Formulating
a Research Problem
Dr.Srirath Pakdeeronachit
The Research Problem
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No problem, no research
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A problem that someone would like to research
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Researchable
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Power Meenaghan&Twoomney (1985): “Potential
research questions may occur to us on a regular basis,
but the process of formulating them in a meaningful way
is not at all an easy task”
Researchable vs. Non-researchable Questions
Fraenkel JR,
The Importance of formulating
a Research Problem
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Formulating a research problem is the first
and most important step of the research
process.
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Identify the destination before taking the
journey
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Research question = Foundation of building
The Importance of formulating
a Research Problem
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Research problem determines
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type of study design
type of sampling strategy
research instrument
type of analysis
Sources of Research Problems
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Journal, article, etc.
Personal interest and experiences
Deduction from theory
Experts
Conversation with colleagues or at professional
conferences.
Observation
Literature reviews.
Replication of studies
Considerations in Selecting a
Research Problem
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Interest
Magnitude
Measurement of concepts
Level of expertise
Relevance
Availability of data
Ethical issues
Considerations in Selecting a
Research Problem
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Interest
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should be the most important consideration
keeps the researcher interested in it throughout
the research process
Magnitude
Measurement of concepts
Level of expertise
Relevance
Availability of data
Ethical issues
Considerations in Selecting a
Research Problem
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Interest
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Magnitude
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Not too broad or too big
Not too narrow
Manageable, specific and clear
Measurement of concepts
Level of expertise
Relevance
Availability of data
Ethical issues
Considerations in Selecting a
Research Problem
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Interest
Magnitude
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Measurement of concepts
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If a concept is used in the study, Be clear about
its indicators and their measurement
Level of expertise
Relevance
Availability of data
Ethical issues
Considerations in Selecting a
Research Problem
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Interest
Magnitude
Measurement of concepts
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Level of expertise
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fits the level of researcher’s level of research
skills, needed resources, and time restrictions
Relevance
Availability of data
Ethical issues
Considerations in Selecting a
Research Problem
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Interest
Magnitude
Measurement of concepts
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Level of expertise
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Relevance
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contributes to the improvement and
understanding of educational theory and practice
Relevant to your area of professional
Availability of data
Ethical issues
Considerations in Selecting a
Research Problem
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Interest
Magnitude
Measurement of concepts
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Level of expertise
Relevance
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Availability of data
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If you want to collect information from secondary
sources (office record, client records, alreadypublished reports), Make sure that these data are
available and in the format you want
Ethical issues
Considerations in Selecting a
Research Problem
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Interest
Magnitude
Measurement of concepts
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Level of expertise
Relevance
Availability of data
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Ethical issues
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Do no harm to person/society involved
Considerations in Selecting a
Research Problem
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Interest
Magnitude
Measurement of concepts
Level of expertise
Relevance
Availability of data
Ethical issues
FUNDABLE!!!
Steps in Formulation of a
Research Problem
Step I: Identify a broad field or subject area of
interest to you
Step II: Dissect the broad area into subareas
Step III: Select what is the most interest to you
Step IV: Raise research question
Step V: Formulate objectives
Step VI: Assess your objectives
Step VII: Double-check
The Formulation of Objectives
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Objectives are the goal you set out to attain
in your study
Should be listed under 2 headings
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Main or overall objectives - overall statement
Sub- or specific objectives - clearly listed and
unambiguously
Usually use the action words such as
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to study, to analyze, to explore, to assess, to interpret,
to develop, to elucidate, to identify, to articulate, to
establish, to construct, to propose, to argue, to
compare
The Formulation of Objectives

Objectives are the goal you set out to attain
in your study
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Should be listed under 2 headings
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Main or overall objectives
- overall statement of the study
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Sub- or specific objectives
-
specific aspects of the topic that you want to investigate
clearly listed and unambiguously
The Formulation of Objectives
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Usually use the action-oriented words such
as
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to study, to analyze, to explore, to assess, to interpret,
to develop, to elucidate, to identify, to articulate, to
establish, to construct, to propose, to argue, to
compare
Examples of Objectives
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To describe the major treatment program provided by
Siriraj hospital to alcoholics in Bang Plad Area
(descriptive research)
To ascertain the impact of migration on family roles
(correlational research)
To compare the effectiveness of different teaching
methods on the comprehensive students (correlational
research)
To ascertain if an increase in youth unemployment will
increase the incidence of street crime (to test a
hypothesis)
Defining Terms in Research
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3 common ways to clarify ambiguous or
unclear terms in research question involve
the use of
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Constitutive (dictionary-type) definition
Definition by example
Operational definition
Defining Terms in Research
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Constitutive (dictionary-type) definition
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Use additional terms to clarify the meaning
Operational definition
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Describes how examples of a term are to be
measured or identified
Defining Terms in Research
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Important to develop, define or establish a set
of rules, indicator in order to clearly establish
the meaning of such words/items
Important to define clearly the study
population from which you need to obtain the
required information
Example of Establishing
Operational Definitions
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Main objective – to find out the number of
children living below the poverty line in
Bangkok
Define the word “poverty line”
Define the word “Children”
Key Terms to Define in a
Research Study
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Terms necessary to ensure that the research
question is sharply focused
Terms that individuals outside the field of
study may not understand
Terms that have multiple meanings
Terms that are essential to understanding
what the study is about
Terms to provide precision in specifications
for instruments to be develpoed