RESEARCH PROBLEM AND DESIGN
1. Research Problem
1.1 Definition of concepts
A research problem refers to some difficulty which a researcher experiences in the context of
either a theoretical or practical situation and wants to obtain a solution for the same (Kothari,
2004). It is an issue, controversy, or concern that guides the need for a study and indicates the
importance of a study (Clark & Creswell, 2015).
1.2 Conditions of research problem
Usually we say that a research problem does exist if the following conditions are met with:
a. There must be an individual (or a group or an organization),
[Link] must be at least two courses of action. A course of action is defined by one or
more values of the controlled variables. For example, the number of items purchased at a
specified time is said to be one course of action.
c. There must be at least two possible outcomes. In other words, this means that there must
be at least one outcome that the researcher wants, i.e., an objective.
[Link] courses of action available must provide some chance of obtaining the objective, but
they cannot provide the same chance, otherwise the choice would not matter.
1.3 Selecting the research problem
The following points may be observed by a researcher in selecting a research problem or a
subject for research:
(i) Subject which is overdone should not be normally chosen, for it will be a difficult task to
throw any new light in such a case.
(ii) Controversial subject should not become the choice of an average researcher.
(iii) Too narrow or too vague problems should be avoided.
(iv) The subject selected for research should be familiar and feasible so that the related
research material or sources of research are within one’s reach.
(v) The importance of the subject,
(vi) The qualifications and the training of a researcher,
(vii) The costs involved in the study,
(viii) The time factor must also be considered in selecting a problem.
(ix) The selection of a problem must be preceded by a preliminary study.
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1.4 Steps involved in defining a research problem
The technique for the purpose involves the undertaking of the following steps generally one
after the other:
(i) Statement of the problem in a general way: First of all the problem should be stated in a
broad general way, keeping in view either some practical concern or some scientific or
intellectual interest.
(ii) Understanding the nature of the problem: The next step in defining the problem is to
understand its origin and nature clearly. The best way of understanding the problem is to
discuss it with those who first raised it in order to find out how the problem originally came
about and with what objectives in view.
(iii) Surveying the available literature: All available literature concerning the problem at
hand must necessarily be surveyed and examined before a definition of the research problem
is given. This means that the researcher must be well-conversant with relevant theories in the
field, reports and records as also all other relevant literature. He must devote sufficient time
in reviewing of research already undertaken on related problems.
(iv)Developing the ideas through discussions: Discussion concerning a problem often
produces useful information. Various new ideas can be developed through such an exercise.
Hence, a researcher must discuss his problem with his colleagues and others who have
enough experience in the same area or in working on similar problems.
(v) Rephrasing the research problem: Finally, the researcher must sit to rephrase the
research problem into a working proposition.
1.5 Ways of identifying a specific research problem from a broad area
These include:
Existing theories- An existing theory in an area is a good source of research problem
because it contains generalizations and hypothesized principles that can be
scientifically tested.
Existing literatures – A systematically reading program in the general area of
interest is a way of locating specific research problem.
Discussions with experts – Discussion on general topics are a source of current
problems that can be researched.
Previous research studies – Studies previously researched in the field of interest
usually indicate areas of further research.
Replication – Replicating a study involves carrying out a research study that has been
done previously.
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The media – Issues that are usually reported in the media can also form a basis of a
research problem.
Personal experience – First-hand observation and reflection on intriguing
experiences could be sources of research problems.
1.6 Characteristics of a good problem statement
a) It is written clearly and in such a way that the reader’s interest is captured
immediately.
b) The specific problem identified in the problem statement is objectively researchable.
c) The scope of the specific research problem is indicated.
d) The importance of the study in adding new knowledge is stated clearly.
e) The problem statement must give the purpose of the study.
1.7 Factors to consider in selecting a research problem
These help to ensure that your study will remain manageable and that you will remain
motivated.
a) Interest: a research endeavour is usually time consuming, and involves hard work
and possibly unforeseen problems. One should select topic of great interest to sustain
the required motivation.
b) Magnitude: It is extremely important to select a topic that you can manage within the
time and resources at your disposal. Narrow the topic down to something manageable,
specific and clear.
c) Measurement of concepts: Make sure that you are clear about the indicators and
measurement of concepts (if used) in your study.
d) Level of expertise: Make sure that you have adequate level of expertise for the task
you are proposing since you need to do the work yourself.
e) Relevance: Ensure that your study adds to the existing body of knowledge, bridges
current gaps and is useful in policy formulation. This will help you to sustain interest
in the study.
f) Availability of data: Before finalizing the topic, make sure that data are available.
g) Ethical issues: How ethical issues can affect the study population and how ethical
problems can be overcome should be thoroughly examined at the problem
formulating stage.
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2. Research Design
2.1. Definition of concepts
A research design is the arrangement of conditions for collection and analysis of data in a
manner that aims to combine relevance to the research purpose with economy in procedure”
(Selltiz, Jahoda, Deutsch, & Cook, 1962). It is the conceptual structure within which
research is conducted (Kothari, 2004). It is a procedure for collecting, analyzing, and
reporting research in quantitative and qualitative research (Creswell, 2012). It is a set of
quantitative, qualitative, or combined procedures for collecting, analyzing, and reporting data
in a research study (Clark & Creswell, 2015).
Variable - A concept which can take on different quantitative values. As such the concepts
like weight, height, income are all examples of variables.
Dependent variable- If one variable depends upon or is a consequence of the other variable.
For instance, if we say that height depends upon age, then height is a dependent variable and
age is an independent variable.
Independent variable - The variable that affects or influence the dependent variable.
Continuous variables – These are variables whose quantitative values are expressed in
decimal points. Age is an example of continuous variable.
Non-continuous variables - Variables can only be expressed in integer values (in statistical
language they are known as discrete variables. The number of children is an example of non-
continuous variable.
2.2 Essentials of research design
(i) What is the study about?
(ii) Why is the study being made?
(iii) Where will the study be carried out?
(iv) What type of data is required?
(v) Where can the required data be found?
(vi) What periods of time will the study include?
(vii) What will be the sample design?
(viii) What techniques of data collection will be used?
(ix) How will the data be analysed?
(x) In what style will the report be prepared?
2.3 Benefits of research design
a. It facilitates the smooth sailing of the various research operations, thereby making
research as efficient as possible yielding maximal information with minimal
expenditure of effort, time and money.
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b. It has a great bearing on the reliability of the results arrived at and as such constitutes
the firm foundation of the entire edifice of the research work.
c. It helps the researcher to organize his ideas in a form whereby it will be possible for
him to look for flaws and inadequacies.
2.4 Features of a good research design
A good design is often characterized being flexible, appropriate, efficient and economical. It
minimizes bias and maximizes the reliability of the data collected and analyzed. It gives the
smallest experimental error. It yields maximal information and provides an opportunity for
considering many different aspects of a problem.
2.5 Factors to consider in selecting a research design
(i) The means of obtaining information;
(ii) The availability and skills of the researcher and his staff, if any;
(iii) The objective of the problem to be studied;
(iv)The nature of the problem to be studied; and
(v) The availability of time for the research work.
(vi) The availability of money for the research.
2.5 Types research designs
2.5.1 Qualitative research designs
There are four major types of qualitative research design are outlined. They are:
a) Grounded theory - It is an approach dedicated to generating theories. It is an approach
that emphasizes the importance of empirical fieldwork and the need to link any explanations
very closely to what happens in practical situations in ‘the real world’.
b) Case study - Case studies focus on one (or just a few) instances of a particular
phenomenon with a view to providing an in-depth account of events, relationships,
experiences or processes occurring in that particular instance. A case study is a research
approach in which one or a few instances of a phenomenon are studied in depth.
c) Ethnography - It is directed towards producing what are referred to as ‘theoretical’,
‘analytical’, or ‘thick’ descriptions (whether of societies, small communities, organizations,
spatial locations, or social worlds). These descriptions must remain close to the concrete
reality of particular events but at the same time reveal general features of human social life.
The word ethnography literally means ‘writing about people’, and it is the interest in what
some would regard as distinctive about people that has led to a boom in all sorts of
ethnographic varieties over the last 40 years.
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d) Phenomenology - It is an approach that focuses on how life is experienced. It is not
primarily concerned with explaining the causes of things but tries, instead, to provide a
description of how things are experienced firsthand by those involved. Phenomenology is the
study of lived, human phenomena within the everyday social contexts in which the
phenomena occur from the perspective of those who experience them. Phenomena comprise
anything that human beings live/experience. Phenomenology is the reflective study of pre-
reflective or lived experience.
2.5.2 Quantitative research designs
a) Descriptive research design - It is concerned with describing the characteristics of a
particular individual, or of a group.
b) Exploratory research design – It refers to broad-ranging, intentional, systematic data
collection designed to maximize discovery of generalizations based on description and direct
understanding of an area of social or psychological life.
c) Explanatory research design - The term explanatory research implies that the research in
question is intended to explain, rather than simply to describe, the phenomena studied.
d) Experimental research design - They are also known as hypothesis-testing research
studies and are those where the researcher tests the hypotheses of causal relationships
between variables.
References
Clark, V. L., & Creswell, J. W. (2015). Understanding Research : A Consumer’s Guide (2nd
ed.). London, UK: Pearson Education, Inc.
Creswell, J. W. (2012). Educational Research : Planning, Conducting and Evaluating
Quantitative and Qualitative Research (4th ed.). Boston: Pearson Education Inc.
Kothari, C. R. (2004). Research Methodology : Methods and Techniques (2nd ed.). New
Delhi: New Age International Publishers.
Selltiz, C., Jahoda, M., Deutsch, M., & Cook, S. W. (1962). Research methods in Social
Relations. New York, NY: Holt, Rinehart & Winston.
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