A study note on research gaps, research objectives and research questions (information from poe.com)
My question 1: "Regarding the topic of doing dissertation projects, could you tell me what are the main types of research gaps? Could you provide 1 example for each of the research gap type with reference to the fields of (1) business management, (2) housing studies, and (3) accounting and finance? Could you also provide a derived research objective for each of the research gap example you provide? Tks in advance."
The reply: "Research gaps can be classified into various types, including:
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Empirical Gaps: These occur when there is insufficient empirical evidence or data on a particular topic or question.
Example (Business Management): There is limited empirical research on the impact of remote work on employee productivity in small to medium enterprises (SMEs).
Derived Research Objective: To investigate the influence of remote work arrangements on employee productivity levels in SMEs.
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Theoretical Gaps: These arise when existing theories do not adequately explain a phenomenon or when new theories are needed.
Example (Housing Studies): The existing frameworks for understanding urban housing affordability do not adequately consider the influence of economic downturns on rent prices.
Derived Research Objective: To develop a theoretical model that integrates economic downturn variables into existing frameworks of urban housing affordability.
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Methodological Gaps: These occur when existing studies use methodologies that are outdated or inadequate for addressing current questions.
Example (Accounting and Finance): Previous studies on financial fraud detection primarily use qualitative analysis, while there is a lack of quantitative approaches in this domain.
Derived Research Objective: To apply quantitative analytical methods to enhance the detection of financial fraud in corporations.
By identifying and addressing these research gaps, students can contribute original insights to their respective fields."
My question 2: "For each of the research objectives provide, could you provide a related research question for illustration. Also clarify for me whether a research question is simply a research objective in a question form, or a research question should be more focused, with some additional considerations of a more personal (of the researcher) and idiosyncratic nature?"
The reply: "Here are the related research questions for each of the previously mentioned research objectives:
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Research Objective: To investigate the influence of remote work arrangements on employee productivity levels in SMEs.
Related Research Question: How do different remote work arrangements affect the productivity of employees in small to medium enterprises?
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Research Objective: To develop a theoretical model that integrates economic downturn variables into existing frameworks of urban housing affordability.
Related Research Question: What are the key economic downturn variables that should be included in a theoretical model to better explain urban housing affordability?
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Research Objective: To apply quantitative analytical methods to enhance the detection of financial fraud in corporations.
Related Research Question: What quantitative methods can be utilized to improve the accuracy of financial fraud detection in businesses?
Clarification on Research Questions vs. Research Objectives:
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Research Objectives are broad statements that define what you want to achieve in your research. They focus on the overall aim or goal of the study.
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Research Questions are often derived from these objectives but are typically more focused and specific. They guide the research process by identifying particular aspects of the topic that need to be investigated.
While research questions can be seen as reformulations of research objectives into a question format, they often contain more specificity and may include personal or idiosyncratic elements. They can reflect the researcher's unique angle or focus based on their interests, observations, and relevant literature. Overall, good research questions should be clear, focused, and researchable, establishing a strong basis for the research method and analysis."
My question 3: "Could you advise me whether a research objective should also mention a specific academic theory and a specific research method to use?"
The reply: "A well-formulated research objective typically focuses on the overarching goal of the study rather than specifying the academic theory or research method. Here's a breakdown of how research objectives, theories, and methods interact:
Research Objectives:
- Broader Aim: Research objectives should articulate what you want to achieve without delving into specifics about theories or methodologies. They serve to clarify the direction of your research.
- General Framework: It’s essential that they align with the identified research gap and contribute to the field's knowledge base.
Mentioning a Specific Academic Theory:
- Not Necessary: While you may have a theory in mind that you intend to use, the research objective itself does not need to specify this theory. However, you should reference relevant theories in the literature review or theoretical framework section of your dissertation.
- Contextual Clarity: If particular theories heavily influence your research focus, it can be beneficial to mention them later on, especially when justifying your research strategy.
Mentioning a Specific Research Method:
- Typically Not Included: Research objectives generally do not specify the research methods. The objective outlines the 'what,' while the methodology outlines the 'how.'
- Flexibility: Keeping the methods undetermined in the objective allows for flexibility in your research design, which can be refined as you delve deeper into the literature and data collection.
Conclusion:
In summary, while it is important to use relevant theories and methods throughout your research configuration, the research objectives should remain concise and focused on what you aim to achieve. You can address the theories and methods more explicitly in sections dedicated to methodology and theoretical frameworks within your dissertation."
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