PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION &

FORMULATION EXERCISE

The purpose of this exercise is to give your experience with some critical aspects of the beginning part of the research process which is primarily a thinking process. You will learn how to state researchable questions, the purpose of a research study, identify study design and consider the consistency between research question and purpose.

• Write down what you believe to be a researchable question that can be studied with a qualitative design:

• Write down what you believe to be a researchable question that can be studied with a quantitative design.

• Present your research questions to your small group members for feedback re: the validity of your proposed research questions. Are they researchable. If so, why. If not, why?

• Jot down notes here reflecting this feedback:

• Restate both kinds of research questions here as needed from group feedback

• State a purpose for each of your proposed studies i.e. what are they intended to contribute or be used for?

• Will the answers (study results) to your research questions allow the purpose of the study to be realized. Are your research questions and study purpose consistent?

• What kind of study design would your quantitative have – cross-sectional or longitudinal. Explain your selection i.e. what makes it one or the other?

• If your study is cross-sectional would it be exploratory, descriptive or explanatory? Explain.

• If your study is longitudinal would it be a trend, cohort or panel study. Explain.