Outline the challenges facing research and discuss any assumptions you have made?

            For any student of M-Phil, MS or doctorate, it is mandatory to conduct the research work. Many of the times, one has to face several challenges that vary from the selection of the topic to final results' analysis and discussion (Uma Sekaran, 2016) and (Ruiz, 2017). Following are the most common challenges:

Challenge while choosing the right topic.

Challenge faced for correct methodology selection.

Challenge to find the respective participants for the study.

Challenge faced while finding the institutions for the study.

A Challenge for dealing with your data and the results’ interpretation and analysis.

All the above said challenges collectively make a big challenge for a researcher to initiate, conduct and complete the research work. A brief description of all of these challenges is given below.

Challenge while choosing the right topic:

        For research work, the research topic serves as the basis for everything, i.e. the literature review, research methodology, software selection to perform varying tests, results' discussions and findings, and conclusion for the selected study' outcomes. While choosing the topic, one should consider the do-able question. Also, it is suggested to use the available resources, i.e. time, people and money efficiently. Try to support your research topic through theoretical basis.

Challenge faced for correct methodology selection:

    To conduct the research work, a well-defined methodology is desired. Most of the researches fail because of inappropriate methods. It is reflected based on the research questions and not form personal selections (Buchanan, 2008).

Challenge to find the respective participants for the study:

        After the methodology selection, there comes the time to find the participants who will help to gather the study data. There is no need to waste the money, i.e. reaching out the participants through email marketing. Instead, define your target population and audience first and then try to reach out to them (Martínez-Mesa J, 2014).

Challenge faced while finding the institutions for the study:

        Sometimes, the research participants might belong to an institution. It provides the researcher with an extra barrier. To avoid this all, there is a need to keep in mind the back-up options and don’t be afraid in case there is a rejection for access to the institution and the data provision. Try to present your ideas through images and videos to the audience. A picture better narrates a concept/ idea than the words.

A Challenge for dealing with your data and the results’ interpretation and analysis:

After data collection, there comes a barrier that relates to the understanding of the data, selection of the software, performing tests, data analysis and the interpretation of the study’ outcomes. The knowledge about study data is if developed in the wrong context, it will lead to misleading results (Boing AC, 2014).

challenges facing research and discuss any assumptions

        For the said topic under discussion, it is assumed that if there are a supporting theory and better guidance for a research topic selection and its results' analysis, then the above said challenges could better be avoided.

References of challenges facing research and discuss any assumptions

Boing, AC, P. K. (2014). EpiFloripa Health Survey: the methodological and operational aspects behind the scenes. Rev Bras Epidemiol, 17, 147–16.

Buchanan, S. (2008). The information audit: Methodology selection. International Journal of Information Management, 28 (1), 3-11.

Martínez-Mesa J, G.-C. D. (2014). Sample size: how many participants do I need in my research? International Journal of Information Management, 89, 609–615.

Ruiz, D. M. (2017). Challenge Assumptions. Journal of Business, 10-21.

Uma Sekaran, R. B. (2016). Research Methods For Business: A Skill Building Approach, 7th Edition.