Research Question/ Questionnaire – In its most common sense, methodology is the study of research methods. However, the term can also refer to the methods themselves or to the philosophical discussion of associated background assumptions. A method is a structured procedure for bringing about a certain goal, like acquiring knowledge or verifying knowledge claims. This normally involves various steps, like choosing a sample, collecting data from this sample, and interpreting the data. The study of methods concerns a detailed description and analysis of these processes. It includes evaluative aspects by comparing different methods.
In this way, their benefits and drawbacks are evaluated, as well as the research goals for which they may be used. These descriptions and evaluations are predicated on philosophical background assumptions; examples include how to conceptualize the phenomena under study and what constitutes evidence in favor of or against them. In its broadest sense, methodology encompasses the discussion of these more abstract issues.
Research Question/ Questionnaire
Definition of Research Question:
A research question is an answerable inquiry into a specific concern or issue. It is the initial step in a research project. The ‘initial step’ means after you have an idea of what you want to study, the research question is the first active step in the research project.
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A Research Question is a statement that identifies the phenomenon to be studied. For example, “What resources are helpful to new and minority drug abuse researchers?
Questionnaire
A questionnaire is a research instrument consisting of a series of questions for the purpose of gathering information from respondents.
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The questionnaire is the main instrument for collecting data in survey research. Basically, it is a set of standardized questions, often called items, which follow a fixed scheme in order to collect individual data about one or more specific topics
Types of Research Question:
Three main types of research questions:
| Causal Questions | Compares two or more phenomena and determines if a relationship exists. Often called relationship research questions. Example: Does the amount of calcium in the diet of elementary school children effect the number of cavities they have per year? |
| Descriptive Questions | Seek to describe a phenomena and often study “how much”, “how often”, or “what is the change”. Example: How often do college-aged students use Twitter? |
| Comparative Questions | Aim to examine the difference between two or more groups in relation to one or more variables. The questions often begin with “What is the difference in. Example: What is the difference in caloric intake of high school girls and boys? |
Characteristics of a good research question
1. Relevant: Arising from issues raised in literature and/or practice, the question will be of academic and intellectual interest.
2. Manageable: You must be able to access your sources of data (be they documents or people), and to give a full and nuanced answer to your question.
3. Substantial and original: The question should showcase your imaginative abilities, however far it may be couched in existing literature.
4. Fit for assessment: Remember, you must satisfy the learning outcomes of your course. Your question must be open to assessment, as well as interesting.
5. Clear and simple: A clear and simple research question will become more complex as yourresearch progresses. Start with an uncluttered question then unpeel the layers in your reading and writing.
6. Interesting: Make your question interesting, but try to avoid questions which are convenient or flashy. Remember, you will be thinking about this question for an entire year.
Important thing considered to find the feasibility of the research study:
Conducting a feasibility study need not be difficult or expensive, but the most important aspects should all be taken into account to ensure that potential problems are addressed. The following questions that can be answered by a feasibility study are addressed:
| 1. Is there a demand for the produce? | (Find out the characteristics required of the product and the size and value of the market) |
| 2. Who else is producing similar products? | (Determine the number and type of competitors) |
| 3. What is needed to make the product? | (Find the availability and cost of staff, equipment, services, raw materials, ingredients and packaging). |
| 4. What is the cost of producing a product? | (Calculate the capital costs of getting started and the operating costs of production) |
| 5. What is the likely profit? | (Calculate the difference between the expected income from sales to an estimated share of the market and the costs of production) |
Each of these aspects should be looked at in turn. When all the information has been gathered and analyzed, it should be possible to make a decision on whether the proposed investment in the business is worthwhile or whether the producer’s money could be better spent doing something else. The same considerations should be taken into account when an existing entrepreneur wishes to diversify production or make a new product.
Importance for formulating a research question:
- A research question is the preliminary step in conducting a research study. A research problem helps to understand the research procedure in a better manner.
- In actual the purpose of the research question is to determine the objective and intention of the research.
- A research question can help to identify each and every step of the research process: the study design, sampling strategy, and research instrument and research analysis.
- The research question should have great clarity since the research process in itself generates more questions. In the absence of a clear and well defined research question the researcher can become confused.
- In addition the research question or research problem should have to be interesting so that the researcher become well engaged in the research. The passion of the researcher in conducting the research matters a lot in the research.
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