PROCESS OF RESEARCH

Developing a Problem

A research problem is a specific issue, difficulty, contradiction, or gap in knowledge that the researcher will aim
to address in his/her study (McCombes, 2019). It is the main organizing principle guiding the analysis of the research
paper. It represents the core subject matter of scholarly communication, and the means by which the researcher reader
arrives at other topics of conversations and the discovery of new knowledge and understanding (Alverson, and
Sandberg, 2013).

Types of Research Problems

The type of research problem depends on the topic of interest and the type of study the researcher wants to do.
There are three types of research problem; they are (Study Lecture Notes, 2022):

1. Theoretical Research Problems

- It focuses on expanding knowledge and understanding rather than directly contributing to change
(McCombes, 2019). It relates to predicting, explaining and understanding various phenomena. It also
expands and challenges existing information and knowledge (Walker, 2021). Identification of a research
problem in theoretical research is achieved by analyzing theories and friesh research literature relating to a
broad area of research. This practice helps to find gaps in the research done by others

Theoretical research problem includes but not limited to (McComnbes, 2019)

. A phenomenon or context that has not been closely studied,

. A contradiction between two or more perspective,

. A situation or relationship that is not well understood, and

. A troubling question that has yet to be resolved

2. Applied Research Problem

- It is a non–systematic problem, Involving the practical use of theoretical knowledge ( Indeed Editorial
term,2022) They are typically identified by analyzing reports, previous research studies, and interactions
with the experienced personnel of pertinent disciplines (Walker,2021).

Applied research problem includes but not limited to (McCombes,2019):

. Issues with performance or efficiency in an organization

. Processes that could be improved in an institution.

. Areas practice among practitioner in a field, and

. Difficulties faced by specific group of people in society.

 3. Action Research Problem

It aims to provide solution for problem that are time sensitive and immediate. It is a part of larger reflective
ongoing process that combines research, analyzing and action (Indeed Editorial Team, 2022). Researcher develop and
implement a research strategy to create innovative solutions and discoveries as soon as possible.

How to Formulate a Research Problem?

A researcher needs to consider the following in formulating a Research Problem (Indeed Editoral Team 2022):

1. Identify a General Area of Interest or Research Area

Selecting a research area is the very first step in writing a research . It is important for the researcher to
choose a research area that is interesting to him/her professionally, as well as, personally. Finding a research area and
research problem that is genuinely interesting is a guarantee that the whole process of writing of research will be much
easier (DuDovskiy, 2022).

A researcher can consider these various aspects when choosing an area of interest (Indeed Editorial
Team,2022):

. Contradictions between two or more theoretical perspective

. Situations or a natural relationship that is not well investigated.

. Processes in an institution or organization that you and your research team could improve; and

. Areas of concern by individuals who work or are experts in a particular industry.

2. Learn More about the Problem

Learn more about the area of interest, such as its background and specifics. Researcher needs to ask what
he/she needs to know about a particular topic before he/she begin his/her research. Researcher needs to assess who or
what it might affect and how the researcher could address those relationships. He/she needs to consider whether other
research groups have already tried to solve the problem in the research and how his/her approach might differ (Indeed
Editorial Team, 2022).

3. Review the context of the Information

This involves defining and testing the environmental variables in the research, which may help the researcher
create a clear focused research problem. It may also help in taking a note to as which variable are present in the
researcher and how to account for the impact that they may have on it. By reviewing the context, the researcher can
easily estimate the amount of data his/her research is likely to deliver (Indeed Editorial Team, 2022).

4. Determine Relationship between Variables

After identifying the variable involved in the study, the researcher can learn how they’re related to one another
and how these relationships may contribute his/her research problem. Research needs to consider generating as many
potential perspective and variable interaction as possible identifying the relationship between variables may be useful
when deciding the degree to which the researcher can control them in the research and how they might affect potential
solutions to the problem the researcher is addressing (Indeed Editorial Team 2022).
5. Select and Include Important Variable

One of the characteristics of clear and manageable research problem is the inclusion of variable that are the
most relevant to the study. The researcher summarizes haw he/she plans to take these variable into consideration and
how they might influence the results of the study seleting the most important variable can help the reader understand
the trajectory of the research and the potential impact of the solution (Indeed Editoral Team,2022)

6. Receive Feedback and Revise

The researcher may reach out to mentors, teachers or industry expert for feedback about the research
problem.They may present him her with new information to consider or suggest him/her to edit a particular aspect of
the research design. Revising the research problem can be a valuable step in creating impactful and precise research.It is
important to note that before asking for feedback, the researcher needs to consider these aspecrts of his/her study:

. Does your research problem allow for several solution and outcomes?
. Did you create a study that has a testable hypothesis or theory?
. Did you define all the terms correctly?
. Is your research objective comprehensive? And
. Are all parts of your project understandable?

Problem Statement

All research projects should start with a clear problem statement A problem statement is a formulation of an
issue which is usually a ‘gap’ within the field. A research gap is an unanswered question, an issue controversy, or
untested hypothesis that has not yet been addressed (Dyke, n.d.). A problem statement is an explanation in research
that describes the issue that is need of study. What problem is the research attempting to address? Having a problem
statement allows the reader to quickly understand the purpose and intent of research.

A statement of the problem is used in research as a claim that outlines the problem addressed by study. The
statement of the problem briefly address the question: What is the problem that the research will address? The main
goal of a statement of the problem is to transform a generalized problem into a targeted, well-defined problem; one
that can be resolved through focused research and careful decision-making (Bwisa,2018).

Components of Problem Statement

Problem statement typically have four major components, they are (Hatcher and Rocco, 2011)

1. Principal Proposition

These are the collection of statements that can be consider as being true or generally accepted factual. It
represents a discussion that establishes for the reader what information is generally considered beyond question. They
are intended to establish a baseline of accepted facts (Hatcher and Rocco, 2011).

2. Interacting Proposition
It is the most important port of the problem statement. The interacting proposition and discussion that
supports it, serves to contradict, show exception to, or cast some degree of doubt on the Principal Proposition. The form
of the Interacting proposition statement always start with a connecting adverb, such as, however, although, or but
(Hatcher and Rocco,2011).

Interacting Proposition provides a contrast to the principal proposition. Thus, the interacting proposition is
especially sensitive to being supported by the scholarly literature or in combination with a credible professional source.
One cannot simply report that a contradiction exists to the principle proposition on the basis of researcher’s personal
opinion or other lesser credible source (Hatcher and Rocco, 2011).
3. Speculative Proposition

The speculative proposition juxtaposes the previous two sets of information, which are offered as being true,
and suggest why it might be important, to resolve the contradiction that they have seemingly caused. The research
problem is formed by the gap of knowledge that exists between two factual statements, that is, how the researcher
intends to resolve the two contradictory independent statements (Hatchers and Rocco, 2011).

4. Explicative Statement

It is culminating statement that states how the gap will be resolved in the form of the actions that the
researchers intend to undertake. Explicative statement is the statement of the purpose of the research study. It serves
to complete the cycle of logic that the researcher has generated (Hatcher and Rocco, 2011).

Research Framework

A research framework clearly illustrates the structure of the research plan and helps the researcher formulate
relevant research question (Mills, Durepos and Wiebe, 2010). It is used to understand a research problem and guid the
development, collection, and analysis of research.

Types of Research Frameworks

There are two types of research frameworks, they are:

1. Theoretical Framework
It introduces and describes the theory/theories underpinning the research problem. It is a foundational review of
existing theories that serves as a roadmap for developing the arguments you will use in your own work (Vinz, 2015).
Thus theoretical frameworks support research by describing and/or drawing from relevant theoretical aspects obtained
in previous work (Charles worth Author Services, 2022). The purposes of theoretical framework are as follows:
• Test and challenge existing theories,
•Establish orderly connections between observations and facts,
• Predict and control situations, and
• Develop hypothesis.

Steps to develop a theoretical framework

1. Identify and define key concepts in the thesis problem statement and thesis question.
2. Explain and evaluate existing theories by writing a literature review that describes that support the study.
3. Choose the theory that best explains the relationships between the key variables in the study.
4. Explain how the research study fills knowledge gap or fits into existing studies (e.g., testing if an established theory
applies to the thesis context).
5. Discuss the relevance of any theoretical assumptions and limitations.

2. Conceptual Framework

It is like a roadmap for the study, helping the researcher visualize his/her research project and put it into action.
It defines the relevant variables for the study and maps out how they might relate to each other. It is written or visual
representation, explains the study variables and their relationships with each other (Swean, 2015). The starting point is a
/literature review of existing studies and theories about the research topic.

Conceptual framework has different use in different types of studies (Charlesworth Author Services, 2022).
• In quantitative studies, a conceptual framework might be used to determine survey questions or data points, or to
generate a hypothesis for explanations and predictions.
• In qualitative studies, a conceptual framework might be used to provide a working hypothesis or a set of research
questions, or to identify or explore categories in descriptive research.
Steps to Develop a Conceptual Framework

1. Clarify the study topic by identifying and defining key concepts in the thesis problem statement and thesis
question. Essentially, the thesis should address a knowledge gap.
2. Perform a literature review to provide a background to interpret and explain the study findings. Also, draw on
empirical knowledge that the researcher have gained from personal experience.
3. Identify crucial variables from the literature review and empirical knowledge, classify them as dependent or
independent variables, and define them.
4. Brainstorm all the possible factors that could affect each dependent variable.
5. Propose relationship among the variables and determine any associations that exist between all variables.
6. Use a flowchart or tree diagram to present the conceptual framework.

When developing a conceptual framework, the researcher will need to identify the following:
 Independent variables – it is the variable the researcher manipulate or vary in an experimental study to explore
its effects. It’s called “independent” because it’s not influenced by any other variables in the study.
 Dependent variables – it is the variable that changes as a result of the independent variable manipulation.
 Moderating variables – it links independent and dependent variables to better explain the relationship between
them.
 Control variables – it could potentially impact the cause-and-effect relationship but is kept constant throughout
the study so that its effects on the findings/outcomes can be ruled out.
First, identify the independent (cause) and independent (effect) variables in the study. Then, identify variables that
influence this relationship, such as moderating variables, mediating variables, and control variables.

Review of Literature and Related Studies

A literature review is a survey of scholar on a specific topic. It provides an overview of current knowledge,
allowing the researcher to identify relevant theories, methods, and gaps in the existing research (McCombes, 2019). It is
a summary of studies related to a particular area of research, which identifies and summarizes all the relevant research
conducted on a particular topic (Enago Academy, 2022).
It helps the researcher understand the approaches, methodologies, algorithms, and datasets used by other
scientist, in order to identify the knowledge gap; and in turn contribute to the existing knowledge base (Bairagi and
Munot, 2019). Literature reviews helps the researcher accomplish the following (Enago Academy, 2022):

 Evaluate Past Research – collecting relevant resources will help the researcher see what study/ies has already
been done. This will also help avoid duplication.
 Identify Experts - it is important to identify credible researchers who have knowledge in a given field, in order
to seek their help if one gets stuck with certain aspects of the research.
 Identify Key Questions – the researcher’s ultimate aim is to bring something new to the conversation.
Collecting resources will help the researcher determine the important question that need to be addressed.
 Determine Methodologies used in Past Studies - knowing how others have approached a particular topic will
give the researcher the opportunity to identify problems and find new ways to researcher and study a topic. If
the reported methodology was successful, the researcher can use it and save time that he/she would otherwise
be spending on optimization.

Elements of Literature Review

Literature reviews should comprise the following elements (UC Santa Cruz, n.d);

 An overview of the subject, issue or theory under consideration, along with the objectives of the literature
review.
 Division of works under review into categories (e.g. those in support of a particular position, those against, and
those offering alternative theses entirely).
  Explanation of how each work is similar to and how it varies from the other.
 Conclusions as to which pieces are best considered in their argument, are most convincing of their opinions, and
make the greatest contribution to the understanding and development of their area of research.

How to Conduct Literature Review?

The following are the common steps in conducting a literature review (University of North Florida, 2022)
 Identify appropriate library database for conducting the research. This might begin with the library discovery
tool.
 Identify relevant search terms for use I conducting a database search.
 Review initial search results, review article abstract, and revise search strategy and terms accordingly.
 Look for key concepts that appear in the literature and identify significant authors who are frequently cited in
the literature.
 Conduct a new for materials by the authors identified in the previous step.
 Locate the materials revealed by the literature review and read and digest.
 Construct a written overview of the major concepts revealed by a thorough reading of the literature. How does
this material relate to the current study?
 Once the original research is completed. Do a follow-up review of the literature to determine if there is
anything significant that should be included.

Sources of Information

In doing the research, there are variety of sources where the researchers gather information and evidence.
Sources of information or evidence are often categorized based on the originality of the material and the proximity of
the source or origin. This informs the reader as to whether the author is reporting information that is first hand or is
conveying the experiences and opinions of others which is considered second hand. The categories of sources of
information are (University of Minnesota, 2022).

1. Primary Sources

These sources are records of events or evidence as they are first described or actually happened without any
interpretation or commentary. It is information that is shown for the first time or original materials on which other
research is based. Primary sources display original thinking, report on new discoveries, or share fresh information
(University of Minnesota, 2022).

2. Secondary sources

These sources offer an analysis or restatement of primary sources. They often try to describe or explain primary
sources. They tend to be works which summarize, interpret, reorganize, or otherwise provide an added value to a
primary source (University of Minnesota, 2022).

3. Tertiary Sources

These are sources that index, abstract, organize, compile, or digest other sources. Some reference materials and
textbooks are considered tertiary sources when their chief purpose is to list, summarize or simply repackage ideas or
other information. Tertiary sources are usually not credited to a particular author (University of Minnesota, 2022)
Data Gathering

Data gathering or collection is a systematic method of collecting and measuring data gathered from different
sources of information in order to provide answers to relevant questions. An accurate evaluation of collected data
can help researchers predict future phenomenon and trends (Mbachu, 2018). Data collection is a crucial aspect in
any level of research work. If data are inaccurately collected, it will surely impact the findings of the study, thereby
leading to false or invaluable outcome.

Types of data

1. Primary Data – it is the gathering of raw data collected at the primary source. It is a process of collecting the
original data collected by a researcher for a specific research purpose.

2. Secondary Data – it refers to the gathering of second-hand data collected by an individual who is not the original
user. It is the process of collecting data that is already existing, be it already published books, journals, and/or online
portals.