Question

Researchers often identify the research problem and then go in search of a theory. Discuss the disadvantages of doing this. What is recommended that researchers do to assure a true fit between theory and designing the study?

Answer 1

Mostly scientific method of research is used by researchers which involves various steps like identifying the research problem,  defining the research problem , formulating the hypothesis (theory ) in support of research problem, testing the hypothesis, and then designing the research. Identifying the research problem is first step because researcher should be clear what he exactly wants to do and what problem he is solving and what benefits it can offer to the society.  While developing the theory for the research problem, researcher must be sure that the theory fits well to the research problem. Polit and Beck (2017) stated that fitting a problem to the theory "after a fact" should be done with caution. Unfit problem makes a theory meaningless and research design can become defective . Also a specific theory is used to generate ideas for a problem. Other aspects related to the problem, outside the theory, that can me more simple and sensible are neglected by the researcher. Some other disadvantages include

All the factors that influence the variables under investigation cannot be controlled. So, bias is easily introduced.

Variables that move together do not necessarily mean that they behave the same way. So, correlating two variables to draw conclusion may sometimes give erroneous results.

To overcome these problems and to assure true fit to the theory researcher must take into consideration the factors affecting the variables. These factors should be studied and controlled. If cannot be controlled then their affect on the research should be investigated to make the results more credible.

For correlation only those variables should be selected that have some background relationship and effect the behavior of one another. like relationship between price and demand of a commodity in a market.

Also the researcher should design his study in a way that it can be investigated by more than one method and results from all the methods should be consistent with one another.

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