The steps of Educational Research are as following:
1. Selection of a Problem
2. Questions raised during Selecting a Problem
3. Formulation and Delimitation of the Problem
4. Title of Research
5. Statement of the Problem
6. Defining of the Problem
7. Preparation of Research Synopsis
Selection of A Problem
Generally the problem for research are emerged out from the following sources:
1. Conflicts
2. Suggestions
3. Previous research works
4. Dark Areas
5. Theories propounded
6. Class rooms and schools
7. Social change and development
8. Consultation
Questions raised during in Selecting A Problem
1. Is it interesting?
2. Is it new?
3. Is it significant ?
4. Is it feasible ?
5. Do I have the competence?
6. Are pertinent data accessible ?
7. Will I be able to get the proper guidance ?
8. Do I have the necessary financial resources to carry on the study.
9. Do I have enough time?
10. Do I have enough courage and determination to pursue the research?
Formulating or Delimiting the Problem
After evaluation of the problem, the next step is to phrase the topic adequately and state it clearly. This is known as formulation or delimitation of the problem.
Title of the Research or the Research Topic
The title or the research topic must be precise, brief and reflecting the correct relationship among the variables.
The novice researchers generally committed the following errors-
(1) Refers broad area of study.
(2) Narrowing a topic to such an extent that it becomes insignificant for research purposes.
(3) Employing unscientific terms of argumentative and biased nature.
Statement of the Problem
Following are the different ways of stating the problem:
(1) Posing a Question
(i) A single question
(ii) Several questions
(iii) A single question followed by several subquestions.
(2) Making a declarative statement
(i) A single declarative statement
(ii) A single statement with several phrases
(iii) A series of complete statements
(iv) A general statement followed by subordinate statement
(v) A statement followed by restatement in the forms of a question..
(vi) A statement followed by a series of thesis.
Definiton of the Problem
According to Munroe and Englehart
‘To define a problem means to specify it in detail and with precision. The explanation and comprehension of the term used in problem title have been carried out for the following purposes:
(i) Evaluation
(ii) Guidance
(iii) Systematic Planning
Synopsis includes
(i) Statement of the problem or its analysis into its constituents
(ii) The significance or justification of the problem
(iii) Statement of scope
(iv) A resume or survey of related literature
(v) An analysis of proposed research procedures
(vi) Definition of technical terms
(vii) Research method to be employed
Outline of Synopsis
1. Introduction
(1) Emergence of the problem
(2) Formulation of the problem
(3) Definition of terms of the problem
(4) Aims and objectives of the research
(5) Delimitation of the problem
(6) Hypothesis of the research
2. Related Literature
(1) Preparation of Bibliography of Related literature
(2) Critical summary of selected research papers bearing on the problem of Research
3. Procedure
Phase-I
(1) Methodology of Research
(2) Selection of Sample-Justification
(3) Selection of the Tools-Justification
Phase-II
(1) Collection of Data
(2) Supplementary Data/case-studies etc.
Phase-III
Processing and Analysis of Data
Phase-IV
(1) Results and Discussion
(2) Findings and Conclusions of Research
(3) Suggestions for Researchers
Phase-V
Experimental verification of suggestions-followup studies.
Bibliography
Formulation of Hypothesis
Formulation of hypothesis is the second important step of the research.
Etymological meaning of the term
The word hypothesis consists of two words i.e., Hypo + thesis. ‘Hypo’ means tentative or subject to the verification. Thesis means ‘statement’ about solution of a problem.
Thus the etymological meaning of the term hypothesis is a tentative statement about the solution of the problem.
Definition of Hypothesis
According to Coffey
An attempt at explanation: a provisional supposition made in order to explain scientifically.
According to J. E. Greighton
“It is a tentative supposition or provisional guess which seems to explain the situation under observation.”
According to John W. Best
“It is a shrewd guess or influence that is formulated and provisionally adopted to explain observed facts or conditions and to guide in further investigation.”
According to M. Verma
“A theory when stated as a testable proposition formally and clearly and subjected to empirical or experimental verification is known as hypothesis.”
Relationship Among Assumption, Postulate and Hypothesis
Assumption
Assumption means taking things for granted so that the situation is simplified for logical procedure. It facilitates the progress of an agreement through a partial simplification by introducing restrictive conditons.
For example, the principles of any science or mathematics are based on many assumptions. Thus by assumption means restrictive conditon before the argument can become valid. Assumptions are made on the basis of logical insight, their truthfulness can be observed on the basis of data or evidences. Whereas, the postulates form the original point of an argument. Assumptions are a matter of choice.
Postulates
Postulates are basic beliefs that guide most scientific work and help in developing new ideas and discoveries.
A Mathematician begins by postulating a system of numbers which ranges from 0 to 9 and can permute and combine only thereafter. Hull’s theory of Reinforcement is based on eight postulates of behaviour of an organism. God and Spirit are also postulates of the good life or Godly life. Postulates are not proven; they are simply accepted at their face value so that their basic work can begin for the discovery of other facts of nature.
Hypothesis
It is different from above concepts. A hypothesis is a simple guess or idea that a researcher tests to find out if it is true. It is a condensed generalization which requires a knowledge of principles of things or essential characteristics which pertain to entire class of phenomenon.
