Page 61 - DMGT209_QUANTITATIVE_TECHNIQUES_II

Quantitative Techniques-II

Notes own seed. If our eyes need glasses, it is not the optician alone who decides about the number of
the lens we require. We have to see ourself and enable him to prescribe for us the right number
by cooperating with him. Thus, a research guide can at the most only help a researcher choose a
subject.
Inevitably, selecting a problem is somewhat arbitrary, idiosyncratic, and personal. Avoid
selecting the first problem that you encounter. Try to select the most interesting and personally
satisfying choice from among two or three possibilities. The problem selection should matter to
you. You should be eager and enthusiastic.

!

Caution A good topic should be small enough for a conclusive investigation and large
enough to yield interesting results. Remember that research must yield a publication for
it to have meaning. You may wish to query likely periodical editors to see if they might
be interested in an article on your research topic.
In some cases, as with a thesis or a dissertation, some sort of preliminary study may be needed
to see if the problem and the study are feasible and to identify snags. Such a Pilot Study can be
quite valuable.

Task Analyse what problems you might encounter while selecting a problem.

4.2.1 Selection Criteria

1. Your genuine enthusiasm for the problem.
2. Controversial subject should not become the choice of an average researcher.
3. The degree to which research on this problem benefits the profession and society.

4. The degree to which research on this problem will assist your professional goals and
career objectives.
5. Too narrow or too vague problems should be avoided.
6. The degree to which this research will interest superiors and other leaders in the field.

7. The degree to which the research builds on your experience and knowledge.
8. Ease of access to the population to be studied and the likelihood that they will be cooperative
Affordability.
9. Likelihood of publication.

10. Relationship to theories or accepted generalizations in the field.
11. Degree to which ethical problems are involved.
12. Degree to which research is unique or fills a notable gap in the literature.
13. Degree to which the research builds on and extends existing knowledge before the final
selection of a problem is done, a researcher must ask himself the following questions:
(a) Whether he is well equipped in terms of his background to carry out the research?
(b) Whether the study falls within the budget he can afford?
(c) Whether the necessary cooperation can be obtained from those who must participate
in research as subjects?

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