Research Problem

By
Dr. Pradeep Kumar Karsh
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
PIET, Parul University, Vadodara
Introduction
 Definition
■ 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.
 Research Question
■ Research questions are those that the researcher would like to answer or
address in the study.
■ Depending on the complexity and breadth of the study, there could be
more thanone research questions.
■ Identifying a research question will provide greater focus to the research.
■ clarify the direction of the search may it be a descriptive or
expeIt will rimental in nature.
■ A well-written research question will also shed light on appropriate
research methods.
■ There are certain characteristics of
a research question.
■ Each question should be clear and
specific.
■ It should refer to the problem or
phenomenon under study.
■ It should reflect an intervention in
experimental work.
ELEMENTS OF A RESEARCH PROBLEM

■ There are five distinct elements

(components) of a research
problem.These are also denoted
by "5W’s"
i.e. Why, What, When, Where,
Who/from whom of a research
study.
1. Objective or aim of the problem to be explored
 This answers the question "Why" of a research problem.
 This means why there is a need of carrying out this study.
2.The topic or theme which needs to be
investigated
■ This answers the question "What". What is to be studied?"
3. The timedimension
 The period or time of the study when the data are to
be gathered.
 This answers the question "When?" When is the
research to beperformed?
4.The area or location where the study is tobe conducted

 This answers the question "Where?"Where we need

to conduct the study?
5. Population or universe from whom the data needs to be
gathered
 This answers the question "Who?" or "from whom?"
 Who are the respondents? From whom the data to be collected?"
 These may include persons, groups of persons, wound dressings,
syringes, each activity etc.
 Factors/Criteria to be considered
while selecting a Research Problem
■ The criteria for a good research
problem or question is
 FINER, where
 F stands for feasible,
 I for interesting,
 N for novel,
 E for ethical, and
 Rrelevant.
■ However, there are many factors that
should be considered while deciding
credibility of a particular research
question for a scientific investigation.
The following are certain important factors which should be
taken into considerations while selecting a research topic.
 Guidelines for selection of Problem
• Subject which is overdone should not be chosen.
• An average researcher must not choose controversial topic.
• Too narrow or too vague problems should be avoided.
• The chosen subject should be familiar and feasible.
• Significance and importance of subject must be given attention.
• Cost and time factor must be kept in mind.
• Experience, Qualification and Training of the researcher must be
according to the problem in hand.
There are numerous sources forgenerating
the appropriate engineering research
problem.
However, the following are certain
important sources which could be helpful in
selecting a researchtopic.
1. Previous research

2. Personal Experience

3.Consumer feedback

4. Literature
5. EngineeringTheories

6. Databases

7.Social issues

8. Intuition
9. Brainstorming sessions

10. Folklores

11.Consultation with the

experts

12.Social issues
Common Errors In Selection of Research
Problem
1. Failure to know the background of the topic
2. Failure to choose an interesting topic

3.Choosing of research topic that You can not be Able to acco

mplish due to time and Cost

4. Topics that are too broad or too narrow

5. Topics that lack enough information