CHARACTERISTICS OF

A GOOD RESEARCH
 CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD A
RESEARCH
1. Research gathers new data from
primary or secondary sources.
2. Research is directed towards the
solution of a problem and does not
make use of dogma(code of belief)
or revelation as reliable sources of
information. It accepts only verifiable
observations.
 CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD A
RESEARCH
3. Research is systematic and logical.
It follows an orderly and sequential
procedure that leads to the discovery
of truth, solution to a problem, or
whatever is aimed to be discovered.
4. Research is controlled.
5. Research is empirical. Research is
based on direct experience and
subject to verification by observation.
 CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD A
RESEARCH
6. Research is objective, unbiased, and logical
7. Research employs hypothesis/ses. The
purpose is to guide the investigation
process.
8. Research is done by an expert.
9. Research activities are not hurried and the
researcher is patient and not easily
discouraged when expectations are contrary
to results obtained from the experimental
tests.
 CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD A
RESEARCH
10. Research demands courage.
11. Research is replicable.
12. Research is cyclical. It starts with
a problem and ends with a problem.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RESEARCH AND
PROBLEM-SOLVING
RESEARCH
1. There may not be a problem, only
interest in answering a question or
query
2. A research problem is more rigorous
and broader in scope
3. The research problem is not
necessarily specifically defined
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RESEARCH AND
PROBLEM-SOLVING

4. Research is conducted not primarily

to solve a problem, but to make a
contribution to general knowledge.
5. Research is concerned with broad
problem and wide applications. It
generates more problems to
explore.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RESEARCH AND
PROBLEM-SOLVING
PROBLEM-SOLVING
1. There is always a problem to be solved
2. A problem to solve is less rigorous and
less broad
3. The problem to be solved has to be
defined specifically
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RESEARCH AND
PROBLEM-SOLVING

4. Problem solving is always intended to

solve a problem.
5. Problem solving is concerned with a
specific problem and once the
problem is solved it is the end .
Identifying the Research Problem
 Identifying a Research Problem
►Practitioners in the field may encounter
difficulties or problems in their daily work that
need to be researched.
►Graduate students on campus may have to
search to find a “problem” they can research
for their thesis or class project.
● Whatever the situation, the identification and
selection of a research problem is the first step in
the research process.
 Problem?
1. A question raised for inquiry, consideration
or solution
2. A complicated unsettled question
Source: Webster’s 7th New
Collegiate Dictionary
What do we do with Problems?
►Ignore them
►Talk about them
►Try to solve them
What is a Research Problem?
►It is a problem that someone would like to
investigate.
►It is considered a situation that needs to
be changed or addressed.
►These problems consist of:
 Areas of concern
 Conditions to be improved
 Difficulties to be eliminated
 Questions seeking answers
The Research Problem

►In educational research, the

research problem is typically posed
as a question.
Identification and Selection of the
Research Problem
 For a beginning researcher the most
difficult part is the identification of the
research problem for investigation.

Sekaran (1992) characterizes a research

problem as "a situation where a gap exists
between the actual and the desired ideal
state."
 Problem identification requires the
researcher to be sensitive to, and observant of,
what is happening within the firm, its
environment, and the larger business
community.

The Researcher must be able to ask the

right questions at the right time to generate
research problems. With sufficient motivation,
the researcher must be able to perceive events
in the business world as possible sources of
research problems.
 A researcher within the firm may easily
identify possible research problems. The
researcher's task becomes more of
prioritizing the firm's numerous problems,
given the available resources and time
constraint. However, a student researcher
might find identifying the research problem
cumbersome, for lack of exposure to
authentic business operations or
inadequate environment exploration.
Factors to consider in Selecting a Research
Problem
►The topic should be
(significant)
● Writing a thesis or dissertation
is an exercise to learn how
to conduct research.
 More Factors to Consider…
►Consider the feasibility of the project.
● How much available time do you have
 Do you really want to do a longitudinal study that
will take 3 years to complete for a MS thesis?
● How difficult is it. Are data available?
● How much will it cost?
More Factors…
►Make sure the topic is ethical to
study.
Factors to Consider in Selecting a
Research Problem
►You should have a personal
interest in the topic.
● By the time you are done, you may
really be tired of the topic
More Factors to Consider…
►The “newness” of the topic may
hold you interest longer, however
there is some value in repeating
previous research
 More Factors…
►Practical value of the
problem
►Institutional or
administrative cooperation
►Training and special
qualifications
“Strategies to Identify
Research Problems”
 1. Read the literature
► Read the literature. Books, journal, theses,
dissertations, monographs, and similar research
publications provide information on areas that
are frequently studied; those that are new, being
explored, or just started; those that are off-
shoots of previous studies, and areas
recommended for future undertaking.
► Reviewing related literature is the most
important step for purposes of identifying the
research problem. Inability to undertake this
step will result in the failure of the entire study.
2. Search Using Computer Technology

►Search Using Computer Technology

Because of the advancements in
technology, it is possible to get ideas in
less time and find out what have
already been done in the various fields
related to business by surfing the
internet.
Search Engines
► A useful activity is doing research through the
internet particularly with the help of search
engines.
► Search Engines are web page directories that
provide a listing of general areas that one wants
to look for (people, events, places, subjects,
country and a lot of other categories).
► It has a search function that enables one to
specify the area that one wants to research. In
turn, the search engine provides a listing of all
the websites that can be visited related to the
area of interest indicated.
Commonly Used Search Engines

► www.google.com ► www.supercrawler.com
► www.yahoo.com ► www.netcraft.com
► www.msn.com ► www.abcsearch.com
► www.excite.com ► www.mamma.com
► www.altavista.com ► www.looksmart.com
► www.cyber411.com ► www.netscape.com
► www.search.com ► www.overture.com
► www.yehey.com ► www.business.com
► www.askjeeves.com ► www.alleba.com
► www.northernlight.com ► www.search.aol.com
► www.alltheweb.com ► www.wisenut.com
► www.metacrawler.com ► www.search.epnet.global.com
 Search engines, however , are
preferably used if one is certain and
specific about a particular topic to
research. The said search engines
could not immediately narrow down
the list of recommended websites
addresses and cannot lead to a listing
of thousands of websites that the
researcher may not need.
3. Inquire from Business
Practitioners
► Many business practitioners (i.e., managers,
technical staff, or entrepreneurs) have a good
grasp of what happens in the industry because
of their exposure and actual involvement. Their
success/failure stories provide many venues for
research. Many of these entrepreneurs and
business people are very willing to share their
success stories and other ideas which can
stimulate further research.
4. Ask Technocrats
►Ask Technocrats – Civil service
professionals from government agencies
and other departments affecting the
business sector can also give suggestions,
especially those that will involve policy
formulation.
► A technical expert, especially one in a
managerial or administrative position.
Researchable vs. Non-researchable Questions
How does one find topics to research?
►Become a scholar in an area of
specialization
►Read, listen, discuss and think critically
►Follow up on ideas that stem from
present research
►Explore areas of dissatisfaction
Steps in “Zeroing In” on a Problem
►Identify a broad area that interests you
►Read the literature
►Narrow the area to 2 or 3 topics
►Thoroughly examine the literature on the
2-3 topics
►Select a single problem from 2-3 topics
Refining the Topic
►The topic has to be “sized”!
● Generally this means reducing the
scope of the topic, occasionally it
might be expanded.
● Graduate students often select
topics that are too broad
 I want to develop a
cel phone
application…

Way too general and broad!

 I want to develop a
game application for
Android phones.

Much Better!