Selection and formulation of a research problem Lang, G & Heiss, G.D. 研究方法論課程 指導老師 : 任維廉教授 報告人 : 余惟茵

自我介紹 姓名：余惟茵 出生地：台北市 系級：運管所博一 學歷：交大運管 碩士 成大交管 學士 研究：航空業營運以及能源問題 興趣：旅遊、閱讀、印象派 2011/4/132

Outline Source for ideas Criteria for selecting a research problem Delimiting the research problem Research and value judgments Appendix B 2011/4/133

SOURCE FOR IDEAS How to locate a researchable problem? 2011/4/134

Source for ideas The problems encountered in your daily life or profession could be sources for questions or hypotheses. ◦ experience + observation + needs + interests = research problem Read professional literature of your field systematically. ◦ Suggestions from investigators ◦ Magazines Perusal of recent convention programs of your professional organization. 2011/4/135

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING A RESEARCH PROBLEM Sustained motivation Adequate training and personal predilections Feasibility Importance to your profession 2011/4/136

Criteria for selecting a research problem Sustained motivation →You should be highly motivated to embark upon a research study. ◦ Are you really interested in the topic which you have chosen? ◦ Are you really excited about what you wish to study? ◦ Will this topic have some practical value in helping you in your future career? 2011/4/137

Criteria for selecting a research problem Adequate training and personal predilections → Is it right in light of your training and personal preferences? ◦ Do you have enough training to undertake a certain study? ◦ Research design ◦ Manage most of your research study by yourself. ◦ Which type of research appeals to you? ◦ Historical, descriptive, experimental research… ◦ Observation, interview, questionnaire, test… ◦ Are you impatient to get fairly immediate results or do you have patience to wait? ◦ How high is your frustration tolerance? 2011/4/138

Criteria for selecting a research problem Feasibility →Is it feasible for you? ◦ Do you have sufficient time to carry it out? ◦ Meet the deadlines at your school or job. ◦ Do you have access to subjects? ◦ Available equipment and research tools ◦ Institutional sponsorship and cooperation ◦ Gathering data ◦ The need to protect privacy of individual ◦ A problem may be too complex ◦ Can you offer examples of intriguing and important problems which seem too difficult to be solved via research at the present time? →Not all the problems are researchable! 2011/4/139

Criteria for selecting a research problem Importance to your profession →Is it important to your profession? ◦ Is the proposed project of some value to your profession? ◦ Original study ◦ Make contribution by replicating a study ◦ Does it add to our store of information? ◦ Does it provide fresh insights for some of your colleagues? ◦ The results may be helpful to guidance counselors. →Make a contribution to your field! 2011/4/1310

DELIMITING THE RESEARCH PROBLEM To narrow a general idea down to one that is manageable by you. 2011/4/1311

Delimiting the research problem The way to accomplish this task: ◦ Read extensively in the literature related to your field of interest. ◦ Seek assistance from your instructor. ◦ Notice the difference between delimitation and limitation.  Delimitation : a premeditated limitation that the researcher narrows down.  Limitation : a weakness in the study which becomes apparent during or after its completion. 2011/4/1312

Delimiting the research problem Categories of delimitations: 1.The number of observations, subjects or cases 2.Time and geographic location 3.The selection of sources (especially in historical-documentary research) →It is helpful to narrow down the topic by telling what the study is not. 2011/4/1313

RESEARCH AND VALUE JUDGMENTS The selection of a problem The selection of methods The interpretation of data The reporting of findings Concern for the application of findings 2011/4/1314

Research and value judgments The ethical considerations enter into: ◦ The selection of a problem →By focusing on one area rather than another, the researcher makes a value judgment. ◦ The selection of methods →the selection of proper methods for investigation that is regulated by professional codes ◦ The interpretation of data →Researchers may be temped to interpret their data selectively. 2011/4/1315

Research and value judgments The ethical considerations enter into: ◦ The reporting of findings → Researchers may choose whether or not to report their findings to fellow professionals and to laymen. ◦ Concern for the application of findings → Researchers may or may not feel responsible for the ultimate application of their findings. →A researcher should not operate within a social vacuum and cannot avoid making value judgments! 2011/4/1316

APPENDIX B Format of the proposal for a research project 2011/4/1317

APPENDIX B 1. Title : state the tentative title of your proposal. 2. Problem-Introduction : discuss the importance or significance of the problem selected. 3. Related research : present a critical review of related research. 4. Operational definitions : clearly define the key variables, concepts and terms. 5. Assumptions-Delimitations : make explicit the assumptions underlying various phases of your study. 6. Hypothesis or Questions : clearly state the hypothesis and questions to be investigated. 2011/4/1318

APPENDIX B 7. Method →State clearly and fully the methods to be used in gathering data to test hypotheses or to answer questions posed in section 6.  Subjects : indicated nature, sources, characteristics, and size of population and sample to be used.  Techniques-Instruments : indicated techniques to be used.  Research steps : list all research steps.  Data Analysis : state appropriate methods of analyzing your data. 2011/4/1319

APPENDIX B 8. Results, Conclusions, Generalizations, Implications, Limitations and Suggestions  Results and conclusions : state probable findings and conclusions.  Generalizations : indicate the extent to which your results and conclusions may apply to other populations and samples.  Implications : the course of action indicated in your study.  Limitations : the deficiencies of your study.  Suggestions for further research : indicated avenues for future research. 9. References or bibliography 2011/4/1320

THANK YOU Q & A 2011/4/1321