What is research rationale || How to write a research rationale || Rationale of the Study

Summary

This video lecture explores the concept of research rationale, emphasizing its importance in justifying a study's purpose and uniqueness. It outlines the elements of a research rationale, such as identifying research gaps, summarizing relevant literature, and addressing methodological limitations. Examples are provided, such as studying the academic performance of students before and after the COVID-19 pandemic and addressing the educational attainment gap between white and minority students. The rationale can be written both before and after the research, serving as a key component of research proposals and final dissertations.

Takeaways

• 😀 The research rationale is the justification or reason for conducting a specific study, outlining why the research is being undertaken.
• 😀 A research rationale highlights the significance and uniqueness of the research, demonstrating its importance in filling gaps in existing knowledge.
• 😀 Examples of research rationale include comparative studies, such as analyzing academic performance before and after the COVID-19 pandemic or addressing gaps in educational opportunities for students of color.
• 😀 The rationale for research can be written both before and after conducting the study. Before the study, it’s part of the research proposal, and after, it’s included in the dissertation or research article.
• 😀 Before research begins, the rationale in the proposal outlines what the researcher intends to address in the future study.
• 😀 After the research is completed, the rationale in the dissertation or research article justifies why the research was undertaken, linking it to the study's objectives and significance.
• 😀 The purpose of a research rationale is to bring novel ideas to the audience and demonstrate that the research fills a gap or addresses a methodological need.
• 😀 Researchers should base their rationale on a knowledge gap or a methodological gap identified through background reading.
• 😀 Key elements of a good research rationale include summarizing conclusions from relevant literature, identifying what has been achieved, and recognizing current unknowns or research gaps.
• 😀 Other essential elements to consider when writing a rationale include addressing methodological, contextual, and conceptual limitations.

Q & A

What is a research rationale?

A research rationale is the justification or reason for conducting a specific study. It explains why the researcher is undertaking the study and outlines the research gaps the study aims to address.

Why is the research rationale important?

The research rationale is important because it demonstrates the significance and uniqueness of the research. It helps to clarify the purpose of the study and provides context for the investigation.

What are some examples of research rationale?

Example 1: A comparative study to investigate the academic performance of school students in France before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Example 2: Research into the causes of the achievement gap between white students and students of color in the United States, aimed at understanding the persistence of this gap and developing strategies for equal educational opportunities.

When is the rationale for research written?

The rationale is written both before and after the research is conducted. It is initially presented in the research proposal before the study begins, outlining the intended objectives. After the research is completed, it is included in the dissertation or research article to justify the study's significance.

What should the research rationale explain?

The research rationale should explain why the research was started, the gaps in existing research that the study addresses, and the significance of the research in contributing to the field of study.

What is the purpose of the research rationale?

The purpose of the research rationale is to convey to the audience the importance of the research and demonstrate that it addresses novel ideas or gaps that have not been covered in previous research.

What are some key elements to include in a research rationale?

Key elements include: a summary of conclusions from relevant literature, the research gaps, the need to address methodological limitations, and contextual and conceptual limitations of the current study.

What role does the research rationale play in a research proposal?

In a research proposal, the rationale outlines the objectives of the research, justifies the need for the study, and explains how the research will contribute to filling identified gaps in knowledge.

How does the rationale help link research objectives to the study's significance?

The rationale helps establish a clear connection between the research objectives and the study's significance by explaining why the research is necessary and what specific gaps or problems it aims to solve.

What are some of the limitations that may be addressed in the research rationale?

The rationale may address methodological limitations, such as constraints in the study design or approach, as well as contextual and conceptual limitations, such as factors outside the researcher's control that may impact the results.