Logistical problems under investigation

Logistical problems under investigation

1. PRELIMINARY DIAGNOSIS

   • It is an initial analysis that helps us understand a situation or problem before conducting a deeper investigation.
   • preliminary diagnosis can be developed through these steps: 1.Observe the situation. 2.Identify the problem. 3.Collect information.
   • Identifying the Problem
     • First, we need to observe what situation is causing difficulties
   • Collecting Information
     • Direct observation. Interviews. Surveys. Records and documents. Photographs
   • Analyzing Causes and Consequences
     • It is important to understand why the problem happens and what effects it produces
       • Causes: Lack of organization. Lack of training. Incorrect procedures. Lack of resources
       • Consequences: Loss of time. Errors. Additional costs. Lower productivity.
   • Defining the Problem
     • After analyzing the information, the problem must be clearly defined. We need to establish: Where it happens. When it happens. Who is affected. What is happening. Why it is important to investigate it.
   • Importance of the Preliminary Diagnosis
     • A preliminary diagnosis provides an initial understanding of the situation and prevents starting an investigation without knowing the real problem

2. Justification of the research

   • The formal argument supporting the validity, relevance, and feasibility of a project. Objective: To convince the evaluation committee that the study is worth undertaking.
     • The Great Distinction: "Why?" vs. "What for?"
       • Approach
         • WHY? Origen y Necesidad What for?Utilidad de los Resultados
       • Temporal orientation
         • WH?Look at the Past / Prese What for?Mira al Futuro
       • Base
         • WH?Diagnosis of the problem or gap What for?Projection of impact and beneficiaries
       • Key question
         • What gaps or problems motivate the study What will be achieved once the results are finalized?
   • Utility of the Results
     • METHODOLOGICAL UTILITY
       • Who are the direct and indirect beneficiaries?
     • CONVENIENCE AND PRACTICAL IMPLICATION
       • WHAT SPECIFIC PROBLEM WILL IT HELP SOLVE?
     • SOCIAL RELEVANCE
       • Do you create or refine instruments, surveys, or models?
     • THEORETICAL VALUE
       • What new knowledge will be contributed to the discipline?

3. Research objectives and questions.

   • Criteria for Writing Research Objectives Research Objectives
     • Clarity
       • Objectives must be written in clear and understandable language
     • Specificity
       • Objectives must explain exactly what will be studied. They should focus on a particular problem, group, situation, or variable instead of describing a topic that is too broad.
     • Achievable Objectives
       • Objectives must be realistic and possible to accomplish with the available time, resources, information, and research methods
   • Criteria for Writing Research Questions Research Questions
     • The Answers Must Not Already Be Known
       • Research questions should address something that the researcher needs to investigate or understand better.
     • Answerable with Empirical Evidence
       • Research questions must be answerable through real information collected during the investigation. This information can come from surveys, interviews, observations, experiments, or other research methods.
     • Clarity
       • Research questions must be direct, specific, and easy to understand. They should avoid confusing language and should communicate exactly what the researcher wants to know. A
     • Substantial Knowledge
       • Research questions should produce meaningful information that contributes to understanding the research problem. The results should be useful for identifying needs, explaining situations, or proposing improvements.

4. Statement of the Research Problem

   • The statement of the research problem is a detailed description of a situation that needs to be investigated. It is not only about mentioning that a problem exists, but also explaining what it consists of, how it occurs, and its main characteristics.
     • Research Justification
       • The justification explains the reasons why it is important to conduct a research project. Its purpose is to show that the problem deserves to be studied and that the results can be useful
     • Importance of the Justification
       • A research project should have a clear reason for being conducted. The justification explains its importance, usefulness, and possible benefits.
     • Research Objectives
       • The objectives indicate what the research intends to achieve. They serve as a guide for determining what activities should be carried out and what results are expected.
     • Characteristics of the Objectives
       • The objectives should be directly related to the research problem and clearly express what the study intends to achieve. It is recommended to use action verbs such as analyze, identify, determine, evaluate, compare, describe, or propose.
   • Research Questions
     • Research questions help guide the study and establish what information needs to be obtained. They are developed from the research problem and should be related to the objectives.
       • Characteristics of Research Questions
         • Research questions should be clear, specific, and possible to answer through the research. They should not be too broad or address several different problems at the same time. They should also help obtain information that will later allow the researchers to achieve the established objectives.

5. FORMULATION OF RESEARCH HYPOTHESES

   • A hypothesis is a provisional answer to a research problem, formulated before analyzing results to guide data colection, which ultimately determines whether the hypothesis is supported or rejected.
     • Characteristics: It is clear and specific. It is related to the research problem. It includes one or more variables. It can be tested using data.
       • A research hypothesis is the main proposal made by the researcher about what they expect to find. It establishes a possible relationship between
   • NULL HYPOTHESIS
     • Characteristics: Denies a relationship or effect. Is used as a point of comparison. Is normaly represented as H₀.
       • The nul hypothesis, represented as, states that there is no significant relationship, difference, or effect between the variables being studied.
   • ALTERNATIVE HYPOTHESIS
     • Characteristics: States that a relationship or difference exists. Contrasts with the nul hypothesis. Can indicate the existence of an effect.
       • The alternative hypothesis, represented as H₁ or Ha, states that there is a relationship, difference, or effect between the variables being studied.
   • STATISTICAL HYPOTHESI
     • Use statistical symbols and values. Are mainly used in quantitative research. Alow groups or variables to be compared.
       • Statistical hypotheses express a hypothesis using symbols, numbers, and mathematical relationships.