1. Research Problem and Proposal
Chapter TWO

2. Chapter objectives Students able to: Explain research design
Explain research problem
Formulate researchable research questions
Explain research proposal
Write a research proposal

3. Research Desgin It is the entire design of the research project
It is said as the research proposal
It involves deciding on all aspects of the research process
That includes
Philosophical assumption
Research method
Data collection techniques
Data analysis
Publication outlet if possible
It matters to get your proposal accepted or rejected

4. Research Process Problem Liter., Theory Data Interpretation
Propositions/ Hypothesis
Data Collection & Analysis
Research Design

5. Design research process
How to Knowledge
Process Iterations
Theory
Inference
Identify Problem & Motivate
Define Problem
Show Importance
Define Objectives of a Solution
What would a Better Artifact Accomplish?
Design & Development
Artifact
Disciplinary
Knowledge
Metrics, Analysis
Demonstration
Find Suitable context
Use Artifact to Solve problem
Evaluation
Observe How Effective, efficient
Iterate Back to design
Communica-tion
Scholarly Publications
Professional
Publications

6. Comparison of research methods
Quantitative
Qualitative
Design science
Explanation, prediction
Explanation, description
Motivated to solve problems
Test/Modify theories
Build theories
Prescriptive – has heuristic nature
Known variables
Unknown variables
Large sample
Small sample
Small sample, case based
Standardized instruments
Observations, interviews
Observation, interviews, etc
Deductive
Inductive

7. Step 4: Cont’d Quantitative Qualitative Design science
Statistical generalization
Analytic generalization
Replicable to similar problems in similar contexts
Use numbers
Use texts
Texts, codes and drawings
Standard instrument to validation
No standard instrument, triangulation
Pragmatic validity
Objective Truth
Subjective truth
Subjective Truth ???
Linear Process
Iterative

8. choice of a suitable problem is difficult
Research Problem
A problem in simple words is some difficulty experienced by the researcher in a theoretical or practical situation
E.g. What is the fastest algorithm for multiplication of two n-digit numbers?
choice of a suitable problem is difficult

9. Sources to a Research Problem
Know the field
Study of Relevant Literature on the Subject
Discussions with persons having rich practical experience in the field of study
Daily problems
Technological changes

10. Selecting a Research Problem
Get from Literature and then replicate the research with modifications – population, geography, method, etc
Apply an existing technique to a new domain such as borrowing from engineering
Population gravity Model from Physics Gravity Model
Address Contradiction and Ambiguity
Challenge existing Findings

11. Things to know about R. Problem
Is the problem interesting?
Is it new?
Will it add to knowledge?
Is it feasible?
Has anyone else a prior claim to it?

12. Good Qualities of Research Problem
Research statement written clearly
Problem stated in grammatically complete sentences.
Problem has clearly stated limitations
Statement has potential for leading to important results.
The statement will lead to the analysis of data.
The problem is focused enough to lead to an answer with reasonable effort.

13. Cont’d
Be sure that the topic chosen is neither too vague nor too broad in scope.
Define any special terms that must be used in the statement of your problem.
Problem has been reviewed by someone else who provided feedback.

14. Research Question
After discussion your research problem, state your problem as a research questions in the form of interrogative
Example
What is the impact of ICT on the organization?
How do Intranet affects organizational structure?
How do overcome security risks in cl0ud computing?

15. Conditions for Successful Research Question
Importance
Immediate Application
Feasibility or Amenability
Availability of Data
Availability of Other Facilities e.g. laboratory facilities
Experience in the Research Problem

16. Research objective
Research objective is the end result of the research process.
It is the output of the research
Do you to develop a theory, an artifact, etc should be stated in your research objective
RQ-
what is the impact of ICT on organizational structure
Objective
To identify the different impacts of ICT on the organization
But to review literature, to analyze the system, to undertake system modeling, etc are not good objectives

17. Research Proposal

18. Structure of Research Proposal
Title
Abstract
Introduction
Research Problem
Research Objective
Literature Review
Research Method
Significance of the Study
Research Budget
Research Schedule
Bibliography

19. Title
It should be concise and descriptive. For example, the phrase, "An investigation of . . ." could be omitted.
Often titles are stated in terms of a functional relationship, because such titles clearly indicate the independent and dependent variables.
Think of an informative but catchy title. An effective title not only pricks the reader's interest, but also predisposes him/her favorably towards the proposal.
E.g. change without change

20. Abstract It is a brief summary of approximately 300 words.
It should include the research question, the rationale for the study, the hypothesis (if any), the method and the main findings. Descriptions of the method may include the design, procedures, the sample and any instruments that will be used.

21. Introduction
The introduction typically begins with a general statement of the problem area, with a focus on a specific research problem, to be followed by the rational or justification for the proposed study. The introduction generally covers the following elements:
State the research problem, which is often referred to as the purpose of the study.
Provide the context and set the stage for your research question in such a way as to show its necessity and importance.
Present the rationale of your proposed study and clearly indicate why it is worth doing.

22. Cont’d
Briefly describe the major issues and sub-problems to be addressed by your research.
Identify the key independent and dependent variables of your experiment. Alternatively, specify the phenomenon you want to study.
State your hypothesis or theory, if any. For exploratory or phenomenological research, you may not have any hypotheses.
Set the delimitation or boundaries of your proposed research in order to provide a clear focus.
Provide definitions of key concepts. (This is optional.)

23. Method It is the road map of your research process
This section describes
the research design,
research population,
Design of data collection instruments,
data collection methods such as interview, survey, computer databases (as in for data mining), photograph, etc
data analysis
Quantitative – statistical methods frequency, linear regression, etc
Qualitative – open coding (inductive and deductive)
Design science such as requirement modeling, design models, statistical tools

24. Design Science research - Example
What procedures to follow to design the new artifact
For example for Software Development?
Describe how you collect the Requirement? From whom you want to collect
Focused group, interview, questionnaire
How you structure your requirement like class diagram or other tools
What algorithm you want to develop
Which language to use for your algorithm
What you evaluate your design solutions? With which population group? Why you select that One? How long?
Justify all your selection by citing other authors for using similar method to solve or its appropriateness

25. Results Obviously you do not have results at the proposal stage.
However, you need to have some idea about what kind finding you get from your research. Describe the expected research or design outputs
It is used to evaluate your success or failure

26. Failure to Proposal Writing
Failure to provide the proper context to frame the research question.
Failure to delimit the boundary conditions for your research.
Failure to cite landmark studies.
Failure to accurately present the theoretical and empirical contributions by other researchers.
Failure to stay focused on the research question.

27. Cont’d
Failure to develop a coherent and persuasive argument for the proposed research.
Too much detail on minor issues, but not enough detail on major issues.
Too much rambling -- going "all over the map" without a clear sense of direction. (The best proposals move forward with ease and grace like a seamless river.)
Too many citation lapses and incorrect references.
Too long or too short.
Slopping writing.

28. Bring proposal title and short description of your problem for Next class
Assignment I