This document discusses problem identification and choosing research topics. It provides guidance on identifying problems in different areas like education, technology, and society. Researchers should identify clear, widely recognized problems and choose topics they are familiar with. When selecting a topic, researchers should consider their interests and resources, build on previous related work, and choose topics that are focused, achievable, and involve relationships between variables. The document offers various strategies and resources to help in selecting an appropriate research topic.

1. RESEARCH IN MEDIA
EDT 513
Educational Technology Department,
School of Science and Technology Education (SSTE),
Federal University of Technology, Minna
(c) 2023
Prof. GAMBARI, Amosa Isiaka
E-mail: gambari@futminna.edu.ng
Phone No: +234 803 689 7955
Week 4: Problem Identification and
Choice of Topics

2. Problem Identification and
Choice of Topics
Week 4

3. Contents
1. Problem Identification
2. Precautions in Choosing a Researchable
Topic
3. Guide to Choosing a Topic
4. Selection of an Appropriate Research Topic
5. Principles Involved in Selection of
Researchable Topic
6. Strategies for Selecting a Research Topic
7. Resources for Selection of Research Topic
8. Qualities of A Researchable Topics
9. Review Questions

4. Problem Identification
• Problems can be seen or identified in areas
such as:-
• Societal needs and opportunities
• Curriculum development
• Evaluation and research methods
• Administration and Supervision
• Facilities and equipment
• Learning processes and teaching methods
• Instructional materials and devices
• Student personnel services

5. Cont…
• Management
• Technology and Engineering
• Production techniques
• Teacher education programmes
• Psychological and philosophical needs
• Policy analysis
• Guidance and counselling services and
• Medical services.

6. Cont…
To identify problems, researchers should note the
following:
• Problems are taken, one at a time.
• Problems should lend themselves to clear
information and facts.
• The researcher should be guided by probing
questions using words such as 'What', 'Why',
'how', 'when', 'where'. ures?.
• The researcher should think of effectiveness,
causes and effect, improvement, strategies,
assessment and evaluation as leading words to
consider for identifying problems.

7. Cont…
• Each occupational area has its own
peculiar problem and experts in such areas
need to identify issues that have hindered
progress in the area or achievement of
objectives over time.
• problems can be sharpened and made
clearer from available and related
literatures and,
• Interest often guides the researcher to
problem areas.

8. Cont…
• The researcher can ask: which area am I
interested in this occupational area? What
are the problems facing the branch of the
occupational area? What is the problem
existing in this area that has hindered
progress for a time?.

9. Precautions in Choosing a
Researchable Topic
• Make sure the problem identified actually
exists and is widely recognised as a
problem by mast people.
• Do not choose a topic or problem that has
been studied elsewhere.
• The focus, should be on a problem the
researcher is relatively familiar with in his
area of specialisation.
• Continue to visit the topic chosen until the
end of the research.

10. Guide to Choosing a Topic
• For effective choice of topics, the
researcher may be guided by the following:
• Endeavour to obtain a researchable topic.
• Aim at making contributions to the wiety or
leaning new thing after the study.
• Topic to be chosen should be accomplished
within the resources and time available for
the researcher.
• It should be a topic or problem in which the
researcher has interest.

11. Selection of an Appropriate
Research Topic
(a) Principles involved 'in selection of
researchable topic.
(b) Strategies in selection of research
topic
(c) Resources for selection of research
topic
(d) Qualities of researchable topics.

12. Strategies for Selecting a Research
Topic
• Interest
• Originality of the Topic
• Designing a Topic from Previous Work
• Building on Previous Work
• Selection from Drawn up Topics in the
School, Faculty or Department

13. Resources for Selection of
Research Topic
(i) Use of the Library
(ii) Use of Conference Proceedings
(iii) Current Issues
(iv) Authorities in the Areas the Student is
undertaking the Research
(v) Students Project Supervisor
(vi) Professional Literature
(vii) Theory
(viii) Personal Experience
(ix) Previous Studies
(x) Professional Contact

14. Qualities of A Researchable Topics
(i) Clear and Logical
(ii) Focus and Sharp
(iii) Short and not Cumbersome
(iv) Workable and Achievable within
Resources and Time Lag
(v) Must Involve Relationship
between Variables

15. Review Questions
• Review Questions
• Identify two researchable problems in your area
of specialization.
• Identify two researchable problems in Nigerian
education and development.
• What are two precautions to be taken when
choosing a topic for research studies.
• Discuss five guides to choosing a topic for
research studies.
• Why should problems be taken one at a time for
research investigations.
• Discuss three conditions that can permit a
researcher to study an already studies problem.