Research objectives and questions
1.1.1Problem statement
Always start introduction in your report etc. concludes: reason doing research/ problem/
research question.
In the research proposal and report after research you start with the problem statement
context from which problem originated. Information is needed to solve the problem.
When stating problem you should include available prior information. (already exists)
It is important to describe the context of your research study in the research report and the
research proposal
Important analysing the problem clients know what they want but find it hard to state the
problem. Clients like the government and companies want quick answers from you as
researcher but that is not your task as researcher. you give them information and to find
problem and solve it.
Advisor gives advice should be clear from report when advice begins.
Policy question: how questions. Example: how can absenteeism be reduced? Answer is
advice
Research question what are causes of absenteeism? answer is information.
1.1.2 research objectives
Is the answer to the questions why you do the research study and what you want to achieve by doing
it.
Concerning objective difference between basic scientific and applied scientific research.
Basic scientific research: research that results in scientific knowledge and not necessarily
solutions to problem. Responsible way which can be checked
Applied scientific research: research which result in knowledge that is used to solve a
problem. Responsible way which can be checked.
1.1.3 research ethics
when doing research, bear in mind the ethical code (code of business whether something is right or
wrong) within the field the research is related to.
1.1.4 question
is the question that needs to be answered by the research. The research question is a real
question.
By clearly stating the research question you avoid disappointments and misunderstandings. The
client needs to agree with the research question. Make question not too broad.
1.2 open or closed question/ qualitative or quantitative research
1.2.1 open and closed research questions
Open research question is a question of which you do not already know what to expect/ outcome is
unknown. Example: what problems do consumer experience when assembling a cupboard?
Closed question: researcher know what to expect. They know what they want to observe and how to
go to work.
1.2.2 Qualitative and quantitate research
Qualitative research: whereby problems based on situations, events and persons are
described and interpreted by way in qualitative data like experiences, assigning meaning
which are collected by way of open interviews and or participant observation and or by using
existing documents.