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Rationale of The Study

The document discusses the rationale of conducting a study, which provides justification for why the research must be done. An effective rationale should identify a gap in current literature, explain how the study will help answer the research question and expand knowledge, and solve a specific problem. It should also contribute to the researcher's professional development and use valid arguments to explain the importance of the study. Questions to consider for the rationale include identifying the research problem and benefits, as well as how the study will further current understanding. The validity of the rationale can be supported by references, reports, context details, or evidence.

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Jerome Policarpio
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162 views

Rationale of The Study

The document discusses the rationale of conducting a study, which provides justification for why the research must be done. An effective rationale should identify a gap in current literature, explain how the study will help answer the research question and expand knowledge, and solve a specific problem. It should also contribute to the researcher's professional development and use valid arguments to explain the importance of the study. Questions to consider for the rationale include identifying the research problem and benefits, as well as how the study will further current understanding. The validity of the rationale can be supported by references, reports, context details, or evidence.

Uploaded by

Jerome Policarpio
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Rationale of the

Study
Objective:

provide the justifications/reasons for


conducting research
Rational
Rationale
Rationale
● an explanation of controlling principles of
opinion, belief, practice, or phenomena
● an underlying reason : basis
Rationale
In the context of research writing, a rationale
pertains to the reasons why the study must be
conducted. Such justification is provided by the
researcher to highlight the significant points of
the problem to be addressed in the study.
● Is there a need to conduct a study about your
chosen research topic?
● Is there a need to conduct a study about your
chosen research topic?
● Does it pose a significant research problem?
● Is there a need to conduct a study about your
chosen research topic?
● Does it pose a significant research problem?
● Does it matter to your academic discipline?
Research justification
is considered as the initial step in writing a research
paper. This step involves the skill on how the researcher
will provide the readers with critical background or
contextual information that introduces the research
topic. Moreover, it needs to indicate the reasons why
the proposed research actually matters. In doing so, the
researcher must be able to get the audience's attention
right from the introduction.
How to Write the
Rationale of the
Study
The research needs to contribute to the
elimination of a gap in the literature.
The research needs to contribute to the
elimination of a gap in the literature.

The researcher must fill in the identified research gap


that the study seeks to address considering the existing
literature. It must present how the study will help in
answering the research question and expanding
knowledge about the research topic or subject.
The research needs to contribute to the
elimination of a gap in the literature.

To effectively compose the rationale, the researcher


must look for various sources that are related to the
study and identify the gaps in the current literature.
Research gaps refer to ‘what is missing’ or ‘what are
the open questions of the study’. These gaps in the
literature pertain to problems, issues or questions that
have not been addressed or are yet to be understood.
The research can be conducted to solve a specific
problem.
The research can be conducted to solve a specific
problem.

The researcher must explain in a detailed manner on


how the study will help in solving a specific problem. It
needs to highlight all practical benefits associated with
the proposed solution.
The research can be conducted to solve a specific
problem.

Moreover, it will be more reasonable to conduct


research if there is an urgent need to solve the existing
problem and if it is relevant to either local or global
contexts, or both. People will more likely appreciate the
study if they can relate to it and if they can somehow
benefit from the results of the study.
The study has to contribute to the level of
professional development of the researcher.
The study has to contribute to the level of
professional development of the researcher.

The researcher must ensure that the study to be


conducted will improve his/her personal capabilities
related to life career or field of specialization.
Providing valid arguments will also help the
researcher in explaining the importance of the
study. Kennedy (2006) noted that there must be a
rationale for every aspect of the study. He used
the following table to see how rationale differs.
Rationale for: Study A Study B

Research question I was curious about it. I noticed a discrepancy in


the research and wanted to
test it.

Sample I happened to know these These teachers represented


teachers. the population other
researchers have been
studying.

Comparison I didn’t bother to compare I compared them with


them with anyone else another group who were
because I knew they were similar to them in all respect
honest people. except their knowledge
about this one issue of
interest to me.
Rationale for: Study A Study B

Data collection It was easiest for me to do, The data I collected were
didn’t have time for anything directly relevant to the
more. discrepancy I wanted to
learn about.

Interpretation The patterns I see make The patterns I see are


sense and fit with my own consistent with one version
personal experience. of this theory but not with
the other. Therefore, they
raise questions about the
second version of this
theory.
Kennedy (2006) pointed out that people will be analyzing how
serious a researcher is in examining the issue closely and in
trying to learn something. He further mentioned that critics can
challenge the validity or relevance of research findings if they
believe there was something non-typical about the people
selected for study, something biased in the way you selected
people for study, something unfair about the groups
compared, something wrong with the way you questions were
phrased, and so forth.
Here are some questions to be considered in
presenting justifications:

● Why is this research important?


● What real life or everyday problem, issue, or question
does the research relate to?
● Can people relate to the problem in local or global
context?
● What benefit does the research promise?
● Are the units of analysis and observation clearly
identified?
Here are some questions to be considered in
presenting justifications:

● What does the researcher hope to find out?


● What was wrong or incomplete about prior efforts
conducted on the same problem?
● Does the research extend understanding of the
phenomena being investigated?
● Does it elaborate or fill in the gaps in the present
knowledge?
● What is the research ultimately trying to achieve?
Bastalich (2019) highlighted that the validity of the research
justification can be established in a number of ways. Here are
some of them:

● provide references;
● refer to a policy, press report, or other reputable
information source;
● provide a detailed outline of a context, condition,
concern, or situation;
● provide an anecdote or evidence from personal
experience.
THANK YOU

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