HMPYC 80:
Research
Methodology
Chapter 04 –
Framing the Proposed
HMPYC 8
Study
, ➢ 1. Identify a Researchable Topic:
• Before we can conduct or even design A research study, we must have a clear picture of the direction of the
can then be refined in the form of a research problem, problem statement and/or research question.
• It is not uncommon for this initial formulation to be rather vague and imprecise, and thus it needs to be narr
to specific issues for which empirical data can be gathered.
• The first phase of selecting, defining and refining a research topic may soon become a frustrating and time-c
activity, not quite as anticipated.
- If, however, this phase is rushed, you may easily find the need to revert to it later in the process to enable a
• In the broadest sense, motives for undertaking research are associated with the type of research –i.e. wheth
(or theory-orientated) research or whether it is applied (or practice/policy-orientated) research.
- The former is concerned with producing knowledge for understanding, or as is sometimes referred to as kn
the sake of knowledge, and the latter with producing knowledge for action, or for practice and policy purpos
• Basic (or pure) research seeks empirical observations that can be used to formulate or refines theory.
- Applied research, on the other hand, most often is the scientific planning of induced change in a troublesom
• Basic and applied research or complementary: the advancement of knowledge and the solution of problems
scientific necessities.
, ➢ 1. Identify a Researchable Topic:
• On a more pragmatic level, there are other motives underpinning the decision to do research.
- It may be to satisfy the requirements for a course of study or a thesis towards a qualification –either at und
or postgraduate level.
- Research may also be undertaken as contracted research with public or other investor funding, in which cas
research starts as a directive from others within a certain budget.
- Organization-based research is normally shaped to satisfy a need in practice or to gather information to det
course of action, but if the organization is a University, the kind of research undertaken may be aided by the
freedom to inquire about certain topics , afforded to researchers by virtue of being University-based academ
• Researchers need to be accountable for the time and money used to engage in research and, more often, re
projects will only be supported where clear benefits and measurable outcomes can be demonstrated.
➢ 1.1. Sources of Research Topics:
• In some respects, it is more the extent of possible topics than the absence of one that makes the selection
decision.
- Regardless of the forces behind the selection of a research topic, it is more important to bear in mind tha
research project requires commitment in terms of time, money, energy and other resources, and unless it
underpinned by a level of excitement, interest or passion, the project is bound to fail on some level or ano
• For the purposes of this context, the sources of research topics will be broadly classified , namely:
(i) practice (ii) theory (iii) previous research (iv) personal interest or intellectual curiosity.
