MEANING OF RESEARCH PROBLEM

A research problem, in general, 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.

SOURCES OF RESEARCH PROBLEM

1) Person experience
Day-to-day personal experience of a researcher may serve as good source of ideas to formulate a research
problem.

2) Practical experience:
Nurses get plenty of ideas to formulate research problems from their clinical experiences. Every
curious nurse has several questions to be answered that are encountered during clinical experience.

3) Previous research
A body of knowledge should be developed from previous reseaches,
4) Existing theories:
Research is a process of theory development and theory testing. An existing theory may leads to
develop research problem
5) Consumer feedback:

Research problems may be generated from the feedback. of activity

6) Social issues:

Sometimes, topics are suggested by more contemporary social or political issues

7) Brainstorming:

Brainstorming sessions are good techniques to find new questions, where an intensified
discussion among interested people of the profession is conducted to find more ideas to
formulate a good research problem
8) Consultations with experts:
Experts are believed to have sound experience of their respective field, which may suggest a
significant problem to be studied. In addition, experts may help in finding a current problem of
discipline to be solved, which may serve as basis for formulation of research problem.
 DATA COLLECTION METHODS

Data collection is the process of gathering and measuring information on variables of interest, in
an established systematic fashion that enables one to answer stated research questions, test
hypotheses, and evaluate outcomes.
Types of data
Primary Data
Primary data means original data that has been collected specially for the purpose in mind.
Secondary Data
Secondary data refers to data that was collected by someone other than the user.

A) Tools or techniques used for primary data collection

I. Observation Method
Observation means viewing or seeing. We go on observing something or other while we are
awake. Most of such observations are just casual and have no specific purpose. But observation
in a method of data collection is different from such casual viewing.

Advantages of Observation
1. best for the study of human behavio.
2. Data collected is very accurate in nature
3. Problem of depending on respondents is decreased.
4. Helps in understanding the verbal response more efficiently

Disadvantages of Observation
1, Problems of the past cannot be studied
2. require some especial instruments or tools
3. One cannot study opinions by this means.
4. Attitudes cannot be studied.
5. Sampling cannot be brought into use.

2. Interview Method
This method acts as a very vital tool for the collection of the data in the social research as it is all
about the direct systematic conversation between an interviewer and the respondent. By this the
interviewer is able to get relevant information for a particular research problem.
 Advantages
More information and in depth can be obtained
Samples can be controlled
There is greater flexibility
Personal information can be obtained
Miss-interpretation can be avoided
Limitations

It is an expensive method
Possibility of bias interviewer t
More time consuming
Possibility of imaginary information
High skilled interviewer is required

3. Questionnaire
This method acts as a great source or a facility for the collection of the data from the diverse and
scattered group of people. A questionnaire consists of a variety of the questions printed or typed
in a definite order on a form which are mailed further to the respondents. The respondent has to
answer these questions on his own.

Advantages
Free from bias of interviewer
Respondents have adequate time to give answers
Respondents are easily and conveniently approachable
Large samples can be used to be more reliable
Limitations
Low rate of return of duly filled questionnaire
Control over questions is lost once it is sent
It is inflexible nce sent
Possibility of ambiguous or omission of replies
Time taking and slow process

4. Schedules
In case the informants are largely uneducated and non-responsive data cannot be collected by the mailed
questionnaire method. In such cases, schedule method is used to collect data. Here the questionnaires are sent
through the enumerators to collect information. Enumerators are persons appointed by the investigator for the
purpose

5. Survey method
The survey method is the practice of gathering data for astudy by asking people questions
related to your research. Typically, researchers survey people who have particular knowledge,
insights or experiences related to the study.
Advantages
1) High representativeness
2) Low cost
3) Convenient Data gathering
4) Precise result

Disadvantages
1) Inflexible design
2) Not ideal for controversial issue

B) TOOLS FOR COLLECTING SECONDARY DATA

It may be of published and unpublished data

Published data are available in:

[Link] of government
2. Technical and trade journals
3. Reports of various businesses, banks etc.
4. Public records
5. Statistical or historical documents.
Unpublished data may be found in letters, diaries, unpublished biographies or work.

º Essentials of a good questionnaire

[Link] and Limited Questionnaire:
The number of questions in a schedule should be brief and limited as possible. Only relevant
questions to the problem under investigation should be added.
Simple and Clear:
The questions should be simple, clear and precise. Its language should be very simple so that
informants may easily understand.
3. Unambiguous Questions:
All unambiguous questions should be avoided at all, complicated and long-worded questions
irritate the respondents which results in careless; replies.
4. No Personal Questions:
No personal question should be asked from, respondents. Such questions should be avoided.
5. Use of Proper Words:
Questions should be framed with right words. This ensures the validity.
6. Avoidance of Caleulations:
Questions should not be based on calculations. Only those questions should be asked which the
respondents may reply immediately. Moreover, questions should avoid memories.
7. Only Objective Questions:
The questions should be objective. It should be based on opinions of the individuals.

> FORMS OR TYPES OF QUESTIONAIRE

1) Open-Ended QuestionsS:

Open-ended questions help collect qualitative data in a questionnaire where the

respondent can answer in a free form with little to no restrictions.

2) Closed ended Questions

It isgenerally a "yes/no" close-ended question.
3) Multiple-Choice Questions:
Multiple-choice questions are a close-ended question type in which a
respondent has to select one (single-select multiple-choice question) or many
(multi-select multiple choice question) responses from a given list of options.
4) Scaling Questions:
These questions are based on the principles of the four measurement scales -
nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio.
5) Pictorial Questions:
This question type is easy to use and encourages respondents to answer. It works
similarly to a multiple-choice question. Respondents are asked a question, and
the answer choices are images. ata.
 > Steps lInvolved in Questionnaire Design
Step 1: Decide what information is required
The starting point is for the researcher to refer to the proposal and brief and make a listing of all
the objectives and what information is required in order that they are achieved.

Step 2: Make arough listing of the questions

A list is now made of all the questions that could go into the questionnaire. The aim at this stage
is to be as comprehensive as possible in the listing and not to worry about the phrasing of the
questions. That comes next.

Step 3: Refine the question phrasing

The questions must now be developed close to the point where they make sense and will
generate the right answers.

Step 4: Develop the response format

Every question needs a response. This could be a pre-coded list of answers or it could be open
ended to collect verbatim comments.

Step 5: Put the questionnaires into an appropriate sequence

The ordering of the questions is important as it brings logic and flow to the interview.

Step 6: Finalise thelayout of the questionnaire

The questionnaire now needs to be fully formatted with clear instructions to the interviewer,
including a powerful introduction, routings and probes.

Step 7: Pretest and revise

The final step to test the questionnaire.

> DIFFERENCE BETWEEN QUESTIONAIRE AND SCHEDULE

 Questionnaire Vs. Schedule
Questionnaire Schedule
Mailed, filled by Direct contact,filled by
Researcher or Enumerator
Respondent
Economical Expensive
Non-Response high Non-Response low
- Time Consuming Time bound
Literate, co-operative No such pre condition
respondents
Success depends on Success depends on
quality of quality of enumerator
questionnaire
Most Important

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PRIMARY AND SECONDARY DATA

Difference Between Primary And Secondary Data

Primary Data Secondary Data
1. Data gathered by 1. Information and data
conducting original already gathered buother
research and investigation person
2. Provides original and fresh 2. Provides historical data
information and information
3. Provides qualitative 3. Provides quantitative
information information
4. It has a limited coverage 4. It has a wider coverage
5. Consumes more time, cost 5. Consumes less time, cost
and effort and effort
6. Ensures more accuracy and 6. Lacks validity and
validity and reliability reliability
[Link]
2. Applied Research

Applied research is based on action and the main objective of this research is to find a solution
for an immediate problem facing the society, media industry or business organization. It
focuses on analysis and solving social and real life problems.

Eg:- How technology can make car tier makes stronger?

FEATURES OF APPLIED RESEARCH

1) It solves specific problems

2) It is practical

3) It involves direct evaluation

4) It provides varied result

5) It is used in complex situation

3. Fundamental research or basic or pure research

Fundamental research is carried out as more to satisfy intellectual curiosity, than with the
intention of using the research findings for any immediate practical application. The main
motivation here is to expand man's knowledge, not to create or invent something.

Eg:- The understanding of the leadership style of a particular company.

FEATURES OF FUNDAMENTAL RESEARCH

1) Advancement of knowledge
2) Exploratory in nature
3) Collecting data to enhance theories
4) Without any pre assumption of any utility

4. Quantitative Research

This research is based on numeric figures or numbers. Quantitative research aims to measure
the quantity or amount and compares it with past records and tries to project for future period.

Eg:- You survey 300 students at your university and ask them questions such as: “on
a scale from 1-5, how satisfied are your with your professors?”

FEARTURES OF QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH

1) Contain measurable variables