CE #5 – Problem Formulation and Quant/Qual Data

Please carefully read the instructions below and answer all questions in order

1. Generate a research problem idea (it’s okay to start broad) and explain why you picked such research topic/idea. 

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2. Now that you have a research problem, let’s go through the ‘shaping’ process. 

  • Narrow the scope (be as detailed as you can). 
  • Specify and explain at least 2 concepts that is relevant to your research problem.
  • Operationalize your research problem, by providing measurable factors. 
  • What is the unit of analysis for your research problem?
  • Conduct a literature review and write down one useful piece of information about your research problem from each credible source: scholarly journal article & website (make sure to have a reference of your source) 

3. Which of the two general different approaches to research (i.e., deductive reasoning & inductive reasoning) would you choose your research problem? Explain Why? 

4. Now that you have thought through more thoroughly about the first steps of the identifying and shaping a research problem, think about your research problem, and write down your research question (research question is a question that a research project sets out to answer – should be more somewhat detail).  

5. Which methodology (i.e., quantitative or qualitative) would you choose to answer the research question? Provide a detailed rationale to support your decision.  

6. Which method would you choose to gather the data? Provide a detailed rationale to support your decision. 

7. Would you adopt a cross-sectional or longitudinal research design? Provide a detailed rationale to support your decision. 

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