1. EDU 540
Problem definition

2. Lesson objectives Define research problem Write problem statement
Describe quantitative and qualitative research

3. Where we are now… Observation/ Background survey
Broad area of research
Literature review
Problem definition
Problem statement
Research questions
Theoretical framework
Variables clearly identified
Hypothesis generation
Research design
Methods
Data collection
Analysis
Interpretation
Deduction
Hypothesis substantiated?
RQ answered?

4. The broad problem area
The entire situation where one sees a possible need for research or problem solving
Examples
Malay students studying Physics
Soft skills of Faculty of Education students
Instructors lecturers using instructional technology

5. Narrowing your research
Narrow it down to specific issues
Malay students have problems studying certain Physics topics
More specific Issue : Problem solving skills, Difficulty in grasping concepts,
P&HE students not displaying soft skills needed
More specific issue: Poor communication skills
Women lecturers are having difficulties using instructional technology
Specific issue: technophobia, technology training

6. Putting things in perspective
Problems
RESEARCH INTEREST/AREA
Issues
Concerns
Research problem
Research questions
Background survey
Theoretical framework

7. Background survey Justifying your choice of the area in research
What is there a need to do this research
Need backing up
Government policies
Institutional reports/ strategic plans
Research reports
Press report/ speeches

8. Problem definition Defining a problem
Not necessarily something that is seriously wrong
Can be an issues of interest
Find answers to improve existing situation
A situation where a gap exist between actual and desired state

9. Problem definition Could be An issue/ matter you want to understand
Existing educational problems that you are seeking to solve
Situations that you want to improve
Areas where some conceptual clarity is needed
Situations in which the researcher is trying to answer a research question empirically

10. The research problem is..
a set of conditions needing discussion, a solution, and information.
implies the possibility of empirical investigation, that is, of data collection and analysis

11. The research problem is not..
how to do something;
a vague or too broad a proposition;
a value question.

12. Try this.. The purpose of the study is to determine:
whether the suspension policy should be changed.
the truth of the proposition that Malaysian education has encouraged exam oriented learners who aim at getting a string of As
how students can overcome test anxiety.
if there is a difference in the mean gain scores in reading achievement between students taught word attack skills and those taught comprehensive skills.

13. Try one .. Soft skills of Faculty of Education students
What is the research problem?
What is the background?
Government policies
Institutional reports/ strategic plans
Research reports
Press report/ speeches
What to read in order to justify?
What to research?

14. Problem definition
Essential to define your research problem very carefully,
Ask why you’ve chosen it , why not another problem
Helps you to choose a suitable method of researching it
Prevent you from reading rather indiscriminately
you don’t know quite what you’re looking for
make more notes than you need.

15. Problem definition Be as deductive as you can
Relate your research problem to a theory
A theory is an explanation of events or phenomena or behaviour
Phenomena in education - theories from cognitive psychology, sociology, psycholinguistics, management, computer science.
Example: Finding out whether providing children with multimedia presentations explaining science concepts will enhance understanding
Theory?

16. Let’s look at your research problem
The area of your research
State whether
Existing educational problems that you are seeking to solve
Situations that you want to improve
Areas where some conceptual clarity is needed
Situations in which the researcher is trying to answer a research question empirically
Why do you choose this ‘problem?

17. Problem Tree

18. Drawing a problem tree Identify core problems Identify effects
Identify causes
Identify all possible causes and effects

19. Example Effects CORE PROBLEM Causes
Withdrawal, Deferment of studies, Dropout
Failure to achieve meaningful experience
Complaints
Poor grades
Anxiety
Frustration
Dissatisfaction
Learning outcomes not achieved
Distance Learners not able to learn effectively
Effects
CORE PROBLEM
Causes
Epistemological problems (course structure, difficulty level and so forth)
Learners cannot manage their learning environment
Learners cannot manage their learning activities
Institutional / Administrative Problems
Learners’ personal problems and characteristics
Lack of learning skills/ Strategies
Ambiguous instructions and
other pedagogical issues
Inability to sustain motivation
Lack of self-regulation
Procrastination
Poor time management
Inability to maintain strong attention to goals sought
Lack of discipline
Logistic/Infrastructure problems
Isolation
Lack of support and feedback
Poorly designed learning materials
Travel problems
Communication problems
Anxiety, fear of technology & technology failure
Minimal F2F sessions
Role conflicts
Family problems
Financial problems
Learning style / approach does not fit
Low academic self-concept
Learner problems
Unsure of new learning mode
Lack readiness
Lack self-direction
Lack of structure and direction
Lack technical ability

20. There exists differences between students from different clusters
No harmony on campus
No cooperation between groups
Bitterness
Learners cannot tolerate each other
Learners stay in their own groups
There exists differences between students from different clusters
Effects
CORE PROBLEM
Causes
Perceived
competence
Learner characteristics
Social and economic background
Let’s try one

21. Students do not have the acceptable level of soft skills
Effects
CORE PROBLEM
Causes
Exercise

22. Problem statement Problem statement How ?
A clear, precise and succinct statement of the question/issue that is to be investigated
How ?
no one "right" way to state one
American vs. British

23. Problem statement
Introduces the reader to the importance of the problem. The reader is oriented to the significance of the study and the research questions or hypotheses to follow.
You could relate your problem to the findings of prior research ( a few)
Places the problem in a context ( remember Botswana elearning readiness?)
Provides the framework for reporting the results. Indicate what is probably necessary to conduct the study and explain how the findings will present this information.

24. Flow of Ideas in a Problem Statement
Remedying
the deficiencies
For whom?
Select
Audiences
Deficiencies
in the
Evidence
Educational
Issue
Evidence for
the
Issue
Topic
Subject
Area
A Concern
A Problem
Something that needs a solution
Evidence from the literature
Evidence from practical
experiences
In this body of evidence, what is missing?
What do we need to know more about?
How will addressing
what we need to
know help: researchers
educators
policy-makers
individuals like
those in the study

25. Documenting/ Reporting
Visualize the statement of the problem as the first five paragraphs
background
research problem
justification
deficiencies
relate discussion to audience

26. Example

27. Next: Qualitative and Quantitative Research
TAKE A BREAK
Next: Qualitative and Quantitative Research

28. Quantitative vs. Qualitative
See handout

29. Quantitative vs. Qualitative

30. Let’s look at one example
Research problem
Since the computer-related technologies became widely available, companies started to employ the new technologies seeking efficiency and effectiveness benefits. With such huge spending on IT, it is interesting to find out if there is any scientific evidence for association between IT capability and a company’s competitive advantage.
The question posed : Does a company benefit from employing IT? If so, how?

31. Research 1
TOPIC: A resource-based perspective on IT capability and firm performance: An empirical investigation  
In this research, IT in a company is studied from the point of resource-based view of company
The research method employed in this paper is statistical testing of hypotheses.
The author comes up with two main hypotheses:
Superior IT capability will be associated with significantly higher profit ratios.
Superior IT capability will be associated with significantly lower cost ratios
Sample: 56 companies

32. Research 2
Implementing supply chain management: Lessons learned at Medi-Alpha
This research deals with implementation of the IT technology at a major manufacturer of medical equipment and supplies.
The focus of the research is on the question, whether launching of new technology did improve company’s performance.
The object of this single in-depth case study was the company’s strategy.

33. Research 3
Approaches to the development of multi-dimensional database: Lessons from four case studies
The research explores the manner in which an organization’s data can be effectively utilized to assist an organization to achieve its business objectives. It presents Multi-Dimensional Data Bases (MDDB) as a new tool of making a more efficient use of company’s data
The research method employed was a combination of classic case study and implementation of a prototype.
Four case studies were carried out. The analysis of the four case studies intended to explore suitability of different approaches to system development.

34. Statistics anyone?
Statistical analysis is helpful when there is a need to determine certain facts, or correlations between facts.
Helpful when doing research on a broader scale
Generally, it provides an answer to ‘what?’ question
‘How’ question is better answered by qualitative researching

35. Qualitative Problem statement
Qualitative research problem statement
The problem should be stated clearly and unambiguously
The problem should express what is it that you want to explore , to understand
What is the meaning of A?
How does A exist ?
Why A happens?

36. Quantitative Problem statement
Quantitative research problem statement
The problem should be stated clearly and unambiguously
The problem should express a relation between two or more variables
Is A related to B?
How are A and B related?
How is A related to B under condition C?
Is there a difference between A and B in terms of C?
Implies possibilities of empirical testing

37. Tasks Write your problem statement Conduct background reading
Decide on qualitative or quantitative approach

38. Writing research questions
Next
Writing research questions