2-RESEARCH PROBLEM

Defining the Research Problem

Meaning
Selectionof the Problem
Techniques Involved in Defining the
Problem
The Planning Process
Planning of research means:
◦ Deciding the question or issue to be studied
◦ Setting the objectives of the study
◦ Determining the means of achieving those
objectives.
It is an intellectual process.
Planning Process
 Selection of a problem for research: This involves
identification of a few problems and selecting one out of them.
 Formulation of the selected problem: Problem is defined
and transformed into researchable questions.
 Formulation Process:

◦ Developing title
◦ Building a conceptual model
◦ Defining the objective of the study
◦ Setting investigative questions
◦ Formulation of hypothesis
◦ Operational definition of concepts
◦ Delimiting the scope of the study.
Selection Of A Problem For Research
The nature of the problem to be selected depends
upon the level at, which the research is done.
◦ A problem appropriate for undergraduate students will
necessarily be a modest one so that the emphasis is
upon learning process of a beginner.
◦ A problem appropriate for Ph.D. programme must be a
major problem requiring comprehensive treatment.
◦ The emphasis is upon both skill development and
contribution to knowledge.
Sources of Problem
Reading
Academic Experience
Daily Experience
Exposure to Field Situations
Consultations
Brain Storming
Research
Intuition
Process of Identification
Selection of the Discipline: Discipline or subject in
which one proposes to do research may be selected. e.g.
Economics, finance, commerce, management, etc.
Demarcating the Broad Area or A Particular Aspect of
the Selected Subject: To select a particular aspect of the
selected subject. e.g. Financial Management is subject
selected then one may select capital budgeting, leverage,
working capital management etc. as a specific area of
study.
Identifying Two or More Specific Topics in the Selected
Broad area: The final step in identification of problem.
The branch of the subject as a whole and awareness of
work already done on it.
Criteria of Selection
Internal (personal) criteria (factors)
◦ Researcher’s interest: The problem should interest
the researcher and be a challenge to him. Without
interest and curiosity, he may not develop sustained
perseverance.
◦ Researcher’s competence: The researcher must be
competent to plan and carry out a study of the
problem. They have the ability to grasp and deal with
it.
◦ Researcher’s own resources: In case a research to
be done by a researcher on his own, consideration of
his own financial resource is pertinent.
Criteria of Selection
External Factors
◦ Researchability of the problem: The problem
should be researchable, i.e., amenable for finding
answers to the questions involved in it through
specific method.
◦ Importance and urgency: problems requiring
investigation are unlimited, but available research
efforts are very much limited. Hence in selecting
problems for research, their relative importance and
significance should be considered. An important and
urgent problem should be given priority over an
unimportant one.
Criteria of Selection
Novelty or Originality: The problem must have
novelty. This does not mean that replication is always
needless.
Feasibility: A problem may be a new one and also
important, but if research on it is not feasible, it
cannot be selected.
Facilities: Research requires certain facilities such as
well-equipped library facility, suitable and competent
guidance, data processing facility, etc.
Usefulness and social relevance: The study of the
problem should make significant contribution to the
concerned body of knowledge.
Formulation of the Selected Problem
What is Formulation?
- Translating and transforming the selected research
problem/topic into a scientifically researchable
question.
- Merton identifies three principal components:
• The originating question
• The rationale (aspects)
• The specifying questions
 Formulation Process
Developing title: The title should be carefully
worded. It should indicate the core of the study,
reflect the real intention of the researcher, and
show on what is the focus.
Building a Conceptual model: Conceptual
model gives an exact idea of the research
problem and shows its various properties and
variables to be studied.
Defining the Objective of the study: Objective
indicates what we are trying to get from the
study.
Formulation Process
Setting investigative question: The objective of the
research question have been defined, the formulation
moves to the next level.
Formulation of hypothesis: The hypothesis are
tentative propositions relating to investigate questions.
Operational definition of concepts: This concept
involved in the title, objectives, investigative questions
and hypotheses.
Delimiting the scope of the study: This means the
demarcation of the scope and dimensions of the study.