IDENTIFICATION AND FORMULATION OF RESEARCH PROBLEM Dr R

IDENTIFICATION AND FORMULATION OF RESEARCH PROBLEM Dr. R. KATHAIAN ASSITANT PROFESSOR RAJAH SERFOJI GOVERNMENT COLLEGE THANJAVUR

INTRODUCTION �A research problem is a question that researcher wants to answer or a problem that researcher wants to solve. �A research problem is a situation that causes the researcher to feel apprehensive, confused and ill at ease. �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.

DEFINITION OF RESEARCH PROBLEM �A problem is an interrogative sentence or statement that asks what relation exists between two or more variables. – Kerlinger � “A situation for which we have no ready and successful response by instinct or by previous acquired habit. We must find out what to do ‘ i. e the solution can be found out only after an investigation” -R. S. Woodworth.

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 efficiency of the possible alternatives. � There must be some environment to which the difficulty pertains.

Criteria of Identification/Selection of research 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. � Too narrow or too vague problems should be avoided. � The subject selected for research should be familiar and feasible so that the related research material or sources of research are within one’s reach � While selecting research problem the researcher should also consider the importance of the subject, the qualifications and the training of a researcher, the costs involved, the time factor are few other criteria that must also be considered in selecting a problem.

Sources of research problem �Personal experience �Practical experience �Social issue �Critical appraisal of literature �Previous research �Existing theories �Group Discussion with peers and scholars �Consultations with experts

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

�It is the demarcation of a problem area within a certain context involving the: � WHO �WHAT �WHERE �WHEN and the WHY of the problem situation

Defining research problem 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: 1. What data are to be collected? 2. What characteristics of data are relevant and need to be studied? 3. What relations are to be explored? 4. What techniques are to be used for the purpose? And similar other questions crop up in the mind of the researcher who can well plan his strategy and find answers to all such questions only when the research problem has been well defined.

TECHNIQUE INVOLVED IN DEFINING A PROBLEM �Statement of the problem in general way � Understanding the nature of the problem �Surveying the available literature �Developing the ideas through discussions �Rephrasing the research problem into a working proposition.

Define the problem in general way �First of all the problem should be stated in a broad general way, keeping in view either some practical concern or some scientific or intellectual interest. �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

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. �The researcher should also keep in view the environment within which the problem is to be studied and understood.

Surveying the available literature � All available literature concerning the problem at hand must necessarily be surveyed and examined before a definition of the research problem is given. �It helps the researcher : 1. To Narrow down the problem 2. To identify research gaps 3. To gives new ideas in related area 4. To helps for research design

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.

Rephrasing the research problem �Finally, the researcher must sit to rephrase the research problem into a working proposition. �Once the nature of the problem has been clearly understood, the environment (within which the problem has got to be studied) has been defined, discussions over the problem have taken place and the available literature has been surveyed and examined, 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.

In addition to what has been stated 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 or postulates (if any) relating to the research problem should be clearly stated. (c) A straight forward statement of the value of the investigation (i. e. , the criteria for the selection of the problem) should be provided.

(d) The suitability of the time-period and the sources of data available must also be considered by the researcher in defining the problem. (e) The scope of the investigation or the limits within which the problem is to be studied must be mentioned explicitly in defining a research problem.

AN ILLUSTRATION �Initial research question: Why is productivity in Japan so much higher than in India? �In this form the question 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.

�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 2000 to 2010 relative to India’s manufacturing industries?

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