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Elements of Research-1

Here is a one page description of an area within computer science that holds promise for finding a research question along with an example research question: Artificial intelligence and machine learning are areas within computer science that fascinate me and hold a lot of potential for new research questions. Advances in AI and machine learning have led to many applications like self-driving cars, personalized product recommendations, and predictive analytics. However, there are still many open problems and opportunities for new research. One particular area that interests me is using machine learning for medical diagnosis. Machine learning algorithms have shown success in areas like detecting cancers from medical images. However, applying these techniques for diagnosing complex conditions is still an ongoing challenge. A potential research question could be: How

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Asad Arshad
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42 views

Elements of Research-1

Here is a one page description of an area within computer science that holds promise for finding a research question along with an example research question: Artificial intelligence and machine learning are areas within computer science that fascinate me and hold a lot of potential for new research questions. Advances in AI and machine learning have led to many applications like self-driving cars, personalized product recommendations, and predictive analytics. However, there are still many open problems and opportunities for new research. One particular area that interests me is using machine learning for medical diagnosis. Machine learning algorithms have shown success in areas like detecting cancers from medical images. However, applying these techniques for diagnosing complex conditions is still an ongoing challenge. A potential research question could be: How

Uploaded by

Asad Arshad
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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RESEARCH METHODS

STEPS IN RESEARCH PROCESS


STEPS IN RESEARCH PROCESS

 1. Introduction
 Research Problem

 2. Literature Review
 3. Objectives
 4. Research Design
 Sample Design

 5. Data Collection
 6. Data Analysis
 7. Generalization and Interpretation
 8. Reporting
STEP 1. RESEARCH PROBLEM

 First and most crucial step

 Main function

 Decide what you want to find out about

 Determines almost every step that follows


SOURCES OF RESEARCH PROBLEMS

 Research revolves around four Ps:


 People
 a group of individuals

 Problems
 examine the existence of certain issues or problems

 Programs
 to evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention

 Phenomena
 to establish the existence of a regularity.

 In practice most research studies are based upon at least a combination of two
Ps.
ASPECTS

 Every research study has two aspects:

 Study population
 Subject area
ASPECTS: STUDY POPULATION

 The researcher collects information about them


 People
 Individuals
 Organizations
 Groups
 Communities
ASPECTS: SUBJECT AREA

 Problems:

 issues, situations, associations, needs, profiles

 Program :

 content, structure, out Comes, attributes, satisfactions, consumers, service providers, etc.

 Phenomenon:

 cause-and-effect relationships, the study of a phenomenon itself

 You can examine the professional field of your choice in the context of the four Ps in order to identify

anything that looks interesting.


CONSIDERATIONS IN SELECTING A RESEARCH PROBLEM

 These help to ensure that your study will remain manageable and that you will
remain motivated.
 Interest
 Magnitude
 Measurement of concepts
 Level of expertise
 Relevance
 Availability of data
 Ethical issues
CONSIDERATIONS: INTEREST

 A research endeavor is usually


 Time consuming
 Involves hard work
 Possibly unforeseen problems

 One should select topic of great interest to sustain the required motivation.
CONSIDERATIONS: MAGNITUDE

 It is extremely important to select a topic


 One can manage within time
 Resources at your disposal

 Narrow the topic down to something


 Manageable
 Specific
 Clear
CONSIDERATIONS: MEASUREMENT OF CONCEPTS

 Make yourself clear about

 The indicators
 Measurement of concepts
CONSIDERATIONS: LEVEL OF EXPERTISE

 Adequate level of expertise


 For the proposed task
 As one need to do the work
CONSIDERATIONS: RELEVANCE

 Adds to the existing body of knowledge


 Bridges current gaps
 Is useful in policy formulation.
CONSIDERATIONS: AVAILABILITY OF DATA

 Before finalizing the topic


 Make sure that data are available.
CONSIDERATIONS: ETHICAL ISSUES

 During the problem formulating stage, thoroughly examine that


 How ethical issues can affect the study population
 How ethical problems can be overcome
RECAP: CONSIDERATIONS IN SELECTING A RESEARCH
PROBLEM

 These help to ensure that your study will remain manageable and that you will remain motivated.
 Interest
 Magnitude
 Measurement of concepts
 Level of expertise
 Relevance
 Availability of data
 Ethical issues
STEPS IN FORMULATION OF A RESEARCH PROBLEM

 It is assumed that the researcher has

 a reasonable level of knowledge in the broad subject area within which the study is to be undertaken.

 a) Identify a subject area of interest

 b) Dissect the broad area into sub areas.

 c) Select what interests you the most.

 d) Raise research questions.

 e) Formulate objectives.

 f) Assess your objectives.


EXAMPLES OF RESEARCH QUESTIONS

 Too narrow:   What is the childhood obesity rate in  Phoenix, AZ?   

 This is too narrow because it can be answered with a simple statistic.  Questions that can be answered with a

"yes" or a "no" should also typically be avoided.

 Less narrow:  How does the education level of the parents impact childhood obesity rates in Phoenix, AZ?

 This question demonstrates the correct amount of specificity and the results would provide the opportunity for an

argument to be formed. 
EXAMPLES OF RESEARCH QUESTIONS

 Unfocused and too broad:  What are the effects of childhood obesity in the United States? 

 This question is so broad that research methodology would be very difficult and the question is too

broad to be discussed in a typical research paper.

 More focused:  How does childhood obesity correlate with academic performance in elementary

school children?

 This question has a very clear focus for which data can be collected, analyzed, and discussed.
EXAMPLES OF RESEARCH QUESTIONS

 Too simple:  How are school systems addressing childhood obesity? 

 This information can be obtained without the need to collect unique data. The question could be answered with a

simple online search and does not provide an opportunity for analysis.

 More Complex:  What are the effects of intervention programs in the elementary schools on the rate of childhood

obesity among 3rd - 6th grade students? 

 This question is more complex and requires both investigation and evaluation which will lead the research to form

an argument that may be discussed.


TASK - 1

 Write one page description of what area within Your Domain (i.e- Zoology, Computer Science, Chemistry) holds the

most promise for you to find a research question to work on

 Do write a research question from the selected area.

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