IDENTIFICATION & FORMULATION OF

RESEARCH PROBLEM

Over view Research Problem – Meaning &

Definition, Components Sources of Problems Criteria of Selection Steps in problem identification Do’s and Don’t in Selecting the Problem Formulation of a Problem Importance & Steps in formulation

Research ProblemA research problem is a question that a researcher

wants to answer, or a problem that a researcher wants to solve.

A research problem is  the situation that causes the researcher to feel apprehensive, confused and ill at ease. 

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008

Identification & Formulation of research problem is a first step in the research process.

It is believed that most of the good research studies needs lot of time for selection of a research problem.

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008

RESEARCH PROBLEM- DEFINITION

A problem is an interrogative sentence or statement that asks what relation exists between two or more variables. – Kerlinger

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008

COMPONENTS OF RESEARCH PROBLEM There must be an individual or a group which has some

difficulty. There must be some objective(s) to be attained at.If one wants

nothing,one cannot have a problem. There must be alternative means (or the courses of action) for

attaining the objectives one wish 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 efficency of the possible alternatives.

There must be some environment to which the difficulty pertains.

SOURCES OF PROBLEM & CRITERIA OF SELECTION

Vishnu s kumar

Steps in Problem Identification

Statement of the problem in general wayUnderstanding the nature of the problemSurveying the available literatureDeveloping the ideas through discussionsRephrasing the research problem into a

working proposition.

Define the problem in general way

Ex: Does negative news interest people more than positive news? Narrow it down by rethinking over the problem. (Consider

feasibility of problem)

Ex: Does negative news such as robbery, corruption interest people more than positive news like country economic growth ?

How to define in general way? Study the related subject thoroughly Do preliminary survey or pilot survey

(a)Statement of the problem in a general way

(b) Understanding the nature of the problem

Best way to understand the problem is through discussion.

Discussion with the people who has good knowledge about that problem.

(c) Surveying the available literature Survey all the research which are already undertaken in related problem. It helps to :

Narrow down the problem To identify research gaps Gives new ideas in related area Helps for research design

(D) DEVELOPING THE IDEAS THROUGH DISCUSSIONS

Discussion always produces useful information. Various new ideas can be developed through such an

exercise. Researcher must discuss his/her problem with his/

her colleagues and others who have enough experience in the same area or in working on similar problems. This is known as experience survey.

(e) REPHRASING THE RESEARCH PROBLEM

Rephrase the research problem in to operational term. Initial research question: Why is productivity in Japan so

much higher than in India? After, the problem has understood, available literature has

taken place and discussion over the problem has taken place, the question has rephrased.

Rephrased Research question: What factors were responsible for the higher labour productivity of Japan’s manufacturing industries during the decade 1971 to 1980 relative to India’s manufacturing industries?

Do’s and Don’t in Selecting the Problem 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.

Research Question should be clear. Unclear: Why are social networking sites harmful?

Clear: How are online users experiencing or addressing privacy issues on such social networking sites as MySpace and Facebook? Which social networking site? (My space and Facebook) Type of harm (privacy issues) ,Who gets harm? (users)

Research Question should be focused. Unfocused: What is the effect on the

environment from global warming?

Focused: How is glacial melting affecting penguins in Antarctica?

specific cause (glacial melting)

specific place (Antarctica) specific group affected

(Penguin)

The selection of a problem must be preceded by a preliminary study (not necessary if it is already done ) when the field of inquiry is relatively new and does not have available a set of well developed techniques, a brief feasibility study must always be undertaken.

Research Question should be appropriately complex. Too simple: How are doctors addressing diabetes in the India? Appropriately Complex: What are common traits of those suffering from diabetes in India, and how can these commonalities be used to aid the medical community in prevention of the disease? Simple question (if looked up online, get answered immediately. No role of analysis) Complex one require significant investigation and evaluation.

Formulation of a Problem

Formulation means translating and transforming the selected research problem/topic into a scientifically researchable question.

It is the demarcation of a problem area within a certain context involving the:

WHOWHATWHEREWHEN and the WHY of the problem situation

A problem well defined is a problem half solved

ill defined problem may create hurdles like: 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?

WHY IS A GOOD PROBLEM FORMULATION IMPORTANT?

Formulating a Problem formulation is the first and most important step of a research process.

The problem formulation is like an identification of a destination before undertaking a journey.

The research problem serves as a foundation of a research study; like a building and its foundation.

If it is well formulated, you can expect a good study to follow.

Steps in problem formulation Developing Title Building a conceptual model Defining the Objective of the study Setting investigative Questions Formulation of Hypotheses Operational definition of Concepts Delimiting the scope of the Study.

AT A GLANCE

Research Problem – Meaning & Definition, Components

Sources of Problems Criteria of Selection Steps in problem identification Do’s and Don’t in Selecting the

Problem Formulation of a Problem Importance & Steps in formulation