Question

Explain how/why all (3) phases of “problem definition” are critical to the development of your survey?

Answer 1

The problem definition is the initial and most important milestone in any research study. The importance of the three steps of the problem definition may be summarized as follows-

1.Contextualizing Stage- this stage helps to understand the problem through analysis of prior information relevant to the problem and provides insights on different facests of the problem. This is needed to avoid duplications in the reasearch and make informed study of the problem. It brings clarity on a range of definitional and conceptual issues. This helps the researcher to decide the point of departure. For example a problem seeking to study COVID-19 would encompass a discussion on SARS and MERS, the treatment regime for these conditions, the nature and character of the virus of COVID-19 etc.

2.Rationale building stage- This stage is important in providing a justification for the study. This stage is also important in clarifying the role and relevance of the problem and why it needs to be given preference over the other available research problems. For example a reaserch on COVID-19 may be justified by stating its disastrous effects on humanity and the urgent need to find ways to mitigate it.

3. Developing the goals and objectives stage- The goals of the research defines the design of the study and the specific gap in knowledge that this research is expected to fill. The specific objectives provide direction on the tools of data collection, startegies for data collection, the specific data needed and the methods of analysis to make inferences about the problem based on data.

Therefore, all the three phases together provide direction to the problem and clarify the pertinence, and viability of pursuing a research problem for survey.