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HOW TO WRITE DESCRIPTION OF STUDY AREA IN RESEARCH

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DESCRIPTION OF THE STUDY AREA

Description of the study area is the act of describing the characteristics, qualities and physical features of an area, location, neighbourhood, city or community that is being studied or investigated for research purposes. Describing a study area is an important part of research, not just to the researcher, but to all concerned both now and in the future.

The study area is sometimes referred to as a study site in research, some higher institutions refer to the description of the study area as the “ profile of the study area “. To properly give a detailed description of an area, the researcher should have an in-depth knowledge of the study area in the project , and this can only be possible by reviewing other related materials in the form of published Journals, textbooks, etc., by academicians within a particular field of study or when the researcher is familiar with the neighbourhood or area in question.

In a dissertation, the description of a study area usually comes under Chapter Three (in most cases) except in some institutions with special formats for presenting research papers. But the key point is that the captions on whichever chapter this subject is mentioned are usually written as “A Brief Description of Study Area” . This is not to limit the information provided but to apply some sort of concision in that it should be skillfully couched to enable a good flow in the presentation without creating confusion.

In summary, there are three aspects to the description of study area – (brief) (description) (study area)

The fact that it is termed brief does not necessarily mean it shouldn’t be detailed.

Your description should cover a broad spectrum of information; this would include location, geography, climatic condition, social infrastructure, vegetation, density, humidity, temperature, topography, terrain and so on.

The study area should be your area of coverage that is, your case study. Introducing information from other areas or regions will have no significance on the subject matter, hence your primary focus would be on the area your research is covering. At this point, you are expected to include maps of the study area (in colour).

What you’re expected to write is a detailed description of your study area to give your reader an idea of what your study area looks like. Get Samples 

Depending on the research topic, the pattern of describing the study area could vary;

If a project topic is focused on investigating issues or problems that concern a state or province the description will bother around everything that makes up the location. For example “ Evaluation of the Issues Affecting Girl-Child Education in FCT Abuja ” is a broad topic that focuses on FCT-Abuja as a case study, hence to describe the study area which in this case is FCT-Abuja, adequate data on everything that makes up or best describes Abuja as a Federal Capital Territory has to be brought in and properly described. The description should include the vegetation in Abuja, the population of Abuja, Abuja’s topography, its climatic condition, the culture of people living in Abuja, the terrain (that is, the flatness or sloppiness of Roads in Abuja), the nature of business, market data, rainfall, electricity, common food, the number of ethnic group in the territory, religion of residents among others.

The essence of the description of the study area is to enable an outsider to have an idea of the area or neighbourhood that is being researched, this knowledge will also help the readers to understand the body of your work and try to envision what your study is trying to pass across. It will also influence people’s judgment of the topic being researched.

If the project topic is centred on a particular catchment or neighbourhood for example “ A Critical Examination of Facilities Management Strategy on Public Properties – A Case Study of Central Bank of Nigeria Staff Quarters ” the description will take a different shape. In this case, it should include a brief summary of the neighborhood where the CBN staff quarters are located followed by a broad description of the CBN staff quarters environment and premises. Let’s look at the following example;

“ The CBN staff quarters is a large purpose-built residential estate for senior, intermediate and junior CBN staff members. It is properly fenced around its perimeter solid block walls with a giant double two-way gate at the main entrance and another small pedestrian gate by the side. The estate comprises of the following; 16 Blocks of 8 units of 2bedroom flats each totalling 128 flats, 12 Block of 8 units of 3bedroom flats each totalling another 97 flats, and 6 Blocks of 6 units of 3bedroom flats each totalling 36 flats with additional buildings at the rear for intermediate and junior staff. The senior staff also have a large garage for parking vehicles .”

In addition, a detailed description of the site and construction details of the buildings will beef up your work. For example:

“ The site is rectangular, it has a flat or table surface and properly drains off water during heavy downpours. The site measures approximately 22.32 hectares .”

The construction details should encompass; the type of floor, wall, doors, windows, ceiling, fittings, roof and the materials used in constructing them. For example, a brief description of the floor can be written like this “ The floor is made of mass concrete on hardcore filling well rammed over consolidated laterite and finished with terrazzo material ” The other building components (windows, doors, ceiling, wall, fitting and roof) should have their description proper done like the “floor”.

The facilities in the CBN staff estate should also come in the description. A short write-up can be done to explain to the reader or supervisor the available facilities installed and used in the CBN staff quarters, for example, “ The facilities provided in the CBN staff quarters are; water treatment plant, cameras, sewage treatment plant, generator house, heavy duty generator set to illuminate the premises, pumping machine (Sumo) to circulate water to all apartments, borehole, external lighting points and lawn tennis court for exercise .”

Sometimes an institution could be a case study of a project. Let’s use this project topic as an example “ An Analysis of the Maintenance and Management Problem of the University of Lagos Hostel Buildings ”.

To describe this study area the following sub-headings should be developed and expanded:

This involves the description of the University’s location, including the city and local government area where it is situated.

The History, Origin and Growth of the Study Area:

Tracing the historical background of the University of Lagos, its various campuses, colleges (college of medicine), the total size of the school premises, total number of staff and students (undergraduates and postgraduate students), annual enrollment of students, the various faculties and departments and other facilities attached to the universities and subsidiary campuses or learning institutions within and outside the state, or country is paramount.

Important : Make sure to include a colour map in your description to guide your readers and supervisor further.

SAMPLE OF DESCRIPTION OF STUDY AREA

Frequently Asked Questions about the Description of Study Area.

What is the general description of the study area.

There is no such thing as a general description of the study area, the pattern of describing a particular area might differ from the way other areas are described. This is dependent on the type and nature of the area that is going to be described. No two locations have the same features, hence you cannot give a written account of locations A and B the same way, which is why the researcher will need to either visit the area of the study or source materials with comprehensive and recent information on a particular area to be described in the research paper.

Examples of areas of study?

The determination of a study area is dependent on the type or nature of the researchable problem that the researcher wants to solve. For example, an ideal study area for “Impact of indiscriminate dumps on children’s health” would be a neighbourhood that experiences a high volume of indiscriminate dumps such as ghettos, slum neighbourhoods, high-density or populated neighbourhoods etc.

Also, if a project topic is   “Impact of social media on junior secondary school subjects” the area of study will comprise a certain number of junior secondary schools in a particular area not necessarily the entire State, Region or Province. The area of study must be connected with the project topic, this is because the research problem is first identified before developing a topic around the problem. So, the research has to identify a problem, search for areas affected by the identified problem and then develop a topic that captures the problem and the area of study.

The following can represent an area of study; Primary and Secondary Schools, Communities, Organizations, Provinces, Streets, Local Government Areas, hospitals, Banks, TV and Radio Stations, Government Agencies, Military Barracks, Police Stations, Specialized Buildings, Events, Shrines, Layouts etc.

Some people may want to carry out simple research about their home or certain areas or components in their home, this could be academic or personal research about an identified problem in the home. Hence, examples of study areas at home would include, the premises, building structures, the environment, farmland or plantation farm, auxiliary facilities, recreational areas in the home, pool sites, cooking or baking area etc. depending on the project topic.

What is a study area in research?

Study areas are locations where a researcher plans to carry out an in-depth study about a topic or existing problem. This is usually indicated in the research proposal for the supervisor to vet and approve. If approved, the researcher or student is expected to visit the study area to observe and gather information related to the existing problem in that neighbourhood. A study area is also referred to as a study site or research site.

What is the importance of the study area in research?

The importance of the study area cannot be over-emphasized. I have taken time to explain this question in the article “ Reasons for Choosing a Study Area in Research ”.

Must a description of the study area in a project be broad?

No.  I mentioned earlier in this article that most research papers or projects require a brief description of your study area, so you could write a brief account of your study area in about one to three pages depending on how vast the area is. You don’t need to write more than is required, just provide the relevant information needed and you’re good.

Get complete samples of the Description of Study Areas here  

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22 Replies to “HOW TO WRITE DESCRIPTION OF STUDY AREA IN RESEARCH” .

South Africa has been experiencing load-shedding

its educative

I am interested in your website. Currently I am preparing my thesis for completion of my MBA n Marketing. Thank you for your help.

Thank you Zelalem, you can send a message if you need further guide. I wish you success!

What if I choose a Senior high school in Enugu state? Am I going to write about the school or the State itself?

If your project topic is about a particular high school then the description should focus on the School itself not the State.

very good concept. Really I appreciate it.

Awesome, thanks Ray.

Helpful information .Thanks

Thank you Peres Bett.

How to write description of the study Area

This is great information just as I wanted it to be. thanks a lot man

Thanks Richard.

What important information should I include in the research area description? Regard Telkom University

What’s your study area?

My study area is Mbabane in Eswatini. However, am doing my thesis in an Asian University. Should my focus be with the Town or the entire Eswatini?

You may not be able to cover the entire Eswatini. So, delimit your study area to Mbabane. By the way, what’s your Thesis topic?

enquiry was very helpful

thanks very much for educating me

You’re welcome Mustapha.

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What's the difference between 'research topic' and 'research area'?

I am writing an essay to apply for a summer research project and is supposed to write about 'general research topic that interests me' and 'area I would like to focus'. I'm kind of confused about these two terms. What's the difference?

For example, if I'm interested in computer science, where should I write it?

p.s. I have asked this question in English Language & Usage site but didn't get answer. So I suppose that these two words may only have difference in academic field?

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2 Answers 2

A research area is what a research topic is placed into, but is much broader than the scope of the topic. For example a research area can be human physiology, computer science (as you mentioned) or even relate to a specific field within these broader terms such as cardiac electrophysiology or machine learning respectively.

A research topic would be a specific question, hypothesis or problem you wish to investigate and answer which is under the scope of your research area. That is to say, my research area is in neuroscience/neurophysiology and my research topic is investigating the mechanisms of neuronal communication, as an example.

You would want to say topics that interest you which relate to a certain problem that you may be aware of, whereas in the research area you would want to outline your inclinations towards a particular field of academia.

While a topic is narrower than an area (for example, your area may be "solid state physics" and your topic "semiconductor tuning based on dopage"), it's probably true that for most people there is little difference between the two terms as far as colloquial usage is concerned.

In other words, don't obsess about the difference -- though, if you want, consider the "area" a broader term.

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Selecting Research Area

Selecting a research area is the very first step in writing your dissertation. It is important for you to choose a research area that is interesting to you professionally, as well as, personally. Experienced researchers note that “a topic in which you are only vaguely interested at the start is likely to become a topic in which you have no interest and with which you will fail to produce your best work” [1] . Ideally, your research area should relate to your future career path and have a potential to contribute to the achievement of your career objectives.

The importance of selecting a relevant research area that is appropriate for dissertation is often underestimated by many students. This decision cannot be made in haste. Ideally, you should start considering different options at the beginning of the term. However, even when there are only few weeks left before the deadline and you have not chosen a particular topic yet, there is no need to panic.

There are few areas in business studies that can offer interesting topics due to their relevance to business and dynamic nature. The following is the list of research areas and topics that can prove to be insightful in terms of assisting you to choose your own dissertation topic.

Globalization can be a relevant topic for many business and economics dissertations. Forces of globalization are nowadays greater than ever before and dissertations can address the implications of these forces on various aspects of business.

Following are few examples of research areas in globalization:

• A study of implications of COVID-19 pandemic on economic globalization
• Impacts of globalization on marketing strategies of beverage manufacturing companies: a case study of The Coca-Cola Company
• Effects of labour migration within EU on the formation of multicultural teams in UK organizations
• A study into advantages and disadvantages of various entry strategies to Chinese market
• A critical analysis of the effects of globalization on US-based businesses

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is also one of the most popular topics at present and it is likely to remain so for the foreseeable future. CSR refers to additional responsibilities of business organizations towards society apart from profit maximization. There is a high level of controversy involved in CSR. This is because businesses can be socially responsible only at the expense of their primary objective of profit maximization.

Perspective researches in the area of CSR may include the following:

• The impacts of CSR programs and initiatives on brand image: a case study of McDonald’s India
• A critical analysis of argument of mandatory CSR for private sector organizations in Australia
• A study into contradictions between CSR programs and initiatives and business practices: a case study of Philip Morris Philippines
• A critical analysis into the role of CSR as an effective marketing tool
• A study into the role of workplace ethics for improving brand image

Social Media and viral marketing relate to increasing numbers of various social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube etc. Increasing levels of popularity of social media among various age groups create tremendous potential for businesses in terms of attracting new customers.

The following can be listed as potential studies in the area of social media:

• A critical analysis of the use of social media as a marketing strategy: a case study of Burger King Malaysia
• An assessment of the role of Instagram as an effective platform for viral marketing campaigns
• A study into the sustainability of TikTok as a marketing tool in the future
• An investigation into the new ways of customer relationship management in mobile marketing environment: a case study of catering industry in South Africa
• A study into integration of Twitter social networking website within integrated marketing communication strategy: a case study of Microsoft Corporation

Culture and cultural differences in organizations offer many research opportunities as well. Increasing importance of culture is directly related to intensifying forces of globalization in a way that globalization forces are fuelling the formation of cross-cultural teams in organizations.

Perspective researches in the area of culture and cultural differences in organizations may include the following:

• The impact of cross-cultural differences on organizational communication: a case study of BP plc
• A study into skills and competencies needed to manage multicultural teams in Singapore
• The role of cross-cultural differences on perception of marketing communication messages in the global marketplace: a case study of Apple Inc.
• Effects of organizational culture on achieving its aims and objectives: a case study of Virgin Atlantic
• A critical analysis into the emergence of global culture and its implications in local automobile manufacturers in Germany

Leadership and leadership in organizations has been a popular topic among researchers for many decades by now. However, the importance of this topic may be greater now than ever before. This is because rapid technological developments, forces of globalization and a set of other factors have caused markets to become highly competitive. Accordingly, leadership is important in order to enhance competitive advantages of organizations in many ways.

The following studies can be conducted in the area of leadership:

• Born or bred: revisiting The Great Man theory of leadership in the 21 st century
• A study of effectiveness of servant leadership style in public sector organizations in Hong Kong
• Creativity as the main trait for modern leaders: a critical analysis
• A study into the importance of role models in contributing to long-term growth of private sector organizations: a case study of Tata Group, India
• A critical analysis of leadership skills and competencies for E-Commerce organizations

COVID-19 pandemic and its macro and micro-economic implications can also make for a good dissertation topic. Pandemic-related crisis has been like nothing the world has seen before and it is changing international business immensely and perhaps, irreversibly as well.

The following are few examples for pandemic crisis-related topics:

• A study into potential implications of COVID-19 pandemic into foreign direct investment in China
• A critical assessment of effects of COVID-19 pandemic into sharing economy: a case study of AirBnb.
• The role of COVID-19 pandemic in causing shifts in working patterns: a critical analysis

Moreover, dissertations can be written in a wide range of additional areas such as customer services, supply-chain management, consumer behaviour, human resources management, catering and hospitality, strategic management etc. depending on your professional and personal interests.

[1] Saunders, M., Lewis, P. & Thornhill, A. (2012) “Research Methods for Business Students” 6th edition, Pearson Education Limited.

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Methodology for research I

Rakesh garg.

Department of Onco-anaesthesiology and Palliative Medicine, Dr. BRAIRCH, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India

The conduct of research requires a systematic approach involving diligent planning and its execution as planned. It comprises various essential predefined components such as aims, population, conduct/technique, outcome and statistical considerations. These need to be objective, reliable and in a repeatable format. Hence, the understanding of the basic aspects of methodology is essential for any researcher. This is a narrative review and focuses on various aspects of the methodology for conduct of a clinical research. The relevant keywords were used for literature search from various databases and from bibliographies of the articles.

INTRODUCTION

Research is a process for acquiring new knowledge in systematic approach involving diligent planning and interventions for discovery or interpretation of the new-gained information.[ 1 , 2 ] The outcome reliability and validity of a study would depend on well-designed study with objective, reliable, repeatable methodology with appropriate conduct, data collection and its analysis with logical interpretation. Inappropriate or faulty methodology would make study unacceptable and may even provide clinicians faulty information. Hence, the understanding the basic aspects of methodology is essential.

This is a narrative review based on existing literature search. This review focuses on specific aspects of the methodology for conduct of a research/clinical trial. The relevant keywords for literature search included ‘research’, ‘study design’, ‘study controls’, ‘study population’, ‘inclusion/exclusion criteria’, ‘variables’, ‘sampling’, ‘randomisation’, ‘blinding’, ‘masking’, ‘allocation concealment’, ‘sample size’, ‘bias’, ‘confounders’ alone and in combinations. The search engine included PubMed/MEDLINE, Google Scholar and Cochrane. The bibliographies of the searched articles were specifically searched for missing manuscripts from the search engines and manually from the print journals in the library.

The following text highlights/describes the basic essentials of methodology which needs to be adopted for conducting a good research.

Aims and objectives of study

The aims and objectives of research need to be known thoroughly and should be specified before start of the study based on thorough literature search and inputs from professional experience. Aims and objectives state whether nature of the problem (formulated as research question or research problem) has to be investigated or its solution has to be found by different more appropriate method. The lacunae in existing knowledge would help formulate a research question. These statements have to be objective specific with all required details such as population, intervention, control, outcome variables along with time interventions.[ 3 , 4 , 5 ] This would help formulate a hypothesis which is a scientifically derived statement about a particular problem in the defined population. The hypothesis generation depends on the type of study as well. Researcher observation related to any aspect initiates hypothesis generation. A cross-sectional survey would generate hypothesis. An observational study establishes associations and supports/rejects the hypothesis. An experiment would finally test the hypothesis.[ 5 , 6 , 7 ]

STUDY POPULATION AND PATIENT SELECTION, STUDY AREA, STUDY PERIOD

The flow of study in an experimental design has various sequential steps [ Figure 1 ].[ 1 , 2 , 6 ] Population refers to an aggregate of individuals, things, cases, etc., i.e., observation units that are of interest and remain the focus of investigation. This reference population or target population is the group on which the study outcome would be extrapolated.[ 6 ] Once this target population is identified, researcher needs to assess whether it is possible to study all the individuals for an outcome. Usually, all cannot be included, so a study population is sampled. The important attribute of a sample is that every individual should have equal and non-zero chance of getting included in the study. The sample should be made independently, i.e., selection of one does not influence inclusion or exclusion of other. In clinical practice, the sampling is restricted to a particular place (patients attending to clinics or posted for surgery) or includes multiple centres rather than sampling the universe. Hence, the researcher should be cautious in generalising the outcomes. For example, in a tertiary care hospital, patients are referred and may have more risk factors as compared to primary centres where a patient with lesser severity are managed. Hence, researchers must disclose details of the study area. The study period needs to be disclosed as it would make readers understand the population characteristics. Furthermore, study period would tell about relevance of the study with respect to the present period.

Flow of an experimental study

The size of sample has to be pre-determined, analytically approached and sufficiently large to represent the population.[ 7 , 8 , 9 ] Including a larger sample would lead to wastage of resources, risk that the true treatment effect may be missed due to heterogeneity of large population and would be time-consuming.[ 6 ] If a study is too small, it will not provide the suitable answer to research question. The main determinant of the sample size includes clinical hypothesis, primary endpoint, study design, probability of Type I and II error, power, minimum treatment difference of clinical importance.[ 7 ] Attrition of patients should be attended during the sample size calculation.[ 6 , 9 ]

SELECTION OF STUDY DESIGN

The appropriate study design is essential for the intervention outcome in terms of its best possible and most reliable estimate. The study design selection is based on parameters such as objectives, therapeutic area, treatment comparison, outcome and phase of the trial.[ 6 ] The study design may be broadly classified as:[ 5 , 6 , 7 ]

• Descriptive: Case report, case series, survey
• Analytical: Case-control, cohort, cross-sectional
• Experimental: Randomised controlled trial (RCT), quasi-experiment
• Qualitative.

For studying causality, analytical observational studies would be prudent to avoid posing risk to subjects. For clinical drugs or techniques, experimental study would be more appropriate.[ 6 ] The treatments remain concurrent, i.e. the active and control interventions happen at the same period in RCT. It may parallel group design wherein treatment and control groups are allocated to different individuals. This requires comparing a placebo group or a gold standard intervention (control) with newer agent or technique.[ 6 ] In matched-design RCT, randomisation is between matched pairs. For cross-over study design, two or more treatments are administered sequentially to the same subject and thus each subject acts as its own control. However, researches should be aware of ‘carryover effect’ of the previous intervention and suitable wash period needs to be ensured. In cohort study design, subjects with disease/symptom or free of study variable are followed for a particular period. The cross-sectional study examines the prevalence of the disease, surveys, validating instruments, tools and questionnaires. The qualitative research is a study design wherein health-related issue in the population is explored with regard to its description, exploration and explanation.[ 6 ]

Selection of controls

The control is required because disease may be self-remitting, Hawthorne effect (change in response or behaviours of subjects when included in study), placebo effect (patients feel improvement even with placebo), effect of confounder, co-intervention and regression to the mean phenomenon (for example, white coat hypertension, i.e. patients at recruitment may have higher study parameter but subsequently may get normal).[ 2 , 6 , 7 ] The control could be a placebo, no treatment, different dose or regimen or intervention or the standard/gold treatment. Avoiding a routine care for placebo is not desirable and unethical. For instance, for studying analgesic regimen, it would be unethical not to administer analgesics in a control group. It is advisable to continue standard of care, i.e. providing routine analgesics even in control group. The use of placebo or no treatment may be considered where no current proven intervention exists or placebo is required to evaluate efficacy or safety of an intervention without serious or irreversible harm.

The comparisons to be made in the study among groups also need to be specified.[ 6 , 7 , 9 ] These comparisons may prove superiority, non-inferiority or equivalence among groups. The superiority trials demonstrate superiority either to a placebo in a placebo-controlled trial or to an active control treatment. The non-inferiority trials would prove that the efficacy of an intervention is no worse than that of the active comparative treatment. The equivalence trials demonstrate that the outcome of two or more interventions differs by a clinically unimportant margin and either technique or drug may be clinically acceptable.

STUDY TOOLS

The study tools such as measurements scales, questionnaires and scoring systems need to be specified with an objective definition. These tools should be validated before its use and appropriate use by the research staff is mandatory to avoid any bias. These tools should be simple and easily understandable to everyone involved in the study.

Inclusion/exclusion criteria

In clinical research, specific group of relatively homogeneous patient population needs to be selected.[ 6 ] Inclusion and exclusion criteria define who can be included or excluded from the study sample. The inclusion criteria identify the study population in a consistent, reliable, uniform and objective manner. The exclusion criteria include factors or characteristics that make the recruited population ineligible for the study. These factors may be confounders for the outcome parameter. For example, patients with liver disease would be excluded if coagulation parameters would impact the outcome. The exclusion criteria are inclusive of inclusion criteria.

VARIABLES: PRIMARY AND SECONDARY

Variables are definite characteristics/parameters that are being studied. Clear, precise and objective definition for measurement of these characteristics needs to be defined.[ 2 ] These should be measurable and interpretable, sensitive to the objective of the study and clinically relevant. The most common end-point is related to efficacy, safety and quality of life. The study variables could be primary or secondary.[ 6 ] The primary end-point, usually one, provides the most relevant, reliable and convincing evidence related to the aim and objective. It is the characteristic on the basis of which research question/hypothesis has been formulated. It reflects clinically relevant and important treatment benefits. It determines the sample size. Secondary end-points are the other objectives indirectly related to primary objective with regard to its close association or they may be some associated effects/adverse effects related to intervention. The measurement timing of the variables must be defined a priori . These are usually done at screening, baseline and completion of trial.

The study end-point parameter may be clinical or surrogate in nature. A clinical end-point is related directly to clinical implications with regard to beneficial outcome of the intervention. The surrogate end-point is indirectly related to patient clinical benefit and is usually measures laboratory measurement or physical sign as a substitute for a clinically meaningful end-point. Surrogate end-points are more convenient, easily measurable, repeatable and faster.

SAMPLING TECHNIQUES: RANDOMISATION, BLINDING/MASKING AND ALLOCATION CONCEALMENT

Randomisation.

Randomisation or random allocation is a method to allocate individuals into one of the groups (arms) of a study.[ 1 , 2 ] It is the basic assumption required for statistical analysis of data. The randomisation would maximise statistical power, especially in subgroup analyses, minimise selection bias and minimise allocation bias (or confounding). This leads to distribution of all the characteristics, measured or non-measured, visible or invisible and known or unknown equally into the groups. Randomisation uses various strategies as per the study design and outcome.

Probability sampling/randomisation

• Simple/unrestricted: Each individual of the population has the same chance of being included in the sample. This is used when population is small, homogenous and the sampling frame is available. For example, lottery method, table of random numbers or computer-generated
• Stratified: It is used in non-homogenous population. Population is divided into homogenous groups (strata), and the sample is drawn for each stratum at random. It keeps the ‘characteristics’ of the participants (for example, age, weight or physical status) as similar as possible across the study groups. The allocation to strata can be by equal or proportional allocation
• Systematic: This is used when complete and up-to-date sampling frame is available. The first unit is selected at random and the rest get selected automatically according to some pre-designed pattern
• Cluster: This applies for large geographical area. Population is divided into a finite numbers of distinct and identifiable units (sampling units/element). A group of such elements is a cluster and sampling of these clusters is done. All units of the selected clusters are included in the study
• Multistage: This applies for large nationwide surveys. Sampling is done in stages using random sampling. Here, sub-sampling within the selected clusters is done. If procedure is repeated in more number of stages, then they termed as multistage sampling
• Multiphase: Here, some data are collected from whole of the units of a sample, and other data are collected from a sub-sample of the units constituting the original sample (two-phase sampling). If three or more phases are used, then they termed as multiphase sampling.

Non-probability sampling/randomisation

This technique does not give equal and non-zero chances to all the individuals in the population to be selected in the sample.

• Convenience: Sampling is done as per the convenience of the investigator, i.e., easily available
• Purposive/judgemental/selective/subjective: The sample is selected as per judgement of investigator
• Quota: It is done as per judgement of the interviewer based on some specified characteristics such as sex and physical status.

ALLOCATION CONCEALMENT

Allocation concealment refers to the process ensuring the person who generates the random assignment remains blind to what arm the person will be allotted.[ 8 , 9 , 10 ] It is a strategy to avoid ascertainment or selection bias. For example, based on an outcome, researcher may recruit a specific category as lesser sicker patients to a particular group and vice versa to the other group. This selective recruitment would underestimate (if treatment group is sicker) or overestimate (if control group is sicker) the intervention effect.[ 9 ] The allocation should be concealed from investigator till the initiation of intervention. Hence, randomisation should be performed by an independent person who is not involved in the conduct of the study or its monitoring. The randomisation list is kept secret. The methods of allocation concealment include:[ 9 , 10 ]

• Central randomisation: Some centrally independent authority performs randomisation and informs the investigators via telephone, E-mail or fax
• Pharmacy controlled: Here, pharmacy provides coded drugs for use
• Sequentially numbered containers: Identical containers equal in weight, similar in appearance and tamper-proof are used
• Sequentially numbered, opaque, sealed envelopes: The randomised numbers are concealed in opaque envelope to be opened just before intervention and are the most common and easy to perform method.

BLINDING/MASKING

Blinding ensures the group to which the study subjects are assigned not known or easily ascertained by those who are ‘masked’, i.e., participants, investigators, evaluators or statistician to limit occurrence of bias.[ 1 , 2 ] It confirms that the intervention and standard or placebo treatment appears the same. Blinding is different from allocation concealment. Allocation concealment is done before, whereas blinding is done at and after initiation of treatment. In situations such as study drugs with different formulations or medical versus surgical interventions, blinding may not be feasible.[ 8 ] Sham blocks or needling in subjects may not be ethical. In such situation, the outcome measurement should be made objective to the fullest to avoid bias and whosoever may be masked should be blinded. The research manuscript must mention the details about blinding including who was blinded after assignment to interventions and process or technique used. Blinding could be:[ 8 , 9 ]

• Unblinded: The process cannot conceal randomisation
• Single blind: One of the participants, investigators or evaluators remains masked
• Double-blind: The investigator and participants remained masked
• Triple blind: Not only investigator but also participant maintains a blind data analysis.

BIAS AND CONFOUNDERS

Bias is a systematic deviation of the real, true effect (better or worst outcome) resulting from faulty study design.[ 1 , 2 ] The various steps of study such as randomisation, concealment, blinding, objective measurement and strict protocol adherence would reduce bias.

The various possible and potential biases in a trial can be:[ 7 ]

• Investigator bias: An investigator either consciously or subconsciously favours one group than other
• Evaluator bias: The investigator taking end-point variable measurement intentionally or unintentionally favours one group over other. It is more common with subjective or quality of life end-points
• Performance bias: It occurs when participant knows of exposure to intervention or its response, be it inactive or active
• Selection bias: This occurs due to sampling method such as admission bias (selective factors for admission), non-response bias (refusals to participate and the population who refused may be different from who participated) or sample is not representative of the population
• Ascertainment or information bias: It occurs due to measurement error or misclassification of patient. For example, diagnostic bias (more diagnostic procedures performed in cases as compared with controls), recall bias (error of categorisation, investigator aggressively search for exposure variables in cases)
• Allocation bias: Allocation bias occurs when the measured treatment effect differs from the true treatment effect
• Detection bias: It occurs when observations in one group are not as vigilantly sought as in the other
• Attrition bias/loss-to-follow-up bias: It occurs when patient is lost to follow-up preferentially in a particular group.

Confounding occurs when outcome parameters are affected by effects of other factors not directly relevant to the research question.[ 1 , 7 ] For example, if impact of drug on haemodynamics is studied on hypertensive patients, then diabetes mellitus would be confounder as it also effects the hemodynamic response to autonomic disturbances. Hence, it becomes prudent during the designing stage for a study that all potential confounders should be carefully considered. If the confounders are known, then they can be adjusted statistically but with loss of precision (statistical power). Hence, confounding can be controlled either by preventing it or by adjusting for it in the statistical analysis. The confounding can be controlled by restriction by study design (for example, restricted age range as 2-6 years), matching (use of constraints in the selection of the comparison group so that the study and comparison group have similar distribution with regard to potential confounder), stratification in the analysis without matching (involves restriction of the analysis to narrow ranges of the extraneous variable) and mathematical modelling in the analysis (use of advanced statistical methods of analysis such as multiple linear regression and logistic regression). Strategies during data analysis include stratified analysis using the Mantel-Haenszel method to adjust for confounders, using a matched design approach, data restriction and model fitting using regression techniques.

Basic understanding of the methodology is essential to have reliable, repeatable and clinically acceptable outcome. The study plan including all its components needs to be designed before start of the study, and the study protocol should be strictly adhered during the conduct of study.

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Conflicts of interest.

There are no conflicts of interest.

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3. Methodology of Research 3.1. Study Area and Target Population

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Cherinet Bariso

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Among the major root and tuber crops, anchote is a potential crop produced in Western parts of Ethiopia. In addition to food source, it takes wide portion in socioeconomic , cultural and medicinal value for the farming communities. To study the indigenous knowledge on utilization and conservation of anchote, ethno-botanical survey was conducted in 2012 for continuous three months (February, March and April) in Western part of Ethiopia. The landraces were also collected during survey. Forty nine anchote landraces were tested in 7x7 Simple Lattice Design at Wayu Tuqa District of East Wollega in 2012/013. The survey results showed that most of the respondents had sufficient experiences of growing Coccinia abyssinica (Lam.) Cogn. Socioeconomic status of the households and ecological requirements was found to be an important factor affecting the use, management and conservation of the crop. The difference in level of education had no impact on conservation and use of Coccinia abyssinica. It was also observed that the older informants were more knowledgeable than the younger ones, as they knew much more about the different local cultivars and values of use. Data of the mean values of all experimental units were subjected to analysis of variance for RCBD. Flower width (61.22%) showed high heritability and medium heritability was recorded for flower length (52.24%), indicated that such characters were least affected by environmental modifications so that; selection based on phenotypic performance would be reliable. Low heritability were recorded for traits like root length (33.72%), Leaf width (21.53%), total root yield (20.6%), leaf length (17.19%), root diameter (8.33%) and low heritability were recorded for other to indicate environmental effect that constitutes a major portion of the total phenotypic variation signifying that management practice is better than selection to improve those traits. Genetic advance as percentage of the mean ranged from 2.45% for leaf length to 77.08% for flower width. Within these range a relatively high genetic advance as percent of the mean was observed for flower length (57.72%) and flower width (77.08 %). High value for heritability and genetic advance of the characters in current study provide information for the existence of wider genetic diversity among anchote landraces which offers high chances for improving several traits of the crop through simple selection. Cluster analysis showed that four divergent groups were formed. Each cluster known by their highest and lowest mean value and it is helpful for easy selection of parents with the desired traits for hybridization or selection program.

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Deforestation is a growing problem in many parts of the tropical world and one of the affected countries is Ethiopia. The general objective of this study is to assess the effect of population growth on forest resource in East Wollega Zone in general and Haro Limu woreda in particular. The data used for the study were collected from 89 farm households heads drawn from the four kebeles of Haro Limmu district. Probability proportional to size sampling technique was employed to select the farm households from four peasant associations, which were selected by random sampling techniques. Primary data were collected using a structured questionnaire. In addition, secondary data were extracted from relevant sources to supplement the data obtained from the survey. The result of this study reveals that population growth huge impact on forestry development in the ways of expanding agricultural land, using wood as energy sources and satisfying the input requirements in agricultural activity. Respondents use family planning services in reducing the impact of population growth on the forestry development.

addisu N Worku

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This study was conducted in Honkolo enclosed area found in Honkolo Wabe district of Arsi zone with in oromia region. The study objective was to critically assess the land use land cover change in Honkolo enclosed area, and explain socioeconomic and environmental impacts caused due to land use land cover change. To realize the objective data was collected from 95 sample rural households using questionnaire, 6 key informant interviews, and 4 Focus Group discussions with farmers and experts. Besides to this, satellite image of 30 meter resolution was also used to identify the land use and land cover change in the enclosed area with remote sensing and GIS software. The analysis of land use land cover change detection showed that farm land and settlement had been increasing from before the area was enclosed from human and animal interventions since 2010; the socioeconomic analysis revealed woody tree species that disappeared long time ago have been restored following the establishment of enclosures. Additionally, most of focus group discussion and key informant confirmed that they had obtained socio-economic and environmental benefits from the establishment of the area enclosures. From the analysis of the results on LULC it can be concluded that human interventions are the determinant factors for the changing land use and land cover. However, various problems were also identified such as shortages of firewood and scarcity of pastureland. Finally based on findings it is concluded that local community had got a positive attitude towards area enclosures practices. Therefore, close relationship among the local communities and other related bodies is essential for the success and effective management practices of area enclosures. Key words: Area enclosure, Land use/land over, land management, Land degradation, GIS, community participation

European Scientific Journal ESJ

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Abstract The main objective of this study was to examine, the population growth nexus land degradation in Nejo district. Correlation research design was used to carry out this study. Both quantitative and qualitative data used in the study. Primary and secondary data were used in this study. Non-probable sampling techniques were used to select the four peasant association from thirty-five of Nejo district, namely Walitate Agar, Bushane Alaltu, Micico Gorgise, and Lalisa Kemi. This was due to insufficient budget and time to include overall peasant associations in the district. Sampling formula used to determine sample of 99 households and were selected from the total of 3559 households using lottery method proportionally. Additional key informant like, DA (Development Agents) and district agricultural office head were interviewed and, model farmers participated in focus group discussion. Questionnaire presented to collect data from households, semi-structured interview used to complement data gathered using questionnaires from DA and district agricultural office.Focus group discussion also instruments used for data collection from model farmers. Finally, researcher undertakes field observation the land use and extent of physical land degradation. Quantitative data were analyzed using excel software package to compute its frequencies, percentage, means and standard deviation, Pearson correlation and linear regressions followed by discussion of the most important points. Data that were collected by semi-structure interview and open- ended questions were analyzed and interpreted in narrative approach to substantiate the quantitative information whenever required. Finally, the overall courses of the study was summarized with finding, conclusions some possible solution. The finding showed that as population growth non-cultivated areas added as crop land and the more use of other land uses for crop production. There is a significant negative correlation between areas land covered with grazing lands and population growth in the district.There is a significant negative correlation between areas of natural forest and population growth. Population growths have significant negative relationship with grazing lands. The population growths have significant positive relationship with grazing lands.The findings revealed that the population growth have no significant relationship with changes in areas of wet lands as.With respect to linear regressions were utilized to investigate the best indicators of changes in areas of forest plantation. The findings revealed that the population growth have significant positively relationship with forest plantation with hence population growth constitute the major determinants of land degradation as there were effect changing in land use cover of in Nejo district.The respondents were asked if they think that land degradation affects your livelihood. All of the respondents had agreed that land degradation affects their livelihood. The major costs of land degradation includes, reduced number of daily meals, reduced in quality of meals, withdrawal of children from school, poor health, lack of household energy consumptions such as fire wood & charcoal, decline in livestock caring capacity, decrease in range land, poverty and malnutrition, andinternalmigration. Based on finding the study drawn following recommendation the farmers need participate effectively throughout the entire district to assist in reducing the pressure on available land and vegetation resources in the district. The need to use alternative sources of energy like solar in medium and long-term and promote the growing of fast maturing tree species for sustainable charcoal production.

Temesgen Sadi

This study attempts to assess the challenges and prospects of community policing in Nejo town, Oromia regional state. In order to achieve this objective, the study employed descriptive research design and combination of quantitative and qualitative research approach. The study used both primary and secondary sources in order to touch its objectives. Primary data were gathered through questionnaire, interview and focus group discussion while secondary data were gathered through document analysis, books, journal and other document. Questionnaires were distributed and administered by the researcher with the help of enumerators. Structured questionnaires were filled by households of 01 and 04 kebeles. Interviews were conducted with police members, community leaders and justice sector participants to attain profound information. Similarly, FGD was conducted with respondents selected from police and community members. Data were analyzed and interpreted using descriptive statistics and qualitative technique.The finding of the study revealed that, community and to some extent police have low understanding and perception toward community policing in the study area. In addition to this, the study identified institutional challenges, which include lack of coordination, lack of effective police service delivery, lack of professional police and police violation of human right. Similarly, the study identified social challenges affecting community policing, which include, lack of community participation, lack of police community relationship and lack of regular community policing forum. Under infrastructural challenges the study identified lack of adequate logistic support, lack of adequate budge and lack of resource to implement community policing effectively. The finding of the study also revealed that the practice of the key components of community policing mainly community partnership, problem solving and organizational transformations are not as such effective. Based on the finding of the study, the researcher recommends that enhancing awareness creation, effective coordination among the stakeholders, insuring transparency and accountability, building trust with community, establishing regular community policing forum, enhancing police capacity, allocating adequate budget and logistic support, improving community participation in order to sustain these strategies in the study area.

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This study attempted to arrive at the ways of indigenous practices for promoting sustainable land development in selected kebeles of Gimbi Woreda,West Wollega Zone, Oromia Regional State. The study area is typical for the high potential coffee production, mixed farming, and cereal crops in the Southwestern Ethiopian highlands. Land is a precious natural resource which demands efficient management in order to use it in a sustainable manner. A cross sectional research design was employed with descriptive survey method. About 319 household heads were selected using simple random sampling technique from three kebeles (kebele: Lowest Administrative Division) which were chosen purposively. In addition, thirteen key informants and nine household heads for FGD were selected by purposive sampling technique. Data collection tools included questionnaire, focus group discussions, key informant interview and field observation. The factors that affect sustainable land management include land holding size, fragmentation, land ownership security, size of livestock, and availability of labor and farm tools, and education of farmers. Finally, based on the findings of the study, it has been recommended that farmers need to get basic education and family planning services. They have to be organized in team and get access to credit and saving services. The local knowledge of farmers has to be encouraged and supported through continuous training. A few selected breeds of livestock should be encouraged in order to reduce overgrazing.

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A research problem is a definite or clear expression [statement] about an area of concern, a condition to be improved upon, a difficulty to be eliminated, or a troubling question that exists in scholarly literature, in theory, or within existing practice that points to a need for meaningful understanding and deliberate investigation. A research problem does not state how to do something, offer a vague or broad proposition, or present a value question. In the social and behavioral sciences, studies are most often framed around examining a problem that needs to be understood and resolved in order to improve society and the human condition.

Bryman, Alan. “The Research Question in Social Research: What is its Role?” International Journal of Social Research Methodology 10 (2007): 5-20; Guba, Egon G., and Yvonna S. Lincoln. “Competing Paradigms in Qualitative Research.” In Handbook of Qualitative Research . Norman K. Denzin and Yvonna S. Lincoln, editors. (Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, 1994), pp. 105-117; Pardede, Parlindungan. “Identifying and Formulating the Research Problem." Research in ELT: Module 4 (October 2018): 1-13; Li, Yanmei, and Sumei Zhang. "Identifying the Research Problem." In Applied Research Methods in Urban and Regional Planning . (Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing, 2022), pp. 13-21.

Importance of...

The purpose of a problem statement is to:

• Introduce the reader to the importance of the topic being studied . The reader is oriented to the significance of the study.
• Anchors the research questions, hypotheses, or assumptions to follow . It offers a concise statement about the purpose of your paper.
• Place the topic into a particular context that defines the parameters of what is to be investigated.
• Provide the framework for reporting the results and indicates what is probably necessary to conduct the study and explain how the findings will present this information.

In the social sciences, the research problem establishes the means by which you must answer the "So What?" question. This declarative question refers to a research problem surviving the relevancy test [the quality of a measurement procedure that provides repeatability and accuracy]. Note that answering the "So What?" question requires a commitment on your part to not only show that you have reviewed the literature, but that you have thoroughly considered the significance of the research problem and its implications applied to creating new knowledge and understanding or informing practice.

To survive the "So What" question, problem statements should possess the following attributes:

• Clarity and precision [a well-written statement does not make sweeping generalizations and irresponsible pronouncements; it also does include unspecific determinates like "very" or "giant"],
• Demonstrate a researchable topic or issue [i.e., feasibility of conducting the study is based upon access to information that can be effectively acquired, gathered, interpreted, synthesized, and understood],
• Identification of what would be studied, while avoiding the use of value-laden words and terms,
• Identification of an overarching question or small set of questions accompanied by key factors or variables,
• Identification of key concepts and terms,
• Articulation of the study's conceptual boundaries or parameters or limitations,
• Some generalizability in regards to applicability and bringing results into general use,
• Conveyance of the study's importance, benefits, and justification [i.e., regardless of the type of research, it is important to demonstrate that the research is not trivial],
• Does not have unnecessary jargon or overly complex sentence constructions; and,
• Conveyance of more than the mere gathering of descriptive data providing only a snapshot of the issue or phenomenon under investigation.

Bryman, Alan. “The Research Question in Social Research: What is its Role?” International Journal of Social Research Methodology 10 (2007): 5-20; Brown, Perry J., Allen Dyer, and Ross S. Whaley. "Recreation Research—So What?" Journal of Leisure Research 5 (1973): 16-24; Castellanos, Susie. Critical Writing and Thinking. The Writing Center. Dean of the College. Brown University; Ellis, Timothy J. and Yair Levy Nova. "Framework of Problem-Based Research: A Guide for Novice Researchers on the Development of a Research-Worthy Problem." Informing Science: the International Journal of an Emerging Transdiscipline 11 (2008); Thesis and Purpose Statements. The Writer’s Handbook. Writing Center. University of Wisconsin, Madison; Thesis Statements. The Writing Center. University of North Carolina; Tips and Examples for Writing Thesis Statements. The Writing Lab and The OWL. Purdue University; Selwyn, Neil. "‘So What?’…A Question that Every Journal Article Needs to Answer." Learning, Media, and Technology 39 (2014): 1-5; Shoket, Mohd. "Research Problem: Identification and Formulation." International Journal of Research 1 (May 2014): 512-518.

Structure and Writing Style

I.  Types and Content

There are four general conceptualizations of a research problem in the social sciences:

• Casuist Research Problem -- this type of problem relates to the determination of right and wrong in questions of conduct or conscience by analyzing moral dilemmas through the application of general rules and the careful distinction of special cases.
• Difference Research Problem -- typically asks the question, “Is there a difference between two or more groups or treatments?” This type of problem statement is used when the researcher compares or contrasts two or more phenomena. This a common approach to defining a problem in the clinical social sciences or behavioral sciences.
• Descriptive Research Problem -- typically asks the question, "what is...?" with the underlying purpose to describe the significance of a situation, state, or existence of a specific phenomenon. This problem is often associated with revealing hidden or understudied issues.
• Relational Research Problem -- suggests a relationship of some sort between two or more variables to be investigated. The underlying purpose is to investigate specific qualities or characteristics that may be connected in some way.

A problem statement in the social sciences should contain :

• A lead-in that helps ensure the reader will maintain interest over the study,
• A declaration of originality [e.g., mentioning a knowledge void or a lack of clarity about a topic that will be revealed in the literature review of prior research],
• An indication of the central focus of the study [establishing the boundaries of analysis], and
• An explanation of the study's significance or the benefits to be derived from investigating the research problem.

NOTE:   A statement describing the research problem of your paper should not be viewed as a thesis statement that you may be familiar with from high school. Given the content listed above, a description of the research problem is usually a short paragraph in length.

II.  Sources of Problems for Investigation

The identification of a problem to study can be challenging, not because there's a lack of issues that could be investigated, but due to the challenge of formulating an academically relevant and researchable problem which is unique and does not simply duplicate the work of others. To facilitate how you might select a problem from which to build a research study, consider these sources of inspiration:

Deductions from Theory This relates to deductions made from social philosophy or generalizations embodied in life and in society that the researcher is familiar with. These deductions from human behavior are then placed within an empirical frame of reference through research. From a theory, the researcher can formulate a research problem or hypothesis stating the expected findings in certain empirical situations. The research asks the question: “What relationship between variables will be observed if theory aptly summarizes the state of affairs?” One can then design and carry out a systematic investigation to assess whether empirical data confirm or reject the hypothesis, and hence, the theory.

Interdisciplinary Perspectives Identifying a problem that forms the basis for a research study can come from academic movements and scholarship originating in disciplines outside of your primary area of study. This can be an intellectually stimulating exercise. A review of pertinent literature should include examining research from related disciplines that can reveal new avenues of exploration and analysis. An interdisciplinary approach to selecting a research problem offers an opportunity to construct a more comprehensive understanding of a very complex issue that any single discipline may be able to provide.

Interviewing Practitioners The identification of research problems about particular topics can arise from formal interviews or informal discussions with practitioners who provide insight into new directions for future research and how to make research findings more relevant to practice. Discussions with experts in the field, such as, teachers, social workers, health care providers, lawyers, business leaders, etc., offers the chance to identify practical, “real world” problems that may be understudied or ignored within academic circles. This approach also provides some practical knowledge which may help in the process of designing and conducting your study.

Personal Experience Don't undervalue your everyday experiences or encounters as worthwhile problems for investigation. Think critically about your own experiences and/or frustrations with an issue facing society or related to your community, your neighborhood, your family, or your personal life. This can be derived, for example, from deliberate observations of certain relationships for which there is no clear explanation or witnessing an event that appears harmful to a person or group or that is out of the ordinary.

Relevant Literature The selection of a research problem can be derived from a thorough review of pertinent research associated with your overall area of interest. This may reveal where gaps exist in understanding a topic or where an issue has been understudied. Research may be conducted to: 1) fill such gaps in knowledge; 2) evaluate if the methodologies employed in prior studies can be adapted to solve other problems; or, 3) determine if a similar study could be conducted in a different subject area or applied in a different context or to different study sample [i.e., different setting or different group of people]. Also, authors frequently conclude their studies by noting implications for further research; read the conclusion of pertinent studies because statements about further research can be a valuable source for identifying new problems to investigate. The fact that a researcher has identified a topic worthy of further exploration validates the fact it is worth pursuing.

III.  What Makes a Good Research Statement?

A good problem statement begins by introducing the broad area in which your research is centered, gradually leading the reader to the more specific issues you are investigating. The statement need not be lengthy, but a good research problem should incorporate the following features:

1.  Compelling Topic The problem chosen should be one that motivates you to address it but simple curiosity is not a good enough reason to pursue a research study because this does not indicate significance. The problem that you choose to explore must be important to you, but it must also be viewed as important by your readers and to a the larger academic and/or social community that could be impacted by the results of your study. 2.  Supports Multiple Perspectives The problem must be phrased in a way that avoids dichotomies and instead supports the generation and exploration of multiple perspectives. A general rule of thumb in the social sciences is that a good research problem is one that would generate a variety of viewpoints from a composite audience made up of reasonable people. 3.  Researchability This isn't a real word but it represents an important aspect of creating a good research statement. It seems a bit obvious, but you don't want to find yourself in the midst of investigating a complex research project and realize that you don't have enough prior research to draw from for your analysis. There's nothing inherently wrong with original research, but you must choose research problems that can be supported, in some way, by the resources available to you. If you are not sure if something is researchable, don't assume that it isn't if you don't find information right away--seek help from a librarian !

NOTE:   Do not confuse a research problem with a research topic. A topic is something to read and obtain information about, whereas a problem is something to be solved or framed as a question raised for inquiry, consideration, or solution, or explained as a source of perplexity, distress, or vexation. In short, a research topic is something to be understood; a research problem is something that needs to be investigated.

IV.  Asking Analytical Questions about the Research Problem

Research problems in the social and behavioral sciences are often analyzed around critical questions that must be investigated. These questions can be explicitly listed in the introduction [i.e., "This study addresses three research questions about women's psychological recovery from domestic abuse in multi-generational home settings..."], or, the questions are implied in the text as specific areas of study related to the research problem. Explicitly listing your research questions at the end of your introduction can help in designing a clear roadmap of what you plan to address in your study, whereas, implicitly integrating them into the text of the introduction allows you to create a more compelling narrative around the key issues under investigation. Either approach is appropriate.

The number of questions you attempt to address should be based on the complexity of the problem you are investigating and what areas of inquiry you find most critical to study. Practical considerations, such as, the length of the paper you are writing or the availability of resources to analyze the issue can also factor in how many questions to ask. In general, however, there should be no more than four research questions underpinning a single research problem.

Given this, well-developed analytical questions can focus on any of the following:

• Highlights a genuine dilemma, area of ambiguity, or point of confusion about a topic open to interpretation by your readers;
• Yields an answer that is unexpected and not obvious rather than inevitable and self-evident;
• Provokes meaningful thought or discussion;
• Raises the visibility of the key ideas or concepts that may be understudied or hidden;
• Suggests the need for complex analysis or argument rather than a basic description or summary; and,
• Offers a specific path of inquiry that avoids eliciting generalizations about the problem.

NOTE:   Questions of how and why concerning a research problem often require more analysis than questions about who, what, where, and when. You should still ask yourself these latter questions, however. Thinking introspectively about the who, what, where, and when of a research problem can help ensure that you have thoroughly considered all aspects of the problem under investigation and helps define the scope of the study in relation to the problem.

V.  Mistakes to Avoid

Beware of circular reasoning! Do not state the research problem as simply the absence of the thing you are suggesting. For example, if you propose the following, "The problem in this community is that there is no hospital," this only leads to a research problem where:

• The need is for a hospital
• The objective is to create a hospital
• The method is to plan for building a hospital, and
• The evaluation is to measure if there is a hospital or not.

This is an example of a research problem that fails the "So What?" test . In this example, the problem does not reveal the relevance of why you are investigating the fact there is no hospital in the community [e.g., perhaps there's a hospital in the community ten miles away]; it does not elucidate the significance of why one should study the fact there is no hospital in the community [e.g., that hospital in the community ten miles away has no emergency room]; the research problem does not offer an intellectual pathway towards adding new knowledge or clarifying prior knowledge [e.g., the county in which there is no hospital already conducted a study about the need for a hospital, but it was conducted ten years ago]; and, the problem does not offer meaningful outcomes that lead to recommendations that can be generalized for other situations or that could suggest areas for further research [e.g., the challenges of building a new hospital serves as a case study for other communities].

Alvesson, Mats and Jörgen Sandberg. “Generating Research Questions Through Problematization.” Academy of Management Review 36 (April 2011): 247-271 ; Choosing and Refining Topics. Writing@CSU. Colorado State University; D'Souza, Victor S. "Use of Induction and Deduction in Research in Social Sciences: An Illustration." Journal of the Indian Law Institute 24 (1982): 655-661; Ellis, Timothy J. and Yair Levy Nova. "Framework of Problem-Based Research: A Guide for Novice Researchers on the Development of a Research-Worthy Problem." Informing Science: the International Journal of an Emerging Transdiscipline 11 (2008); How to Write a Research Question. The Writing Center. George Mason University; Invention: Developing a Thesis Statement. The Reading/Writing Center. Hunter College; Problem Statements PowerPoint Presentation. The Writing Lab and The OWL. Purdue University; Procter, Margaret. Using Thesis Statements. University College Writing Centre. University of Toronto; Shoket, Mohd. "Research Problem: Identification and Formulation." International Journal of Research 1 (May 2014): 512-518; Trochim, William M.K. Problem Formulation. Research Methods Knowledge Base. 2006; Thesis and Purpose Statements. The Writer’s Handbook. Writing Center. University of Wisconsin, Madison; Thesis Statements. The Writing Center. University of North Carolina; Tips and Examples for Writing Thesis Statements. The Writing Lab and The OWL. Purdue University; Pardede, Parlindungan. “Identifying and Formulating the Research Problem." Research in ELT: Module 4 (October 2018): 1-13; Walk, Kerry. Asking an Analytical Question. [Class handout or worksheet]. Princeton University; White, Patrick. Developing Research Questions: A Guide for Social Scientists . New York: Palgrave McMillan, 2009; Li, Yanmei, and Sumei Zhang. "Identifying the Research Problem." In Applied Research Methods in Urban and Regional Planning . (Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing, 2022), pp. 13-21.

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Section on Cellular and Cognitive Neurodevelopment

Mental health and brain disorders are increasingly prevalent, significantly impacting lives around the world. While progress has been made in understanding some of these disorders, mechanistic insights still need to be discovered, making effective treatment challenging. Emerging research points to issues in the way specific brain networks, especially those involving the thalamus and cortex, interact as potential contributors to disorders like schizophrenia. The thalamus, located beneath the cortex, acts as a crucial relay center for signals between cortical areas, yet it has often been overlooked in brain disorder research. Gaining a deeper understanding of these networks, particularly the thalamus, is essential for developing more effective treatments. Furthermore, understanding how these networks behave differently in early life is vital.

SCCN’s mission is to comprehensively understand thalamocortical networks and their role in brain development and function. This insight could pave the way for improved treatments for a variety of conditions, from vision impairments due to stroke to psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia. To achieve this, we are conducting two primary research projects that explore how these networks develop and change over time. We utilize cutting-edge techniques and collaborate with experts across various disciplines to push the boundaries of our knowledge.

[1] Development: We are exploring how issues in a specific part of the thalamus, known as the medial pulvinar nucleus, may be linked to schizophrenia. By studying how this brain region develops and connects with other areas, we aim to uncover clues about the origins of schizophrenia and related disorders.

[2] Plasticity: We are investigating the role of another thalamic region, the inferior pulvinar, in the brain's ability to adapt to changes, particularly following injuries. Understanding how this area influences visual processing could lead to innovative treatments for vision problems resulting from brain injuries.

Our research employs diverse techniques, including advanced imaging methods, genetic analysis, and behavioral experiments in animal models. Using a 'cell-to-system' approach, we integrate these methods to create a holistic understanding of brain disease development, which is crucial for finding the best strategies for treatment and prevention. By closely examining how the brain changes over time and in response to injury, we aim to reveal new insights into these disorders.

Our research is expected to provide a deeper understanding of how thalamocortical networks influence brain function and dysfunction, offering a developmental context to the network disruptions seen in many brain diseases. By uncovering the underlying mechanisms, we hope to contribute to more effective opportunities to investigate treatments for neurological and psychiatric conditions.

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The Community Library in Ketchum will host a presentation on new valley housing affordability research Tuesday.

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Closing the affordability gap: Area housing experts to discuss new research

New market-rate development exacerbates demand for community housing, study finds.

Kari Dequine Harden

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• Sep 16, 2024

A meeting to discuss recent research on “Blaine County’s Housing Needs and the Impact of New Development," addressing the area's housing affordability gap, will be held at The Community Library in Ketchum on Tuesday, Sept. 17, at 5:30 p.m.

“New residential and commercial development generate new jobs, which create additional need for community housing,” according to the 2024 "Nexus Study" conducted by the Blaine County Housing Authority and the Wood River Land Trust.

“Understanding and quantifying the nexus—i.e. the impacts that new development has on employee generation and the demand for community housing in Blaine County is important to better plan for new development and address future community housing needs,” the study stated.

The study showed the median market-rate home in Blaine County increased in price from $325,000 in 2014 to $1 million in 2023.

A median-priced house in 2014 was affordable to households earning 130% of the area median income, while in 2023, that home was affordable only to a household making 303% of the area median income—or more than $238,000 every year.

On Tuesday evening, the BCHA will present a housing needs assessment conducted in 2022 and updated in 2023 to include unexpected barriers to housing and input from residents seeking housing.

Following the BCHA presentation, economist Matt Prosser, principal of Denver firm Economic & Planning Systems, will discuss the Nexus Study, with a stated objective of providing “a technically robust understanding of how new development generates demand for new employees and for attainable, workforce housing—otherwise known as community housing.”

The 69-page document builds on similar studies from Teton County, Idaho, and Teton County, Wyoming.

The study, funded by the Spur Community Foundation, was conducted by consultants at Economic & Planning Systems with assistance from local organizations including Sun Valley Economic Development, the Sun Valley Board of Realtors and the planning and building and community development departments in local governments in the Wood River Valley.

“As we experience growth in the Wood River Valley, we also have the opportunity to shape it,” said Wood River Land Trust Community Planning Director Cece Osborn in a July 26 story in the Express. “The 'Nexus Study' indicates when and how new development generates local jobs, as well as the demand for more workforce housing. It shows that we can’t just build our way out of the housing crisis with more market-rate units. Adopting zoning tools—like a community housing incentive—will be important to meeting the need. Incentivizing developers to build community housing units is the most cost-effective way to provide housing that is attainable to locals earning local wages.”

Registration for in-person attendance is required online at the library's website.

This program will also be live-streamed and available for later viewing. Click here to watch online.

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Home » Research Topics – Ideas and Examples

Research Topics – Ideas and Examples

Table of Contents

Research Topic

Definition:

Research topic is a specific subject or area of interest that a researcher wants to investigate or explore in-depth through research. It is the overarching theme or question that guides a research project and helps to focus the research activities towards a clear objective.

How to Choose Research Topic

You can Choose a Research Topic by following the below guide:

Identify your Interests

One of the most important factors to consider when choosing a research topic is your personal interest. This is because you will be spending a considerable amount of time researching and writing about the topic, so it’s essential that you are genuinely interested and passionate about it. Start by brainstorming a list of potential research topics based on your interests, hobbies, or areas of expertise. You can also consider the courses that you’ve enjoyed the most or the topics that have stood out to you in your readings.

Review the Literature

Before deciding on a research topic, you need to understand what has already been written about it. Conducting a preliminary review of the existing literature in your field can help you identify gaps in knowledge, inconsistencies in findings, or unanswered questions that you can explore further. You can do this by reading academic articles, books, and other relevant sources in your field. Make notes of the themes or topics that emerge and use this information to guide your research question.

Consult with your Advisor

Your academic advisor or a mentor in your field can provide you with valuable insights and guidance on choosing a research topic. They can help you identify areas of interest, suggest potential research questions, and provide feedback on the feasibility of your research proposal. They can also direct you towards relevant literature and resources that can help you develop your research further.

Consider the Scope and Feasibility

The research topic you choose should be manageable within the time and resource constraints of your project. Be mindful of the scope of your research and ensure that you are not trying to tackle a topic that is too broad or too narrow. If your topic is too broad, you may find it challenging to conduct a comprehensive analysis, while if it’s too narrow, you may struggle to find enough material to support your research.

Brainstorm with Peers

Discussing potential research topics with your peers or colleagues can help you generate new ideas and perspectives. They may have insights or expertise that you haven’t considered, and their feedback can help you refine your research question. You can also join academic groups or attend conferences in your field to network with other researchers and get inspiration for your research.

Consider the Relevance

Choose a research topic that is relevant to your field of study and has the potential to contribute to the existing knowledge. You can consider the latest trends and emerging issues in your field to identify topics that are both relevant and interesting. Conducting research on a topic that is timely and relevant can also increase the likelihood of getting published or presenting your research at conferences.

Keep an Open Mind

While it’s essential to choose a research topic that aligns with your interests and expertise, you should also be open to exploring new ideas or topics that may be outside of your comfort zone. Consider researching a topic that challenges your assumptions or introduces new perspectives that you haven’t considered before. You may discover new insights or perspectives that can enrich your research and contribute to your growth as a researcher.

Components of Research Topic

A research topic typically consists of several components that help to define and clarify the subject matter of the research project. These components include:

• Research problem or question: This is the central issue or inquiry that the research seeks to address. It should be well-defined and focused, with clear boundaries that limit the scope of the research.
• Background and context: This component provides the necessary background information and context for the research topic. It explains why the research problem or question is important, relevant, and timely. It may also include a literature review that summarizes the existing research on the topic.
• Objectives or goals : This component outlines the specific objectives or goals that the research seeks to achieve. It should be clear and concise, and should align with the research problem or question.
• Methodology : This component describes the research methods and techniques that will be used to collect and analyze data. It should be detailed enough to provide a clear understanding of how the research will be conducted, including the sampling method, data collection tools, and statistical analyses.
• Significance or contribution : This component explains the significance or contribution of the research topic. It should demonstrate how the research will add to the existing knowledge in the field, and how it will benefit practitioners, policymakers, or society at large.
• Limitations: This component outlines the limitations of the research, including any potential biases, assumptions, or constraints. It should be transparent and honest about the potential shortcomings of the research, and how these limitations will be addressed.
• Expected outcomes or findings : This component provides an overview of the expected outcomes or findings of the research project. It should be realistic and based on the research objectives and methodology.

Purpose of Research Topic

The purpose of a research topic is to identify a specific area of inquiry that the researcher wants to explore and investigate. A research topic is typically a broad area of interest that requires further exploration and refinement through the research process. It provides a clear focus and direction for the research project, and helps to define the research questions and objectives. A well-defined research topic also helps to ensure that the research is relevant and useful, and can contribute to the existing body of knowledge in the field. Ultimately, the purpose of a research topic is to generate new insights, knowledge, and understanding about a particular phenomenon, issue, or problem.

Characteristics of Research Topic

some common characteristics of a well-defined research topic include:

• Relevance : A research topic should be relevant and significant to the field of study and address a current issue, problem, or gap in knowledge.
• Specificity : A research topic should be specific enough to allow for a focused investigation and clear understanding of the research question.
• Feasibility : A research topic should be feasible, meaning it should be possible to carry out the research within the given constraints of time, resources, and expertise.
• Novelty : A research topic should add to the existing body of knowledge by introducing new ideas, concepts, or theories.
• Clarity : A research topic should be clearly articulated and easy to understand, both for the researcher and for potential readers of the research.
• Importance : A research topic should be important and have practical implications for the field or society as a whole.
• Significance : A research topic should be significant and have the potential to generate new insights and understanding in the field.

Examples of Research Topics

Here are some examples of research topics that are currently relevant and in-demand in various fields:

• The impact of social media on mental health: With the rise of social media use, this topic has gained significant attention in recent years. Researchers could investigate how social media affects self-esteem, body image, and other mental health concerns.
• The use of artificial intelligence in healthcare: As healthcare becomes increasingly digitalized, researchers could explore the use of AI algorithms to predict and prevent disease, optimize treatment plans, and improve patient outcomes.
• Renewable energy and sustainable development: As the world seeks to reduce its carbon footprint, researchers could investigate the potential of renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power, and how these technologies can be integrated into existing infrastructure.
• The impact of workplace diversity and inclusion on employee productivity: With an increasing focus on diversity and inclusion in the workplace, researchers could investigate how these factors affect employee morale, productivity, and retention.
• Cybersecurity and data privacy: As data breaches and cyber attacks become more common, researchers could explore new methods of protecting sensitive information and preventing malicious attacks.
• T he impact of mindfulness and meditation on stress reduction: As stress-related health issues become more prevalent, researchers could investigate the effectiveness of mindfulness and meditation practices on reducing stress and improving overall well-being.

Research Topics Ideas

Here are some Research Topics Ideas from different fields:

• The impact of social media on mental health and well-being.
• The effectiveness of various teaching methods in improving academic performance in high schools.
• The role of AI and machine learning in healthcare: current applications and future potentials.
• The impact of climate change on wildlife habitats and conservation efforts.
• The effects of video game violence on aggressive behavior in young adults.
• The effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction techniques in reducing anxiety and depression.
• The impact of technology on human relationships and social interactions.
• The role of exercise in promoting physical and mental health in older adults.
• The causes and consequences of income inequality in developed and developing countries.
• The effects of cultural diversity in the workplace on job satisfaction and productivity.
• The impact of remote work on employee productivity and work-life balance.
• The relationship between sleep patterns and cognitive functioning.
• The effectiveness of online learning versus traditional classroom learning.
• The role of government policies in promoting renewable energy adoption.
• The effects of childhood trauma on mental health in adulthood.
• The impact of social media on political participation and civic engagement.
• The effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy in treating anxiety disorders.
• The relationship between nutrition and cognitive functioning.
• The impact of gentrification on urban communities.
• The effects of music on mood and emotional regulation.
• The impact of microplastics on marine ecosystems and food webs.
• The role of artificial intelligence in detecting and preventing cyberattacks.
• The effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions in managing chronic pain.
• The relationship between personality traits and job satisfaction.
• The effects of social isolation on mental and physical health in older adults.
• The impact of cultural and linguistic diversity on healthcare access and outcomes.
• The effectiveness of psychotherapy in treating depression and anxiety in adolescents.
• The relationship between exercise and cognitive aging.
• The effects of social media on body image and self-esteem.
• The role of corporate social responsibility in promoting sustainable business practices.
• The impact of mindfulness meditation on attention and focus in children.
• The relationship between political polarization and media consumption habits.
• The effects of urbanization on mental health and well-being.
• The role of social support in managing chronic illness.
• The impact of social media on romantic relationships and dating behaviors.
• The effectiveness of behavioral interventions in promoting physical activity in sedentary adults.
• The relationship between sleep quality and immune function.
• The effects of workplace diversity and inclusion programs on employee retention.
• The impact of climate change on global food security.
• The role of music therapy in improving communication and social skills in individuals with autism spectrum disorder.
• The impact of cultural values on the development of mental health stigma.
• The effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction techniques in reducing burnout in healthcare professionals.
• The relationship between social media use and body dissatisfaction among adolescents.
• The effects of nature exposure on cognitive functioning and well-being.
• The role of peer mentoring in promoting academic success in underrepresented student populations.
• The impact of neighborhood characteristics on physical activity and obesity.
• The effectiveness of cognitive rehabilitation interventions in improving cognitive functioning in individuals with traumatic brain injury.
• The relationship between organizational culture and employee job satisfaction.
• The effects of cultural immersion experiences on intercultural competence development.
• The role of assistive technology in promoting independence and quality of life for individuals with disabilities.
• The impact of workplace design on employee productivity and well-being.
• The impact of digital technologies on the music industry and artist revenues.
• The effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy in treating insomnia.
• The relationship between social media use and body weight perception among young adults.
• The effects of green spaces on mental health and well-being in urban areas.
• The role of mindfulness-based interventions in reducing substance use disorders.
• The impact of workplace bullying on employee turnover and job satisfaction.
• The effectiveness of animal-assisted therapy in treating mental health disorders.
• The relationship between teacher-student relationships and academic achievement.
• The effects of social support on resilience in individuals experiencing adversity.
• The role of cognitive aging in driving safety and mobility.
• The effectiveness of psychotherapy in treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
• The relationship between social media use and sleep quality.
• The effects of cultural competency training on healthcare providers’ attitudes and behaviors towards diverse patient populations.
• The role of exercise in preventing chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
• The impact of the gig economy on job security and worker rights.
• The effectiveness of art therapy in promoting emotional regulation and coping skills in children and adolescents.
• The relationship between parenting styles and child academic achievement.
• The effects of social comparison on well-being and self-esteem.
• The role of nutrition in promoting healthy aging and longevity.
• The impact of gender diversity in leadership on organizational performance.
• The effectiveness of family-based interventions in treating eating disorders.
• The relationship between social media use and perceived loneliness among older adults.
• The effects of mindfulness-based interventions on pain management in chronic pain patients.
• The role of physical activity in preventing and treating depression.
• The impact of cultural differences on communication and conflict resolution in international business.
• The effectiveness of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) in treating anxiety disorders.
• The relationship between student engagement and academic success in higher education.
• The effects of discrimination on mental health outcomes in minority populations.
• The role of virtual reality in enhancing learning experiences.
• The impact of social media influencers on consumer behavior and brand loyalty.
• The effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) in treating chronic pain.
• The relationship between social media use and body image dissatisfaction among men.
• The effects of exposure to nature on cognitive functioning and creativity.
• The role of spirituality in coping with illness and disability.
• The impact of automation on employment and job displacement.
• The effectiveness of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) in treating borderline personality disorder.
• The relationship between teacher-student relationships and school attendance.
• The effects of mindfulness-based interventions on workplace stress and burnout.
• The role of exercise in promoting cognitive functioning and brain health in older adults.
• The impact of diversity and inclusion initiatives on organizational innovation and creativity.
• The effectiveness of cognitive remediation therapy in treating schizophrenia.
• The relationship between social media use and body dissatisfaction among women.
• The effects of exposure to natural light on mood and sleep quality.
• The role of spirituality in enhancing well-being and resilience in military personnel.
• The impact of artificial intelligence on job training and skill development.
• The effectiveness of interpersonal therapy (IPT) in treating depression.
• The relationship between parental involvement and academic achievement among low-income students.
• The effects of mindfulness-based interventions on emotional regulation and coping skills in trauma survivors.
• The role of nutrition in preventing and treating mental health disorders.

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HSHS funding to soon help Grief services research project

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (WEAU) - Grief services, or gaps in grief treatment are on the rise in the Chippewa Valley.

HSHS gave a $4.8 million endowment to the Eau Claire Community Foundation. Which can later go towards a solution for grief treatment based on the grief services research projects findings.

Ann Kaiser, owner of AMK Nonprofit Coaching is in charge of this study.

“The purpose of the project is to get a baseline of grief services in the area. What exists, how is it delivered, who is it available to, but then also learn what are the gaps in services. And then what kind of delivery systems would be best to deliver that gap in service. This $4.8 million that is coming to the Eau Claire Community Foundation but it’s not quite designated on how it’s going to be spent, so the study that we’re doing is going to help provide direction to how that $4.8 million might be spent.” Kaiser said.

The research project will have a broad community opinion survey, beginning in October. Volunteer and professional providers, small group gatherings and personal interviews. Who have experienced different forms of grief.

There will also be different opportunities for community input through examples like one on one meetings, focus groups and a large-scale study of how grief is being treated.

“As we’re gathering information about the closures of the hospitals, that loss is informing the study. It’s informing what does this look like for the community, for its employees and everybody who was involved in the hospital community.” Kaiser said.

Kaiser has partnered with different local resources, like UW-Eau Claire professor, Dr. Trond Bergestuen who will help conduct the research.

“She wondered if this would be a good opportunity for my students to work on a real project that will have a real impact on the community. If we can help understand what the community really know about what’s available, and maybe kind of dig into areas that there’s a need for something that has not been available up to this point.” Dr. Bergestuen said.

Copyright 2024 WEAU. All rights reserved.

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• 10 Research Question Examples to Guide Your Research Project

10 Research Question Examples to Guide your Research Project

Published on October 30, 2022 by Shona McCombes . Revised on October 19, 2023.

The research question is one of the most important parts of your research paper , thesis or dissertation . It’s important to spend some time assessing and refining your question before you get started.

The exact form of your question will depend on a few things, such as the length of your project, the type of research you’re conducting, the topic , and the research problem . However, all research questions should be focused, specific, and relevant to a timely social or scholarly issue.

Once you’ve read our guide on how to write a research question , you can use these examples to craft your own.

Note that the design of your research question can depend on what method you are pursuing. Here are a few options for qualitative, quantitative, and statistical research questions.

Other interesting articles

If you want to know more about the research process , methodology , research bias , or statistics , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.

Methodology

• Sampling methods
• Simple random sampling
• Stratified sampling
• Cluster sampling
• Likert scales
• Reproducibility

 Statistics

• Null hypothesis
• Statistical power
• Probability distribution
• Effect size
• Poisson distribution

Research bias

• Optimism bias
• Cognitive bias
• Implicit bias
• Hawthorne effect
• Anchoring bias
• Explicit bias

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Study on material removal and process optimization of composite material curved shell components robot grinding under flexible contact mode

• Technical Paper
• Published: 15 September 2024
• Volume 46 , article number  610 , ( 2024 )

Cite this article

• Jian-wei Ma   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-2177-529X 1 ,
• Guang-ye Shi 1 ,
• Xiang-rui Zeng 1 ,
• Hui-teng Yan 1 ,
• Wei-nan Chen 2 &
• Hang Yuan 3  

Composite material curved shell components are key parts of the new generation of high-speed aircraft and missile systems; grinding quality of these components directly affects service performance of the equipment. Optimizing processing process parameters with material removal depth and surface roughness as quality targets is an effective means to improve grinding quality. In this paper, flexible grinding disc is used to process such curved components; for this grinding method under flexible contact mode, deformation of the grinding tool is associated with actual geometric surface shape of the components, then a method for analysing deformation in grinding contact area is proposed combined with the compression physical characteristics of grinding tool, material removal depth prediction model is established based on this method, and processing path interval is optimized with the goal of uniform material removal. Surface roughness prediction model is obtained by conducting experiments and regression analysis, which can be combined with the material removal depth prediction model to achieve grinding quality prediction. In order to meet the actual processing quality requirements of achieving the target range of roughness, reducing material removal depth and improving machining efficiency, a multi-objective optimization method based on grey correlation analysis is proposed. Verification experiment results show that research of this article effectively achieves prediction of grinding quality and improvement of removal uniformity, optimal process parameter combination can reach material removal depth of 21.4 μm and surface roughness Ra of 1.31 μm, improves processing efficiency by 38.2%, improving the comprehensive grinding quality.

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Abbreviations

Normal force output by the device

Grinding contact force

Tool angular speed

Tool movement speed

Tool rotation speed

Material removal volume

Material removal coefficient

Tool working time

Relative speed between tool and workpiece

Pressure between grinding tool and component

Starting point of machining trajectory

End point of the machining trajectory

A certain point in contact area

Coordinate of point M

The maximum deformation of grinding disc

The minimum deformation of grinding disc

Deformation of point M

Contact pressure at coordinate (x,y)

Grinding disc deformation-pressure relationship function

Grinding contact area

Deformation at coordinate (x,y)

Compression increment at coordinate (x,y) relative to ε min

The solving relationship between ε m i n and F n

Relative speed at point M

Linear speed at point M

Angle between point M and the axial direction of grinding disc

The relative distances of point M from the axis of rotation in directions X

The relative distances of point M from the axis of rotation in directions Y

Curvature radius of the component

Length of processing trajectory

Area of grinding contact area

Mass change of the component before and after grinding

Material density

Experimental result of material removal coefficient

Experimental result of material removal volume

Path interval

Left end point of value range for I

Right end point of value range for I

Material removal depth in the middle of stacking area

The maximum material removal depth for single trajectory

The maximum D -value of material removal depth

Test statistic

Coefficient of determination of the model

Modified correlation coefficient

Predictive correlation coefficient

Surface roughness

Processing efficiency

Results of preprocessing roughness data

Data to be dimensionless processed

Result of dimensionless processing

Serial number of process parameter combinations

Serial number of optimization targets

Total number of process parameter combinations

Total number of optimization targets

Grey correlation coefficient for the k -th optimization target data under the i -th process parameter combination

Grey correlation degree calculation result of the i -th process parameter combination

Grey correlation degree

Resolution coefficient

Weight coefficient

Distance of device downward movement

Displacement of its floating unit of force control device

Grinding disc compression amount

Normal length of the flexible layer of grinding disc before deformation

Processing time per square metre

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Acknowledgements

The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship and/or publication of this article: The project is supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (No. 2022YFB3403500), National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 52375410), Applied Basic Research Program of Liaoning Province (No. 2022JH2/101300220), Independent Research and Development Funding Program of the First Academy and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities.

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State Key Laboratory of High-performance Precision Manufacturing, School of Mechanical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, China

Jian-wei Ma, Guang-ye Shi, Xiang-rui Zeng & Hui-teng Yan

AVIC Shenyang Aircraft Company Limited, Shenyang, 110850, China

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Aerospace Institute of Advanced Materials & Processing Technology, Beijing, 100074, China

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Ma, Jw., Shi, Gy., Zeng, Xr. et al. Study on material removal and process optimization of composite material curved shell components robot grinding under flexible contact mode. J Braz. Soc. Mech. Sci. Eng. 46 , 610 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40430-024-05162-9

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Received : 23 April 2024

Accepted : 20 August 2024

Published : 15 September 2024

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1007/s40430-024-05162-9

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