Writing a Research Paperfor PublicationProblem FormulationGuide for preparing and writing paper, review and publicationWriting a Research Paperfor PublicationProblem FormulationGuide for preparing and writing paper, review and publication
Bobby D. Gerardo, Ph.D.
PSITE NCR Seminar
October 10, 2011, TIPQC
Problem FormulationProblem Formulation
Guide in choosing a field of study and research topics.How do we formulate research questions based onthe chosen topic?
Practical problems in the field
Where do research topics comefrom?
Practical problems in the field
Literature in the field
Where do research topics comefrom? (cont)
Practical problems in the field
Literature in the field
Your own thinking
Where do research topics comefrom? (cont)
Tradeoff between rigor and practicality
How long it will take
Ethical constraints
Needed cooperation
Costs
Is the study feasible?
Review the scientific literature
Do the review early
The review can help you
◦See if your idea has been tried
◦Include all relevant constructs
◦Select instruments
◦Anticipate common problems
The Literature Review
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DefinitionsDefinitions
Theory: "A set of interrelated constructs (concepts), definitions, andpropositions that present a systematic view of phenomena specifyingrelations among variables, with the purpose of explaining and predictingthe phenomena.”
Scientific Research: "Scientific research is systematic, controlled,empirical, and critical investigation of hypothetical propositions about thepresumed relations among natural phenomena.”
Hypothesis: "A conjectural statement, a tentative proposition, about therelation between two or more phenomena or variables.”
"If X occurs ...then Y will follow."
Concept: "Expresses an abstraction formed by generalization fromparticulars. E.g. "weight expresses numerous observations of things thatare more or less "heavy or "light." Others: Mass, energy, force,achievement, intelligence, motivation, extraversion., aggressiveness,conformity.
Construct: "is a concept with added meaning, deliberately andconsciously invented or adopted for a special scientific purpose.“ E.g.intelligence – used for a special purpose to relate to school achievementand to other variables of interest.
Operational definition: "assigns a meaning to a construct or a variableby specifying the activities or ‘operations’ necessary to measure it.”
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Research QuestionsResearch Questions
Establishing a background
Choosing a topic (want to & can do)
◦Bootstraps approach (lit review cycle)
◦Your area of interest
◦Feasibility
something you can manipulate (think theory)
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Research Question (cont)Research Question (cont)
Formulating the question
Definitions
Maps:
◦A good question
asks about relationships among constructs
Researchable? Operational definitions adequate?
Is it important? Will it advance theory?
Does it test competing theory
Propositions: central or peripheral?
◦Sources
Theory, intuition, prior research, practical problems, analogy
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Formulating a Question (cont)Formulating a Question (cont)
Review of literature
◦Purposes:
Provides scientific context
Avoid duplication
Id potential problems in conducting the research
◦Types of information
Relevant theories
Previous research on the topic
Previous methods/procedures
Types of analyses (quant/qual;corr/experimental/quasi)
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Formulating a Question (cont)Formulating a Question (cont)
Formulate hypotheses
◦Research hypotheses
“if…then”
Direction (pos v. negative) (one tail or two)
◦Statistical hypotheses
Stated in mean differences (IV-DV),
E.g. H1: Gp1 < Gp2 = Gp3
Direction of relationship (corr)
E.g. “…will be significantly positively related”
Workshop 3 – Writing ResearchQuestionsWorkshop 3 – Writing ResearchQuestions
Based on the title that you proposed andyour abstract, write at least four researchquestions
Make sure that each of the question ismeasurable and attainable
◦Could be addressed by formulating aprototype, system design, algorithm,modification of process etc.
◦There is a possible answer to the question
EndEnd
Thank you
Bobby D. Gerardo
bgerardo@wvsu.edu.ph