. Detine RP Uae eee que, trvicteol in DEP Defining the Research Problem 3L : choytee-2 oe (if) There must be at least two possible outcomes, say O, and O,, of the Souscing the R>P- OP" course oF. ‘of which one should be preferable to the alher. In xe ‘ther word there must be at Teast one outcame that al MN ___the researcher wan = gi (®) THe courses of rovides some chance of VT obiaining the rovide the same chance, Thus, if P (0,11, N') come O, will occur, it sefsetC, P (O,I1C, N). In simple words, we Defining the Research Problem In research process, th frst and foremost step happens tobe that of selecting and propesy defining a research problem.* “A researcher must find the | ‘problem and formulate it so that it bec¢ ible to research. Like a the symptoms (presented to that have some but not equi geri Getire ie oak es oubt about which course correctly. To define a problem correctly, a researcher must know: what a We can, thus, state the components! of a research problem as under: problem is? ‘There must be an individual or a group which has some difficulty or the problem. ‘What is a Research Problem? ot more desired cutcom ‘There must be some obje one wants nothing, one cannot have the courses of action) for in the context of either a thebretical or practical “ ain, This means tha there ing conditions are met rescarcher fori be has no a r0up ofan organisation it, 19 whom the problem caa be attibuted. ‘The indi the mind of a researcher with organisation, asthe case may be, occupies an eavironment, sy cans that eseaifh must y which is defined by values ofthe uncontolled varlables, ¥, he question concerning the relative efficiency ofthe possible ry (i) There must be at least two courses of action, say C, and C,, to be ves. 4 pursued. A cours of scion is defined by one or more values ofthe st be some environmeni() to which the dificulty pertains. Thus, a research problem is one find out the controlled variables. For example, the numberof items purchased at a specified time is said to be one course of action. find out by which course of aetion fa given environment. yment may change affecting the “We talifof a research problem or hypothesis in case of descriptive or hypothesis i. . ‘fliciencies ofthe courses of action or the values of the outcomes; the nurmber 'R.L. Ackoff, The Design of Social Research, Chicago University Press, Chicago, 1961.2 Research Methodology of alternative courses of action may be very large: persons not involved in ‘making the decision may be affected by it and react to it favourably or unfavourably, and similar other factors. All such elements (or at least the ‘important ones) may be thought of in context of a research problem. Selecting the Problem ‘The research problem undertaken for study must be carefully selected. ‘The task is a difficult one, although it may not appear to be so. Help may be taken from a research guide in this connection. " Nevertheless, every researcher must find out his own salvation for research borrowed. A problem must spring from the researct yy cooperating a research guide can at the most only help a researcher However, the following that the related research material or s ‘one’s reach. Even then itis quite to supply definit conceming how aresearcher should obtain i expert ora profes the University who is already engaged in research, He may as read anicles published in current il in selecting a problem. the qualifications and the trai terms of his background to carry ‘out the research? (®) Whether the study fall the budget he can afford? (©) Whether the necessary tion can be obtained from those ‘who must participate in research as subjects? Defining the Research Problem 3 1 the answers to all these questions are in the affirmative, one may become sure so far as the practicability of the study is Goncemed, (+i) The selection of a problem must be preceded by a preliminary study: ‘This may not be necessary when the problem requires the conduct of 4 research closely similar to one that has already been dori, But ‘when the field of inquiry is relatively new and does not have available 8 set of well developed techniques, a brief feasibility study mist always be undertaken, i IE the subject for rescarch is selected properly by observing the above ‘mentioned points, the research will not be a boring drudgery, rather it willbe. love's labour. In fact, zest for work is a must. ‘The subject of the problem selected must involve the researcher and must have an upper most place in his ‘ind so that he may undertake all pains needed for the study. ‘Necessity of Defining the Problem ce: What ata are to be collected? What characteristics of data are relevant and need tobe studied? What relations ae to be explored. What techniques are to be used for the purpose? and similar other questions crop up inthe mind of the researcher who can well plan his strategy and find answers to all such questions only when the research problem has been well defined. ‘Thus, defining a research problem properly is a prerequisite for any study and is a step! Infact, form 4 problem is often more he rescazch problem thly can'y on alll the ‘consequential steps involved while doing research, Phat Involved in Defining a Problem Let us start withthe question: ‘What does one mean when he/she wants to 4efine a research problem? The answer may be that one wants to state the problem along with the bounds within which itis to be studied. In other Words, defining a problem involves the task of laying down boundaries within which afesearcher shall study the problem with a pre-determined objective in view. How to define a research problem is undoubtedly a herculean task. “However, itis task that must be tackled intelligently to avoid the perplexity encountered ina research operation. The usual approach is that the researcher I<== Defining a research problem properly and clearly 34 Research Methodology should himself pose « question (or in case someone else wants the researcher to carry on research, the concemed individual, organisation or an authority should pose the question to the researcher) and set-up techniques and procedures for throwing light on the question concerned for formulating or ‘defining the research problem, But such an approach génerally does not produce definitive results because the question phrased in such a fashion is ‘usually in broad general terms and as such may not be in a form suitable for testing. rucial part of a research study and must in no case be accomplished h ‘Ticive tise roquenty overlooked which eases alot of probe “Hence, the escarch problem should be defined ina systematic man: due weightage to all relating points. The technique forthe purpos the undertaking of the fol statement of the problem ina gener steps generally one after understanding the nz ns; and (¥) rephrasing the research problem into a working ~ seer puts forth the ae Las eel een eae ae ‘The problem stated in a broad general which must be resolved by cool thi overthe ? {ote comic andthe same shouldbe hep in lew while sta problem. (iq Understanding the nature of t 2 J ‘surveying the available literature; (iv) developing the oe Defining the Research Problem 38 statement conceming the problem. For a better understanding of the nature ‘of the problem involved, he can enter into discussion with those-who have a ‘g00d Knowledge of the problem concert&tor similar other problems. The escarcher should also keep in view the environment within which the ‘problem is to be studied and understood. the available literature: All available literature roblem at hand must necessarily be surveyed and examined before a definition of the research problem is given. ‘This means researcher must be well-conversant with relevant theories in the feld,, and records as also all other relevant literature, He must devote su time in reviewing of research already undertaken is done to find out what data and other materi ‘operational purposes. “Knowing what data are narrow the problem itself as well asthe technique would also help a researcher to kno to the problem under study ther the findings of the different studies consistent with the theoretical expectatiol/\and so on. researcher to take new strides in the field fo,y/urtherance bbe encountered shortcomings. At may lines of approach tothe present problem. ) Developing the ideas thr problem often pr developed through such an exercise, Hence, a rescarcher must disc problem with his colleagues and others who have enough experience same area orn working on similar problems. This is quite often know ‘experience survey. Peopie wit experience are in a position‘! enlighten the researcher on different aspects of his proposed study and their advice and ‘comments are usually invaluable tothe researcher. They help him sharpen his focus of attention on specific aspects within the field, Discussions with such persons should not only be confined to the formulation ofthe specific problem at hand, but should also be concemed with the general approach to the given problem, technigues that tussions: Discussion concerning a formation. Various new ideas can be 2Robert Ferber and PJ. Verdoom, Research Methods in Economies and Business, P3334,36 Research Methodology problem has got to be studied) has been defined, discussions over the problem bbe observed while defining a research problem: " (@ Technical terms and words or phrases, with special meanings used in ‘An Illustration ‘The technique of defining a problem outlined above can be illustrated for better understanding by taking an example as under: Letus suppose thata research problem ina broad general way isas follows: Japan’s manufacturing industries during the decade 1971 to 1980 relative to India’s manufacturing industries?” ‘between variables. They should be amenable to testing within a reasonable time and should be consistent with ostof theknown facts (Testing of hypotteseshas been dealt with Inter in the book). Defining the Research Problem ” ‘This latter vérsion of the problem is definitely an improvement-over its earlier version forthe various ambiguities have been removed tothe extent possible, Further rethinking and re tight place the pfoblem on a still better operational basis as show “To what extent did labour productivity in 1971 to 1980 in Japan exceed that of India in respect of 15 selected manufactuting industries? What factsrs were respon: the productivity differentials between the two ‘countries by industries ee ‘With this sort of formulation, the various terms involved such as ‘labour productivity’, ‘productivity differentials’, etc. must be explained clearly. The researcher must also see thatthe necessary data are available, In case the data for one or more industries selected are not available for the conceming time- period, then the said industry or industries wl have to be substituted by other industry or industries. The suitability of the time-period mbst also be examined, ‘Thus, all relevant factors must be considered-by a researcher before finally defining a research problem, Conclusion We may conclude by saying that the task of defining a. h problem, very often, follows a sequential pattern — the problem is stated in a ‘an operational point of view, but is eq paving the way for the development of working hypotheses and for means af solving the problem itself QUESTIONS ® 1. Deserite filly the technique of defining a resairch problem. 2. What is a research roblem? Define the main ituee which should receive the attention of the researcher in formulating the research problem. Give suitable examples to elucidate your points. (Raj, Uni. EAPM, MPhil. Bxam.1979) 3. How do you define a research problem? Give tree examples to usta your aawer (Raj. Uni. EAFM, MPhil. Exam.1978) 4, What is the necessity of defining research problem? Explain. 5. Write short notes on:38 Research Methodology @ tees cea a oe pa @ Rephrasing the rescarch problem. 3 Ai 6. The fale cone pin oi ton Sings ates” Ee 1. "Rowing at i ae site i caesar ov hep nel eco ae ene mane eae ee ee 3 SS rie ae of ay eooca ae * aia eeu oer a reer ey eas pes Research Design MEANING OF RESEARCH DESIGN 4 writing the hypot its operational implications to the final dhalysis of ‘ata, More explicitly, the design decisions happen to be in respect of ( Whatis the study about? ‘What will be the sample design? ‘What techniques of data collection will be used? How will the data be analysed? ) In what style will the report be prepared? "Clare Selhiz and others, Research Methods in Socal Sciences, 1962, p. 50.