Formulation of Research Problem

Introduction: Broadly speaking, any question that you want answered and any assumption or
assertion that you want to challenge or investigate can become a research problem or a research
topic for your study. According to Powers, Meenaghan and Twooomey (1985: 38), “Potential
research questions may occur to us on a regular basis, but the process of formulating them in a
meaningful way is not at all an easy task”. As a newcomer it might seem easy to formulate a
problem but it requires a considerable knowledge of both the subject area and research
methodology. The formulation of a research problem is the first and the most important step of
the research process. The research problem serves as the foundation of a research study: if it is
well formulated, you can expect a good study to follow. According to Kerlinger, “If one wants to
solve a problem, one must generally know what the problem is. It can be said that a large part of
the problem lies in knowing what one is trying to do”. (1986: 17) There are two types of research
problems, viz. those which relates to states of nature and those which relate to relationship
between variables. At the very outset the researcher must single out the problem he wants to
study i.e. he must decide the general area of interest or aspect of a subject matter that he would
like to inquire into. Initially the problem may be stated in a broad general way and then the
ambiguities, if any, relating to the problem to be resolved. Then, the feasibility of a particular
solution has to be considered before a working formulation of the problem can be set up. The
formulation of a general topic into a specific research problem, thus, constitutes the first step in a
scientific enquiry. Essentially two steps are involved in formulating the research problem,
viz. understanding the problem thoroughly, and rephrasing the same into meaningful
terms from an analytical point of view.

Components of a research problem

 There 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.
 There must be alternative means (or the course of action) for obtaining the objectives one
wishes 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 the research must answer the question concerning the
relative efficiency of the possible alternatives.
 There must be some environment to which the difficulty pertains.

Thus, a research problem is one which requires a researcher to find out the best solution
for the given problem, i.e. to find out by which course of action the objective can be
obtained optimally in the context of a given environment.
Techniques involved in defining a problem

1. Statement of the problem in a 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. For this purpose, the researcher must immerse
himself thoroughly in the subject matter concerning which he wishes to pose a
problem. In case of social research, it is considered advisable to some field
observation and as such the researcher may undertake some sort of preliminary
survey or pilot survey. Then researcher can himself state the problem or he can seek
the guidance of the guide or the subject expert in accomplishing this task. Often, the
guide puts forth the problem in general terms, and it is then up to the researcher to
narrow it down and phrase the problem in operational terms.
2. Understanding the nature of problem: The next step in 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. If the researcher has stated
the problem himself, he should consider once again all those points that induced him
to make a general statement concerning the problem. For a better understanding about
the nature of the problem involved, he can enter into discussions 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.
3. Surveying the available literature: All the available literature concerning the
problem at hand must necessarily be surveyed and examined before a definition of the
research problem is given. This means that the researcher must be well-conversant
with the relevant theories in the field, reports and records as also all other relevant
literature. He must devote sufficient time in reviewing the research already
undertaken on related problems. This is done to find out what data and other
materials, if any, are available for operational purposes. “Knowing what data are
available often serves to narrow the problem itself as well as the technique that might
be used.” This would also help the researcher to know if there are certain gaps in the
theories, or whether the findings of the different studies do not follow a pattern
consistent with the theoretical expectations and so on. All this will enable the
researcher to take new strides in the field for furtherance of knowledge, i.e. studies on
related problems are useful for indicating the type of difficulties that may be
encountered in present study as also the possible analytical shortcomings.
4. Developing ideas through discussions: Discussions concerning a problem often
produces useful information. Various new ideas can be developed through such an
exercise. Hence, a researcher must discuss his problem with his colleagues and others
who have enough experience in the same area or in working on similar problems.
This is quite often 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 researcher. They help him
sharpen his focus of attention on specific aspects within the field. Discussions with
such persons should not only be confined to the formulation of specific problem at
hand, but should also be concerned with the general approach to the given problem,
techniques that might be used, possible solutions, etc.
5. 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 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 specific terms as
possible so that it may become operationally viable and may help in the development
of working hypotheses.

Points to be focused upon

 Technical terms and words or phrases, with special meanings used in the
statement of the problem, should be clearly defined.
 Basic assumptions or postulates (if any) relating to research problem should
be clearly stated.
 A straight forward statement of the value of the investigation, (i.e. criteria for
selection of problem) should be provided.
 The suitability of the time-period and the sources of data available must also
be considered by the researcher in defining the problem.
 The scope of investigation or the limits within which the problem is to be
studied must be mentioned explicitly in defining a research problem.