Generating research questions through problematization ALVESSON AND SANDBERG

7 important questions on Generating research questions through problematization ALVESSON AND SANDBERG

Why is a good problem statement crucial for good research?

With a good problem statement, you will contribute to the existing theory when you have finished your research. This can be done by either building upon research or challenging existing research

What is the traditional way of how to formulate a problem statement?

Find a gap in the literature, formulate contribution accordingly
--> Researchers scan for overlooked areas, or search for shortages of particular theory/ perspective in existing literature and base their research questions based on that

What is the way Alvesson and Sandberg think of how to formulate a problem statement?

They think of problematization as a method for teasing out interesting research questions
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What is the main issue of the traditional method?

Existing theory is not seriously challenged, use the problematization method to tackle this
(GAP-spotting and problematization are not mutally exclusive)

What are the four steps in the problematization method?

  1. Describe the challenging assumptions of the underlying existing literature /fields
  2. Elaborate which assumptions are to be challenges (typology)
  3. Develop method to execute the challange
  4. Examine how the method can be applied to articles, then discuss possibilities within the literature

What is the difference between GAP-spotting and problematization?

GAP-spotting is about looking where improvements are possible and assumes the current situations to be (relatively) true, while problematiztaion also looks about the current situation

What are the six principles for challenging assumptions?

  1. Identify a domain for investigation
  2. Identify assumptions within the domain
  3. Evaluate assumption
  4. Develop alternative assumptions
  5. Consider assumptions in relation to audience
  6. Evaluate alternative assumptions

The question on the page originate from the summary of the following study material:

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