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Literature Review – Problem Identification

Dr. Zoharah Omar

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DEC 3002 Metodologi KajianAMALI

Resources

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Some of the info for this presentation was taken from Saunders, Lewis, Thornhill ( 2009) Research methods for

business students (5th edition) Essex : Prentice Hall. Cooper, D.R. & Schindler, P. (2007) Business Research Methods,

(10th Ed.), McGraw Hill. http://www.deakin.edu.au/library/findout/research/litrev.php Ellis, T.J. & Levy, Y. (2008). Framework of Problem-Based

Research: A Guide for Novice Researchers on the Developmentof a Research-Worthy Problem. The International Journal of anEmerging Transdiscipline 11, 17-33.

Creswell (2008)

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RESEARCHER BEGINS A STUDY BYIDENTIFYING A RESEARCH PROBLEM

(Creswell, 2008)

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John W. CreswellEducational Research: Planning, Conducting,and Evaluating Quantitative and QualitativeResearch, third edition

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Why the Research Problem Is Important

It establishes the importance of the topic. It creates reader interest. It focuses the reader’s attention on how the study will add

to the literature.

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The research problem

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A research problem is defined as a general issue, concern, orcontroversy studied in research (Ellis & Levy, 2008)

“without some sort of statement of problem, the scientist canrarely go further and expect the work to be fruitful” (Kerlinger &Lee, 2000 p. 15).

An adequate statement of the research problem is one of themost important parts of research. But the identification of theresearch problem is the most difficult yet an important part ofthe whole [research] process (Kerlinger & Lee, 2000 p. 15).

Research problem has to be a well-articulated, well-supported,and well-argued problem(Ellis & Levy, 2008).

RESEARCHPROBLEM

RESEARCHQUESTION

RESEARCHOBJECTIVE/GOAL

RESEARCHIDEA

Common Research Problem:• Lack of Research• Some of the phenomena is still unexplained• Inconsistencies in findings• Methodological problem in mist research

Common Research Problem:• Lack of Research• Some of the phenomena is still unexplained• Inconsistencies in findings• Methodological problem in mist research

How Research Objective is formulated

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By getting answers to those research questions, the study goals are met and acontribution towards solving the problem is made (Leedy & Ormrod, 2005 inEllis & Levy, 2008).

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John W. Creswell Educational Research: Planning, Conducting, andEvaluating Quantitative and Qualitative Research, third edition

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How the Problem Differs From Other Parts ofResearch

A research problem is an issue or problem inthe study. A research topic is the broad subject matter

being addressed in a study. A purpose is the major intent or objective of

the study. Research questions are those that the

researcher would like answered or addressedin the study.

Sources of problem

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Observation our surroundings Our experiences Other people experiences Discussion among individual or group Reading of newspapers and internet Watching and listening to TV and radio Reading of magazine , books, journals Identifying the concepts, phenomena , theory or

elements of interest

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• Sources:• Observation.• Literature reviews.• Professional conferences.• Experts.

• Problem recognition:• Critical evaluation of current literature reviews• Shortcomings and topics for further research• Extending or generalizing the findings: Ex. Study conducted

only among undergraduates, no study conducted in post-graduate students or distance education students

Sources of Research Problems & Problemrecognition

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Stating the Research Problem

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• Once research problem is identified:– State that problem clearly and completely.– State the case for the establishment of the problem.– Ask your self whether it is practical/possible (feasible) for you

to do the research.

• Identify sub-problems - to reflect the objectives of yourresearch:– Completely researchable units.– Add up to the total problem.– Must be clearly tied to the interpretation of the data.

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Criteria in problem selection Limitation of a researcher Interest of a researcher Contribution of findings towards improving

knowledge Can develop and expand solution of new problem Theoretical and or Practical values of findings Availability sources of references/ bibliography Can be empirically studied Can be ethically conducted

12 John W. Creswell (2008) Educational Research: Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Quantitative andQualitative Research, third edition

Five Elements of a “Problem Statement”

TopicTopicEvidencefor theIssue

Deficienciesin theEvidence

WhatRemedyingthe DeficienciesWill Do forSelectAudiencesSubject

area

The Problem/Issue

•A concern•A problem•Something

that needsa solution

•Evidence fromthe literature

•Evidence frompracticalexperiences

•What wasalreadystudied?

•In this body ofevidence, whatis missing?

•What do weneed to knowmore about?

How will addressingwhat we need toknow help:– researchers– educators– policy makers– individuals such as

those in the study

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John W. CreswellEducational Research: Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Quantitative and Qualitative Research, thirdedition 3.13

Advancing the Topic The topic is introduced in the first paragraphs. The topic includes the general subject matter. The topic must be introduced so that the reader can

relate to it.

Stating the Research Problem State the problem in the opening paragraph Identify an issue Research-based research problems Practical problems

Reference the problem using the literature

John W. Creswell (2008) Educational Research: Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Quantitative andQualitative Research, third edition

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Justifying the Importance of the Research Problem Justification based on what other researchers have found Justification based on personal or workplace experiences Justification based on the experiences others have had in

the workplace

John W. Creswell (2008) Educational Research: Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Quantitative andQualitative Research, third edition

Identifying Deficiencies in the Evidence What do we still need to know? What else do we need to know to improve practice?

John W. Creswell (2008) Educational Research: Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Quantitative andQualitative Research, third edition

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Identify the Audience – Study significance

Ask the following question: “Who will profitfrom reading our study?”

Other researchers Practitioners Policy makers Special populations (e.g., parents)

John W. Creswell (2008) Educational Research: Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Quantitative andQualitative Research, third edition

Writing theStatement of the Problem Section

Include one paragraph for each of the five elements Heavily reference this section to the literature Provide statistics to support trends Use quotes from participants (in moderation)

John W. Creswell (2008) Educational Research: Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Quantitative andQualitative Research, third edition

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Example of the Flow of Ideas in the ProblemStatement

Topic ResearchProblem

Justificationfor ResearchProblem

Deficiencies inthe Evidence

Relating theDiscussionto Audiences

Subjectarea

•Concern or issue•A problem•Something thatneeds a solution

•Evidence from theliterature•Evidence frompractical experience

•In this body ofevidence what ismissing or whatdo we need toknow more about?

•How will addressingwhat we need to knowhelp researchers,educators, policymakers, and otherindividuals?An Example

PsychologicalContractBreach

Flow of Ideas

The outcomesof PYCB

•Many study reportedseveral outcomes suchas job satisfaction,commitment.

Little attention isfocused on itseffect onemployeeturnover

•Develop theory

John W. Creswell (2008) Educational Research: Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Quantitative andQualitative Research, third edition

John W. Creswell (2008) Educational Research: Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Quantitativeand Qualitative Research, third edition

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Locating the Research Problem

Look in the opening paragraphs of the studyfor one or more of the following:

What is the issue or problem? What controversy leads to the need for a study? What concern is being addressed behind the study? Is there a sentence such as, “The problem being

addressed in this study is…”?

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Example of research problem

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ResearchProblem

More example of research problem

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Continue……

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ResearchProblem

ResearchObjective

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26 Jensen, J.M., Opland, R.A., Ryan, A.M. (2010) Psychological Contracts and Counterproductive Work behaviors: EmployeeResponses to Transactional and relational Breach. Journal of Business Psychology, 25. 555-568

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Example of review of problem statement.

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In this study, the researcher state that there is a big concern regarding theethical concerns in the insurance field. The researcher reported a studyconducted 18 years ago reporting that insurance students are more likelyto behave ethically than insurance agents. However, this issue has not beenrecently addressed, although the need for ethical education for insurancestudents has been discussed considerably.

Example of Conceptual and Operational Definition

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Jensen, J.M., Opland, R.A., Ryan, A.M. (2010) Psychological Contracts and Counterproductive Work behaviors: Employee Responsesto Transactional and relational Breach. Journal of Business Psychology, 25. 555-568

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Example of the use of theory to explain studyphenomenon

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What you need to do?

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Review 5 journals Identify the research problem put forward by the

researchers. Example:

Kajian ini telah mengemukakan tiga permasalahan kajian. Pertama, pengajimengatakan bahawa tidak semua kajian yang dijalankan telah mengesahkanbahawa ketidakjujuran akademik mempunyai pelbagai bentuk. Pemasalahankedua, pengaji mengatakan tidak semua kajian yang telah dijalankanmembincangkan tentang perpsesi ketidakjujuran akademik yang berbeza diantara pelajar dan pensyarah. Pemasalahan ketiga pula, pengkajimengatakan bahawa kebanyakan kajian yang telah dijalankan berkenaandengan kedua-dua perkara di atas hanya dijalankan secara deskriptif sahaja.(Problem from journal article in Slide 14)