RESEARCH CH-2

Identifying A

METHODS Research Problem

WHAT IS A RESEARCH PROBLEMS

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
 An individual or a group which has some difficulty or
the problem.
 Objective(s) to be attained at. If one wants nothing,
one cannot have a problem.
 Alternative means (or the courses of action) for
obtaining the objective(s) one wishes to attain.
 some doubt in the mind of a researcher with regard
to the selection of alternatives.
 some environment(s) to which the difficulty pertains
SELECTING THE PROBLEM
Points may be observed by a researcher in selecting a
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.
SELECTING THE PROBLEM
Points may be observed by a researcher in selecting a
research:
 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.
 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.
SELECTING THE PROBLEM
Points may be observed by a researcher in selecting a
research:
 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.
Differences among the Topic, Problem,
Purpose, and Questions

General Topic Distance learning

Research Lack of students in

Problem distance classes

Purpose To study why students do not

Statement attend distance education
classes at a community college
Research Does the use of Web site
Question technology in the classroom
Specific deter students from enrolling in
a distance education class?
NECESSITY OF DEFINING THE PROBLEM

Quite often we all hear that “a problem clearly stated is

a problem half solvedF. Thus,
NECESSITY OFDEFINING THEPROBLEM

 Defining a research problem properly is a prerequisite

for any study and is a step of the highest importance.
Because the research will find an answer for the
questions 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?

and similar other questions
TECHNIQUE INVOLVED IN DEFINING A PROBLEM
The technique for the purpose 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 and

5. Rephrasing the research problem into a working
proposition.
TECHNIQUE INVOLVED IN DEFINING A PROBLEM
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.
 In case of social research, it is considered
advisable to do some field observation and as such
the 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.
TECHNIQUE INVOLVED IN DEFINING A PROBLEM
Understanding the nature of the problem:
 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.
TECHNIQUE INVOLVED IN DEFINING A PROBLEM
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 is done to find out what data and other
materials, if any, are available for operational
purposes.
TECHNIQUE INVOLVED IN DEFINING A PROBLEM
Surveying the available literature:
 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 a researcher to know if there
are certain gaps in the theories, or whether the
existing theories applicable to the problem under
study are inconsistent with each other, or whether
the findings of the different studies do not follow a
pattern consistent with the theoretical
expectations and so on.
TECHNIQUE INVOLVED IN DEFINING A PROBLEM
Developing the ideas through discussions:
 Discussion concerning a problem often produces
useful information. Various new ideas can be
developed through such an exercise.
 Researcher must conduct an experience survey.
TECHNIQUE INVOLVED IN DEFINING A PROBLEM
Rephrasing the research problem:
 Finally, the 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.
TECHNIQUE INVOLVED IN DEFINING A PROBLEM
Other points must also be observed while defining
a research problem:
 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.
TECHNIQUE INVOLVED IN DEFINING A PROBLEM
Other points must also be observed while defining
a research problem:
 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.
 HOW DOES THE RESEARCH PROBLEM DIFFER IN
QUANTITATIVE & QUALITATIVE RESEARCH?
After you identify a research problem, you should also
consider if it better fits a quantitative or a qualitative
approach. Because the two approaches differ in their
essential characteristics, there should be match between
your problem and the approach you use.
- Explanation and exploration factors provide a
standard you can use to determine either your
research problem is better suited for either a
quantitative or qualitative study.
How Research Problems Differ for Quantitative
and Qualitative Research

• Use quantitative • Use qualitative research if

research if your research your research problem requires
problem requires you to: you to:
• Measure variables • Learn about the views of the
• Assess the impact of people you plan to study
these variables on an • Assess a process over time
outcome • Generate theories based on
• Test theories or broad participant perspectives
explanations • Obtain detailed information
• Apply results to a large about a few people or research
number of people sites
HOW DO YOU WRITE A “STATEMENT OF
THE PROBLEM” SECTION
The statement of the problem section includes
the actual research problem as well as four
other aspects:
• The topic
• The research problem
• A justification of the importance of the
problem as found in past research and in
practice
• The deficiencies in our existing knowledge
about the problem
• The audiences that will benefit from a study
of the problem
Five Elements of a “Problem
Statement”
FLOW OF IDEAS
What
Remedying
Evidence Deficiencies
Educational the Deficiencies
Topic for the in the
Issue Will Do for
Issue Evidence
Select
Subject •A concern •Evidence from •In this body of Audiences
area •A problem the literature evidence, what How will addressing
•Something •Evidence from is missing? what we need to
that needs practical •What do we know help:
a solution experiences need to know – researchers
more about? – educators
– policy makers
– individuals such as
those in the study
 Advancing the Topic

• The topic is introduced in the first

paragraphs.
• The topic includes the general subject
matter.
• The topic must be introduced so that the
reader can relate to it.
The Narrative Hook

The narrative hook should be the first sentence of the

study.
 Functions of the narrative hook
• Causes the reader to pay attention
• Elicits an emotional or attitudinal response from the
reader
• Causes the reader to continue reading
 Information that can be included in the narrative hook
• Statistics
• A provocative question
• Need for research
• Intent of the study
 Stating the Research Problem

• State the problem in the opening paragraph

• Identify an issue
• Research-based research problems
• Practical problems
• Reference the problem using the literature
 Justifying the Importance of the
Research Problem
• Justification based on what other
researchers have found
• Justification based on personal or
workplace experiences
• Justification based on the experiences
others have had in the workplace
 Identifying Deficiencies in the Evidence

• What do we still need to know?

• What else do we need to know to improve
practice?
Identify the Audience

• Ask the following question: “Who will profit

from reading my study?”

• Other researchers
• Practitioners
• Policy makers
• Special populations (e.g., parents)
HOW DO YOU WRITE A “STATEMENT OF
THE PROBLEM” SECTION
Strategies useful in writing the Statement of
the problem section:

• Writing the elements of this section in order

using a template as a guide
• Using ample citations to the literature.

• Including references to statistical

information in quantitative studies and
quotes in qualitative studies.
Example of the Flow of Ideas in the
Problem Statement
Flow of Ideas
Justification Deficiencies in Relating the
Topic Research
for Research the Evidence Discussion
Problem
Problem to Audiences
Subject •Concern or issue •Evidence from the •In this body of •How will addressing
area •A problem literature evidence what is what we need to know
•Something that •Evidence from missing or what help researchers,
needs a solution practical experience do we need to educators, policy
know more about? makers, and other
individuals?
An Example
Parents’
role in •Parents can better
Need for • Past literature has Need to assess their role
promoting Better access documented poor evaluate how
access to • Counselors can better
for students attendance parents can involve parents
college of color promote access • Colleges can better work
with parents