Best Practices Related to Research Problem Identification Scoping

Best Practices Related to Research Problem Identification, Scoping, and Programming: A State DOT Research Manager’s View Sue Sillick Montana Department of Transportation July 2011 RESEARCH PROGRAMS

Issue 1 Identification of research problems by staff who are not regularly involved in research leads to requests for proposals that are too proscriptive; which, in turn, tie the researcher’s hands in proposing an optimal research work plan RESEARCH PROGRAMS

Issue 2 Most researchers would find it preferable if department staff would identify problems they encounter in their day-to-day work rather than trying to scope out “research problem statements” RESEARCH PROGRAMS

Issues 1 and 2 Problem/Topic Statement Development Identification and development of research problems by practitioners, researchers, or in collaboration between the two Relevant High priority Understand the issues Applied research RESEARCH PROGRAMS

Issues 1 and 2 Scope of Work Development Proscriptive/Restrictive vs. openended/Unconstrained Scope of Works lead to proposals Essential research components vs. those that are open to interpretation Set project budget RESEARCH PROGRAMS

Issue 3 Given that most departments have more research problems than their research budgets will allow them to fully investigate, there seems to be no single optimal process to evaluate individual project requests for prioritization within the research program. RESEARCH PROGRAMS

Conclusions Can we be less proscriptive in scope of work development? Can we move toward identifying the problems rather than developing scopes of work? Can we agree on a single optimal process? RESEARCH PROGRAMS

Questions? Contact Sue Sillick ssillick@mt. gov 406 -444 -7693 RESEARCH PROGRAMS