Topic 2: Research Problem and Question

6 November 2019,
Maja Rimac-Bjelobrk
American University in BiH
Introduction
• 1. What is a research problem?
• 2. Selecting a problem
• 3. Necessity of defining a problem and techniques involved in
defining a problem
1. What is a research problem?
• In research process, the first and foremost step happens to be that of
selecting and properly defining a 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.
• Components of a research problem are:
▫ 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 courses of action) for obtaining the
objective(s) 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 research must answer the question
concerning the relative efficiency of the possible alternatives.
▫ There must be some environment(s) to which the difficulty pertains.
• 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 attained optimally in the context of a
given environment.
• There are several factors which may result in making the problem
complicated:
▫ the environment may change affecting the efficiencies of the courses of
action or the values of the outcomes;
▫ the number of alternative courses of action may be very large;
▫ persons not involved in making the decision may be affected by it and
react to it favourably or unfavourably, and similar other factors.
• All such elements (or at least the important ones) may be thought of
in context of a research problem.
2. Selecting a problem
• The research problem undertaken for study must be carefully selected!
• Following points may be observed by a researcher in selecting a
research problem or a subject for research:
▫ 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 (a
researcher should contact an expert who is already engaged in research!)
▫ Before the final selection of a problem is done, a researcher must ask
himself the following questions:
(a) Whether he is well equipped in terms of his background to carry out the
research?
(b) Whether the study falls within the budget he can afford?
(c) Whether the necessary cooperation can be obtained from those who must
participate in research as subjects?
▫ If the answers to all these questions are in the affirmative, one may
become sure so far as the practicability of the study is concerned.
▫ The selection of a problem must be preceded by a preliminary study.
 This may not be necessary when the problem requires the conduct of a
research closely similar to one that has already been done.
 But 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.
3. Necessity of defining the problem and techniques
involved in defining a problem
• Problem clearly stated is a problem half solved!
• Defining a research problem properly is a prerequisite for any study and is a
step of the highest importance.
• It is only on careful detailing the research problem that we can work out the
research design and can smoothly carry on all the consequential steps
involved while doing research.
• Research problem should be defined in a systematic manner, giving due
weightage to all relating points.
• The technique involves the undertaking of the following steps generally one
after the other:
1. statement of the problem in a general way;
2. understanding the nature of the problem;
3. surveying the available literature
4. developing the ideas through discussions;
5. rephrasing the research problem into a working proposition.
3.1. Statement of the problem in a general way
• 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.
• Researcher may undertake some sort of preliminary survey or what is
often called pilot survey.
• Then the researcher can himself state the problem or he can seek the
guidance of the guide or the subject expert in accomplishing this task.
• The problem stated in a broad general way may contain various
ambiguities which must be resolved by cool thinking and rethinking
over the problem.
• At the same time the feasibility of a particular solution has to be
considered and the same should be kept in view while stating the
problem.
3.2. Understanding the nature of the 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.
• For a better understanding of the nature of the problem involved,
he can enter into discussion 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 and understood.
3.3. 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.
• This means that the researcher must be well-conversant with relevant
theories in the field, reports and records as also all other relevant literature.
• There is a need to devote sufficient time in reviewing of research already
undertaken on related problems.
• Studies on related problems are useful for indicating the type of difficulties
that may be encountered in the present study as also the possible analytical
shortcomings.
• At times such studies may also suggest useful and even new lines of approach
to the present problem.
3.4. Developing the ideas through discussions
• 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 the researcher.
3.5. Rephrasing the research problem
• Researcher must sit to rephrase the research problem into a
working proposition.
• 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
• 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 the research
problem should be clearly stated.
• A straight forward statement of the value of the investigation (i.e., the
criteria for the selection of the 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 the investigation or the limits within which the problem is
to be studied must be mentioned explicitly in defining a research
problem.