“Your manuscript is both good and

original; but the part that is good is not

original, and the part that is original is

not good.”

Samuel Johnson

Research

Research is the systematic collection, analysis and

interpretation of data to answer a certain question or

solve a problem.

Careful, systematic, patient study & investigation in

some field of knowledge.

Undertaken for the purpose of discovering or

establishing facts or principles .

Quantitative Research

Used to describe or test relationships among variables or to evaluate

the effect of one variable on another

Variables are “measured” using standard data collection tools and

data are numerical (numbers)

Qualitative Research

Used when little is known about a phenomenon

Focused on developing a rich, holistic description of phenomena

Data are non numerical (i.e., dialogue, observation, etc.)

Approaches to research

Selection and Formulation of Research Problem

One of the most difficult phases of a research project

is the choice of a suitable problem (true/false)

A researcher can be compared to an ant, which brings

its single grain of sand to the anthill (true/false)

Great discoveries usually happen by accident or sheer

luck (true/false)

Researchers are specialists rather than generalists

(true/false)

There is nothing new under the sun!Stealing from one source is plagiarism, while stealing from

many is research: Jacob Kraicer, U Toronto

• Where do we get our ideas from?

– Advisor/ Committee members/ colleagues

– Reading literature/publications

– Library/internet

– Conferences/seminars

– Draw inspiration from anywhere you can

– What is a great idea?

HOW TO GENERATE A TOPIC

– browse class textbooks

– review lecture notes

– discuss options with the professor

– discuss ideas with a reference librarian

– identify and browse recent journals in the

subject area

Where do you see problems that can ignite your mind to think about research

• Classroom• School• Community• Own teaching experiences• Classroom lectures• Class discussions• Seminars/workshops/paper presentations• Internet• Out-of-class exchanges of ideas with fellow students and professors• Reading assignments

– Textbooks– Special assignments– Research reports– Term papers

• Consultation with…– Course instructor– Advisor– Major Professor– Faculty member

Unpleasant Sensation of Fear

Absence of hope

Subject and topic• A subject is a broad area of interest from

which a more specific topic can be chosen.

• A research topic, therefore, is a relatively

narrow area of interest that can be

thoroughly researched and discussed within

the page length guidelines given by your

instructor.

Examples of subjects and topics are given below:

• SUBJECT• Elementary education

• Journalism

• TOPIC• "What are effective methods for teaching

children how to read?“• "What are the effects of corporate

ownership and media monopolies on news reporting and editorial freedom?"

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 researcher’s level of research skills, needed resources, and time restrictions

5. Ethical – does not embarrass or harm participants

Identifying the research problem Critical first step in research process

Directs the entire research process and decisions you

will make

Being clear about the problem you wish to address will

assist in focusing your study

Start with a broad area of interest/concern which is

gradually refined until you have a research problem

Steps in identifying a research problemOutline areas of interest

Choose a topic

Narrow your topic

Identify a research problem

Identify the purpose for your study

Read about your interests

Talk to your Colleagues

Find out what others are doing

Observe your environment

Be curious

Ask questions

Areas of Interest Start with an area you are familiar with

Begin broadly and think of things that interest you in

your practice

• What do you find frustrating?

confusing?

• What do you think works well?

What could be improved?

Be creative and try to “think outside the box”

Brainstorm about general areas of interest

Write down all your thoughts and ideas

Choosing your topic

1. Significance/relevance: Is this an important problem for education? Is it timely?

2. Gaps: What is already known about the topic? Have others already examined this issue? Is more research needed?

3. Interest: Is this something you would like to explore further?

Choose one area of interestas a topic you will focus on

To help you select a topic consider:

Narrowing your topic• Refine your topic by becoming more specific about

what you are interested in

• Pose some questions about your topic to help you

narrow your focus

• Polit & Beck (2008) suggest some question stems to

use to assist in refining your topic

– What is going on with….

– What is the meaning of…

– What influences or causes…

– What is the process by which….

– What factors contribute to….

– How effective is…..

Narrowing your topic:Choosing a researchable question

• Narrow down the questions you have posed by eliminating those that are not researchable

• According to Brink & Wood (2001) researchable questions are – Focused on fact not opinion – answers will help to describe or

explain a phenomenon– “Now” questions - deal with current, significant issues– Relevant - Generate useable information– Action oriented - usually require you to do something and

provide direction for the rest of the research process.

Identifying the research problem

• To decide on your research problem consider the

potentially researchable questions about your topic you

identified earlier

• Select one that you would like to explore in more depth

• In choosing your focus consider

– Your interests

– The literature

– Feasibility of studying the problem

Significance

“Researchability”

Nature of the problem

Ethical considerations

Feasibility

Time

Funding for the study

Researcher expertise

Availability of participants

Availability of facility and equipment

To finalize the research problem consider:

Identifying the study purpose

• Clear, concise statement of the goal, aim,

focus, or objective of the study (Burns & Grove,

2005)

• Should include a description of

– “what” = variables or phenomena of interest

– “who” = sample or participants

– “where” = setting

Moving from the problem to a research project: Next steps

• Reviewing and critiquing the literature related to your problem– Find out what is known – Identify approaches to studying the problem– Consider theoretical approaches to studying the problem – Further refine your problem & purpose

• Move to the planning phase of your study

Selection of Research Topics

The priority of a topic for research depends on:– The characteristics of the problem (topic):

• Impact on health:– Magnitude– Seriousness– Preventability– Curability

• Available interventions• Proposed solutions

– The characteristics of the proposed study:• Feasibility• Cost-effectiveness• Applicability of the results

Research question

The investigator must make sure that:• He has a research question• The question is clear and specific• It reflects the objectives of the study• It has no answer by common sense• It has no answer in the LITERATURE• Finding an answer to the question will solve or at least

help in solving the problem to be studied.

Concepts in relation to each other

• The two (or often three) concepts in relation to each

other as follows:

• "The effect of ___(concept #1)___ on ___(concept #2)___

."

• "The role of ___(concept #1)___ in ___(concept #2)___ ."

• "The use of ___(concept #1)___ in ___(concept #2)___ ."

While you are doing research..

• Read a lot and Plan well!• Do not waste materials so measure twice and cut

once!• If you can kill an idea on paper, no experiment is

required• Do not fudge the data (including documentation)• What is the final goal? You will need dedication

to realize the dreams!

What are the ethical issues in research?

• Give proper credit to other people’s ideas

• It is difficult to trace the origin of an idea

• Be clear about ownership of research materials and

contributions of others

• Everything belongs to Institution so do not take

anything without permission when you leave!

• Keep a clear logbook of your ideas

THIS REALLY IS NOT THAT DIFFICULT

• Begin--that’s the hard part• Keep focused• Impose your will on the subject• Persevere• Get reinforcement from time to time• Stay in touch with your advisor—weekly• WRITE!!!

Number ONE Requirement…

• You need to have an inquisitive and imaginative

mind

• You need a Questioning attitude

• Wonder why?

Consider the feasibility of the project

Time available

How difficult is it?

Are data available?

How much will it cost?

PROBING QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF

Am I seriously interested in

this topic?

Why is it important to

me?

What benefit is

there for me?

CONTINUED……

Do I already know or feel anything about this topic?

Does it connect to my academic, professional or personal

interests?

CONTINUED……

Do I feel open-minded and excited with

regard to my topic?

What information, data, and resources are

available with regard to my topic?

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,

researcher’s readiness, resources available, etc.)

• Measurements• Issue(s) dealt with? • Setting the scope of the problem (“this is my

line…I won’t go beyond it…”)

Note:

There are times when it is appropriate to

replicate (repeat) a study to verify its

conclusions or to extend the validity of its

findings to a different situation or population

FOR YOUR REFERENCE

• Survey of Educational Research – M.B.Butch

• EduTracks

• University News

• Experiments in Education

• New frontiers of Education

• Indian Educational review

• Journal of Community Guidance and Research

• GCTE Journal of Research and Extension in Education