Action Research embeds the auctioning of change in a research process. The aim of researching real world problems is to make a contribution that can lead to real change. In most research works, this contribution is limited to knowledge; hence, leading to the need of action research. Action research can be practical in business, healthcare, and education because it improves practice, policy, as well as, programs (O’Leary, 2005).
In addition, action research is essential in community development work because it empowers communities. Action research shares key elements with quasi experimentation and evaluative research with a common goal of empowering researchers. This enables the practitioners to improve their practice by understanding how to contribute to their own learning and career development.
Formulating a research question is one of the components in both qualitative and quantitative research (Neuman, 2006). In developing a research problem, a researcher must develop interest in the topic (O’Leary, 2005). In addition, the researcher considers national or agency priorities, urgency of a phenomenon, as well as, the availability of resources and supervision.
The steps involved in defining a research problem include the identification of a broad topic, followed by the identification of a narrow topic. Then the researcher raises possible questions, and finally formulates objectives by using action-oriented words. When identifying broad topics, it is necessary to think of the bigger picture by understanding the issue being solved.
A researcher should think of an interesting topic by consulting secondary sources such as books and journals. A topic should be chosen based on interest and relevance, the magnitude of work involved, as well as, the levels of expertise of the researcher and the supervisor. An example of a broad topic is Drug Abuse is a Social Problem.
From the broad topic, the researcher should select a narrow topic and think how it can be used to solve the problem. After selecting a topic, the researcher must clearly define the research questions.
or example, when the researcher is interested in alcohol consumption by college students then a possible research question would be; what effects alcohol consumption has on the health of college students? It is necessary to identify the key words in the question. In the example provided the key words are alcoholic consumption, health, and college students.
In conclusion, defining a problem guides the development of hypothesis; hence, the researcher should understand the components of a hypothesis, as well as, the role of deductive and inductive research in the development of ideas and data analysis (Neuman, 2006).
References
Neuman, W., L. (2006). Basics of Social Research: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches. Boston: Allyn & Bacon.
O’Leary, Z. (2005). Researching Real-World Problems: A Guide to Methods of Inquiry. London: Sage.