SOCW 6301 Week 3 Discussion

SOCW 6301 Week 3 Discussion

Discussion: Formulating Research Questions

Research problems can come from a variety of places. A topic can come up during a discussion with a colleague that motivates you to want to learn more about it. You may have a question for which you cannot find an answer, so you decide to conduct a research study in hopes of finding an answer. You may identify a particular gap in knowledge and be inclined to investigate that gap and close it with the results of a research study.

For this Discussion, consider how crafting a good research question is the cornerstone for designing robust studies that yield useable data. Review the Sessions episode on the Talia Johnson case. Locate two articles authored by the researcher David Lisak on the topics of the undetected rapist and predatory nature.

By Day 3

Post two potential research questions related to the Sessions episode. Consider potential ethical or political issues related to the feasibility of investigating the questions. Evaluate each question in terms of how it might:

1.      Contribute to development of new knowledge for social work
2.      Lead to more effective practice interventions
3.      Lead to social change
4.      Be useful to other researchers

Finally, explain the criteria you used to decide which sources of information should be included. Please use the resources to support your answer.

 Quantitative and Qualitative Research Questions

According to Creswell (2009), quantitative research is a “means for testing objective theories by examining the relationship among variables that can be measured and analyzed using statistical procedures.” Qualitative research, Creswell posits, is a “means for exploring and understanding the meaning individuals or groups ascribe to social or human problems.”

Consider the phenomenon of pain. Ethics committees and institutional review boards do not allow researchers to inflict equal doses of pain on subjects to examine their physiological response. In quantitative research, pain can be measured physiologically by blood pressure, changes in blood chemistry, muscle contractions, and pain scales (which are still subjective, but at least quantifiable). Researchers using a qualitative perspective may ask participants about their experience of being in physical pain, whether being in pain has changed them in any way, or what they have learned from experiencing physical pain.

For this Assignment, consider differences in how you might frame a research question in order to explore it using quantitative or qualitative research methods.

Submit a 2-page paper that highlights one of the research questions you shared in your Discussion post. Design a quantitative research question related to this problem and a qualitative research question related to the same problem. Please use the resources to support your answer.

Learning Resources

Note: To access this week’s required library resources, please click on the link to the Course Readings List, found in the Course Materials section of your Syllabus.

SAMPLE ANSWER

The process of formulating Research Questions

Anyone who has done research knows that formulating the right research question is often the most difficult and important part of the process. A well-formulated research question will focus your research and help you stay on track. On the other hand, a poorly-formulated question can lead to wasted time and effort, not to mention frustration. In this blog post, we will explore the process of formulating research questions. We will discuss how to choose a topic, narrow your focus, and develop a clear and concise research question.

The Importance of Research Questions

The formulation of research questions is a central part of the research process, and one that should not be taken lightly. The importance of well-developed research questions lies in their ability to guide the research process and help focus and organize the data collection and analysis.

A good research question should be:

· focused – it should be specific enough to allow you to collect relevant data;

· achievable – it should be realistic given the resources and time available;

· clear – it should be unambiguous and clearly understandable; and,

· important – it should address a significant issue or problem.

How to Formulate Good Research Questions

Good research questions are the cornerstone of any research project. They provide the framework within which data is collected and analyzed, and they guide the researcher in interpreting the results.

There are a number of factors to consider when formulating research questions, including the purpose of the research, the type of data to be collected, and the methods of analysis to be used. The following tips will help you formulate good research questions:

1. Start with a broad topic and then narrow your focus. For example, if you’re interested in studying childhood obesity, you might start by asking a broad question like “What are the causes of childhood obesity?” Once you’ve identified some potential causes, you can narrow your focus to more specific questions like “What is the effect of maternal diet on childhood obesity?”

2. Make sure your research question is clear and concise. A well-written research question should be easy to understand and should not be too long or too complex.

3. Be sure your research question is feasible. Consider whether you have access to the necessary data and whether you have the time and resources to conduct a thorough analysis.

4. Make sure your research question is relevant. Your research question should be focused on a particular issue or problem that is important to you and your audience.

5. Choose an appropriate method for answering your research question. The type of data you collect and the methods you use for analysis will be determined by the nature of your question.

The Different Types of Research Questions

There are different types of research questions that can be used in a research project. The type of research question that is used will depend on the type of project that is being undertaken.

The different types of research questions include:

1. Descriptive Research Questions
2. Comparative Research Questions
3. Causal Research Questions
4. Exploratory Research Questions
5. Evaluative Research Questions

Descriptive research questions are used to describe a phenomenon that is being studied. This type of question does not seek to explain the causes of the phenomenon or to compare it to other phenomena.

Comparative research questions are used to compare two or more phenomena. This type of question seeks to identify the similarities and differences between the phenomena being studied.

Causal research questions seek to identify the cause and effect relationship between two or more variables. This type of question is used to explain how one variable affects another variable.

Exploratory research questions are used to explore a phenomenon in order to better understand it. This type of question does not seek to find a definitive answer, but rather to gain a greater understanding of the topic being studied. Evaluative research questions are used to assess the effectiveness or success of something that has been implemented or put into place. This type of question seeks to determine whether or not something has been successful in achieving its goals.