Research questions and research objectives

08/02/2015 Prof. A.H.Sequeira 1

Research Questions

and

Research Objectives

By

Dr. Aloysius H. Sequeira,

Professor,

National Institute of Technology Karnataka,

Surathkal.

email : [email protected]

Why do research?

Main purpose of doing research :

1. To Fill knowledge gaps

-Academic research

2. For Problem solving


What is Preplanned Research

Step1 : Usually begin with a

topic/problem (sources : personal

experiences, state of knowledge in the

field , solving problem , curiosity based on

something in the media , personal values,

social premiums and everyday life).

Step2 : Topic is narrowed down into

focused Research Question/s.


Formulating Research

Questions Research answers questions - but what kinds

of questions - and where do the questions come from?

Understanding the reality – How is world is -what is happening –Positive questions?

Understanding how you want world to look like – Normative questions?

Research is well suited for answering positive questions .

Research does not help much in answering normative questions


Research Questions

The research question defines the “area of interest” but it is not a declarative statement like a hypothesis

Research question :main broad questions -general focus

Research question may be complemented by a few Investigative Questions :secondary/sub questions-specific -to narrow the focus-important for data measurement


Research Questions

A clear research statement or

problem must translate into a

research question.

Research question to be fact-oriented,

information –gathering question.

Research question must be capable of

being confirmed or refuted.


Research Questions –

Qualitative study Both qualitative and quantitative studies

suit for some topics.

Some topics are well suited for qualitative

study – topics loosely defined- research

question become clear only during the

research process.

Data is used to narrow the focus in

qualitative study- literature review helps.


Research Questions –

Quantitative study Topic is narrowed into a focused

Research question.

Focusing the question helps in developing

a testable hypothesis in quantitative study.

Research questions refer to relationship

among a small number of variables.

Listing the variables is needed to focus

the topic on research questions .


Research Question -Example

Single question

Which methods and tools should be developed to

make current manufacturing control / supervision

systems reusable and swiftly modifiable?


Research question - Example

Multiple questions

“Q1: What are the main components of logistics costs that determine the logistics and transport network design?

Q2: To what extent are the existing network design and evaluation

models sufficient and how can collaboration be incorporated in the network design methodology?

Q3: How can economies of scale and scope, present in the network,

be taken into account in the network design?

Q4: Is it possible to set boundaries to the development path of the network, and search for a feasible path instead of searching solely

for a feasible solution? “


Research Questions –Example

Research Topic : An International

comparison of Technology Adoption Testing

the UTAUT Model

RQ1 How does acceptance of a

technology vary across cultures?

RQ2 What factors in the UTAUT model

most significantly differ across cultures

and what are the implications of these

differences?


RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

• Research objectives are the specific

actions/ activities to answer the research

questions .

• Objectives indicate what we are trying to

get from the study or the expected results /

outcome of the study.

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

• Research objectives should be clear , achievable and

verifiable - as they directly assist in answering the

research questions / problem .

• Objectives may be specified in the form of actions

(verbs) to answer the posed questions-

generally objectives begin with to :

discover …, determine …, establish …access……,

identify……, compare …., analyze , evaluate…..,

…etc.

Example I: How Research Questions

(RQs) and Research Objectives(ROs)

can be developed for a Research topic

Research Topic :

An Exploratory study on Ethnic population

and product choices with reference to Indian

settlers in Africa.


Example :Research Topic – Exploratory study on

Ethnic population and product choices with

reference to Indian settlers in Africa.

Research Questions (RQ) & Objectives(RO)

RQ1.How far do settlers stick to their culture and values which is then reflected on consumption?

RO1. To measure the percentage of the Indian settlers in select African countries who still follow the culture and customs of their Country Of Origin.





RQ 2. To what extent is the assimilation of

cultures taking place which will have a

bearing on consumption.

RO2. To determine the extent the Indian

settlers have a tendency to assimilate with

the host country.


Example :Research Topic – An Exploratory study

on Ethnic population and product choices with


RQ 3. Whether subsequent generations of

settlers exhibit the same characteristics of the first generation settlers?

RO 3. To determine the extent of acculturation that had taken place of these Indian settlers in the host country and the importance the Indian settlers place on ethnic values.





RQ 4. To what extent host culture is

showing changes in adopting immigrant’s

culture and values.

RO 4 To find out whether the second and

subsequent generation of Indian settlers

exhibit similar behavior of the first

generation of Indian settlers.





RO 5. To develop a model which can be

applied by the exporters to use the ethnic

advantage in their Product design.

(This objective specifically is focused on

Researcher’s contribution to the body of

knowledge – in a major project or thesis)


Example II - Framing Research

questions for a problem


Research Problem :

MCP is oldest of 3 banks in Mangalore.

It is also the largest of 3 cooperative banks in town.

It is observed that profits are declining for last 5 years.

Find an appropriate solution to the given problem through research ?

Step 1 : First stage of research

Process


Identify and formulate the following:

a) What research approach to adopt?

b) Frame the research questions

c) Frame the investigative questions?

d) Write the research objectives?

Step 2 : Framing research questions


What research approach to adopt?

Research Approach- exploratory

Frame the research question?

Research Question 1: ( main RQ- Focus is to find out lack of deposit growth )

What is the public position regarding financial services of the bank?

Step 3 : Framing the investigative

questions


Frame the investigative questions?

Investigative questions 1: what specific financial services are used?

Investigative questions 2: how attractive are the various schemes

Investigative questions 3: What bank specific and environmental factors influence a person use specific service?

Step 4 : Framing research objectives


Write the research objectives?

RO 1 : To study the public position of the bank regarding financial services and use?

RO2 : To determine the banks competitive position in the region?

RO3 : To suggest ways and means to improve the performance of the bank?

RO4 : To develop a strategy to maintain and enhance the image of the bank in the region ?

Summary-Research Questions


Research questions ( broad/ general )

Investigative questions (specific/sub

question/ operationalization of

variables )

Research objectives ( statement of

intention/actions intended )

Research questions and research objectives

Education

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