Identifying existing research challenges and enhancing outcomes through the development of standardized methodologies

Abstract The aim of this study is to identify the challenges faced by postgraduate students in their research endeavors and to develop a standardized research process model. To achieve this objective, web-based surveys were distributed to 91 postgraduate students, and a case study was conducted to evaluate the application of research methodologies at Addis Ababa University. The findings revealed several challenges, including difficulties in selecting a research topic, choosing appropriate methodologies, addressing biases, conducting reliability and validity analyses, and managing time constraints. Additionally, the study has developed a comprehensive research design framework to address these challenges, offering a standardized and holistic approach that is suitable for researchers across diverse disciplines.