Chapter 02:

Beginning Stages of the Research Process:

❖ Identification of Research Problem

❖ Formulation of Research Design
❖ How to Write Research Proposal
❖ How to Conduct Literature Review: Secondary Data Analysis.

Research Problem
A research problem is a gap in existing knowledge, a contradiction in an
established theory, or a real-world challenge that a researcher aims to address
in their research. It is at the heart of any scientific inquiry, directing the
trajectory of an investigation. The statement of a problem orients the reader
to the importance of the topic, sets the problem into a particular context, and
defines the relevant parameters, providing the framework for reporting the
findings. Therein lies the importance of research problems.

Research problem is a specific and well-defined issue or question that a

researcher seeks to investigate through research. It is the starting point of any
research project, as it sets the direction, scope, and purpose of the study.

Research Problem Examples

1.Business
Research Problem Examples in Business are as follows:

1. Studying the impact of corporate social responsibility on brand reputation and

consumer behavior.
2. Investigating the effectiveness of leadership development programs in
improving organizational performance and employee satisfaction.
3. Analyzing the factors that contribute to successful entrepreneurship and small
business development.

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 4. Examining the impact of mergers and acquisitions on market competition and
consumer welfare.
5. Studying the effectiveness of marketing strategies and advertising campaigns
in promoting brand awareness and sales.

2.For Students
An Example of a Research Problem for Students could be:
“How does social media usage affect the academic performance of high school
students?”

This research problem is specific, measurable, and relevant.

• It is specific because it focuses on a particular area of interest, which is the
impact of social media on academic performance.
• It is measurable because the researcher can collect data on social media
usage and academic performance to evaluate the relationship between the two
variables.
• It is relevant because it addresses a current and important issue that affects
high school students.
• To conduct research on this problem, the researcher could use various
methods, such as surveys, interviews, and statistical analysis of academic
records.
• The results of the study could provide insights into the relationship between
social media usage and academic performance, which could help educators
and parents develop effective strategies for managing social media use among
students.

Another example of a research problem for students:

“Does participation in extracurricular activities impact the academic
performance of middle school students?”
This research problem is also specific, measurable, and relevant.
• It is specific because it focuses on a particular type of activity, extracurricular
activities, and its impact on academic performance.
• It is measurable because the researcher can collect data on students’
participation in extracurricular activities and their academic performance to
evaluate the relationship between the two variables.
• It is relevant because extracurricular activities are an essential part of the
middle school experience, and their impact on academic performance is a
topic of interest to educators and parents.

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 • To conduct research on this problem, the researcher could use surveys,
interviews, and academic records analysis.
• The results of the study could provide insights into the relationship
between extracurricular activities and academic performance, which
could help educators and parents make informed decisions about the types of
activities that are most beneficial for middle school students.

3.Economics
Research Problem Examples in Economics are as follows:

• Studying the effects of trade policies on economic growth and

development.
• Analyzing the impact of automation and artificial intelligence on labor
markets and employment opportunities.
• Investigating the factors that contribute to economic inequality and
poverty.
• Examining the impact of fiscal and monetary policies on inflation and
economic stability.
• Studying the relationship between education and economic outcomes,
such as income and employment.

Types of Research Problems

Types of Research Problems are as follows:

1.Descriptive problems

These problems involve describing or documenting a particular phenomenon, event,

or situation. For example, a researcher might investigate the demographics of a
particular population, such as their age, gender, income, and education.

2.Exploratory problems

These problems are designed to explore a particular topic or issue in depth, often
with the goal of generating new ideas or hypotheses. For example, a researcher

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might explore the factors that contribute to job satisfaction among employees in a
particular industry.

3. Explanatory Problems
These problems seek to explain why a particular phenomenon or event occurs, and
they typically involve testing hypotheses or theories. For example, a researcher might
investigate the relationship between exercise and mental health, with the goal of
determining whether exercise has a causal effect on mental health.

4. Predictive Problems
These problems involve making predictions or forecasts about future events or
trends. For example, a researcher might investigate the factors that predict future
success in a particular field or industry.

5. Evaluative Problems
These problems involve assessing the effectiveness of a particular intervention,
program, or policy. For example, a researcher might evaluate the impact of a new
teaching method on student learning outcomes.

Applications of Research Problem

Applications of Research Problem are as follows:

1. Academic research: Research problems are used to guide academic research in various
fields, including social sciences, natural sciences, humanities, and engineering.
Researchers use research problems to identify gaps in knowledge, address theoretical or
practical problems, and explore new areas of study.
2. Business research: Research problems are used to guide business research, including
market research, consumer behavior research, and organizational research. Researchers use
research problems to identify business challenges, explore opportunities, and develop
strategies for business growth and success.
3. Healthcare research: Research problems are used to guide healthcare research,
including medical research, clinical research, and health services research. Researchers use
research problems to identify healthcare challenges, develop new treatments and
interventions, and improve healthcare delivery and outcomes.
4. Public policy research: Research problems are used to guide public policy research,
including policy analysis, program evaluation, and policy development. Researchers use
research problems to identify social issues, assess the effectiveness of existing policies and
programs, and develop new policies and programs to address societal challenges.

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 5. Environmental research: Research problems are used to guide environmental research,
including environmental science, ecology, and environmental management. Researchers
use research problems to identify environmental challenges, assess the impact of human
activities on the environment, and develop sustainable solutions to protect the environment.
•
Purpose of Research Problems

The purpose of research problems is to identify an area of study that requires further
investigation and to formulate a clear, concise and specific research question. A
research problem defines the specific issue or problem that needs to be addressed
and serves as the foundation for the research project.

Identifying a research problem is important because it helps to establish the direction

of the research and sets the stage for the research design, methods, and analysis. It
also ensures that the research is relevant and contributes to the existing body of
knowledge in the field.

A well-formulated research problem should:

• Clearly define the specific issue or problem that needs to be investigated

• Be specific and narrow enough to be manageable in terms of time, resources,
and scope
• Be relevant to the field of study and contribute to the existing body of
knowledge
• Be feasible and realistic in terms of available data, resources, and research
methods
• Be interesting and intellectually stimulating for the researcher and potential
readers or audiences.

Characteristics of Research Problem

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The characteristics of a research problem refer to the specific features that a problem
must possess to qualify as a suitable research topic. Some of the key characteristics
of a research problem are:

1. Clarity: A research problem should be clearly defined and stated in a way

that it is easily understood by the researcher and other readers. The problem
should be specific, unambiguous, and easy to comprehend.
2. Relevance: A research problem should be relevant to the field of study, and
it should contribute to the existing body of knowledge. The problem should
address a gap in knowledge, a theoretical or practical problem, or a real-world
issue that requires further investigation.
3. Feasibility: A research problem should be feasible in terms of the
availability of data, resources, and research methods. It should be realistic and
practical to conduct the study within the available time, budget, and resources.
4. Novelty: A research problem should be novel or original in some way. It
should represent a new or innovative perspective on an existing problem, or it
should explore a new area of study or apply an existing theory to a new
context.
5. Importance: A research problem should be important or significant in terms
of its potential impact on the field or society. It should have the potential to
produce new knowledge, advance existing theories, or address a pressing
societal issue.
6. Manageability: A research problem should be manageable in terms of its
scope and complexity. It should be specific enough to be investigated within
the available time and resources, and it should be broad enough to provide
meaningful results.

Advantages of Research Problem

The advantages of a well-defined research problem are as follows:

• Focus: A research problem provides a clear and focused direction for the
research study. It ensures that the study stays on track and does not deviate
from the research question.
• Clarity: A research problem provides clarity and specificity to the
research question. It ensures that the research is not too broad or too
narrow and that the research objectives are clearly defined.
• Relevance: A research problem ensures that the research study is
relevant to the field of study and contributes to the existing body of

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 knowledge. It addresses gaps in knowledge, theoretical or practical
problems, or real-world issues that require further investigation.
• Feasibility: A research problem ensures that the research study is
feasible in terms of the availability of data, resources, and research
methods. It ensures that the research is realistic and practical to conduct
within the available time, budget, and resources.
• Novelty: A research problem ensures that the research study is original
and innovative. It represents a new or unique perspective on an existing
problem, explores a new area of study, or applies an existing theory to a
new context.
• Importance: A research problem ensures that the research study is
important and significant in terms of its potential impact on the field or
society. It has the potential to produce new knowledge, advance existing
theories, or address a pressing societal issue.
• Rigor: A research problem ensures that the research study is rigorous
and follows established research methods and practices. It ensures that the
research is conducted in a systematic, objective, and unbiased manner.

How to Define a Research Problem

You might now ask “How to define a research problem?” These are
the general steps to follow:

1. Look for a broad problem area: Identify under-explored aspects or areas of

concern, or a controversy in your topic of interest. Evaluate the significance
of addressing the problem in terms of its potential contribution to the field,
practical applications, or theoretical insights.
2. Learn more about the problem: Read the literature, starting from historical
aspects to the current status and latest updates. Rely on reputable evidence
and data. Be sure to consult researchers who work in the relevant field,
mentors, and peers. Do not ignore the gray literature on the subject.
3. Identify the relevant variables and how they are related: Consider which
variables are most important to the study and will help answer the research
question. Once this is done, you will need to determine the relationships
between these variables and how these relationships affect the research
problem.
4. Think of practical aspects: Deliberate on ways that your study can be
practical and feasible in terms of time and resources. Discuss practical aspects
with researchers in the field and be open to revising the problem based on

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 feedback. Refine the scope of the research problem to make it manageable and
specific; consider the resources available, time constraints, and feasibility.
5. Formulate the problem statement: Craft a concise problem statement that
outlines the specific issue, its relevance, and why it needs further
investigation.
6. Stick to plans, but be flexible: When defining the problem, plan ahead but
adhere to your budget and timeline. At the same time, consider all possibilities
and ensure that the problem and question can be modified if needed.

What Is a Research Problem Statement?

A research problem statement is a clear, concise, and specific statement that
describes the issue or problem that the research project addresses. It should be
written in a way that is easily understandable to both experts and non-experts in the
field.

To write a research problem statement, you should:

1) Identify the general area of interest: Start by identifying the general area of
research that interests you.
2) Define the specific problem: Narrow down the general area of interest to a
specific problem or issue.
3) Explain the significance of the problem: Provide context for the problem by
explaining why it is important to study and what gap in current knowledge or
understanding it fills.
4) Provide a clear and concise statement: State the problem in a clear and concise
manner, making sure to use language that is easily understood by your
intended audience.
5) Use a scientific and objective tone: The problem statement should be written in a
neutral and objective tone, avoiding any subjective language and personal
bias.

An Example of a Research Problem Statement

“The increasing prevalence of obesity in children is a growing public health concern.
Despite the availability of information on healthy eating and physical activity, many
children are still not engaging in healthy lifestyle behaviors. The problem this study
addresses is the lack of understanding of the barriers and facilitators to healthy
lifestyle behaviors in children.”

When to Write a Problem Statement in Research?

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A research problem statement should be written at the beginning of the research
process, before any data collection or analysis takes place. This is because the
statement sets the foundation for the entire research project by clearly defining the
problem that the research is trying to address.

Writing a problem statement early in the research process helps to guide the research
design and methodology, and ensures that the research is focused on addressing the
specific problem at hand. It also helps to ensure that the research is relevant and
addresses a gap in current knowledge or understanding.

In addition, a well-written problem statement effectively communicates the purpose

and significance of the research to potential funders, collaborators, and other
stakeholders. It also generates interest and support for the research project.

It’s also important to note that, during the research process, the statement can be
refined or updated as new information is discovered or as the research progresses.
This is normal and it’s a good idea to revise the statement as needed to ensure that it
remains clear and concise and that it accurately reflects the current focus of the
research project.

What Does a Research Problem Statement Include?

A research problem statement typically includes the following elements:

1. The research topic:

The general area of interest or field of study that the research project addresses.

2. The specific problem or issue:

A clear and concise statement of the problem or issue that the research project aims
to address.

3. The significance of the problem:

A discussion of why the problem is important and what gap in current knowledge or
understanding it fills.

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4. The research questions:
A set of questions that the research project aims to answer, in order to address the
problem or issue.

5. The research objectives:

A set of specific and measurable objectives that the research project aims to achieve.

6. The scope of the research:

A description of the specific population, setting, or context that the research project
will focus on.

7. The theoretical framework:

A discussion of the theoretical concepts and principles that inform the research
project.

8. The research design:

A description of the research methodologies that will be used to collect and analyze
data in order to address the research questions and objectives.

It’s important to note that the problem statement is usually brief and concise,
typically a few sentences or a short paragraph. But it should provide enough
information to convey the main idea of the research project.

Sources for Selecting a Research Problem

After the broad area of research interest has been identified, the researcher will proceed towards
narrowing down it to a highly specific and focused research problem. At this juncture, it is not
possible to list all the educational problems that are needed to be researched. The problems do not
germinate in barren brains but rather in minds enriched by varied experiences and fertile layers of
knowledge. Reading educational
publications extensively will help to prepare an intellectual soil in which problem ideas
are likely to sprout. There are various sources which are available to researcher and which
help him to identify and specify the meaningful problem of research. These are mainly:
Theory
Experience
Discussion

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Dissatisfaction
Literature

What are the Sources of Research

Problems?
Now that you know the types of possible research problems that you can focus on in a term
paper, let’s look at the sources that you can use to identify research problems.From a research

perspective, the kind of research problem that you wish to investigate should meet two conditions.

First, the problem has to be unique and not something other researchers have already looked into

exhaustively. Second, the problem has to be concise enough to raise specific issues that you can

address in a research paper.With that said, below are five sources of a research problem:
1. Interviews

Interviews sessions can be significant sources of research problems. The method gives you an

opportunity to have formal discussions and informal interactions with individuals who can provide
useful insights into research and make findings more relevant to future research.

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Consider having discussions with experts in the field you wish to investigate. These professionals

may be healthcare service providers, business leaders, teachers, social workers, attorneys, and

accountants to mention but a few examples.

By interacting with these experts, you’re able to identify real-world problems that researchers have

either ignored or understudied in the academic space.

Moreover, interview sessions give you the opportunity to get some practical knowledge that can

help you to design and conduct your studies.

2. Personal Experiences

Your everyday experiences are a good source of research problem. You have to think critically

about your personal experiences with an issue that affects your family, your personal life, or your

community. A research problem derived from personal experience can spring from any issue and

from anywhere. For example, you can construct a research problem from events that appear to be

out of the ordinary or from community relationships that don’t have clear explanations.
3. Deductions from Theory

A deduction from theory refers to inferences a researcher makes from the generalizations of life in

a society that a researcher knows very well.

A researcher takes the deduction, places them in an empirical frame, and then, based on a theory,
they come up with a research problem and a hypothesis that suggests some findings based on given

empirical results. The research accounts for the relationship to observe if a theory summarizes the
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state of an affair. A systematic investigation, which evaluates if the empirical information affirms

or rejects the hypothesis, comes next.

4. Interdisciplinary Perspective

If you consider interdisciplinary perspective to identify a problem for a research study, you’ll have

to look at scholarship and academic movements from outside your main area of investigation.

It’s an intellectually involving process, one that requires reviewing pertinent literature to discover

unique avenues of exploration an analysis.

The benefit of using this approach to identify a research problem for your research paper

assignment is that it presents an opportunity for you to understand complex issues with ease.
5. Relevant Literature

To generate a research problem from relevant literature, you first have to review research related

to your area of interest.

Doing so allows you to find gaps on the topic, making it easy for you to understand just how much

understudied your area of interest is.

Data collected from relevant literature is relevant because it helps to:

• Fill existing gaps in knowledge based on a specific research

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 • Determine if current studies can have implications on further research on the same

issue

• See if it’s possible to conduct a similar study in a different area or apply the same

in a different context

• Determine if the methods used in previous studies can be effective in solving future

problems

We can’t stress enough on the value of existing literature. The results should point you towards an

outstanding issue, give suggestion for future gaps, and make it possible to delineate gaps in existing

knowledge.

What is Research Design?

Research design is the framework of research methods and techniques chosen by a
researcher to conduct a study. The design allows researchers to sharpen the research
methods suitable for the subject matter and set up their studies for success.

Creating a research topic explains the type of research (experimental, survey

research, correlational, semi-experimental, review) and its sub-type (experimental
design, research problem, descriptive case-study).

There are three main types of designs for research:

• Data collection
• Measurement
• Data Analysis

The research problem an organization faces will determine the design, not vice-
versa. The design phase of a study determines which tools to use and how they are
used.

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Characteristics of Research Design
A proper design sets your study up for success. Successful research studies provide
insights that are accurate and unbiased. You’ll need to create a survey that meets all of
the main characteristics of a design. There are four key characteristics:

Neutrality: When you set up your study, you may have to make assumptions about
the data you expect to collect. The results projected in the research should be free
from research bias and neutral. Understand opinions about the final evaluated scores
and conclusions from multiple individuals and consider those who agree with the
results.

Reliability: With regularly conducted research, the researcher expects similar

results every time. You’ll only be able to reach the desired results if your design is
reliable. Your plan should indicate how to form research questions to ensure the
standard of results.

Validity: There are multiple measuring tools available. However, the only correct
measuring tools are those which help a researcher in gauging results according to
the objective of the research. The questionnaire developed from this design will then
be valid.

Generalization: The outcome of your design should apply to a population and not
just a restricted sample. A generalized method implies that your survey can be
conducted on any part of a population with similar accuracy.

The above factors affect how respondents answer the research questions, so they
should balance all the above characteristics in a good design. If you want, you can
also learn about Selection Bias through our blog.

Important concepts of Research Design

Variable

Variable is a concept that can take on various quantitative values. For instance,
weight, height, etc.

Dependent Variable

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A dependent variable is a variable that is tested in an experiment. It is dependent,
in some way on the variation of an independent variable.

Independent Variable

An independent variable in an experiment is considered to stand on its own. For

instance, if the test scores of a class are an outcome of their efforts; efforts are an
independent variable, and the score is a dependent variable.

Hypothesis

It is defined as the hypothesis that needs to be tested in an experiment .

What Are the Different Types of Research Design?

A researcher must be well-versed in different types of research design. Moreover, a

clear understanding of different research designs helps choose the proper technique
for the research.

Research design is broadly divided into quantitative and qualitative research design.
We’ll walk you through them in detail below.

Quantitative research design

Quantitative research design aims at finding answers to who, what, where, how, and
when through the course of research. Moreover, the outcome of the quantitative
analysis is easy to represent in the form of statistics, graphs, charts, and numbers.

Qualitative research design

Qualitative research design focuses on finding answers to how and why. It uses
open-ended questions and helps the subjects express their views clearly.
Qualitative research is ideal for businesses that aim to understand customers’
behaviour and requirements.
You can further break the types of research designs into five categories.

Experimental design

This type of research design looks at a problem scientifically by establishing a clear

cause and effect of every event. It also tries to understand the impact of the

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independent variable on the dependable variable.
Often social sciences use it to observe human behaviours and understand the social
psychology of human being better.

Correlational design

Correlation research design establishes a relationship between two related variables.

The researcher observes the variables over time and then draws conclusions based
on them. This type of research design requires two different groups.
A correlation coefficient determines the relationship between two variables. The
value of the correlation coefficient ranges between -1 and +1. If the correlation
coefficient is +1, it indicates a positive relationship between the two variables, and
-1 means a negative relationship.

Descriptive design

Descriptive design is a theory-based research method describing the research’s

primary subject matter. This type of research design uses data collection techniques
like natural observation, case studies, and surveys to derive results.
This type of research design provides insight into the why and how of research.

Diagnostic design

In diagnostic research, the design strives to explore the reason behind an issue and
find solutions to solve it. This type of research design tries to solve the problems in
a structured form divided into three phases- the issue’s inception, diagnosis of the
issue, and solution for the issue.

Explanatory design

In this research design, the researcher explores concepts and ideas on a subject to
explore more theories. The main aim of the research is to explore the subjects’
undiscovered aspects and answer questions like what, how, and why.

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Important concepts of Research Design

Variable
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Variable is a concept that can take on various quantitative values. For instance,
weight, height, etc.

Dependent Variable

A dependent variable is a variable that is tested in an experiment. It is dependent,

in some way on the variation of an independent variable.

Independent Variable

An independent variable in an experiment is considered to stand on its own. For

instance, if the test scores of a class are an outcome of their efforts; efforts are an
independent variable, and the score is a dependent variable.

Hypothesis

It is defined as the hypothesis that needs to be tested in an experiment.

Importance of Research Design

A Good research design consists of the following important points:

• Formulating a research design helps the researcher to make correct decisions in each
and every step of the study.
• It helps to identify the major and minor tasks of the study.
• It makes the research study effective and interesting by providing minute details at each
step of the research process.
• Based on the design of experiments (research design), a researcher can easily frame the
objectives of the research work.
• A good research design helps the researcher to complete the objectives of the study in
a given time and facilitates getting the best solution for the research problems.
• It helps the researcher to complete all the tasks even with limited resources in a better
way.
• The main advantage of a good research design is that it provides accuracy, reliability,
consistency, and legitimacy to the research.

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How to Create a Research Design?
According to Thyer, the research design has the following components:

Research Design IMPORTANT

• A researcher begins the study by framing the problem statement of the

research work.
• Then, the researcher has to identify the sampling points, the number of
samples, the sample size, and the location.
• The next step is to identify the operating variables or parameters of the
study and detail how the variables are to be measured.
• The final step is the collection, interpretation, and dissemination of results.

Considerations in selecting the research design

The researchers should know the various types of research designs and their
applicability. The selection of a research design can only be made after a careful
understanding of the different research design types. The factors to be considered in
choosing a research design are

1. Qualitative Vs quantitative
2. Basic Vs applied
3. Empirical Vs Non-empirical

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What is a Literature Review?

A literature review is both a process and a product. As a process, it involves

searching for information related to your topic, to familiarize yourself with the
relevant research and to identify issues and gaps in the research. In most cases you're
seeking to identify the key authors and key arguments that are relevant to your topic,
not to exhaustively read everything written on the subject.

What is a literature review? A literature review is a survey of scholarly sources on a specific

topic. It provides an overview of current knowledge, allowing you to identify relevant theories,
methods, and gaps in the existing research that you can later apply to your paper, thesis,
or dissertation topic.

There are five key steps to writing a literature review:

1. Search for relevant literature

2. Evaluate sources
3. Identify themes, debates, and gaps
4. Outline the structure
5. Write your literature review

A good literature review doesn’t just summarize sources—it analyzes, synthesizes, and critically
evaluates to give a clear picture of the state of knowledge on the subject.

What is the purpose of a literature review?

When you write a thesis, dissertation, or research paper, you will likely have to conduct
a literature review to situate your research within existing knowledge. The literature
review gives you a chance to:

• Demonstrate your familiarity with the topic and its scholarly context
• Develop a theoretical framework and methodology for your research
• Position your work in relation to other researchers and theorists
• Show how your research addresses a gap or contributes to a debate
• Evaluate the current state of research and demonstrate your knowledge of the
scholarly debates around your topic.

Writing literature reviews is a particularly important skill if you want to apply for graduate
school or pursue a career in research. We’ve written a step-by-step guide that you can
follow below.

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Examples of literature reviews
Writing literature reviews can be quite challenging! A good starting point could be to
look at some examples, depending on what kind of literature review you’d like to write.

• Example literature review #1: “Why Do People Migrate? A Review of the

Theoretical Literature” (Theoretical literature review about the development of
economic migration theory from the 1950s to today.)
• Example literature review #2: “Literature review as a research methodology: An
overview and guidelines” (Methodological literature review about
interdisciplinary knowledge acquisition and production.)
• Example literature review #3: “The Use of Technology in English Language
Learning: A Literature Review” (Thematic literature review about the effects of
technology on language acquisition.)
• Example literature review #4: “Learners’ Listening Comprehension Difficulties
in English Language Learning: A Literature Review” (Chronological literature
review about how the concept of listening skills has changed over time.)

You can also check out our templates with literature review examples and sample
outlines at the links below.

The literature review on mobile banking have endeavored to understand the variables affecting
real use, deliberate use (Gu et al., 2009, Lin, 2011, Luarn and Lin, 2005, Karjaluoto et al., 2010,

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Akturan and Tezcan, 2012, Sharma, 2019) and proceeded with astuteness to utilize mobile banking
(Lin, 2011, Gumussoy, 2016a). Decipher the astuteness to use mobile banking with the TAM and
trust. The idea of innovation has been a field of consideration both for researchers and practitioners
like bankers. It is the procedure through which innovation has been characterized inside the
banking frameworks. That will additionally evaluate which activities will happen and which will
be redistributed. Researchers and many businesses utilized an alternate route from numerous
angles concerning the meaning of innovation, remembering essential or gradual changes for
products, processes, and markets. Characterizing innovation decides the measurement and
character of innovation in a particular banking framework. To comprise a banking framework fit
to carry on its movement on the long haul, it is fundamental to understand the primary focal job of
the delicate part (characterizing and estimating) of the banking framework inside the innovation
procedure. The capacity to advance is portrayed by the ability to ceaselessly change information
and thoughts into new products, processes, and frameworks, to the advantage of both the
association and the investors (Popa et al., 2010). Research on innovation has tended to numerous
methodologies, such as utilizing innovation levels in people, bunches/programs, or by the force of
innovation. Innovation Introduces another item or alterations brought to a current item, another
methodology of innovation in an industry, the revelation of another market, developing new
wellsprings of supply with crude materials, other changes in the association. Fundamental
characteristics of innovation are those that don't change starting with one banking framework then
onto the next and are firmly associated with the banking setting in which innovation happens (Popa
et al., 2010). Damanpour (1991) has recognized different highlights of innovation, for example,
the extent and its impacts on firms' proficiency, looking to break down the contrasts among steady
and radical innovation. More elevated levels of customer satisfaction can be increased through
higher levels of technological innovation. Technological innovation has limited the staff
necessities at any branch, accordingly, decreasing compensations given to them. The firm’s
investment fell as the workplace necessities, and the use of rising advancements has limited
different utilities. The usage obstruction turns out to be exceptionally clear when innovation
doesn't coordinate with customers' work processes and propensities. It is commonly associated
with the ease of use, which incorporates intricacy and straightforwardness of utilization.
Innovation is identified with the innovation acknowledgment model (IAM) (Teo and Pok, 2003b).
As indicated by Black et al. (2001) that hazard is the critical factor that advises why buyers don't
utilize mobile banking. A physical threat is a mischief to the individual that might be verifiable in
the Innovation (Teo & Pok, 2003).Services can be characterized as the activity or advantage that
one gathering offers to another gathering that is essentially immaterial and doesn't bring about the
responsibility for (Kotler and Armstrong, 2010). Fogli (2006) clarifies administration quality as
"an overall judgment or frame of mind identifying with a particular help; the customer's general
impression of the relative wastefulness or greatness of the banking segment and its services.
(Parasuraman et al., 1985) have perceived five elements of administration quality that applies over
an assortment of administration set.

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How to Write a Literature Review
There are five key steps to writing a literature review: IMPORTANT
1. Search for relevant literature
2. Evaluate sources
3. Identify themes, debates, and gaps
4. Outline the structure
5. Write your literature review

A good literature review doesn’t just summarize sources—it analyzes, synthesizes, and
critically evaluates to give a clear picture of the state of knowledge on the subject.

Step 1 – Search for relevant literature

Before you begin searching for literature, you need a clearly defined topic.

If you are writing the literature review section of a dissertation or research paper, you
will search for literature related to your research problem and questions.

Literature review research question exampleWhat is the impact of social media on body image
among Generation Z?

Make a list of keywords

Start by creating a list of keywords related to your research question. Include each of
the key concepts or variables you’re interested in, and list any synonyms and related
terms. You can add to this list as you discover new keywords in the process of your
literature search.

Keywords example

• Social media, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, TikTok

• Body image, self-perception, self-esteem, mental health
• Generation Z, teenagers, adolescents, youth

Search for relevant sources

Use your keywords to begin searching for sources. Some useful databases to search
for journals and articles include:

• Your university’s library catalogue

• Google Scholar
• JSTOR
• EBSCO
• Project Muse (humanities and social sciences)
• Medline (life sciences and biomedicine)

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 • EconLit (economics)
• Inspec (physics, engineering and computer science)

You can also use boolean operators to help narrow down your search.

Make sure to read the abstract to find out whether an article is relevant to your question.
When you find a useful book or article, you can check the bibliography to find other
relevant sources.

Step 2 – Evaluate and select sources

You likely won’t be able to read absolutely everything that has been written on your
topic, so it will be necessary to evaluate which sources are most relevant to your
research question.

For each publication, ask yourself:

• What question or problem is the author addressing?

• What are the key concepts and how are they defined?
• What are the key theories, models, and methods?
• Does the research use established frameworks or take an innovative approach?
• What are the results and conclusions of the study?
• How does the publication relate to other literature in the field? Does it confirm,
add to, or challenge established knowledge?
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of the research?

Make sure the sources you use are credible, and make sure you read any landmark
studies and major theories in your field of research.

You can use our template to summarize and evaluate sources you’re thinking about
using. Click on either button below to download.

Take notes and cite your sources

As you read, you should also begin the writing process. Take notes that you can later
incorporate into the text of your literature review.

It is important to keep track of your sources with citations to avoid plagiarism. It can be
helpful to make an annotated bibliography, where you compile full citation information
and write a paragraph of summary and analysis for each source. This helps you
remember what you read and saves time later in the process.

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Step 3 – Identify themes, debates, and gaps
To begin organizing your literature review’s argument and structure, be sure you
understand the connections and relationships between the sources you’ve read.
Based on your reading and notes, you can look for:

• Trends and patterns (in theory, method or results): do certain approaches

become more or less popular over time?
• Themes: what questions or concepts recur across the literature?
• Debates, conflicts and contradictions: where do sources disagree?
• Pivotal publications: are there any influential theories or studies that
changed the direction of the field?
• Gaps: what is missing from the literature? Are there weaknesses that need to
be addressed?

This step will help you work out the structure of your literature review and (if
applicable) show how your own research will contribute to existing knowledge.

Example of trends and gapsIn reviewing the literature on social media and body
image, you note that:

• Most research has focused on young women.

• There is an increasing interest in the visual aspects of social media.
• But there is still a lack of robust research on highly visual platforms like
Instagram and Snapchat—this is a gap that you could address in your own
research.

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Step 4 – Outline your literature review’s structure
There are various approaches to organizing the body of a literature review. Depending on the
length of your literature review, you can combine several of these strategies (for example, your
overall structure might be thematic, but each theme is discussed chronologically).

Chronological
The simplest approach is to trace the development of the topic over time. However, if you choose
this strategy, be careful to avoid simply listing and summarizing sources in order.

Try to analyze patterns, turning points and key debates that have shaped the direction of the field.
Give your interpretation of how and why certain developments occurred.

Thematic
If you have found some recurring central themes, you can organize your literature review into
subsections that address different aspects of the topic.

For example, if you are reviewing literature about inequalities in migrant health outcomes, key
themes might include healthcare policy, language barriers, cultural attitudes, legal status, and
economic access.

Methodological
If you draw your sources from different disciplines or fields that use a variety of research methods,
you might want to compare the results and conclusions that emerge from different approaches. For
example:

• Look at what results have emerged in qualitative versus quantitative research

• Discuss how the topic has been approached by empirical versus theoretical scholarship
• Divide the literature into sociological, historical, and cultural sources

Theoretical
A literature review is often the foundation for a theoretical framework. You can use it to discuss
various theories, models, and definitions of key concepts.

You might argue for the relevance of a specific theoretical approach, or combine various
theoretical concepts to create a framework for your research.

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Step 5 – Write your literature review
Like any other academic text, your literature review should have an introduction, a main body, and
a conclusion. What you include in each depends on the objective of your literature review.

Introduction
The introduction should clearly establish the focus and purpose of the literature review

Body
Depending on the length of your literature review, you might want to divide the body into
subsections. You can use a subheading for each theme, time period, or methodological approach.

As you write, you can follow these tips:

• Summarize and synthesize: give an overview of the main points of each source and
combine them into a coherent whole
• Analyze and interpret: don’t just paraphrase other researchers—add your own
interpretations where possible, discussing the significance of findings in relation to the
literature as a whole
• Critically evaluate: mention the strengths and weaknesses of your sources
• Write in well-structured paragraphs: use transition words and topic sentences to draw
connections, comparisons and contrasts

Conclusion
In the conclusion, you should summarize the key findings you have taken from the literature and
emphasize their significance.

What is Secondary Data?

Secondary data is the data that has already been collected through primary sources
and made readily available for researchers to use for their own research. It is a type
of data that has already been collected in the past.

A researcher may have collected the data for a particular project, then made it
available to be used by another researcher. The data may also have been collected
for general use with no specific research purpose like in the case of the national
census.

Data classified as secondary for particular research may be said to be primary for
another research. This is the case when data is being reused, making it primary

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data for the first research and secondary data for the second research it is being used
for.

What is secondary analysis?

Secondary analysis is a form of research that uses existing data, or secondary data,
collected previously to perform a new study. Researchers might use quantitative or
qualitative data another research team or agency gathered or produced for different
reasons and analyze it in a new way. That data might be publicly available or the
researcher or analyst might need permission to access and use it. The data they use
typically from trusted government and research sources such as the:

• U.S. Census Bureau

• American Community Survey
• General Social Survey
• Bureau of Justice Statistics
• Environmental Protection Agency
• Department of Education
• National Institutes of Health
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

It can also come from historic works and publications. Researchers might even
reuse their own data and findings. Professionals who commonly perform
secondary analysis include researchers, analysts, statisticians and sociologists.

Sources of Secondary Data

Sources of secondary data include books, personal sources, journals, newspapers,
websites, government records etc. Secondary data are known to be readily available
compared to that of primary data. It requires very little research and needs for
manpower to use these sources.

With the advent of electronic media and the internet, secondary data sources have
become more easily accessible. Some of these sources are highlighted below.

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 • Books

Books are one of the most traditional ways of collecting data. Today, there are books
available for all topics you can think of. When carrying out research, all you have
to do is look for a book on the topic being researched, then select from the available
repository of books in that area. Books, when carefully chosen are an authentic
source of authentic data and can be useful in preparing a literature review.

• Published Sources

There are a variety of published sources available for different research topics. The
authenticity of the data generated from these sources depends majorly on the writer
and publishing company.

Published sources may be printed or electronic as the case may be. They may be paid
or free depending on the writer and publishing company’s decision.

• Unpublished Personal Sources

This may not be readily available and easily accessible compared to the published
sources. They only become accessible if the researcher shares with another
researcher who is not allowed to share it with a third party.

For example, the product management team of an organization may need data on
customer feedback to assess what customers think about their product and
improvement suggestions. They will need to collect the data from the customer
service department, which primarily collected the data to improve customer service.

• Journal

Journals are gradually becoming more important than books these days when data
collection is concerned. This is because journals are updated regularly with new
publications on a periodic basis, therefore giving to date information.

Also, journals are usually more specific when it comes to research. For example, we
can have a journal on, “Secondary data collection for quantitative data” while a book
will simply be titled, “Secondary data collection”.

• Newspapers

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In most cases, the information passed through a newspaper is usually very reliable.
Hence, making it one of the most authentic sources of collecting secondary data.

The kind of data commonly shared in newspapers is usually more political,

economic, and educational than scientific. Therefore, newspapers may not be the
best source for scientific data collection.

• Websites

The information shared on websites is mostly not regulated and as such may not be
trusted compared to other sources. However, there are some regulated websites that
only share authentic data and can be trusted by researchers.

Most of these websites are usually government websites or private organizations that
are paid, data collectors.

• Blogs

Blogs are one of the most common online sources for data and may even be less
authentic than websites. These days, practically everyone owns a blog, and a lot of
people use these blogs to drive traffic to their website or make money through paid
ads.

Therefore, they cannot always be trusted. For example, a blogger may write good
things about a product because he or she was paid to do so by the manufacturer even
though these things are not true.

• Diaries

They are personal records and as such rarely used for data collection by researchers.
Also, diaries are usually personal, except for these days when people now share
public diaries containing specific events in their life.

A common example of this is Anne Frank’s diary which contained an accurate record
of the Nazi wars.

• Government Records

Government records are a very important and authentic source of secondary data.
They contain information useful in marketing, management, humanities, and social
science research.

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Some of these records include; census data, health records, education institute
records, etc. They are usually collected to aid proper planning, allocation of funds,
and prioritizing of projects.

• Podcasts

Podcasts are gradually becoming very common these days, and a lot of people listen
to them as an alternative to radio. They are more or less like online radio stations
and are generating increasing popularity.

Information is usually shared during podcasts, and listeners can use it as a source of
data collection.

Some other sources of data collection include:

• Letters
• Radio stations
• Public sector records.

Advantages of Secondary Data

• Ease of Access

Most of the sources of secondary data are easily accessible to researchers. Most of
these sources can be accessed online through a mobile device. People who do not
have access to the internet can also access them through print.

They are usually available in libraries, book stores, and can even be borrowed from
other people.

• Inexpensive

Secondary data mostly require little to no cost for people to acquire them. Many
books, journals, and magazines can be downloaded for free online. Books can also
be borrowed for free from public libraries by people who do not have access to the
internet.

Researchers do not have to spend money on investigations, and very little is spent
on acquiring books if any.

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 • Time-Saving

The time spent on collecting secondary data is usually very little compared to that of
primary data. The only investigation necessary for secondary data collection is the
process of sourcing for necessary data sources.

Therefore, cutting the time that would normally be spent on the investigation. This
will save a significant amount of time for the researcher

• Longitudinal and Comparative Studies

Secondary data makes it easy to carry out longitudinal studies without having to
wait for a couple of years to draw conclusions. For example, you may want to
compare the country’s population according to census 5 years ago, and now.

Rather than waiting for 5 years, the comparison can easily be made by collecting the
census 5 years ago and now.

• Generating new insights

When re-evaluating data, especially through another person’s lens or point of view,
new things are uncovered. There might be a thing that wasn’t discovered in the past
by the primary data collector, that secondary data collection may reveal.

For example, when customers complain about difficulty using an app to the
customer service team, they may decide to create a user guide teaching customers
how to use it. However, when a product developer has access to this data, it may be
uncovered that the issue came from and UI/UX design that needs to be worked on.

Disadvantages of Secondary Data

• Data Quality:

The data collected through secondary sources may not be as authentic as when
collected directly from the source. This is a very common disadvantage with online
sources due to a lack of regulatory bodies to monitor the kind of content that is
being shared.

Therefore, working with this kind of data may have negative effects on the research
being carried out.

• Irrelevant Data:

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Researchers spend so much time surfing through a pool of irrelevant data before
finally getting the one they need. This is because the data was not collected mainly
for the researcher.

In some cases, a researcher may not even find the exact data he or she needs, but
have to settle for the next best alternative.

• Exaggerated Data

Some data sources are known to exaggerate the information that is being shared.
This bias may be some to maintain a good public image or due to a paid advert.

This is very common with many online blogs that even go a bead to share false
information just to gain web traffic. For example, a FinTech startup may exaggerate
the amount of money it has processed just to attract more customers.

A researcher gathering this data to investigate the total amount of money processed
by FinTech startups in the US for the quarter may have to use this exaggerated data.

• Outdated Information

Some of the data sources are outdated and there are no new available data to
replace the old ones. For example, the national census is not usually updated yearly.

Therefore, there have been changes in the country’s population since the last
census. However, someone working with the country’s population will have to settle
for the previously recorded figure even though it is outdated.

❖ How to Write Research Proposal

How to write a Research Proposal: Components of a

research proposal

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Components of a research proposal
Research proposals differ in terms of their presentation depending on what each
University department requires. In other words, there is no set template for a
research proposal. Please contact your lecturer regarding the format you
are expected to use for your research proposal. Thus, the components of a research
proposal include, but are not limited to those mentioned in this guide.

1. The title
Try to come up with a title that is unique and at the same time easy to
remember. It should also make a lasting impression to the reader and
make them want to come back and read your proposal. The title must also
capture the main concepts of the study. As the research process
is lengthy, it is important that you choose a topic that you are so curious
about that you remain motivated for the duration of the research
process. Select a topic that you will be able to complete within the time
frame that you have for your research.
2. Introduction to the research
This section of the proposal must provide a broad overview of the topic.
The jargon and key terms used in the particular topic must also be
thoroughly explained in order to avoid confusion. The interest of the
researcher in the particular topic must also be clearly outlined while at
the same time mentioning, albeit briefly at this point, a critical review of
the main literature that covers the topic. The researcher must also
provide the aim of the research by clearly and concisely stating the
problem, as well as the research questions to be dealt with. This section
must also indicate what the research study will not be covering.

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3. The background
The background to the topic of your intended research must be clear and
precise. It must not only include an in-depth explanation of the key points
of your subject but also all the developments in the field as well as
their timelines. The researcher must also explain the compelling
interest in the research issue as well as the personal interest (if any) in
the topic. This section must also indicate the specific area within which
the topic falls in your particular field of study or subject. Aslo, how will
the proposed study contribute to a particular field? In other words, the
impact and the significance in a subject area must be clearly
outlined. The target audience must also be clearly described.
4. The research questions
The research questions must state clearly what your proposed study is
meant to address or answer. Ensure that you use simple language that is
easy to understand, while being cognisant of the level of your intended
audience.
5. Objectives of the research
It is important that the objectives are in alignment with the research
questions. The objectives must indicate what the aim of the research study
is. In fact, objectives give you a clear indication of the steps that you will
take to achieve the aim of the research. The objectives must be specific,
measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound.

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6. Research methodology / research methods
This section outlines the approach which the researcher will follow in order to
address the research problem and to answer all the research questions from the
researcher. The research design must be clearly defined, e.g., is
the research Descriptive, Correlational, Causal-Comparative/Quasi-
Experimental, Experimental, Diagnostic or Explanatory.
State clearly

• how the research will be conducted in terms of the theoretical resources that
will be used
• the theoretical framework for conducting the research, which is the theoretical
approach drawn from your literature review to support your research study
• proposed research method(s)
• a comparison of the advantages, limitations and suitability of the available
approaches and methods for conducting your research
• participants, instruments, procedure, analysis, etc.

7. Literature review
Collect and present relevant literature on your topic of choice. It is
important to include all the main authors or experts in a particular
field. Depending on your field of study or topic, ensure that you
include recent literature as well as literature that
presents counterarguments to the topic. The justification for the study
needs to based on existing literature.
8. Limitations and delimitations of the study
The researcher must indicate the limitations of the study which are what
the researcher cannot do or factors that are beyond the researcher's
control, as well as delimitations that the researcher chooses not to
address for the purposes of the study. Delimitations are boundaries that
the researcher has set for the study. The reasons both for limitations
and delimitations must be discussed in this section.

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9. Significance of the research
The researcher must provide justification for the need to conduct the
study. What is the gap that the study will fill, and what is its contribution
to the existing body of knowledge? The originality and importance of
the research which will be level appropriate, must be clearly described,
for instance, the required level of originality for a fourth-year research
project is different to that of a doctoral candidate.
The impact of the study for the subject field must be indicated. In other
words, how will the research improve the field, who will it impact, how
will it make changes in your industry or field etc.? Lastly, the proposed
research must be relatable, interesting and engaging.

10. Work plan

Your schedule for the research must be stated clearly including
the projected timelines for the various stages of your study. A
tentative budget should also be included in a research proposal.
11. Bibliography
All the sources that you have used for your proposal must be listed
in alphabetical order using a referencing style that your lecturer
has prescribed for your subject field.

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