Chapter 2

Formulating the research problem and selection of research topic

 At the outset researcher must find any:-
 Social,
 Economic,
 Managerial
 Business problem and
 Formulate it into research problem.
 Problem formulation from the researcher point of view represents
translating:-
 Economic
 Managerial
 Social and
 Other problems in to a research problem.
Defining the research problem
What is a Research problem?
 “A research problem, in general, refers to some difficulty, which a researcher
faces (experiences) in the context of both a theoretical or practical situation and
wants to obtain a solution for the same.”
 We say a research problem exist, if the following conditions are met:-
 For that purpose the researcher must understand the origin and nature
of the problems,
 Then we will be able to rephrase it into meaningful terms from analytical
point of view.
 There must be an individual (or group or organization), I, to whom the problem
can be attributed.
 There must be at least two courses of action; say, C and C that can be taken
to solve the problem. 1 2
 A course of action is defined by one or more values of the controlled
variable.
 There must be at least two out comes, O and O of the courses of action of
which one should be preferred to the other.1 2
 In other words, there must be one out come that the researcher wants to achieve,
i.e., an objective.
 The 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.
Thus:-
 P (Oi / I, Ci, EN) the probability that an outcome Oi will occur, if I selects Ci
(course of action) in N then,
 P (Oi / I, C1, EN)  P (Oj / I, C2, EN).

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 If "I" do not know what course of action is best, then the individual said to
have problem.
 That is, "I" must be in doubt about the solution.
Components of the research problem:
The problem is consists of:-
1. The decision-maker who has some difficulties or problem.
2. The objective to be attained at.
 If one wants nothing then, cannot have a problem.
 The objective provides motivation to solve the problem.
Objective can be defined from different perspective:-
 Economic: objective can be
 profit maximization,
 Reducing unemployment (by … %)
 Marketing: - increasing market share, creating product image (positioning)
 Managerial: - Reducing employees’ turnover
3. Alternative courses of action to achieve the desired objective.
4. A state of doubts as to which course of action is the best.
 This means that researcher must answer the question concerning the relative
efficiency.
5. The environment (or context of the problem) to which the difficulty
pertain.
 These factors may individually or collectively affect:-
 The efficiency of the course of action.
 The value of the outcome.
2.1. Defining the Problem
 Defining the research problem is:-
 crucial and
 Very hard part of a research process.
 “The problem clearly stated is a problem half solved”.
 This signifies the importance of properly defining the problem.
 A proper definition of research problem will enable the researcher to
answer questions like:-
 What kind of data are relevant and needed for the study?
 What technique has to be used to collect and analyze data? Etc.
 What relationship is to be explored among variables?
 Therefore, defining a research problem properly is a prerequisite for any study
and a very important step.
 Even it is more essential than its solution.

 There are techniques to define a problem:-

2 Dr. Milkiyas Ayele Dr. Milkiyas Ayele
1. Statement of problem in a general way.
2. Understanding the nature of the problem.
3. Survey the available literature.
4. Developing ideas through discussion.
5. Rephrasing the research problem (reformulation of the problem).
 The research problem should be defined in a systematic manner.
 The technique of defining a research problem has a number of steps.
1. Statement of problem in a general way:-
 For that purpose the researcher must immerse himself completely in the subject
matter,
2. Understanding the nature of the problem:-
The best way of understanding the problem is:-
 To discuss with those who first raised the problem.
 To discuss it with those who have a good knowledge of the problem concerned
or similar other problem.
3. Survey the available literature:-
 All available literature concerning the problem must be identified and
examined.
 This means the researcher must be familiar with:-
a. The relevant theory in the area.
Role of Theory:-
 It provides frameworks within which concepts and variables acquire special
significance.
 Theory provides patterns of interpretation of the data.
 It allows us to understand and explain the large meaning of our findings for
ourselves and others.
b. Reports and records and other literature in the concerned area.
c. Previous research works undertaken on related area.
Generally, survey literature will enable researcher to know:-
 If there are certain gap in the theory
 Whether the existing theory is applicable to the problem and consistent with
each other.
 Whether the findings of the research is consistent with the theoretical
expectation.
 Study on a related problem is also useful for indicating the type of difficulty
that may be encountered in the present study.
 It links one study with the other.
 Whether the findings of the research do or do not follow a pattern consistent
with the theoretical expectation.

4. Developing ideas through discussion:-

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Discussion on a problem produces useful information.
 The researcher should discuss his problem with colleagues and others who have
enough experience in the same area.
 Various new ideas can be discovered and developed through it.
 Such practice is called “experience survey”.
5. Rephrasing the research problem (reformulation of the problem):-
 The researcher at this stage should be able to reformulate the problem into
working proposition.
 The researcher should narrow and break down the problem into its components
variables and relationship.
 That is, problem should be expressed as:-
 a relationship between two or more variables
 the problem should be stated either in question form or hypothesis form
a. Question form:-
 Question form is appropriate mostly when the research is descriptive in
nature.
Note that,
 The formulated problem should be free from ambiguity
Example:-
 Is there a relationship between employees' age and their productivity?
 Does a relationship exist between workers qualification and their commitment?
 Does a relationship exist between income of university students and score on
their exams?
 In above examples, the study’s main elements are identified in reasonably clear
fashion.
b. Hypothesis:-
 This is used when the state of the existing knowledge permits the prediction of
the relationship among variables.
 The word hypothesis is a compound of two words, “hypo” and “thesis”.
 Hypo means, under or below and,
 Thesis means a reasoned theory or rational viewpoint.
 Thus, hypothesis would mean a theory, which is not fully reasoned.
 Hypothesis is a set of suggested tentative solution of a research problem,
which may be or may not be a real solution.
 How hypothesis differs from research question?
 Hypotheses indicate both the question in testable form and predict the nature of
the answer.
 Hypothesis proposes a relationship between two or more variables.
Example of Hypothesis:-
 Alienation Increases with poverty.
 Political participation Increases With Education.
 Productivity decreases with age.

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 The result of the hypothesis test is the substance of our conclusion and
expressed as generalization.
Sources of Research problem:-
What are possible Sources of Research problem?
 Professional experience.
 From existing theory.
 Previous research works.
 Technological and social changes:-
 Change due to Covid-19.
 Political Impact of Covid-19 in selected African countries.
 Important sources of the research problems are.
Consider the following points when selecting a research problem!
 A subject that is overdone should not be normally chosen,
 Because it will be a difficult to throw any new light to such a case.
 Avoid too narrow or too vague problems.
 Select a subject for research which is familiar and feasible.
 Consider the problem in terms of:-
 Qualification and training area of the researcher,
 The cost,
 The time factor is the few points that must be considered in selecting a problem.
How to evaluate the problem?
 Before selecting the research problem its feasibility to be tested.
Evaluate the problem in terms of the following criteria:-
 Is the problem feasible (researchable)?
 Is the problem new?
 Is the problem significant?
 Researcher’s Competence.
 Interest and enthusiasm.
 Financial consideration.
 Time requirement.
 Administrative consideration.
Identifying research area and developing interest
Research is not something that a researcher goes into accidentally.
 The researcher needs to identify the research area.
 Through reading and developing interest in specific subject.
 Students have opportunity to identify and develop interests when they take
different courses.
 Even some sections of a specific course may interest a student more than
others.

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  If you have developed a strong personal research interest,
 This is very fortunate, and builds on it.
Note that:-
 You should never let yourself be led into a research area by someone else’s
enthusiasm if that issue has no appeal for you.
 Not that it is very easy to get caught up in some area of study that seems to be
currently fashionable or is for some reasons enjoying some momentary
prestige’s.
 But this research is going to be hard work-you may occasionally wish you
would never get involved in it at all –and if you are not personally interested
in your result, you may find it impossible to carry on.
Tips to select a topic:
Important tips in selecting topic:-
1. Start with what interests you most deeply
 Because nothing contributes the quality of your work more than your
commitment to it.
2. Start by listing two or three interests that you would like to explore.
3. Look for sources in the libraries before you decide to choose one,
 Because you may choose an interesting topic that does not have enough
sources.
4. Try to have more specific topics.
In Addition:-
 Systematically ask analytical questions regarding:-
i. the contribution of the topic,
 What values the topics add in terms of contributing to existing knowledge?
ii. History of the topic, i.e.
 How and why the topic changed through time?
 How have different stories developed differently?
In addition:-
 Extension to your previous studies.
 Incorporating your knowledge background and interests.
 Project based topics.
 Literature search (updating and sufficient scope).
 Literature reading (comprehension, thinking, curious, inspiration),
 Recommendations in the published papers.

6 Dr. Milkiyas Ayele Dr. Milkiyas Ayele