Defining the research problem

What is a Research problem?

“A research problem, in general, refers
to some difficulty, which a researcher
faces (experiences) in the context of
both a theoretical or practical situation

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 What is a Research Problem?
(Cont..)

Components of the research problem

The problem is consists of ,
1)The decision-maker who has some
difficulties or problem.
2) There objective to be attained at.
If one wants nothing then, cannot have a
problem.

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 Components of the research
problem (Cont…)
The objective provides motivation to
solve the problem.
Objective can be defined from different
perspective
Economic: objective can be profit
maximization
Marketing: - increasing market share,
creating product image
Managerial: - Reducing employees’
turnover 3
 Components of the research problem
(Cont…)

3. Alternative courses of action to achieve

the desired objective.

This means that researcher must answer

the question concerning the relative
efficiency.
4. The environment (or context of the
problem) to which the difficulty pertain
These factors may individually or
collectively affect,
 the efficiency of the course of action
 The value of the outcome
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 2.1. Defining The
Problem
Defining the research problem is
 crucial and
 very hard part of a research process.

“The problem clearly stated is a

problem half solved”
This signifies the importance of properly
defining the problem
A proper definition of research problem
will enable the researcher to answer
questions like,
5
 Defining The Problem
(Cont…)

What kind of data are relevant and

needed for the study?
What relationship is to be explored
among variables?
What technique has to be used to collect
and analyze data? And so forth
Therefore, defining a research problem
properly is a prerequisite for any
study and a very important step
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 Defining The Problem
(Cont…)

Techniques involved in defining a

problem
The research problem should be defined
in a systematic manner.
The technique of defining a research
problem has a number of steps,
1. Statement of problem in a general
way: For that purpose the researcher
must immerse him self completely in the
subject matter, 7
 Defining The Problem
(Cont…)
2. Understanding the nature of the
problem:
The best way of understanding the problem is:
To discuss with those who first raised the
problem
To discuss it with those who have a good
knowledge of the problem concerned or
similar other problem
3. Survey the available literature
All available literature concerning the problem
must be studied and examined
This means the researcher must be familiar
with:
8
 Defining The Problem
(Cont…)
a) The relevant theory in the area.
Role of Theory
 It provide frameworks within which
concepts and variables acquire
special significance.
 Theory provides patterns of
interpretation of the data
 It allows us to understand and explain
the large meaning of our findings for
ourselves and others
b) Reports and records and other
literature in the concerned area
c) Review research works undertaken on 9
 Defining The Problem
(Cont…)

Generally, survey literature will enable

researcher to know
If there are certain gap in the theory
Whether the existing theory is applicable
to the problem and consistent with each
other.
Whether the findings of the research is
consistent with the theoretical
expectation.
Study on a related problem is also useful
for indicating the type of difficulty that
may be encountered in the present study.
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It links one study with the other
 Defining The Problem
(Cont…)
4. Developing ideas through discussion:
Discussion on a problem produces useful
information.
The researcher should discuss the problem
with colleagues and others who have
enough experience in the same area.
Various new ideas can be discovered and
developed through it.
Such practice is called “experience survey”
5. Rephrasing the research problem
(reformulation of the problem):
The researcher at this stage should be able to
reformulate the problem in to working 11
 Defining The Problem
(Cont…)
The researcher should narrow and
break down the problem into its
components variables and relationship
That is, problem should be expressed
as:
 a relationship between two or more
variables
 the problem should be stated either
in question form or hypothesis form
a) Question form
Question form is appropriate mostly when
the research is descriptive in nature.
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 Defining The Problem
(Cont…)

Example,
Does a relationship exist between
income of university students and score
on their exams?
Is there a relationship between
employees' age and their productivity?
Does a relationship exist between the
men circumcision and sensitivity to HIV
virus?

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 Defining The Problem
(Cont…)

b) Hypothesis
This is employed when the state of the
existing knowledge permits the
prediction of the relationship among
variables.
The word hypothesis is a compound of
two words, “hypo” and “thesis”
Hypo means, under or below and
Thesis means a reasoned theory or
rational viewpoint.
Thus, hypothesis would mean a theory,
which is not fully reasoned 14
 Defining The Problem
(Cont…)

 Hypothesis is a set of suggested

tentative solution of a research
problem,
 which may be or may not be a real
solution
How hypothesis differs from research
question?
hypothesis indicate both the question in
testable form and predict the nature of
the answer.
Hypothesis proposes a relationship
between two or more variables. 15
 Defining The Problem
(Cont…)

Importance of Hypothesis
Represents specific objective
It determines the nature of the data
needed to test the proposition
Offer basis for selecting,
 the sample,
 the research procedure,
 and the statistical analysis needed.

Keeps the study restricted in scope

thereby preventing it from becoming too
broad
Sets a framework for reporting the 16
 Defining The Problem
(Cont…)

Establishing a hypothesis should

follow rules like
Hypotheses should be clearly and
precisely formulated
The variables must be clearly specified
and measurable
Hypotheses should be formulated in
way can be tested or verified
Hypothesis should state explicitly the
expected relationship between variables
Hypotheses should be limited in scope..
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 Defining The Problem
(Cont…)

Hypotheses should be consistent

with the known facts.
Hypotheses should be stated as
much as possible in simple terms
so that it,
 becomes easily understandable
to others
 become easily testable
 provides a basis for a clear and
easily comprehended report at
the completion of the study. 18
 Defining The Problem
(Cont…)

Example of Hypothesis,
Alienation Increases with poverty
Political participation Increases With
Education
Productivity decreases with age
The result of the hypothesis test is the
substance of our conclusion and
expressed as generalization.
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 Defining The Problem
(Cont…)

Sources of Research problem

Professional experience
From existing theory.
Past research
From existing problems
Technological and social changes

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 Defining The Problem
(Cont…)

Too narrow or too vague problems should

be avoided.
The subject selected for research should
be familiar and feasible
And the problem Consider in terms of;
 qualification and training area of the

researcher,
 the cost,

 the time factor are the few points that

must be considered in selecting a

problem. 21
 Defining The Problem
(Cont…)

Evaluation of the problem

Before selecting the research problem the
feasibility of the problem has to be tested
Evaluate the problem in terms of the
following criteria
Is the problem feasible
(researchable)?
Is the problem new?
Is the problem significant?
Researcher’s Competence 22
 Identifying Research Area And Developing Interest

Research is not something that a

researcher goes into accidentally
The researcher need to identify the
research area
 through reading and developing interest
in specific subject
Students have opportunity to identify
and develop interests when they take
different courses
even some sections of a specific course
may interest a student more than others.
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 Identifying Research Area
(Cont…)

If you have developed a strong

personal research interest,
 this is very fortunate, and
build on it.
Note that !
You should never let yourself be
led into a research area by
someone else’s enthusiasm

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 Selecting A Topic
Important tips in selecting topic:
1.Start with what interests you most deeply
 because nothing contributes the quality of
your work more than your commitment.
2. Start by listing two or three interests that
you would like to explore
3.Look for sources in the libraries before you
decide to choose one
 because you may choose an interesting
topic that does not have enough sources.
 Bear in mind that, your research should be
supported by sufficient relevant material.

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 Selecting A Topic
(Cont…)
4. Try to have more specific topics
Systematically ask analytical
questions regarding
i. The implications and the
compositions of the topic, i.e.
 what are the different parts of
the topic, and
 how do they relate to one
another?
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 SELECTING A TOPIC
(Cont…)
ii. the contribution of the topic,
 what values the topic add in terms
of contributing to existing
knowledge?
iii. History of the topic, i.e.
 how and why the topic changed
through time?
 how have different stories
developed differently?
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