1. Free Powerpoint Templates Page 1 Free Powerpoint Templates PROBLEM Formulation By: Dr Noriza Mohd Jamal

2. Free Powerpoint Templates Page 2 What is Research?  The researcher asks a question.  The researcher collects data.  The researcher indicates how the data answered the question.

3. Free Powerpoint Templates Page 3 Importance of Research Research adds to our knowledge. o Addresses gaps in knowledge o Expands knowledge o Replicates knowledge o Adds voices of individuals to knowledge

4. Free Powerpoint Templates Page 4 Importance of Research (cont’d) Research helps improve practice.  new ideas.  new insights into approaches.  connect with other researchers.

5. Free Powerpoint Templates Page 5 Problems with Research Today  Contradictory or vague findings  Questionable data  Unclear statements about the intent of the study  Lack of full disclosure of the data collection procedure  Inarticulate rendering of the research problem

6. Free Powerpoint Templates Page 6 The Process of Research Identify the Research Problem Review the Literature Specify a Research Purpose Collect Data Analyze and Interpret Data Report and Evaluate Research

7. Free Powerpoint Templates Page 7 The Process of Research: Identify the Research Problem

8. Free Powerpoint Templates Page 8 The Process of Research: Specify a Research Purpose Identify the purpose statement The major intent of the study The participants in the study The site of the study Narrow the purpose statement Quantitative: Write research questions and/or hypothesis Qualitative: Identify a central phenomenon and write subquestions.

9. Free Powerpoint Templates Page 9 Scientific Research Process Identification of problem area Analysis of data Interpretation of data Refinement of theory (pure research) Or Implementation (applied research) Observation Theoretical framework or Network of associations Hypotheses Constructs Concepts Operational definitions Research design Data collection

10. Free Powerpoint Templates Page 10 1. Choice of research topic 2a. Problem presentation 3. Research design 4. Measurement 5. Data 6. Sample/ respondents 7. Analysis 8. Writing (completing the report/thesis) 9. Action 2. Research problem Literature Review

11. Free Powerpoint Templates Page 11 Research topic Research problem From research topic to research problem

12. Free Powerpoint Templates Page 12 Research topic and problem RESEARCH QUESTIONS and purpose RESEARCH STRATEGIES Basic research Applied research ‘What’ questions ‘Why’ questions ‘How’ questions Inductive Deductive Explore Describe Understand Predict Change Evaluate Assess impact

13. Free Powerpoint Templates Page 13 Choose a topic and search the literature Review the literature and define the research problem/research questions Design the research and write the proposal Collect the research data Analyse and interpret the research data Write the dissertation, thesis or research report Overview of the research process

14. Free Powerpoint Templates Page 14 S tudents experience some difficulty in narrowing down their general interest. Often referred to as defining the research problem and leads on to setting the research question(s). The classic way is to consider the literature and identify any gaps, as these indicate original area to research. Many academic articles incorporate suggestions for further research in their conclusions. The Research Problem

15. Free Powerpoint Templates Page 15 You will need to focus your ideas, decide the scope of your research and set parameters. For example, perhaps your study will investigate a broad financial issue, but focus on a particular group of stakeholders, size of business, industry, geographical area, or period of time.

16. Free Powerpoint Templates Page 16 A “Problem Statement” is a description of a difficulty or lack that needs to be solved or at least researched to see whether a solution can be found. It can also be described as either a gap between the real and the desired or a contradiction between principle and practice.

17. Free Powerpoint Templates Page 17 The ultimate goal of a problem statement is to transform a generalized problem (something that bothers you; a perceived lack) into a targeted, well-defined problem one that can be resolved through focused research and careful decision-making.

18. Free Powerpoint Templates Page 18 Writing a Problem Statement should help you clearly identify the purpose of the project you will propose. Often, the Problem Statement will also serve as the basis for the introductory section of your final proposal, directing your reader’s attention quickly to the issues that your proposed project will address and providing the reader with a concise statement of the proposed project itself.

19. Free Powerpoint Templates Page 19 A persuasive problem statement consists of three parts: 1) the ideal, 2) the reality, and 3) the consequences. Part A – the ideal: Describes a desired goal or ideal situation; explains how things should be. Part B – the reality: Describes a condition that prevents the goal, state, or value in Part A from being achieved or realized at this time; explains how the current situation falls short of the goal or ideal. Part C – the consequences: Identifies the way you propose to improve the current situation and move it closer to the goal or ideal.

20. Free Powerpoint Templates Page 20 Part A According to the XY university mission statement, the university seeks to provide students with a safe, healthy learning environment. Dormitories are one important aspect of that learning environment, since 55% of XY students live in campus dorms and most of these students spend a significant amount of time working in their dorm rooms. Example 1

21. Free Powerpoint Templates Page 21 Part B Students living in dorms A B C, and D currently do not have air conditioning units, and during the hot seasons, it is common for room temperatures to exceed 80 degrees F. Many students report that they are unable to do homework in their dorm rooms. Others report problems sleeping because of the humidity and temperature. The rooms are not only unhealthy, but they inhibit student productivity and academic achievement.

22. Free Powerpoint Templates Page 22 Part C In response to this problem, the study proposes to investigate several options for making the dorms more hospitable. The study plans to carry out an all inclusive participatory investigation into options for purchasing air conditioners (university- funded; student-subsidized) and different types of air conditioning systems. The research will also consider less expensive ways to mitigate some or all of the problems noted above (such as creating climate- controlled dorm lounges and equipping them with better study areas and computing space).

23. Free Powerpoint Templates Page 23 Step 1 (Statement 1) The government of Malaysia has a goal to industrialize by the year 2030 (quote). In this regard it has encouraged growth oriented micro and small enterprises (MSEs) that should graduate into medium and large enterprises capable of contributing to the industrialization goal. There are several sessional papers (quote/cite) that contain specific measures to encourage and support MSEs. Example 2

24. Free Powerpoint Templates Page 24 Step 2 and 3 (Statement 2) Despite the said government efforts there is slow growth of micro into small enterprises and even slower growth of small into medium scale enterprises (quote, show statistics). The government has officially acknowledged that there exists a ‘missing middle’ in Malaysia meaning that there is a gap between small and large enterprises in the country (cite, quote).

25. Free Powerpoint Templates Page 25 Statement 3 Should the ‘missing middle’ gap persist then the industrialization goal may be difficult to achieve. Need therefore arises to investigate why despite government efforts there is a persistent ‘missing middle’

26. Free Powerpoint Templates Page 26 Statement 1 In order to accomplish their missions public universities need motivated workforces. Example 3

27. Free Powerpoint Templates Page 27 Statement 2 There are however frequent and severe disciplinary actions, absenteeism as well as various forms of unrests in public universities which affect the accomplishment of the set missions. Our preliminary investigation reveals to both non-management and management staff are not adequately motivated.

28. Free Powerpoint Templates Page 28 Statement 3 Without effective motivational packages and procedures the said vices are likely to continue and retard the achievement of the universities missions. Need arises to examine the public universities motivation systems and procedures hence this proposed research.

29. Free Powerpoint Templates Page 29 Statement 1 The Ministry of Youth is dedicated to allocating enterprise development funds to both the youth and women. These funds are made available in order to start entrepreneurial ventures that create and expand employment. (provide relevant statistics and quote) Example 4

30. Free Powerpoint Templates Page 30 Statement 2 One of the main focuses of the ministry is consistency. Unfortunately, consistency is allocating in allocating funds to the next generation of recipients requires prior knowledge of previous allocations and established practices. The current continuous disbursement method does not allow for adequate analysis of previous disbursements before a current disbursement is done.

31. Free Powerpoint Templates Page 31 Statement 3 Continuing with this current disbursement method prevents consistency and causes decisions to become grossly political, which in turn inhibits the achievement of the goals of the funds. Developing a more informed disbursement system could help better implement the consistency focus of the ministry better monitor and evaluate its funds.

32. Free Powerpoint Templates Page 32 Statement 4 This proposed research aspires to explore options for a new funds disbursement system that would focus on consistency. To do this, the researcher will carry out a full stakeholder analysis and use it to propose appropriate policy interventions.

33. Free Powerpoint Templates Page 33 A Research Question Must Identify 1.The variables under study 2.The population being studied 3.The testability of the question

34. Free Powerpoint Templates Page 34 Variables in Research Independent variable: –has a presumed effect on the dependent variable (outcome) –May or may not be manipulated Dependent variable: –Something that varies with a change in the independent variable –Outcome variable

35. Free Powerpoint Templates Page 35 Examples of Good Research Problems (in the form of questions) Does client-centered therapy produce more satisfaction in clients than traditional therapy? (experimental design) Does behavior modification reduce aggression in autistic children? (single-subject experimental design) Are the descriptions of people in social studies discussions biased? (grounded theory design) What goes on in an elementary school classroom during an average week? (ethnographic design) Do teachers behave differently toward students of different genders? (causal-comparative design) How do parents feel about the school counseling program? (survey design) How can a principal improve faculty morale? (interview design)

36. Free Powerpoint Templates Page 36 Your Research Problem What is your area of interest? Where could you look for help in deciding upon a specific research problem? What criteria will you apply when deciding upon a specific research problem? How could you narrow down your research problem? How might your value-judgments (preconceived ideas) affect your research endeavors?

37. Free Powerpoint Templates Page 37 What is a Research Question? ~ is a statement that identifies the phenomenon to be studied

38. Free Powerpoint Templates Page 38 REASONS WHY RESEARCH QUESTIONS ARE CRUCIAL GUIDE YOUR LITERATURE SEARCH GUIDE YOUR DECISIONS ABOUT THE KIND OF RESEARCH DESIGN TO EMPLOY GUIDE YOUR DECISIONS ABOUE WHAT DATA TO COLLECT AND FROM WHOM GUIDE ANALYSIS OF YOUR DATA GUIDE WRITING-UP OF YOUR DATA STOP YOU FROM GOING OFF IN UNNECESSARY DIRECTIONS

39. Free Powerpoint Templates Page 39 Steps in Formulating the Research Questions Ask these questions –Do I known the field and its literature well? –What are the important research questions in my field? –What areas need further exploration? –Could my study fill a gap? Or lead to greater understanding? –Has a great deal of research already been conducted in this topic area? –Has this study been done before? If so, is there room for improvement? –Is the timing right for this question to be answered? Is it a hot topic, or is it becoming obsolete? –Will the study have a significant impact on the field?

40. Free Powerpoint Templates Page 40 Research Questions and Hypotheses A process of asking a question, or a series of related questions, and then initiating a systematic procedure to obtain valid answers to that question.

41. Free Powerpoint Templates Page 41 Formulating Research Question / Hypotheses A well-thought-out and focused research question leads directly to your hypotheses. Hypotheses are more specific predictions about the nature and direction of the relationship between two variables. Hypotheses, –Gives insight into a research question –Are testable and measurable by the proposed experiments Each hypothesis is matched with a specific aim and has rationale.

42. Free Powerpoint Templates Page 42 Directional vs. Non-Directional Hypotheses Directional hypothesis –Specifies the direction of the relationship between independent and dependent variables Non-directional hypothesis –Shows the existence of a relationship between variables but no direction is specified

43. Free Powerpoint Templates Page 43 Research Objectives The research objectives pursued in order to answer the research questions.

44. Free Powerpoint Templates Page 44 Scope of Research – Masters vs PhD Amount of research work Standard of writing Level of independency

45. Free Powerpoint Templates Page 45 Expected Outcome of Research RESEARCH SIGNIFICANCE State clearly why this research is important, what the benefits will be and how your work will contribute to knowledge in your field. This may include commercial benefits, changes in current practice, a new perspective on an old issue or other benefits to the community. You need to indicate why it is significant and how it advances understanding of the issues under discussion.

46. Free Powerpoint Templates Page 46 Summary Points Preliminary steps in the research process include forming a research problem, questions and hypotheses A hypothesis attempts to answer the question posed by the research question Research questions illustrate a relationship between variables, identify independent and dependent variables, include a population, and imply that a problem is testable