R.L. Ackoff has attempted to answer this question in a systematic way. All research problems ultimately reduce to the question, which of a set of alternative means is the most efficient one. Once those alternative means are formulated, the researcher is in a position to pose a question of each of the means, as to what may constitute the evidence [...]
This article throws light upon the four important qualities of a researcher. 1. A researcher must be one that vibrates in unison with that of which he is in search, the seeker after truth must himself be truthful, truthful with truthfulness of nature; which is far more imperious, far more exacting than that which men sometimes call truthfulness. Truthfulness corresponds [...]
Merton distinguishes three principal components in the progressive formulation of problem in social research. The components are: 1. The Originating Questions 2. The Rationale 3. The Specifying Questions. Component # 1. Originating Questions: The originating questions represent the beginnings of certain difficulties or challenges which, formulated in much specific terms would indicate where exactly the answer to them can be [...]