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Defining a problem when the
problem is not clear
a. Traditional research
will not help if we don’t know enough to develop an instrument, who the
respondent should be and what sampling plan is appropriate
b. Narrative research
provides personal accounts or testimony that can reveal the multiple
perspectives needed to elucidate the problem
c. Also helps learn what
they need to know to develop either survey research or plans of action
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Define the problem when it
is complex and embedded in multiple environments
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Identify participants when
the participants, sectors, or stakeholders are not yet known or
identified
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Clarify the range of
settings where the problem or situation is occurring at times when the
settings are not fully identified, known or understood
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Explore the factors
associated with the problem in order to understand and address them, or
to identify them when they are not know
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Document the process
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Describe unexpected or
unanticipated outcomes
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Design measures that match
the characteristics of customers or clients when existing measures are
not a good fit
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Answer questions that
cannot be addressed with other methods or approaches
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Ease the access of clients
to the research process and products
