4--Writing a Research Statement for Quantitative Research

Writing a Research Statement for Quantitative Research

Why is it necessary to formulate good research questions?
Help define the scope and focus of the study.
Articulate the purpose and objectives of the study.
Ensures alignment of the aims and tools for statistical analysis.
Address relevant issues for developing a plan of action.
Provide a roadmap for data collection, analysis, and interpretation.

Categories of Research Questions

Descriptive research questions
Used to describe the characteristics of a variable or group.
Quantify or categorize variables in the study.
Examples:
• How frequent is the production of essential oils for herbal medicines?
• What criteria are considered by customers in choosing a store?
• What is the average score of students in the math test?

Comparative research questions
Used for comparing and contrasting similarities and differences between groups and variables.
Examples:
• What is the difference between the quality of natural and synthetic ink?
• How do Gen Z and millennials differ in terms of dating attitudes?
• Is there a significant difference in the test score of male and female students in math?

Correlational research questions
Explore the relationship or association between two or more variables.
Examples:
• Is there a significant relationship between study hours and academic performance?
• What is the degree of relationship between management and business performance?

Explanatory research questions
Formed to explain, predict change or outcomes on observed relationships between variables.
Examples:
• How does employment tenure affect the productivity of workers?
• Does the socio-demographic profile influence the level of technological, pedagogical content knowledge of teachers?

For Qualitative Research

Exploratory questions
Open-ended questions that seek to explore a phenomenon in-depth.
Example:
• How do teachers experience team teaching in the classroom?

Central Question
Focus on the core qualitative study guiding the research as a whole.
Example:
• What is the experience of teachers during the initial month of teaching?

Subquestions
Support the central questions by providing detailed inquiry or specific aspects of the research problem.
Example:
• What challenges do students face in team teaching?

How are Research Questions Related to the Research Problem?

Characteristics of Good Research Questions:
Relevant: Must be relevant to the research problem.
Specific: Should not be too broad or too detailed.
Clear: Should use simple language to be comprehensible.
Analytical: Should require complex analysis, not just "yes or no" questions.
Measurable: Indicates feasibility, measured through standardized tests or experiments.

Writing the Research Statement

1. Finalize the research topic.
Allows you to draft a coherent statement of the problem and provides a guided starting point for inquiry.

2. Draft the research questions.
Based on the finalized research topic, the draft reflects the aspects the research focuses on.

3. Write the general problem statement.
Establishes the overall goal and direction of the research, including the research topic, main objective, and variables.
Example:
This study aims to determine the perceived effect of Facebook photo 'likes' on the level of self-esteem of female senior high school students in XYZ School.

4. Refine the statement of the problem.
Includes the research questions and potential benefits of the study.
Research questions should be written in declarative sentences.
Keep it short and simple; reflect the research problem, research questions, and aims of the study.