Lecture 1: Introduction to Research Context, Problem and Research Question Lecture 2: Defining Research Aim and Objectives

1. Lecture 1: Introduction to Research Context, Problem and Research Question Lecture 2: Defining Research Aim and Objectives

Astana IT University
Department of General Education Disciplines
Academic Writing
Week 3
Lecture 1: Introduction to Research Context,
Problem and Research Question
Lecture 2: Defining Research Aim and
Objectives
Seminar 1: Practice: Formulating Research Aim and
Questions
Seminar 2: Developing Research Context
Seminar 3: Language focus: Paraphrasing and Summarizing

2. Objectives of Lecture 1 and Lecture 2:

Understanding the importance of research context,
problem identification, and research questions;
Objectives of
Lecture 1 and
Lecture 2:
Practicing the formulation of research problems and
refining them through seminars;
Developing the skills to define research aim and
objectives;
Identifying characteristics of a good research question.

3. Week 3 task

Week 3 task
In groups, find at
least 5 articles
relevant to your
research context
before Seminar
sessions.

4. Components of Introduction section of your mini research:

•Topic of your research;
•Research context and research problem;
Research aim and objectives;
Research question(s);
Significance of research;

5. Components of Introduction 

Components of Introduction
Research topic is the broad subject matter addressed by the study.
The research context is crucial in providing background information and setting for
a study.
Research problem is a general issue, concern, or controversy addressed in research that
narrows the topic.
Purpose statement/Research Aim is the major intent or objective of the study
used to address the problem.
Research questions narrow the purpose into specific questions
Cresswell, 2014

6.              

Parts of Introduction section. An example.

7. Components of Introduction section of your mini research:

•Topic of your research;
•Research context and research problem;
Research aim and objectives;
Research question(s);
Significance of research (we will discuss this in future lectures);

8. Research Context

What do you need for a
treasure hunt?
You might need a Map, Tools and
Knowledge.

9. Questions to consider for Research Context 

Questions to consider for Research Context
What is
known about
the broad
topic?
What are the
gaps or
missing links
that need to
be
addressed?
What is the
significance
of addressing
those gaps?

10. Research Context                                Research Problem 

Research Context
Research Problem
The research context helps situate the current study
within the broader scholarly conversation by providing
background information, outlining the broader subject
area of the study.
A research problem is a specific issue, gap, or
challenge within the context that the researcher aims to
address or solve.

11. How to come up with a Research Problem?

Personal experiences
Formal and informal
discussions with experts in
the field
Reviewing relevant literature
and theories

12. Defining a Research Problem from the literature:

Defining a Research Problem from the
literature:
What is already known about
the problem?
How has the problem been
defined and debated in the
scholarly literature?
How will resolving the
problem advance
understanding of the topic?
What benefits will it have for
future research?
Does the problem have
direct or indirect
consequences for society?

13. What is the importance of Research Problem?

• Serves as the foundation of a research study:
-the type of study design;
What is
the importance
of Research
Problem?
-the type of sampling strategy;
-the research instrument;
-the type of analysis.
• assist policy makers,
• help IT specialists solve practical problems,
• provide researchers with a deeper understanding of IT
related issues.
Cresswell, 2014

14. Task 1. Match language chunks to their meaning 

Task 1. Match language chunks to their meaning
1.X is a major problem in ...
2.There is an urgent need to address the safety problems caused by …
a. Identifying a controversy within the
field of study
3.One of the greatest challenges...
4.There is little published data on …
5.Data about the X is limited.
b. Referring to previous work to establish
what is already known
6.Up to now, far too little attention has been paid to …
7.The variations observed in existing literature emphasize the need
for investigation into …
8.Disparities across the literatures call for the ongoing study of...
c. Phrase on establishing the importance
of the topic as a problem to be addressed
9.To date there has been little agreement on what …
10.Latest evidence suggested that ...
11.There are a number of theories that might explain
12.Several attempts have been made to clarify...
d. Phrase on identifying a paucity (lack)
of previous research

15. Task 2 Identify the Research Problem You are given one sample research context. You need to identify the research problem and

Task 2 Identify the Research Problem
You are given one sample research context. You need to identify the research problem and explain why
that problem is researched.
Sample Research Context:
Hence, this study can help expand the literature in
the field of technological entrepreneurship and
make a relationship with the innovative
nanotechnology industry. It will also indicate that
technology, peripheral knowledge, resources and
collaborations can lead to the enhancement of
businesses. This study highlights the potential
relationship between technological entrepreneurship
and the concept of business. The authors can also
claim that there is no similar study on the mediating
role of contextual elements in this relationship. Thus,
this study aims to identify the influential factors in
the successful performance of technological
entrepreneurship in small and medium enterprises
among Iranian nanotechnology-based corporates.
Choose an appropriate reason from the
following list and justify your answer:
The problem is researched …
•because the study will fill a gap or void in the
existing literature;
•because the study replicates a past study but
examines different participants and different re
search sites;
•because the study extends past research or ex
amines the topic more thoroughly;
•because the study gives voice to people silenc
ed, not heard, or rejected in society;
•because the study informs practice.

16. Task 2. Identify the Research Problem

Task 2. Identify the Research Problem
Hence, this study can help expand the literature in the field of technological
entrepreneurship and make a relationship with the innovative nanotechnology
industry. It will also indicate that technology, peripheral knowledge, resources and
collaborations can lead to the enhancement of businesses. This study highlights the
potential relationship between technological entrepreneurship and the concept of
business. The authors can also claim that there is no similar study on the
mediating role of contextual elements in this relationship. Thus, this study aims to
identify the influential factors in the successful performance of technological
entrepreneurship in small and medium enterprises among Iranian nanotechnologybased corporates.
Research Problem – Gap in the literature

17. Components of Introduction section of your mini research:

Lecture 2
Components of Introduction section of
your mini research:
•Topic of your research;
•Research context and research problem;
Research aim and objectives;
Research question(s);
Significance of research (we will discuss this in future lectures);

18. What are Research Aim and Objectives?

What are Research Aim and Objectives?
Research aim/ purpose refers to a broad statement
indicating the general purpose of your research
project.
Objectives - more specific than research aim and
indicate the particular focus and approach of your
project.
One research aim - several research objectives
Kumar, 2010

19.

1. This study provides new insights into...
2. The present research explores, for the first
time, the effects of …
Task 3
Match Language
chunks to their
meaning
3. There are several important areas where this
study makes an original contribution to …
4. The specific objective of this study was to …
5. This study set out to investigate the
usefulness of …
6. The purpose of this investigation is to
explore the...
a)introducing the purpose of
the study
b)explaining the significance
of the current study

20. Research Question(s)

Checklist for Research Questions:
FOCUSED ON A
SINGLE PROBLEM OR
ISSUE
McCombes, 2023
RESEARCHABLE USING
PRIMARY AND/OR
SECONDARY SOURCES
FEASIBLE TO ANSWER
WITHIN THE
TIMEFRAME AND
PRACTICAL
CONSTRAINTS
SPECIFIC ENOUGH TO
ANSWER
THOROUGHLY
COMPLEX ENOUGH TO
DEVELOP THE
ANSWER OVER THE
SPACE OF A PAPER OR
THESIS
RELEVANT TO YOUR
FIELD OF STUDY
AND/OR SOCIETY
MORE BROADLY

21. Research question criteria:  Focused and researchable

Research
question
FOCUSED
ON A
criteria:
Focused and
SINGLE
researchable
PROBLEM
OR
ISSUE
• Central research question should work together with your
research problem.
Example:
Central Research Question:
How does the adoption of cloud computing impact data
privacy and security in organizations?​
Additional questions:
1. How do organizations ensure data privacy and security
when transitioning their operations to cloud computing
environments?​
2. What are the key challenges and vulnerabilities associated
with cloud computing that can compromise data privacy
and security?​

22. Feasible and specific 

• Enough time and resources;
• Narrow down questions to be more specific;
• Clear meanings;
• Avoid vague language, jargon, and too-broad ideas;
FeasibleAND
and
FEASIBLE
specific
SPECIFIC
Examples
What effect does social media have on people’s minds?
What effect does daily use of Twitter have on the
attention span of 16-year-olds at your local high school?

23. Complex and arguable 

Complex
COMPLEX AND
and
arguable
ARGUABLE
• Closed-ended, yes/no don’t provide enough scope
for robust investigation and discussion
• RQ requires original data, synthesis of multiple
sources, and original interpretation and
argumentation
Examples
Has there been an increase in those experiencing
cyber-attacks in the US in the past ten years?
How have technological advancements and changing
threat landscapes influenced the patterns of
cybersecurity breaches and incidents in the IT industry
over the past ten years?

24. Relevant and original 

Relevant
RELEVANT and
AND
original
ORIGINAL
Focus on addressing a
problem or gap in the
existing knowledge.
Contribute to an existing
and current debate in the
field or in society at large.
Your question should have
some aspect of originality.
For example, you can focus
on a specific location, or
explore a new angle.

25. Alignment between Research Problem, Research Aim and Research Questions

Alignment between Research Problem, Research Aim and Research Questions

26. Alignment between Research Problem, Research Aim and Research Questions​

Alignment between Research Problem, Research Aim and Research
Questions
MISALIGNMENT leads to IRRELEVANT FINDINGS.
If a research aims to investigate the effectiveness
of a new teaching method in improving student
performance, but the research questions focus on
teacher satisfaction levels without linking to
student outcomes.

27. Task 4. Good VS Bad Research Questions

Read research questions and choose a good and a bad research question. Justify your answers.
1. a)How does social media affect people's behavior?
b)What effect does the daily use of YouTube have on the attention span
of children aged under 16?
2. a) Has there been an increase in childhood obesity in the US in the past
years?
b)How have school intervention programs and parental education
levels affected the rate of childhood obesity among 1st to 6 th-grade
students?

28. Task 5. Identifying the elements of Introduction 15 minutes, in group

29. Reminder: Week 3 task

Reminder:
Week 3 task
In groups, find at
least 5 articles
relevant to your
research context
before Seminar
classes.

30. Reflection Choose the statements that you agree with

1. I know different elements of Introduction section and I can
differentiate them.
2. I know how to use language chunks to establish research context
and research problem(s) in my paper.
3. I know how to use language chunks to present the significance and
purpose of our research.
4. I know how implement criteria to create good research questions.

31. References 

References
Creswell, J. W. (2012). Educational research: Planning, conducting, and evaluating quantitative and qualitative research (4th ed.). Boston, MA:
Pearson.
Javornik, A., Marder, B., Barhorst, J. B., McLean, G., Rogers, Y., Marshall, P., & Warlop, L. (2022). ‘What lies behind the filter?’ Uncovering
the motivations for using augmented reality (AR) face filters on social media and their effect on well-being. Computers in Human
Behavior, 128, 107126. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2021.107126
Kumar, R. (2010). Research Methodology: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners. United Kingdom: SAGE Publications.
McCombes, S. (2023, May 31). Writing Strong Research Questions | Criteria & Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved June 22, 2023, from
https://www.scribbr.com/research-process/research-questions/
McCombes, S. & George, T. (2022, November 02). How to Define a Research Problem | Ideas & Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved May 23, 2023,
from https://www.scribbr.com/research-process/research-problem/
The University of Manchester (n.d.). Academic Phrasebank. https://www.phrasebank.manchester.ac.uk/introducing-work