Some MSc and Ph.D. supervisors are having a lot of issues with understanding the Problem Statement of their students' research works. Sometimes, it leads to complete rejection of the whole research work. I think the standard methodology students adopt in their researches is equally important because standard procedures/methodology followed in any research is as important as the final result.
The research question is essential because it informs the methodology. The problem usually arises because many PhD student adopt the opposite way of thinking, i.e. they start from the methodology and then 'fit' the research question post-hoc. I have been guilty of this myself when I was doing my PhD, and I believe the main reason is that it represents. a more reassuring and straightforward thought process in the short term.
However, it often does not stand up to many long-term challenges people may face in research, e.g. when a methodology turns out to be unfeasible. If you started from the research question, you can easily explore alternatives, but if your mainstay was the methodology itself, then you're likely to have to start from scratch.
The research question is essential because it informs the methodology. The problem usually arises because many PhD student adopt the opposite way of thinking, i.e. they start from the methodology and then 'fit' the research question post-hoc. I have been guilty of this myself when I was doing my PhD, and I believe the main reason is that it represents. a more reassuring and straightforward thought process in the short term.
However, it often does not stand up to many long-term challenges people may face in research, e.g. when a methodology turns out to be unfeasible. If you started from the research question, you can easily explore alternatives, but if your mainstay was the methodology itself, then you're likely to have to start from scratch.
I agree with Nicolò Zarotti, since the research problem statement will ultimately inform your research questions and objectives that will form the basis for selecting suitable methodology!
The whole point of the methods is to address the research questions. If you do not have well specified research questions, then there is no way to assess whether the methods are adequate for answering them.
Hi,
Methodology (or can be said a plan of action in academic research) is determined/decided by basing on the research questions by the researcher. The research questions are determined/decided by basing on the (clear) statement of the problem. Therefore, there is firstly need to be clearly/focused statement of the problem, and then methodology comes. In other words, the statement of the problem will be key driver in deciding your methodology - and even the rest of the research process. That is why, it is a key point in an academic research.
Statement of problem is all about the research questions to solve regarding research at hand. Statement of problem in research work is very important as it will caption the mind of reader and make them know the reason for carrying out such research on a particular topic at a particular location. Something prompt the researcher to write on such title/topic. From the statement of problem, the methodology to be adopted can then focus on the research questions highlighted.
- Badges
- Science method
- Similar topics
- Methodology