In part one and two of FAQs, we introduced the concept of proposal/project or thesis defence followed by the following FAQs:
Part One:
- Why did you choose this topic?
- Why this study area?
Part Two
- Why this research design?
- Why this sample size?
In this article, we are going to discuss three more questions:
5. Why these Respondents?
Research aims at seeking answers to research problems. In social science, the answers are got from people and these people are called respondents. Therefore, respondents are the individuals who provide data that the researcher is interested in so that s/he can answer the researcher question(s) i.e. respondents help the researcher answer the research questions by sharing their views regarding the research problem.
NOTE:
- Respondents are ALWAYS part of your sample;
- They can be individuals, groups or organizations;
- The researcher selects them because they have the information they need to answer the research questions
Respondents should be identified once you have stated the problem because at this point the problem is clear in the mind of the researcher. Students should clearly distinguish between:
Target population → Accessible population → Sample → Respondents
These are related but are not necessarily the same thing. That is why in Chapter 4, we always have a section on response rate. This is the actual number of the people who participated in the study.
When examiners ask the question of why you chose the respondents in your study, the examiner wants to know whether the respondents were/are capable of providing information relevant to your research questions.
They mainly want to find out:
- Who is/was your target population.
- Why do you consider the respondents appropriate.
- What is the role of each of the respondent
- Do they possess the required information or experience.
- Are the respondents selected consistent with the objectives of the study.
Model answer
“I selected these respondents because they possess the characteristics and information required to address the objectives of the study. They are directly involved in/affected by [phenomenon being studied], and therefore were considered appropriate sources of the data required to answer the research questions.”
6. Why this Theory?
A theory is an explanation of a phenomena after observing it for a long time (A phenomena is an object of investigation). Since a theory explains, it therefore means that every research problem we identify can be explained by a theory. This is what we call theoretical framework. The location of the theoretical framework can be in Chapter 1 and or Chapter 2 based on the orientation of the institution of higher learning. The position of theoretical framework does not matter as long as it comes before the conceptual framework because a conceptual framework is a visual representation of the theory.
Theory explains the variables and their relationship, the conceptual framework represents this relationship in a visual form. When examiners ask the question on theory, they want to determine:
- Your understanding of the theory and its relationship to the problem.
- Your understanding of the major concepts or propositions of the theory.
- Your explanation of the relevance of the theory to your study.
- Your connection of the theory to your variables.
- Why you selected the theory, was it simply because it is popular?
Model answer
“I selected [name of theory] because its main propositions provide an appropriate explanation of the phenomenon being investigated. The theory explains the relationship between [concept A] and [concept B], which corresponds to the key variables in my study. It therefore provides the theoretical lens through which I examine the research problem.”
Possible follow-up question
“Why did you not use another theory?”
“I considered other relevant theories, but I selected [theory] because its assumptions and key propositions align more closely with the variables and context of my study.”
NOTE:
Don’t just memorize the name of your theory.
Be able to explain:
Who developed it → its major propositions → Its strengths and limitations → other studies that have used the theory→ how it relates to your study and why you will anchor your study on the theory despite its limitations.
7. What Is the Significance of Your Study?
Research is not done out of convenience. It is conducted to answer a research question. It aims to generate solutions to social problems. That is why research must be significant. Many times, the researches we do end up gathering dust in university library and no one gets to consume our good findings. That is why it is important for researchers to look out for opportunities like conferences to share their findings. They should also generate academic papers and forward them to credible journals for publication. When examiners ask the question of significance, they want to establish:
- Does the study matter?
- Who will benefit from this study? How will they benefit?
- What contribution is the study making especially regarding policies?
- Are the proposed benefits realistic.
Model answer
“The study is significant because it provides evidence on [research problem]. The findings are expected to benefit [specific stakeholders] by providing information that can support [policy, practice, decision-making, theory or future research]. The study also contributes to the existing body of knowledge by addressing the identified gap concerning [specific gap].”
A Stronger approach is not to simply list groups of beneficiaries by to explain:
Who are beneficiaries → How will they benefit → What they can do with the findings.
For example:
“The findings may assist policymakers in developing evidence-based interventions concerning…”
is stronger than:
“The government will benefit.”
NOTE the use of the word MAY. When writing the significance of the study, we use terms like MAY or HOPE not definitive words. This is because your study is not the only one that is, and will address the problem. So, as a researcher you can only HOPE that your study will guide policy decisions.
ASSIGNMENT:
What is the difference between Significance of the Study, Justification of the Study and Rationale of the Study?
Next and final article will focus on:
- Why this statistical test?
- What are the limitations of the study?
- If Given Another Opportunity, What Would You Improve?
You want to study more:
- Access free Research Methods course on YouTube: Youtube.com/@research-methods-class
- Enroll for the course on Pass your dissertation, Thesis and Projects on researchmethodsclass.com website: https://learn.researchmethodsclass.com/course/pass-your-thesis-dissertation-or-postgraduate-final-report
Part 4 and final to be continued…