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RESEARCH PROBLEM FORMULATION

Objective:

To impart the skills on how to

formulate and structure a research
problem

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 (iv) Application of
the scientific
approaches to study
a problem
(i) Finding out
(iii) Controlled
inquiry
What is concerning a
(ii) Problem Research? certain event
Solving or events

(v) Systematic, controlled, empirical and critical investigation of

natural phenomena guided by theory and hypotheses about the
presumed relations among such phenomena
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Comparison Between Masters and Ph.D Research

• Masters: • Ph.D
 To solve a problem using  Using the methodology
the methodology that you that you have learned and
have learned experience of solving
problem, to produce
something new

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Research Methodology Course 5
 RESEARCH PROCESS
Problem Identification

Follow Reviewing Information

certain
steps - Data Collection
systematic
Analysis

Conclusions

Characteristics of Research
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 RESEARCH PROCESS
Research follows Makes an
Inductive
reasoning
integrated
“Scientific Method” use of :
Deductive
reasoning

“The basic assumption of the scientific method is that ‘every

effect has a cause’. It starts with the construction of hypotheses
from casual observations and background knowledge (inductive
reasoning) to reasoning out consequences or implications of
hypotheses (deductive reasoning), followed by testing of the
implications and confirmation or rejection of the hypotheses”
Research Methodology Course 7
 Generation of hypothesis
Casual observation

Implications of
Existing structure hypothesis
of knowledge
Operationally
specific testing
situation
Scientific method of acquiring knowledge of
problem solving

Research becomes cyclic and dynamic

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 STEPS IN CONDUCTING RESEARCH

1. Selecting and defining a problem

2. Describing the method of research
3. Collecting data
4. Analysing and interpreting results

Research Methodology Course 9

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 RESEARCH PROCESS
Three phases of research process (in engineering)

a general topic, narrowing the topic and

collecting information
 Phase Two - Recording information,
organising ideas and analysis
 Phase Three - Writing, documentation and
presentation Phase One -Starting the
research, choosing
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 RESEARCH PROCESS

DECIDING ON A TOPIC

To interpret the gathered information. Some

initial questions about a topic might include:
 What additional areas of the topic should I
investigate?
 What background information should I read?
 Should I concentrate gathering information more
on one area of the subject than on other areas?
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 RESEARCH PROCESS
(on formulating research problems)
Begin with two important questions:

 WHAT PROBLEM CAN BE SOLVED?

 HOW CAN THE PROBLEM BE SOLVED?

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 WHAT IS
“RESEARCH PROBLEM”
 Is a situation, quantitative or otherwise, that
confronts an individual, that requires resolution, and
for which the individual sees no apparent or obvious
means or path to obtaining a solution.

 Is the focus of a research investigation – a problem

that a researcher wishes to investigate

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Well, you won’t be
like this when you
start doing
research….

Research Methodology Course 15

1. HOW MANY OF YOU DON’T
HAVE RESEARCH PROBLEM YET??
2. HOW MANY OF YOU THINK
YOU HAVE A RESEARCH
PROBLEM??

3. HOW MANY OF YOU

ALREADY WRITTEN YOUR
RESEARCH PROBLEM??
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 RESEARCH PROBLEMS
 Are questions about state of
affairs in the field.
Although there are different
types of research problems, all
involve a question, whereby the
answer is being sought in the
research.
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 “PROBLEM IS A TASK”
In which the researcher is interested
and engaged for which he/she
wishes to obtain a resolution

For which the researcher does not

have a readily accessible means or
ways by which to achieve that
resolution

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 SELECTING AND DEFINING
A PROBLEM
This marks the beginning of a research
study and is the most difficult and
important steps. The steps are:
a. identifying and stating the problem in specific form
b. identifying the variables in the problem situation
and defining them adequately
c. generating tentative guesses (hypotheses) about the
relation of the variables, or writing explicitly the
questions for which answers are sought; and
d. evaluating the problem for its researchability.
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 Data but not the
Data and method is known
method are
known
PROBLEM Method is
OF known but
 Neither the
STUDY not the
method or the
data is known data

“Research problems include only those problems

which the method and the data, necessary
to achieve the goal, are not known”
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 The problem
selected must
poke (exit) the
boundary of
existing
knowledge
Existing
knowledge

“Boundary of knowledge”

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 Own
Capabilities Interes interest
& t
Limitations
Own, supervisor’s, Size
people’s support Criteria for Selecting Not too large
a Problem
Uniqueness
Economy
Do not duplicate: If similar study - can
use different method, design or sample, Time, money
or perform different statistical analyses

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Research Methodology Course 23
HOW DO YOU SELECT A PROBLEM??
• Personal Practical Experience
• From past studies, look for
– Solution already found in parallel situation
– Incomplete solution
– Result unclear, doubtful, debatable, etc.
Sources: books, journals, periodicals, annual reports….

NOTE
- Need to have a Critical Study of the literature, i.e to
– Define the problem
– Limit the problem area
– Avoid unnecessary repetition
– Search for new approaches
– Recommend suitable methods

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 HOW DO YOU SELECT A PROBLEM? (cont’d)

• Consultation / interaction with others Maintain an

– Ask experts in area of interest – idea notebook
industries, universities, etc
• Study current developments and trends –
newspaper,
– Examine the theoretical structure of the field
– Explore areas of dissatisfaction, public
interest journal, magazine
• Brainstorming

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FORMULATING THE RESEARCH PROBLEM

OBJECTIVES:
 To focus on a subject for research
 To examine a subject in multi facets
(to apply creativity)

Methods
or Processes Combined
Approach
Subdividin
g Questioning
Free
Association
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Subdividing Approach

Divide the general

area into progressively
small units,
subdividing it until one
reaches a subject that
is interesting to
research
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  Free Association Approach

Write down words or phrases that

occur to us as they come to mind,
without worrying about order,
spelling, usefulness, applicability,
or any other judgement

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 Asking Questions Approach

WHAT*? * most
WHO? WHERE? common

Problems,
People things, ideas Places
HOW*?

WHEN? WHY*? Methods,

techniques,
Past, present, mechanisms
future
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Combined Methods Approach

To combine the above

approaches in formulating
a research problem
(more satisfactory practice)

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 STATEMENT OF
RESEARCH PROBLEM

- To state the basic problem that

prompts the research -
May be written in two forms:
 Statement form
 Research Question form
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 STATEMENT OF
RESEARCH PROBLEM
-Examples

Problem written in question form:

What effect has the introduction of an
individualised programme had on the skill
acquisition of technician students in a
printing course?

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 STATEMENT OF
RESEARCH PROBLEM
-Examples
Problem written in statement form:
This study is designed to measure the effect
the introduction of an individualised
programme has had on technician course.
A statement of purpose: (see the diff. from both )
The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact
the introduction of an individualised programme has
had on technician courses.
Research Methodology Course 33
 Feasible? Worthwhile?
Too broad?
Researchable?
Evaluating the
Research
Significant? Problem Too large
(global)?
Specific?
Too narrow?

Having considered these questions, it is wise to

consult others for their honest opinions
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 Is the problem
researchable?
The questions include:
 Has the problem been specified?
 Is the problem amenable to research?
 Is the problem too large?
 How is the availability of the data?
 Am I capable of solving the problem?
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 Will the result
be significant?

The questions include:

 Will the result advance knowledge?
 Will the research have some value?
 Will the results be of interest to others?

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The significance:
A clearly stated research question or research problem
would streamline a research effort
Usefulness: (The research question should)
 guide subsequent work
Thus it focuses the effort,
 influence information gathering minimises false starts, and
save time and unnecessary
 guide data analyses work
 influence the content of the writing
Research Methodology Course 37
Content of Research
Proposal

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 Chapter 1 Introduction
 Background of the problem
 Statement of the problem
 Objectives of the study
 Scope of the study
 Significant of the study
 Chapter 2 Literature Review
 Review of relevant research to provide rationale of the work
 Present unanswered questions, untried method
 Findings of others that is being challenged and extended

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 
Chapter 3 Research Methodology
 Research Design & Procedure
 Operational Framework
 Subjects or data sources
 Instrumentation & Data Analysis
 Assumptions & Limitations
 Research Planning & Schedule

• Chapter 4 Expected Findings and

Summary
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 WRITING THE
RESEARCH PROBLEM
IN THE THESIS
(IN GENERAL FORM)

Normally in Chapter 1:
THE PROBLEM AND SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
 Introduction
 Background of the problem
 Statement of the problem
Purpose of the study
Research Methodology Course 41
 WRITING THE
RESEARCH PROBLEM
IN THE THESIS
(cont’d)
Theoretical framework
Statement of hypothesis or research question
 Importance of study
Objective and Scope of study
Definition of terms
Summary
Research Methodology Course 42
 A note from
“an external examiner’s viewpoint”
…….. The most acceptable introduction
is one which explains in a
straightforward manner how the
candidate became interested in the
subject, what made him/her consider it
important enough to spend a substantial
part of his/her life investigating it, and
what outcomes were expected …….
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