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03a Problem substantiation and argument 2022

The document provides a framework for creating annotated bibliographies and outlines the process of defining a research problem. It emphasizes the importance of identifying specific topics within a broader theme, assessing the relevance and complexity of potential problems, and ensuring they contribute to the body of knowledge. Additionally, it discusses the epistemological considerations in research and the necessary alignment between the problem area, research problem, and research question.

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simeonfourie12
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4 views31 pages

03a Problem substantiation and argument 2022

The document provides a framework for creating annotated bibliographies and outlines the process of defining a research problem. It emphasizes the importance of identifying specific topics within a broader theme, assessing the relevance and complexity of potential problems, and ensuring they contribute to the body of knowledge. Additionally, it discusses the epistemological considerations in research and the necessary alignment between the problem area, research problem, and research question.

Uploaded by

simeonfourie12
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Research Problems and Problem

Statements
Prof Dave Root and Dr. Ria Vosloo

BUQS4031A/4041A
1
Framework for annotated Bibliography
• Title and Author(s)
• Date published
• Problem
• Context
• Methods used
• Assumptions
• Limitations
• Findings
• Concepts
• Theories
• Unresolved issues
• Linkage to your own research
• Full reference (Wits-Harvard style)
• Electronic source

2
Part a of assignment 1

• Consider your theme


• Try to find a specific topic in this theme that you want to
know more about
• Search for articles on the topic
• Read the abstracts and decide if the article will be useful
to you
• Select 6 articles and read in more detail – discussin your
group
• In the prescribed format – do the annotated
bibliographies – you must submit at least 6 for the
assignment – but ultimately 30+ needs to be done for
assignment 3
Part a- assignment 1

Annotated Key current literature found


bibliographies Analysis reflect articles
Relevance to topic area analysed
Recency (in last 5 years)
Appropriate sources

4
An investigator starts research in a new
field with faith, a foggy idea, and a few
wild experiments. Eventually the
interplay of negative and positive
results guides the work. By the time the
research is completed, he or she knows
how it should have been started and
conducted.
Donald Cram
Now to define your research problem

The Problem
Area

The
Research
Problem Trade off – between do-
ability and ability to
contribute to problem area
Research problem
• This is not the research topic
• There are many possible problems in a research
topic
• The student should be responsible for the
articulation of a research problem
• This is often a very slow process that leads to
frustration for the student and the supervisor
• The context of the problem and the
relevance is very different in the various
disciplines and levels of research
What Kind of Problem do you need ?
• Is it relevant to your discipline?
• Is it real – can it be substantiated?
• Who owns this problem?
• What further contributions can be made through
addressing this problem?
• What other benefits can you get from addressing
this problem
•Can you live with this problem for the next
year?
•Can your group agree about it?
•How does the supervisor feel about it?
Extracting a Research Problem

Substantiate Empirically
Background
Problem Substantiate BOK
IN YOUR
DOMAIN
Tra
d eO
ff Research
Problem

Relevant, Contributes &


Do- able
Finding a Problem?

Where can I find a problem


• Current Research streams within the school
• Research interest from supervisors
• Research problems identified by possible funders
• Identified from literature

• In fact- nearly anywhere- BUT BE PRACTICAL


Is this a good problem?

Let us explore possible problems


Characteristics of research problems

• Level of complexity of problem


• Substantiation requirements
• Discipline dependent
• Theory to practice focused
• Relevance to discipline
• Level and type of contribution
• Supervision capacity
• Scope in relation to time and other resources
The U Model- Step 1
Moving from problem area to research
question i r i c al
o n
p E m ta n ti a ti
u b s
The Problem Area S

BOK
Subs
ta n ti a ti
The Research on
Problem

Research Cleaning up
Question
Substantiation
• Requires knowledge of subject area
• Requires knowledge of context
• Depends on level of study
• Depends on discipline
Can I substantiate this problem?
• What empiric evidence support this problem?
• Where is this problem discussed?
• Who grapples with the problem?
• Will this problem be relevant in your specific
circumstance?
• Will you find a problem sponsor?
• How many recent sources of literature
mentions it as a problem?
Who owns this problem and what does it
mean?

Let us Discuss it !!!!!!!!


NQF 8 level descriptors
Problem solving in respect of which a
learner is able to demonstrate the ability to
use a range of specialised skills to identify,
analyse and address complex or abstract
problems drawing systematically on the
body of knowledge and methods
appropriate to a field, discipline or practice.
Is this still a good problem and can I
address it?

Let us explore your problems


Trade Offs?
• How small is this problem relative to Background problem?
• How will you be able to generalize?
• What are the practical problems that you can currently
foresee?
• Can you actually do the research within the allocated time?
• Will you be able to attract a supervisor with this research
problem?
• Will you be able to attract other support (including funding)
with this problem?
•Does this problem make sense and does it have
meaning to you?
Will it contribute to the BOK?
REMEMBER YOU ARE NOT AT A D LEVEL YET
• Does the answer to this problem exist in the current body of
knowledge?
• Who is working on it? What are they doing

YOU ARE NOT DOING A CONSULTING JOB!!!


Where is the research problem reflected?
Now some of the earlier questions are crucial:
• On whose agenda is it
• Will it stay there
• Will I get resources
• Will it position me in the immediate future
What will I do with the problem
The Problem
Area

The
Research
Problem

Research
Question
Structured
Research
Question
Alignment
The Problem
Area

Title The Aim


Research
Problem

Research
Question
Some uses of my Research Problem

Research
TITLE Problem
AIM
Stating Problem

Statement:………..

Leading to Consequences:………..
Aim

This study will---(solve problem statement)


In order to to……….
Title

Predominant protocol
• Action word
• Two (or more) variables
• Relationship between variables
• Possible strategy of research
• Possible context
• NO MORE THAN TEN (10) words
How we know and Why do we
want to know is often linked

You must be clear about this


Knowledge is built ON
Knowledge – so what can you
use to build the form of
knowledge that you want to
build?
28
Epistemology (How do we know)
e.g. Logical empiricism

OBJECTIVISM TRUTH IS? SUBJECTIVISM


Epistemology (How do we know)
e.g. Logical empiricism

OBJECTIVISM TRUTH IS? SUBJECTIVISM

How do we know?

Positivism Critical Interpretivism/


Realism/ Constructivism/
Relativism Phenemological
Epistemology (How do we know)
e.g. Logical empiricism

OBJECTIVISM TRUTH IS? SUBJECTIVISM

How do we know?

Positivism Critical Interpretivism/


Realism Constructivism

Value free Cannot be


What can be understood as Can only be
observed independent perceived
of social within specific
context context by
Actors

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