Customer Satisfaction and Auditing
Informing Science: the International Journal of an Emerging Transdiscipline
Volume 11, 2008
Framework of Problem-Based Research:
A Guide for Novice Researchers on the
Development of a Research-Worthy Problem
Timothy J. Ellis and Yair Levy
Nova Southeastern University
Graduate School of Computer and Information Sciences
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA ellist@nova.edu, levyy@nova.edu
Abstract
This paper introduces the importance of a well-articulated, research-worthy problem statement as the centerpiece for any viable research. The aim of this work is to help novice researchers understand the value of problem-based research by providing a practical guide on the development of a well articulated and viable statement of a research-worthy problem as the starting point for all research. Additionally, this paper explores the interaction of the problem with the other fundamental elements of scholarly research including the research topic, goals, research questions, methodology, results, and conclusions. Scaffolding for articulating a ‘research-worthy problem’ is provided in the form of a deconstruction of the expression into definitions of its component terms, followed by a discussion of what is not a research-worthy problem. A roadmap on locating problems that could support scholarly research is provided. The theoretical foundation is placed into practice by examining some problem statements and proposing a template for crafting an effective statement.
Keywords: Research methodology, research problem, problem-based research, research questions, theory-based research, doctoral education.
Introduction
The importance of basing research on a well-articulated problem statement is well accepted across disciplines such as information systems, education, and engineering (Creswell, 2005;
Hicks & Turner, 1999; Sekaran, 2003). Unfortunately, just what constitutes a research-worthy problem is not readily apparent, in particular for novice researchers.
Volume 11, 2008
Framework of Problem-Based Research:
A Guide for Novice Researchers on the
Development of a Research-Worthy Problem
Timothy J. Ellis and Yair Levy
Nova Southeastern University
Graduate School of Computer and Information Sciences
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA ellist@nova.edu, levyy@nova.edu
Abstract
This paper introduces the importance of a well-articulated, research-worthy problem statement as the centerpiece for any viable research. The aim of this work is to help novice researchers understand the value of problem-based research by providing a practical guide on the development of a well articulated and viable statement of a research-worthy problem as the starting point for all research. Additionally, this paper explores the interaction of the problem with the other fundamental elements of scholarly research including the research topic, goals, research questions, methodology, results, and conclusions. Scaffolding for articulating a ‘research-worthy problem’ is provided in the form of a deconstruction of the expression into definitions of its component terms, followed by a discussion of what is not a research-worthy problem. A roadmap on locating problems that could support scholarly research is provided. The theoretical foundation is placed into practice by examining some problem statements and proposing a template for crafting an effective statement.
Keywords: Research methodology, research problem, problem-based research, research questions, theory-based research, doctoral education.
Introduction
The importance of basing research on a well-articulated problem statement is well accepted across disciplines such as information systems, education, and engineering (Creswell, 2005;
Hicks & Turner, 1999; Sekaran, 2003). Unfortunately, just what constitutes a research-worthy problem is not readily apparent, in particular for novice researchers.
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