Tips for Finding and Selecting Research Problems

 

Research problems can be difficult to find and evaluate for investigation. Doctoral students who seek to work on a dissertation often look to seasoned researchers to help them narrow their problem into a specific thesis statement that can be applied to the research process. Even seasoned researchers often can find it difficult to find topics of interest. In either event all research starts with a recognition of a problem and then the exploration of the problem.

Recognition of a problem occurs when the problem enters our awareness. Sometimes it can be as simple as thinking about a topic your interested in and finding a problem through discovery. It is important to remember that easy to find research problems often already have existing research or are too broad to be of any good.

Many researchers spend years to find a sold research problem. When you are getting into the specifics you won't know what the problem is unless you have looked at all the other research out there or are ingrained in the field. Scientific problem recognition and eventual solution happen more through willful intent then through example.

Research should always seek to develop some new piece of information or some new understanding even though that understanding is small. It may not be ground breaking or earth shattering but could be important in its particular field. Finding research problems often relates to seeking out unanswered questions.

Finding a research problem can be difficult but is often beneficial to look for a few things that might be helpful.

Look into Bigger Problems. Large problems have many small components. Sometimes these components are covered but there will be many other aspects of the problem that were not covered. Take a big problem and research down to a specific problem.

Look for Information that Doesn't Connect: Information should connect well together in a parsimonious explanation. When information is not connecting together well then we know we have an issue related to explanation.

Look for the Novel: Topics of interest that are novel often have emerging information that either hasn't been studied or been replicated in new ways. Stay ahead of the market by looking for new novel discoveries.

Look for Topics of Interest: Find what interests you and continue to study it until you come across something new or question that hasn't been answered.

Look for Practical Problems: If you work for an employer and they are experiencing a problem work on something practical that is an answer for them. Not only will it have industry application but could get you some kudos.

Demystifing APA and MLA Styles

Dr. Andree Swanson, EdD and Chris Crites, MBA

So, you have to write a paper and you were told that it must be in MLA format. Did some of these thoughts enter into your mind?

What the heck is MLA format?

I remember using some sort of style back in high school, but that was ages ago!

At the college I attended everything was in APA style.

I vaguely remember MLA

Oh yes, that’s where you use footnotes, right?

Although this is a comparison of the two styles, ultimately, the decision on whether to use MLA or APA style is up to the University or College that you are attending. 

MLA vs. APA

 Scholars need to lead his or her reader as close to the information as a possible.  The research should be current, typically within the last five years.  As you can imagine in the field of business, engineering, and health care administration, information that is 20 years old would be of little or no use.  The one exception would be historical or literature reviews.  The MLA reference does not provide a means to show the date, volume, and page numbers of the document, only the date of retrieval.

The APA Publication Manual focuses on scientific research versus a literature base.  The study of business and finance is more closely aligned with scientific research than it is with literature.  Scholars must include peer-reviewed, current literature.  The APA style manual allows for this documentation.  Important elements include providing a specific link back to the research.  Currency of data is important in this field as new research is accomplished and published.  Social sciences use the APA Style Manual to document current studies that have been published.  To this end, business courses tend to follow the social sciences (e.g., economics is based on social behavior) than the literature base, thus the importance of using an APA reference.

Comparison of Two Styles

MLA Reference

Bowling, Daniel, & Hoffman, David. “Bringing Peace into the Room: The Personal Qualities of the Mediator and Their Impact on the Mediation.” Negotiation Journal. Jan 2000: 16, 1. ProQuest. Web. 20 May 2012.

Notice: the only date that is shown is the date of retrieval

APA Reference

Borstorff, P. C., & Lowe, S. K. (2007). Student perceptions and opinions toward e-learning in the college environment. Academy of Educational Leadership Journal, 11(2), 13-29. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Global database. doi: 1432002441.

The date of publication clues scholars and other readers that this information is current, and important in the world of business.  The page numbers provide precise information for scholars so that this information can be located easily for further research.

            Learning to apply APA formatting when writing your papers is something that is truly useful in all business applications.  Perhaps you may not use true APA formatting, but hopefully learning this style will enhance your critical thinking skills.  In future writings, you will consider a statement of fact only to wonder where the author gained the source of this information and check for their parenthetical citations.  The ability to research and document sources garnered her selection as a national training manager in a male-dominated field.  Thus, knowing APA style and understanding the importance of documentation could be what gets you your next job.