Selection and

Formulation of Market
Research Problem
What Well Cover Today

Why need to formulate the research problem

Steps in formulating the research problem

How to identify the research problem

Formulation of problem statement

Formulating research question / hypotheses

Identify research objectives

Scope of research

Expected outcome of research
The Research Idea

Everyday life (Professional experience)

Practical issues (Burning questions)

Past research/Literature (Research often
generates more questions, Disagreements
among studies can lead to worthwhile
research)

Professional meetings

Discussions
Research Topics

Observations

Behaviours

Concepts

Theories

Testing of assessment and intervention
strategies
Narrowing the research topic

Idea brainstorming

Literature review

Identify the variables for study

Formulate research problems and
questions/hypotheses
 Number ONE Requirement

You need to have an inquisitive and

imaginative mind

You need a Questioning attitude

Wonder why?
 Answer the following
preliminary questions

Is the problem/topic significant enough?

Is it feasible (practical/possible for me to do
it)?

Is it free of unknown hazards/dangers?

Is it clear (unambiguous)?
 Actively involve yourself (and
other experts) in NARROWING &
REFINEMENT of the problem

Narrowing the focus

Population

Situation (time, condition, subject availability,
researchers readiness, resources available,
etc.)

Measurements

Issue(s) dealt with?

Setting the scope of the problem (this is my
lineI wont go beyond it)
Rifle vs. Shotgun Analogy
 Characteristics of good
topics?
1. Interesting keeps the researcher interested in it throughout the
research process

2. Researchable can be investigated through the collection and

analysis of data

3. Significant contributes to the improvement and understanding

of educational theory and practice

4. Manageable fits the level of researchers level of research

skills, needed resources, and time restrictions

5. Ethical does not embarrass or harm participants

A Research Question Must
Identify

1. The variables under study

2. The population being studied
3. The testability of the question
 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?
What is a research question

~ is a statement that identifies the phenomenon

to be studied
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?
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.
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.
Directional vs. Non-Directional
Hypotheses

Directional hypothesis (Alternative
hypothesis)

Specifies the direction of the relationship between
independent and dependent variables

Non-directional hypothesis (Null hypothesis)

Shows the existence of a relationship between
variables but no direction is specified
 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.