RESEARCH PROBLEM

Topics

Research problem
Selecting the Problem
Dos and Don'ts in selecting the problem
Practice Research Questions
Necessity of defining research question
Techniques involved in research question

(i) Research Problem

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.
Research problem should satisfy following conditions
to qualify as research problem.

At least two possible outcome

Is television going to survive in digital eye or will it
become obsolete like digital camera? (two)
What are the factors motivate young people to commit
violence? (may be more than two)
There might be possible one outcome want as objective by
researcher :
Television is not going to survive in digital eye.(Check
True or not)

Outcome doesnt have equal chance

What will you get if you toss a coin? (equal chance)

Is television going to survive in digital eye or will it
become obsolete like digital camera?
What are the factors motivate young people to
commit violence?

(ii) Selecting the problem

The research problem undertaken for study must be carefully selected.
An angle for your research can come from insights stemming from:

personal experience
theory
observations
engagement with the literature

(iii) Dos and Dont 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.

(iii)Dos and Dont in Selecting the Problem

Controversial subject should not become the choice

of an average researcher.

(iii) Dos and Dont in Selecting the Problem

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)

(iii) Dos and Dont in Selecting the Problem

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?
So broad (Cant answer in college level paper)

specific cause (glacial melting)

specific place (Antarctica)
specific group affected (Penguin)

(iii) Dos and Dont in Selecting the Problem

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.
Go back

(iii) Dos and Dont in Selecting the Problem

The subject selected for research should be familiar

and feasible so that the related research material
or sources of research are within ones reach.
Other factors such as cost and time also considered.

(iii) Dos and Dont in Selecting the Problem

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.

(iv) Judge this Questions

Is television going to survive in digital era or will it become obsolete
like digital camera?

iv) Judge this Questions

Does negative news interest people more than positive news?

iv) Judge this Questions

What are the factors motivate young people to commit violence?

iv) Judge this Questions

What factors contribute to a low turnout among
women voters in elections in Pakistan?

iv) Judge this Questions

Do students think about the career options first
before choosing education or careers come second?

(v) Necessity of defining the problem

Clearly stated research problem is 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?

Research Question

Why is productivity in Japan so much higher than in

India?
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?

(vi) Techniques Involved in Defining a

Problem

Defining a research problem properly and clearly

is a crucial part of a research study and must in no
case be accomplished hurriedly.
It contains five steps:

(a)Statement of the problem in a general way

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

(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 labor productivity of Japans manufacturing industries
during the decade 1971 to 1980 relative to Indias
manufacturing industries?