This document discusses identifying and defining a research topic for a study. It provides several potential sources for research topics, including theories, personal experiences, previous studies, library searches, and electronic mailing lists. After an initial topic is identified, it should be narrowed into a more focused and manageable scope. A good research topic should be of interest to the researcher and able to be studied using collected data. Developing research questions adds specificity to the topic. Hypotheses, which predict the relationship between variables, may be included in quantitative studies but are not necessary in qualitative studies. The document outlines how to properly state the research topic, questions, and hypotheses.

1. PLG 501
Selecting & Defining a Research
Topic
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2. Identifying a Research Topic
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General subject
- related to your
area of expertise
- is of particular
interest to you.

3. Research Topic/
Research Problem/
Problem Statement
Tajuk Penyelidikan/
Masalah Kajian/
Penyataan Masalah
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4. Sources of Research Topics
Sources of
Research
Topics
1. Theories
2.
Personel
experiences
3.
Studies that
can be
replicated
4.
Library
searches
5. Electronic
mailing lists
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5. 1. Theories
• Theories are organized bodies of
• Concepts
• Generalizations
• Principles
• Researchers often study particular aspects
of a theory to determine its applicability or
generalizability.
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6. 2. Personal Experiences
• A researcher’s personal experiences and
concern often leads to useful and
personally rewarding studies.
• Common questions, such as “Why does
that happen?” and “What would happen
if…?” can be rich topic sources.
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7. 3. Previous Studies
• Existing studies are a common source of
research topics.
• Replication of a study usually involves
changing some features from the original
study.
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8. 4. Library Searches
• Library searches are generally not efficient
ways to identify research topics.
• Handbooks, encyclopedias and yearbooks
that cover many topics briefly are more
useful.
• Library resources are invaluable, however,
after you have identified a topic to study.
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9. 5. Electronic Mailing List
• Electronic mailing list services are
designed by organizations to facilitate
communication (usually via the Internet)
among their members.
• Other digital tools such as RSS, feeds,
Facebook, Twitter and Blogs keep
researchers updated on what others are
investigating.
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10. Narrowing the Topic
After an initial topic
identified, it often
needs to be narrowed
and focused into a
manageable topic of
study.
Quantitative research
topics are usually
narrowed quickly at the
start of a study.
Qualitative research
topics are not usually
narrowed until the
researcher has more
information about the
participants and their
setting.
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11. A Good Topic
Topic is of interest
to the researcher
and that it is
researchable
using the
collection and
analysis of data.
Topic related to
philosophical and
ethical issues are
not researchable.
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12. A Good Topic
Has theoretical or
practical
significance; its
solution
contributes in
some way to
improving the
educational
process.
One that is ethical
and does not
harm participants
in any way.
Can be
adequately
investigated given
your current level
of research skill,
available
resources, time
and other
restrictions.
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13. Stating the Research Topic
• The topic is the first item in the
introduction to a research plan and the
introduction to the final research report.
• It provides direction for the remaining
aspects of both.
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14. Well-written
topic statement
Qualitative study
Indicates the variables of
interest, the specific
relation among those
variables and the
characteristics of the
participants.
Qualitative study
Research topics usually are
stated in general language
because qualitative
researchers need to
become attuned to the
research context before
narrowing their topic.
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15. Developing Research Questions
• Developing research questions breathes
life into the research topic statements.
• The research questions add another level
of specificity to the development of the
research topic and provide the researcher
with an action plan for the development
and identification of research instruments.
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16. Formulating and Stating a
Hypothesis
• A hypothesis is a researcher’s prediction
of the research findings.
• Researchers do not set out to prove a
hypothesis but rather collect data that
earlier support or do not support it.
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17. Definition & Purpose of Hypotheses
in Quantitative Studies
• A hypothesis in a quantitative study is
formulated based on theory or on knowledge
gained while reviewing the related literature.
• A critical characteristics of a good hypothesis
is that it is based on a sound rationale.
• A hypothesis is a reasoned prediction not a
wild guess. It is a tentative but rational
explanation for the predicted outcome.
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18. Definition & Purpose of
Hypotheses in Quantitative Studies
• A good hypothesis states clearly and
concisely the expected relations or
differences between variables. Variables
should be stated in measurable terms.
• A well-stated and well-defined hypothesis
must be testable.
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19. Types of Hypotheses
• A generalization made from a number of observations.
Inductive
• Derived from the theory and aimed at providing evidence that supports,
expands or contradicts aspects of a given theory.
Deductive
• States the expected relation or difference between variables, which the
researcher expects to test through the collection and analysis of data.
Research
• Predicts only that a relation or difference exists;
Nondirectional
• Indicates the direction of the difference as well.
Directional
• Predicts that there is no significant relation or difference between
variables.
Null
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20. Stating Hypothesis
• A general paradigm or model for stating
hypotheses for experimental studies is P
who get X do better on Y than P who do
not get X (or get some other X).
• P refers to participants, X refers to the
treatment or independent variable (IV) and
Y refers to the outcome or dependent
variable (DV).
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21. Testing the Hypothesis
• The researcher selects the sample,
measuring instruments design and
procedures that will enable him or her to
collect the data necessary to test the
hypothesis.
• Those data are analyzed to determine
whether or not the hypothesis is
supported.
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22. Definition & Purpose of
Hypotheses in Qualitative Studies
• Do not state formal hypotheses prior to the
study.
• However, guiding hypotheses for the
proposed research may be developed.
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23. Definition & Purpose of
Hypotheses in Qualitative Studies
• Having identified a guiding hypothesis, the
qualitative researcher may operationalize
the hypothesis through the development of
research questions that provide a focus for
data collection.
• Qualitative researchers are likely to
generate new hypotheses as a result of
their studies.
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24. CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Backgound of the Study
1.3 Statement of the Problem
1.4 Purpose and Objectives of the Study
1.5 Research Questions
1.6 Hypotheses of the Study
1.7 Conceptual Framework of the Study
1.8 Definition of Terms/Operational Definition
1.9 Significance of the Study
1.10 Limitation of the Study
1.11 Summary/Conclusion
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25. BAB 1: PENGENALAN
1.1 Pendahuluan
1.2 Latar Belakang Kajian
1.3 Penyataan Masalah
1.4 Tujuan dan Objektif Kajian
1.5 Soalan Kajian
1.6 Hipotesis Kajian
1.7 Kerangka Konsep Kajian
1.8 Definisi Istilah/ Definisi Operasional
1.9 Kepentingan Kajian
1.10 Batasan Kajian
1.11 Rumusan/Kesimpulan
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26. CONTOH 1
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