Formulation
Of
Research Problem
What is Research Problem
A research problem is a statement about an area of concern, a condition
to be improved, a difficulty to be eliminated, or a troubling question that
exists in scholarly literature, in theory, or in practice that points to the need
for meaningful understanding and deliberate investigation.
Sources of research problems:
o Observation.
o Literature reviews.
o Professional conferences.
o Experts.
• People who has experience and knowledge in a certain research
area can be good source of research topic. 2
Components of a Research Problem
Components of a research Problem :
There must be an individual or a group which has some difficulty or the problem.
There must be some objective(s) to be attained
- If one wants nothing, one cannot have a problem.
There must be alternative means (or the courses of action) for obtaining the
objective(s) one wishes to attain.
- This means that there must be at least two means available to a researcher for
if he has no choice of means, he cannot have a problem.
There must remain some doubt in the mind of a researcher with regard to the
selection of alternatives.
- This means that research must answer the question concerning the relative efficiency of the
possible alternatives.
There must be some environment(s) to which the difficulty pertains.
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Selecting the Research Problem
The research problem undertaken for study must be carefully selected
When selecting a research problem or a subject for research:
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.
Controversial subject should not become the choice of an average researcher
Too narrow or too vague problems should be avoided
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
The selection of a problem must be preceded by a preliminary study.
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.
4
Cont.
• Defining the research problem is the first step and one of the most difficult in
research undertaking.
• Each problem that is proposed for research has to be judged according to
certain guidelines or criteria.
• The following are some of the criteria's for selecting a research problem/idea:
– Relevance/Significance
– Avoidance of duplication (should be new)
– Urgency of data needed (timeliness)
– Feasibility of study (feasibility of the idea)
– Interest to the researcher
– Ethical acceptability
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Necessity of defining the problem
“Problem clearly stated is a problem half solved”
• The problem to be investigated must be defined unambiguously for that will help to
discriminate relevant data from the irrelevant ones.
• A proper definition of research problem will enable the researcher to be on the track
whereas an ill-defined problem may create obstacles.
• Well defined research problem answers:
– What data are to be collected?
– What characteristics of data are relevant and need to be studied?
– What relations are to be explored?
– What techniques are to be used for the purpose? …
• Defining a research problem properly is a prerequisite for any study and is a step of
the highest importance
• Formulation of a problem is often more essential than its solution 6
Technique involved in defining a problem
The research problem should be defined in a systematic manner
The technique for the purpose involves the undertaking of the following
steps generally one after the other:
1. Statement of the problem in a general way: problem should be stated in a
broad general way, keeping in view either some practical concern or some
scientific or intellectual interest.
2. Understanding the nature of the problem: understand its origin and nature
clearly.
– The best way of understanding the problem is to discuss it with those
who first raised it
– discussion with those who have a good knowledge of the problem
concerned or similar other problems.
3. 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.
– give sufficient time in reviewing of research already undertaken on
related problems.
7
Cont.
4. Developing the ideas through discussions: discuss the problem with
colleagues and others who have enough experience in the same area or in
working on similar problems.
5. Rephrasing the research problem into a working proposition: rephrase the
research problem into a working proposition/hypotheses.
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Research Questions
• A research question is the question a research study sets to answer.
– a research study can have more than one research question.
– should specifically state the purpose of your study in terms of the question
you aim to answer.
– Its purpose is to guide and center your research study.
– should be as specific as possible
• Research Question poses a question that is then to be solved or answered through
the research paper.
• The research methodologies, tools used to collect data, etc. all depend on the
research question.
• Research Question can be used in both quantitative and qualitative studies
e.g. What is the effect of personal technology on todays youth?
Is there a relationship between a person's age and learning?
Hypotheses
• A hypothesis is a statement rather than a question
• Hypotheses are tentative, intelligent guesses as to the solution of the problem
– It is the statement that suggests or predicts the outcome of the research.
– It is a clear statement of what is intended to be investigated.
– It is the statement we submit to testing
– It is the statement the research study sets out to prove or disprove.
• Hypotheses should be clearly and precisely stated in simple terms, they
should be testable, limited in scope and should state relationship between
variables
• The task of research is to test and establish such hypotheses
• Hypotheses can direct later research activities since they can help determine
the nature of the research and methods applied
• Hypothesis mainly used in quantitative research
