IDENTIFYING A RESEARCH TOPIC (Materi I)

• The first step in selecting a research topic is to identify a general subject that is related
to your area of expertise and is of particular interest to you.

Sources of Research Topics

* The five main sources of research topics are theories, personal experiences, previous
studies that can be replicated, electronic mailing lists, and library searches.
* Theories are organized bodies of concepts, generalizations, and principles. Researchers
often study particular aspects of a theory to determine its applicability or generalizability.
* A researcher’s personal experiences and concerns often lead to useful and personally
rewarding studies. Common questions, such as “Why does that happen?” and “What
would happen if . . . ?” can be rich topic sources.
* Existing studies are a common source of research topics. Replication of a study usually
involves changing some feature from the original study.
* Library searches are generally not efficient ways to identify research topics. Handbooks,
encyclopedias, and yearbooks that cover many topics briefly are more useful. Library
resources are invaluable, however, after you have identified a topic to study.
* Electronic mailing list services are designed by organizations to facilitate communication
(usually via the Internet) among their members. Other digital tools such as RSS feeds,
Facebook, Twitter, and Blogs keep researchers updated on what others are investigating.

Narrowing the Topic

* After an initial topic is identified, it often needs to be narrowed and focused into a
manageable topic to study.
* Quantitative research topics are usually narrowed quickly at the start of a study.
Qualitative research topics are not usually narrowed until the researcher has more
information about the participants and their setting.

Characteristics of Good Topics

* Two basic characteristics of a good research topic are that it is of interest to the
researcher and that it is researchable using the collection and analysis of data. Topics
related to philosophical and ethical issues (i.e., should questions) are not researchable.
* A good topic has theoretical or practical significance; its solution contributes in some way
to improving the educational process.
* A good topic is one that is ethical and does not harm participants in any way.
* A good topic for you must be a topic that can be adequately investigated given your
current level of research skill, available resources, and time and other restrictions.

Stating the Research Topic

* The topic statement is the first item in the introduction to a research plan and the
introduction to the final research report. It provides direction for the remaining aspects
of both.
* A well-written topic statement for a quantitative study generally indicates the variables
of interest, the specific relations among those variables, and, ideally, the characteristics
of the participants. Qualitative research topics usually are stated in general language
because qualitative researchers need to become attuned to the research context before
narrowing their topic.

Developing Research Questions

* Developing research questions breathes life into the research topic statements.
* The research questions add another level of specificity to the development of the research
topic and provide the researcher with an action plan for the development and
identification of research instruments.

FORMULATING AND STATING

A HYPOTHESIS

* A hypothesis is a researcher’s prediction of the research findings.

* Researchers do not set out to prove a hypothesis but rather collect data that either
support or do not support it.

Definition and Purpose of Hypotheses in Quantitative Studies

* A hypothesis in a quantitative study is formulated based on theory or on knowledge

gained while reviewing the related literature.
* A critical characteristic of a good hypothesis is that it is based on a sound rationale.
A hypothesis is a reasoned prediction, not a wild guess. It is a tentative but rational
explanation for the predicted outcome.
• A good hypothesis states clearly and concisely the expected relations or differences
between
variables. Variables should be stated in measurable terms.
• A well-stated and well-defined hypothesis must be testable.
Types of Hypotheses

* An inductive hypothesis is a generalization made from a number of observations. A

deductive hypothesis is derived from theory and is aimed at providing evidence that supports,
expands, or contradicts aspects of a given theory.
* A research hypothesis states the expected relation or difference between variables, which
the researcher expects to test through the collection and analysis of data.
• A non-directional hypothesis predicts only that a relation or difference exists; a
directional hypothesis indicates the direction of the difference as well. A null hypothesis
predicts that there is no significant relation or difference between variables.
Stating the Hypothesis
• A general paradigm, or model, for stating hypotheses for experimental studies is P
who get X do better on Y than P who do not get X (or get some other X). P refers to
participants, X refers to the treatment or independent variable (IV), and Y refers to
the outcome or dependent variable (DV).
Testing the Hypothesis
• The researcher selects the sample, measuring instruments, design, and procedures
that will enable him or her to collect the data necessary to test the hypothesis. Those
data are analyzed to determine whether or not the hypothesis is supported.
Definition and Purpose of Hypotheses in Qualitative Studies
* Typically, qualitative researchers do not state formal hypotheses prior to the study.
However, a qualitative researcher may develop guiding hypotheses for the proposed research.
* Having identified a guiding hypothesis, the qualitative researcher may operationalize the
hypothesis through the development of research questions that provide a focus for data
collection. Qualitative researchers are likely to generate new hypotheses as a result of their
studies.

SUMMARY

Identifying a topic

- Theories
- Personal experiences
- Replication studies
- Library searches
- RSS Feeds
- Twitter
- Blogs
- Electronic mailing lists

Narrowing the topic

- Talk with faculty advisors

- Consult overviews of current research in your topic area
- Select a general problem area related to your area of expertise

Developing a good topic

The topic is interesting

The topic is researchable
The topic is significant
The topic is ethical
The topic is manageable
Stating the research topic
A well written topic statement generally describes the variables of interest, and, ideally,
important characteristics of the participants.
Developing research questions
Breathes life into the research topic statements and validates that you have a workable way
to proceed with your research.
Provides direction for the development of research instruments.