Statement of the Problem : The Heart of the Research

Project

Introduction

Selection and the definition of a research topics is the first stage in applying the scientific and disciplined inquiry method

The research topic (also called the research question, problem and purpose) focuses and provides structure for the remaining steps in the scientific method; it is thread and binds everything together.

Is to focus the study to defined, manageable size

Common difficulties; to broad and complex and unable to implement

Will work with in succeeding stages

Related to your area of study or interest

‘Living with your study’

Bab 1 Pengenalan

1.1 Pendahuluan

1.2 Latar belakang Kajian

1.3 Pernyataan Masalah

1.4 Kerangka Konseptual Kajian

1.4 Soalan Kajian

1.5 Tujuan Kajian

1.6 Objektif Kajian

1.7 Hipotesis Kajian

1.8 Definisi Operasional

1.9 Signifikan Kajian

1.10 Limitasi Kajian

Chapter 1 - Introduction

1.1 Introduction

1.2 Background of the Study

1.3 Statement of the Problem

1.4 (Conceptual/Research Framework)

1.4 Research Questions

1.5 Aims of the Study

1.6 Objectives of the Study

1.7 Research Hypotheses

1.8 Operational Definition

1.9 Significance of the Study

1.10 Limitations of the Study

Mengenal pasti masalah

The problem is the axial center around which the whole research effort turns. The statement of the must be expressed with the utmost precision. The problem is then fractionated into more manageable sub problems. So stated, we can then see clearly the goal and the direction of the entire research process.

Problems That Have Not Been Resolved

In winter why do we try to keep the house warm as it was summer when we complained about the heat?

Why do we sing ‘Take me out to the ball game’, when we already there?

If love is blind, why is lingerie so popular?

How come abbreviated is such a long word?

Why do slow down and slow up mean the same thing?

Realities and Topic Identification

What educational research is and is not?

Is not a process in which the researcher knows the outcomes before the study is completed.

Is not a haphazard data gatherings

Is not the selective or biased interpretation of results

Is truly a process of trial and error

Guidelines for Finding a Topic

Be aware of the research being done at our institution.

Be alert at any controversial issues.

Read a review paper.

Look for causes not effects.

Two theoretical levels

1. The aim to increase our knowledge

2. Prime purpose is to make life better

Characteristics

Personal or researchable problems

Rarely happen by accident

Grounded and possess the ability

Fruitful conclusions

Specialist rather than generalists

Rifle rather than shotgun

Limited rather than broad

Testing rather than proving

Sources?

Derived from theory.

Personal Educational Questions

Replication

Library search

Sources?

Daily classrooms School Community Technical changes Curricular developments Educational innovations Academic experiences Reading assignments, textbooks, journals Consultation

Narrowing the Topic

A broad topic enlarges the scope of the review of related literature

Too broads tend to result in a study that is general, difficult to carry out, difficult to interpret

Talk to advisors or specialist in the area

Related to your area of expertise

Worth the time, effort and make contribution to knowledge;

Keeping in Focus

Acceptable research problem?

What is to ‘think’?

What is to do?

What am I doing, for what purpose am I doing it?

A Good Research Problems

Qualities of significance

Originality

Feasibility

Researchable

Has theoretical and practical significance

To improve or understand education or educational practice

Ethical

What is not a Research Problem?

Don’t use a problem in research as a ruse for achieving self-enlighten.

Problem whose sole purpose is merely to compare two sets of data.

Finding correlations between two sets of data merely to show relationship.

Problems that result in a yes or no answer are not suitable problems for research.

The Statement of the Research Problem

In a complete grammatical sentence in as few words as possible.

Think, consider and estimate.

Say precisely what you mean.

Edit your writing

- Least words possible

- Use a thesaurus

- Keep sentence short.

- Look critically at each thoughts

- Be alert to modification.

E.g: Piano for sale by a woman with beautifully carved mahogany legs that has arthritis and cannot play anymore.

Discussion 1

1. Make a list of at least 3 educational topics for which you or your group would be interested in conducting a research study.

2. Select one and identify several references relate to the selected problem.

3. Distinguish the methods [qualitative or/and quantitative]

4. Formulate a testable or descriptive hypothesis for the problem.

Evaluating the Problem

Can be effectively solved through the process of research?

Significant?

Is the problem new one?

Feasible?

- Am I competent?

- Are pertinent data accessible?

- Financial resources.

- Time to complete.

- Social hazards.

Varies in form according to the type of research undertaken/preferences

Gives the direction to the remaining aspects of the research plan and report

Should be accompanied by the topic’s background, the justification for the study in terms of its significance and a list of limitations

Ready to attack the review of related literature

Using the Library

Finding Related Literature

ERIC (Educational Resources Info Center) www.acceseric.org/index.html

The Education Index

Resources in Education

Current Index to journals in Education

Index to Doctoral Dissertations

DAI

Psychological Abstracts, SSCI

//uncwerb.carl.org

//gort.ucsd.edu/newjour/

www.eduweek.org/

www.csu.edu.au/education/library.html

www.psychology.net/

www.nces.ed.gov/ - edu statistics

//specialed.miningco.com

www.csteep.bc.edu/