Overview

Identifying a research problem is the first step toward creating a research question. One of the most effective ways of identifying a research problem is through conducting a literature review of existing research to identify research methodology trends in the field. As you identify these trends, new research problems will begin to emerge to you.

In this assignment, you will identify a research problem and consider how it relates to your field of study. Later, this will become a research question in your Project Three: Research Questions. To eventually craft this complex research question, you will need to conduct a preliminary literature review of research to see what has already been studied in your field. This step will help you identify trends in research problems and methodologies so you can hone your own research problem into a well-thought-out and complex question.

A well-developed research question is complex in nature and is best tied to a specific type of research study: quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methodology. Therefore, in the Project One: Research Methods in Social Sciences you will need to identify research studies of each type that will help you eventually develop your research question for Project Three: Research Questions.

Prompt

To support your identification and evaluation of each type of research study in Project One: Research Methods in Social Sciences, you will examine any trends in research methodology relating to your problem, including any difficulties you have in finding different types of research. You will evaluate how these difficulties may limit the research questions you can ask and present challenges for researching your chosen topic. Finally, you will determine what changes you can make to overcome these challenges and find all three types of research related to your chosen research problem. This assignment will prepare you to discuss the benefits and drawbacks of each type of research methodology in Module Four.

Specifically, the following critical elements must be addressed:

• Describe the relationship between your chosen research problem and the field of study. Include answers to the following:
  • What is the research problem you would like to explore further?
  • How does your research problem relate to your field of study?
• Evaluate the impact of methodology trends for your chosen research problem. Include answers to the following questions:
  • What methodologies are commonly used to study your research problem? Why do you think that is?
  • What methodologies are less commonly used to study your research problem? Why do you think that is?
  • How would finding few research study methodologies impact your research question?
• Determine methods for overcoming challenges that impact the development of complex research questions. Include answers to the following questions:
  • If you can’t find a type of methodology, what do you think that says about your research problem?
  • How could you potentially still use your chosen research problem and find research studies that use each methodology? What changes might you need to make so you can find examples of each methodology?

Database Resources

Use the resources available in Module One’s Resources: Methodologies: Qualitative and Quantitative page, as well as Module Two’s Resources: Choosing a Method to help you determine a research problem related to your degree of study:

Anthropology:

• Shapiro Library Anthropology Databases
• Science Daily

Human Services:

• Shapiro Library Trends in Human Services
• Seven Current Issues Facing the Human Services Industry

Political Science:

• Shapiro Library Political Science Databases
• New York Times: Politics

Criminal Justice:

• Shapiro Library Criminal Justice Databases
• Bureau of Justice Statistics

What to Submit

This assignment must be completed in a written format and be 2–3 pages in length. Any references should be cited in APA format.