦ Types of information  Relevant theories  Previous research on the topic  Previous methods/procedures  Types of analyses (quant/qual; corr/experimental/quasi)

12 Formulating a Question (cont) Formulate hypotheses ◦ Research hypotheses  “if…then”  Direction (pos v. negative) (one tail or two) ◦ Statistical hypotheses  Stated in mean differences (IV-DV),  E.g. H1: Gp1 < Gp2 = Gp3  Direction of relationship (corr)  E.g. “…will be significantly positively related”

Workshop 3 – Writing Research Questions Based on the title that you proposed and your abstract, write at least four research questions Make sure that each of the question is measurable and attainable ◦ Could be addressed by formulating a prototype, system design, algorithm, modification of process etc. ◦ There is a possible answer to the question

End Thank you Bobby D. Gerardo