Defining a Research Problem

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 To define a problem
correctly, a researcher must
know:

what a problem is?

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 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.
We can State the components of a research
problem as under:
must be an individual or a group which has some
difficulty or the problem.
There must be some objective(s) to be attained at. If
one wants nothing, one cannot have a problem
Must be alternative means (or the courses of action)
for obtaining the objective(s) one wishes to attain

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 There must be at least two means available
to a researcher for research, if he has no
choice of means, he cannot have a problem.

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 State the components of a research problem as under:
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 PROBLEM
The research problem undertaken for study must be carefully
selected.
The task is a difficult one, although it may not appear to be
so.

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 SELECTING THE PROBLEM
Subject which is overdone should not be normally
chosen
Controversial subject should not become the choice
of an average researcher.
Too narrow or too vague (fuzzy) problems should
be avoided.
The subject selected for research should be familiar
and feasible

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 SELECTING THE PROBLEM
Contact an expert or a professor in the University
who is already engaged in research.
Read articles published in current literature
available on the subject and may think how the
techniques and ideas discussed there in might be
applied to the solution of other problems.
Discuss with others what he has in mind concerning
a problem.
In this way he should make all possible efforts in
selecting a problem.

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 SELECTING THE PROBLEM
The importance of the subject, the qualifications and the
training of a researcher, the costs involved, the time
factor
Whether he is well equipped in terms of his background to carry
out the research?
Whether the study falls within the budget he can afford?
Whether the necessary cooperation can be obtained from those
who must participate in research as subjects?
The selection of a problem must be preceded by a
preliminary study. This may not be necessary when
the problem requires the conduct of a research
closely similar to one that has already been done.
But 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.
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 Necessity of Defining the Problem
Quite often we all hear that a problem clearly stated is a
problem half solved.
This statement signifies the need for defining a research problem.
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 hurdles.
Questions 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?
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 TECHNIQUE IN DEFINING A PROBLEM
statement of the problem in a general way;
understanding the nature of the problem;
surveying the available literature
developing the ideas through discussions; and
rephrasing the research problem into a working
proposition.

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 (i) Statement of the problem in a general
way:
the problem should be stated in a broad general
way, keeping in view either some practical concern
or some scientific or intellectual interest.
In case of social research, it is considered advisable
to do some field observation, some sort of
preliminary survey or what is often called pilot
survey.
Then the researcher can himself state the problem
or he can seek the guidance of the guide or the
subject expert in accomplishing this task.
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 (ii) Understanding the nature of the problem:
 Defining the problem is to understand its origin
and nature clearly
The best way of understanding the problem is to
discuss it with those who first raised it in order to
find out how the problem originally came about and
with what objectives in view
A discussion with those who have a good
knowledge of the problem concerned or similar
other problems.
The researcher should also keep in view the
environment within which the problem is to be
studied and understood.

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  (iii) Surveying the available literature:
All available literature concerning the
problem must necessarily be surveyed and
examined
It will be well-conversant with relevant theories
in the field, reports and records
To find out what data and other materials --
If there are certain gaps in the theories, or
whether the existing theories applicable to the
problem under study are inconsistent with each
other, or whether the findings of the different
studies do not follow a pattern consistent with the
theoretical expectations and so on.
for indicating the type of difficulties that may be
encountered in the present study
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 (iv) Developing the ideas through discussions:
Discussion concerning a problem often produces useful
information
Various new ideas can be developed through such an
exercise
Discuss problem with colleagues and others who have
enough experience in the same area or in working on
similar problems --- known as an experience survey.
People with rich experience are in a position to
enlighten the researcher on different aspects of his
proposed study and their advice and comments are
usually invaluable to the researcher --- sharpen his focus
of attention on specific aspects within the field.

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 (v) Rephrasing the research problem:
to rephrase the research problem into a working
proposition
rephrasing the problem into analytical or operational
terms is not a difficult task
Through rephrasing, the researcher puts the research
problem in as specific terms as possible so that it may
become operationally viable and may help in the
development of working hypotheses

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 The following points must also be observed
while defining a research problem:
(a) Technical terms and words or phrases, with
special meanings used in the statement of the
problem, should be clearly defined.
(b) Basic assumptions relating to the research
problem should be clearly stated.

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 Defining a research problem:
(c) A straight forward statement of the value of the
investigation (i.e., the criteria for the selection of the
problem)
(d) The suitability of the time-period and the sources
of data available
(e) The scope of the investigation or the limits within
which the research accomplished.

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 An example :
Let us suppose that a research problem in a broad
general way is as follows:
“Why is productivity in Japan so much higher than
in India”?
It has a number of ambiguities such as
What sort of productivity is being referred to?
With what industries the same is related?
With what period of time the productivity is being talked
about?
In view of all such ambiguities the given statement or the
question is much too general to be amenable to analysis.

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 • Rethinking and discussions about the problem may
result in narrowing down the question to:
Example
 “What factors were responsible for the higher labor
productivity of Japan’s manufacturing industries
during the decade 1971 to 1980 relative to India’s
manufacturing industries?”
Further rethinking and rephrasing might place
the problem on a still better operational basis as
shown below:
 “To what extent did labor productivity in 1971 to 1980
in Japan exceed that of India in respect of 15 selected
manufacturing industries?
 What factors were responsible for the productivity
differentials between the two countries by industries?”

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 Example:
With this sort of formulation, the various terms
involved such as ‘labour productivity’, ‘productivity
differentials’, etc. must be explained clearly.
The researcher must also see that the necessary data
are available.
In case the data for one or more industries selected
are not available for the concerning time-period,
then the said industry or industries will have to be
substituted by other industry or industries.
The suitability of the time-period must also be
examined. Thus, all relevant factors must be
considered by a researcher before finally defining a
research problem
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 http://www.experiment-resources.com/defining-a-
research-problem.html
Look at any scientific paper, and you will see the
research problem, written almost like a statement of
intent.
Defining a research problem is crucial in defining
the quality of the answers, and determines the exact
research method used.

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  CHECKLIST FOR TESTING THE FEASIBILITY OF THE
RESEARCH PROBLEM

  YES NO

Is the problem of current interest?  Will the research results have social, educational or
1    
scientific value?

2 Will it be possible to apply the results in practice?    

3 Does the research contribute to the science of education?    

4 Will the research opt new problems and lead to further research?    

5 Is the research problem important?  Will you be proud of the result?    

6 Is there enough scope left within the area of reseach (field of research)?    

Can you find an answer to the problem through research?   Will you be able to handle
7    
the research problem?

8 Will it be pratically possible to undertake the research?    

9 Will it be possible for another researcher to repeat the research?    

10 Is the research free of any ethical problems and limitations?    

Do you have the necessary knowledge and skills to do the research?  Are you qualified to undertake
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the research?

13 Is the problem important to you and are you motivated to undertake the research?    

Is the research viable in your situation?  Do you have enough time and energy to complete the
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project?

15 Do you have the necessary funds for the research?    

16 Will you be able to complete the project within the time available?    

17 Do you have access to the administrative, statistic and computer facilities the research necessitates?    

  TOTAL:

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 Example
An anthropologist might find references to a relatively
unknown tribe in Papua New Guinea.
Through inductive reasoning, she arrives at the research
problem and asks, ‘How do these people live and how does
their culture relate to nearby tribes?’
She has found a gap in knowledge, and she seeks to fill it,
using a qualitative case study, without a hypothesis

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