Chapter 3
IDENTIFICATION AND SELECTION
OF RESEARCH TOPIC
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.
Selecting the Problem
(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, the qualifications and the training of a
researcher, the costs involved, the time factor are few other criteria that must
also be considered in selecting a problem.
(vi) The selection of a problem must be preceded by a preliminary study.
Technique Involved in Defining a Problem
(I) STATEMENT OF THE (II)UNDERSTANDING THE (III) SURVEYING THE (IV) DEVELOPING THE (V) REPHRASING THE
PROBLEM IN A GENERAL NATURE OF THE AVAILABLE LITERATURE IDEAS THROUGH RESEARCH PROBLEM INTO
WAY; PROBLEM; DISCUSSIONS; AND A WORKING
PROPOSITION.
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i. Interest and Training
Factors that ii. Cost and Time
Influence the B. External
Selection of i. Availability of related information
a Problem ii. Recency/importance of the issue
iii. Facilities and equipment
Ways to Locate a Research
Problem
1. Identify broad areas that are closely related to your interests and
professional goals and write them down.
2. Then choose among the areas that relate to your future career, an
area or a research topic that is feasible.
3. Collaborate with other people; join an on – going projects
4. Read textbook where rather comprehensive topics in a field are
summarized, and problems and future research needs are
identified; journal article for the state of art of the field and
authors recommendations; review articles for both.
5. Test a theory.
6. Replication. Replicate major milestone study. Replicate studies
using different populations, samples, methods.
7. Observations. Observe carefully the existing practices in your
area of interest.
8. Develop research ideas from advanced courses you take.
Subject Selection
Topic of interest to the researcher
Personal strength and weaknesses
Topics of current interest in practice
Data required for each topic
Sources of data for each topic
Research limitations for each topic
The Title of the Investigation
A title should summarize the main idea of the manuscript
simply and, if possible, with style. It should be a concise
statement of the main topic and should identify the
variables or theoretical issues under investigation and the
relationship between them.
A title should be fully explanatory when standing alone.
Good title is easily shortened to the running head used
within the published article.
Avoid using abbreviations in a title; spelling out all terms
helps ensure accurate, complete indexing of the article. The
recommended length for a title is no more than 12 words.
The title should be typed in uppercase letters, centered
between the left and right margins, and positioned in the
upper half of the page.
Importance of the Title
Introduces the work to a reader Give impression that the contents Helps the reader to know whether
are desirable and deserve a the contents are within his range
deeper look of interest
TITLE
CLEAR AND CONCISE
REPRESENTATION OF THE STUDY.
ELEMENTS OF A GOOD TITLE
Domain Purpose Methods For whom
How to Write a Good Title
• Be Specific: Avoid vague or general titles.
• Keep it Concise: Aim for clarity and
brevity.
• Use Keywords: Include important terms
that reflect the study's content.
• Avoid Jargon: Ensure it's understandable
to a broad audience.
EXAMPLE
"Enhancing Autonomous Vehicle Navigation:
A Deep Learning Approach
for Urban Environments"
Identify Your Domain
What is the broader field of your Crafting your
research?
Own Title
Clarify Your Purpose:
What is the main aim or objective of
your study?
Specify Your Methodology
What methods or approaches are you
using?
Define Your Audience:
Who will benefit from or be interested
in your research?