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The Challenges of Formulating a Research Problem

The Challenges of Formulating a Research Problem. MA Thesis Course Spring 2011 André Jansson. Finding a problem: Thomas and Brubaker, Ch 4. Critical reading and listening (academia) Topic significance and focus Results applicability: replication – comparison

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The Challenges of Formulating a Research Problem

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  1. The Challenges of Formulating a Research Problem MA Thesis Course Spring 2011 André Jansson

  2. Finding a problem:Thomas and Brubaker, Ch 4 • Critical reading and listening (academia) • Topic significance and focus • Results applicability: replication – comparison • Methods of collecting information • Ways of classifying information • Creating or revising theories • Applying theory THEORY= ”(a) a description of components, varables or factors, and (b) a description of how those components interact to (c) produce some outcome.”

  3. Continued… • ”Problems encountered on the job”; i e real life problems based on lived experience of various kinds. • Altogether, a basic distinction can be made between research problems that are mainly theoretically grounded and those that are contextually (social, economic, political etc) motivated. AIM FOR RELEVANCE WITHIN BOTH REALMS!

  4. What is understood by a good research problem? • Does your question need research or is it just a matter of (a) proving your own thesis or (b) gathering information about something you’re interested in? • Will the result of your research be significant? In what way? For whom? Avoid too simplistic problems! • What are the available resources for realizing the project? (a) competence, (b) time, (c) other resources (e g money, equipment)

  5. Summary: What to consider in your research proposal • Explain what motivates your research problem in terms of (a) theoretical/methodological development, (b) social/societal conditions. • Specify your reserach problem through a number of distinct research questions! • Each question must be motivated by and contributing to the explication of the overall research problem. • Each question must be significant and motivating research.

  6. How does YOUR research problem live up to those criteria?

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