CHAPTER II

RESEARCH PROBLEM AND PREPARATION OF RESEARCH PROPOSAL

At the end of studying this chapter, students should be able to:

 Define problem
 Identify sources of problem
 Discuss symptoms for existence of problem
 Explain criteria for selecting research problem
 Discuss steps of formulating research problem
 Properly state research problem
 Discuss contents of research proposal
2.1 Problem Definition

“A problem clearly defined is a problem half solved” – Brande

 A problem is a difference (gap) between actual situation and desired situation

 The focal point of every research activity is a research problem

 Research problem refers to some difficulty which a researcher experiences in the context
of theoretical or practical situation and wants to obtain a solution for it.

2.1.1 Sources of a Problem

Professional Experience,

The researchers’ every day experience provides a rich supply of problems for investigations

Contact and Discussion with People

Contact and discussions with research- oriented people in conferences, seminars or public lectures
serve as important sources of problem

Inference from theory,

Lies in the theoretical system and conceptual schemes which have been developed in the required
disciplines

Professional Literature

Consultation of research reports, books and articles, periodicals, research abstracts, dictionaries
and research guides can be used as sources of a research problem in a given field

Technological and Social Changes,

Directly or indirectly, exert an influence in the function of an organization

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2.1.2Criteria for Selecting a Problem

- What are the criteria for selecting good research problem?

- What are the issues that determine the feasibility of the research?

Factors to be taken into account in the choice of a research problem are both external and personal
as:

i. Novelty or originality: the problem should be sufficiently original so that it avoids

unnecessary duplication and time spent to deal with a problem already investigated. However,
to verifying the pervious findings under changed condition or using better device and
procedure is possible

ii. Researcher’s interest: the problem should be interesting for the researcher so that he/ she
easily overcome obstacles created during investigation. However, the interest should be purely
intellectual, it shouldn’t be to get reward, promotion or other benefit.

iii. Importance/usefulness: investigation of the problem should either add knowledge or lead to
any improvements in the current practices.

iv. Immediate Application: - The research should help in solving an urgent problem

v. Feasibility or Amenability (research ability): The suitability of the problem for a particular
research worker. The following are some of the issues that determine the feasibility of the
research.

 Availability of data, validity and reliability data gathering devices and procedures.

 Availability of organization and individuals cooperation to provide required data

 Availability of Other Facilities(availability of finance, time, infrastructure and other

facilities)

 Researcher’s competence (ability and familiarity of the researcher with the subject matter)

 Courage and confidence (the researcher should have the courage and confidence to pursue
the study despite the difficulties and social hazards that may be involved)

Moreover, the following points as stated by Kothari (1990:32-33), 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

 Controversial subject should not become the choice of an average researcher.

 Too narrow or too vague problems should be avoided.

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  The subject selected for research should be feasible

 The importance of the subject, the qualifications and the training of researcher

 The costs involved, and the time factor

2.1.3Formulating and Stating the Problem

Steps in formulating a research problem

 Identify a broad field or subject area of interest in your academic /professional field

 Dissect the broad area in to sub areas(brainstorm)

 Select the sub area in which you have decided to conduct the research (process of
elimination)

 Raise research questions (hypothesis) that you would like to answer through the study

 Formulate objectives for the study (one main aim/objectives and three or four sub
objectives)

 Assess objectives to make sure that they can be attained in time available, and with
financial human resources and technical expertise available

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After the problem has been selected, it must be definitely formulated & stated in precise terms.
The technique of defining a problem may involve the undertaking of the following steps:

 What "should" be occurring? (E.g., Based on the national average, small scale farmers
in Gololcha district should be harvesting nearly 48 tons of barley per acre)

 What is occurring? (E.g., a recent household survey reported that 56% of these farmers
harvest only 35 tons per acre.)

 What could happen if the problem is not addressed? (E.g., Persistent low farm
productivity in the district may lead to widespread food insecurity.)

 Where is the research gap?

 Rephrasing the research problem into a working proposition

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There are two different ways of stating a problem.

-Posing question(s) – Basic/Fundamental questions)

- Making declaration statement(s) – Hypothesis

1. Research Question

 Research question …makes the theoretical assumptions in the framework more explicit,
and most of all indicates what the researcher wants to know

 The most important step in this direction is to specify the variables involved in the
questions and define them in operational terms

Example: Will teaching children through programmed instruction decrease their test anxiety?

2. Hypothesis

The world meaning of the term hypothesis is a tentative statement about the solution of the
problem.A hypothesis is a tentative assumption drawn from knowledge and theory which is used
as a guide investigation of other facts and theories that yet unknown. It is a tentative supposition
which seems to explain the situation under consideration. Hypothesis is defined as a proposition
that is stated in testable form and predicts a particular relationship between two (or more) variables

Approaches To Develop a Working Hypothesis

 Discussion with colleagues and experts about the problem

 Examination of data and records, if available, concerning the problem

 Review of similar studies in the area or of the studies on similar problems, and

 Exploratory personal investigation, which involves original field interviews on the

Importance of Hypothesis

 It provides direction (guidance) to research

 It enables the investigator to understand with greater clarity about the problem

 It serves as a framework for drawing conclusions.

 It enables a researcher to clarify the procedures and methods to be used in solving the
problem

Characteristics of a Usable Hypothesis

 A hypothesis should be empirically testable.

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  Directly related to the research problem (in agreement with observed facts)

 Does not conflict with any law of nature, which is known to be true

 Represents a single unit or subject of the problem

 Factually or theoretically based

 States relationship between variables

 Sets the limits of the study

 Stated in such a form that it can be accepted or rejected

 A hypothesis is composed of an independent variable (cause) and a dependent variable

(effect)

Types of Hypothesis

Inductive hypothesis: Researchers observe certain patterns, trends or associations among

phenomena and then use the observations as a basis for predictions.

Deductive hypotheses: a researcher can develop hypotheses based on general theoretical

principles. Deductive reasoning has as starting point theories that are applied to particular
situations.

Forms of Hypothesis

The statement of a research hypothesis can take either declarative (positive) form, negative form,
the null form, or the question form.

Positive form: example,the academic achievement of extroverts is significantly higher than that
of introverts.

Negative form:example, the academic achievement of extroverts is not significantly higher than
that of introverts

Null Form:example,there is no significant difference between the academic achievement of

extroverts and introverts.

Question form: Will the academic achievement of extroverts be higher than that of introverts?

2.2 Preparation of Research Proposal

After the selection of a research problem and setting proper direction for investigation, the
researcher should write out a proposal, synopsis, or plan for research.What is the Research
proposal?

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The research proposal is a systematic plan that will be needed to accomplish the purpose of the
proposed study. It is just like a blueprint, which the architect prepares before the construction of
building starts

2.2.1 Components of a Proposal

Proposal follows a simple logical form of presentation. Although there are many ways to arrange
the items within the proposal, the following is the outline of the proposal that students shall follow.

 The preliminaries

 The body

 The supplemental

A. The Preliminaries

 Title / cover page

 Table of content

 Abstract

B. The Body

1.The problem and its Approach

 Introduction

 Statement of the problem

 Objectives of the Study

 Significance of the study

 Delimitation of the study

 Definition of used terms

 Research methodology

 Organization of the paper

2. Review of related literature

C. The supplemental

 Budget and time schedule

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  Bibliography

1. The Preliminaries

1.1 Title

The title is the most widely read part of your proposal. Many people who may not necessarily read
the proposal itself or even its abstract will read the title. It should be long enough to be explicit but
not too long so that it is not too tedious-usually between 15 and 25 words. It should contain the
key words-the important words that indicate the subject.

 The title should not be too lengthy or too involved. It should be specific to the area of
study.The following topics appear to be too long:

o A study of the Academic Achievement of Children in Pastorals Regions whose

parents had Participated Literacy Classes Against those whose parents did not.

o Comparison of Academic Achievement Among Grade Eight Children who have

Attended Pre-School Education and Those who did not

 The title should not be too brief or too short. For instance, the following titles appear to be
too vague to convey the required meaning.

o Marketing in Japan

o Leadership in Sudan

o Unemployment in Ethiopia

Kinds of Title

A) Indicative Title: - This type of title states the subject of the research (proposal) rather than the
expected outcome. E.g., 'The Role of Agricultural Credit in Alleviating Poverty in Low Potential
Areas of Ethiopia'

B) Hanging Title: - The hanging title has two parts: a general first part followed by a more specific
second part. It is useful in rewording an otherwise long, clumsy and complicated indicative title.
E.g., 'Alleviation of Poverty in Low Potential Areas of Ethiopia: The Impact of Agricultural Credit'

C) Question Title: - Question title .is used less than indicative and hanging titles. It is, however,
acceptable where it is possible to use few words - say less than 15 words. E.g., 'Does Agricultural
Credit Alleviate Poverty in Low Potential Areas of Ethiopia?'

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1.2 Table of content

In this section the major and sub topics in the proposal should be appear along with the page
number. It outline each topic and show the reader where each title is located in the proposal.

1.3. Abstract

An abstract is known by different names like executive summary, Synopsis, prospectus, research
plan and so on. It gives readers the chance to grasp the essentials of the proposal without having
to read the details. It should include a brief statement of the problem, the research
objectives/research question(s), the benefits of the research and methods to be used. An effective
abstract should also present highlight, of the main aspects of the proposal concisely and clearly.

2. The Problem and its Approach

2.1 Introduction

This section should contain a rationale for your research which answers the following questions:
Why are you undertaking the research project? Why is the research needed?This rationale should
be placed within the context of existing research or within your own experience and/or observation.

2.2 Statements of the Problem

Statement of the problem elaborates about the problem. It attempts to focus on a clear goal. More
specifically, staminate of the problem is targeted towards the following:

 Stating the background facts, which justify the study to be in order

 Developing hypotheses or key research questions, which may show the direction of the
whole exercise

2.3 Objectives of the Study

Objectives are the goals you set out to attain in your study“. Since these objectives inform a reader
of what you want to achieve through the study, it is extremely important to word clearly,
completely, and specifically, and are free from ambiguity.

The objectives should be listed under the following two headings:

 General Objectives

 Specific Objective

The general objective is an overall statement of the study. It is also a statement of the main
associations and relationships that you seek to discover or establish.

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The sub objectives are the specific aspects of the topic that you want to investigate within the
framework of your study.Make sure that each sub objective contains only one aspect of the study.
Use action oriented words or verbs when writing your objectives. The objectives should start with
words such as ‘to determine’, ‘to find out’, ‘to ascertain’, ‘to measure’, to describe and ‘to explore’.
Be SMART when you state your objective

2.4 Significance of the Study

In this section, the researcher indicates the importance of the research and there by convinces the
reader. The researcher is, thus, required to indicate what his/her research will contribute; whether
the research is to provide solution or to shed light on the nature of the problem or both. Some
researches extend the frontiers of knowledge.

2.5Delimitations (scope) of the Study

In this section, the researcher indicates the boundary of the study. The problem should be reduced
to a manageable size. The rule is "Don't bite more than what you can chew”. The scope of the
study should be made clear with reference to:

 Area Delimitation: the scope of the study by specifying the areas to which the conclusions
will be confined

 Population Delimitation: specifying target population with justification

 Variable Delimitation: specifying variables to be treated with justification

2.6 Limitations of the Study

Limitations are difficulties the researcher faced during doing the research. Even though the
researcher designs and plans his/her study carefully, there could still be certain constraints that
might hinder the researcher form doing the research as it should be. Any problem encountered and
interfered with carrying out the research should be indicated frankly.This is usually written after
the work is completed because it is known only then. Thus, it is not usually indicated in the
proposal. However, it is possible to indicate limitations expected and solutions envisaged.

2.7 Definition of Terms

The technical terms or words and phrases having special meanings need to be defined
operationally. Terms must be defined operationally: i.e., the definition must interpret the term as
it is employed in relation to the researcher's project.

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2.8 Research Methodology

The researcher has to choose which methods to use and justify them. The nature of the problem
determines the methodology to be used.The methodology is an important section and it contains
at least five parts:

1. Research Design– The type and coverage of the design must be adapted to the purpose with
valid justification. For example, in experimental research, the materials, tests, equipment,
control conditions, and other devices should be indicated.

2. Population and Sampling Design- the researcher explicitly defines the target population
being studied and determines the sample size.

3. Data Collection - this part describes the type, source and methods (tools) of data gathering.

4. Sampling Procedure:the researcher clearly describes the sampling methods used such as
probability or non-probability.Explanations of the sampling methods, uniqueness of the
chosen parameters, or other points that need explanation should be covered with brevity.

5. Data Analysis

This section summarizes the methods used to analyze the data. The rationale for the choice of
analysis approaches should be clear. This section then describes data handling, preliminary
analysis, statistical tests, computer programs, and other technical information.

2.9 Organization of the Study: This section explains what each chapter of the research report
consists of.

Example: The study will be organized into four chapters. The first chapter deals with the problem
and its approach. The second chapter will be concerned with presenting the review of the related
literature. The third chapter will treat the analysis of the data collected. The fourth chapter will
bring to an end this study with summary conclusion and recommendation

3. Review of Related Literature

The theoretical and empirical framework from which the problem arises must be briefly described.
A brief resume of related studies found in journals, magazines, abstracts and reports should be
made. This provides evidence that the researcher is familiar with what is already known and also
with what is unknown or unproved. It also helps to avoid the risk of duplication of what has been
done and to serve as a basis for formulating hypotheses

4. Time and Budget Schedule

4.1 Time Schedule

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The researcher should also prepare a realistic time schedule for completing the study within the
time available. Dividing a study into phases and assigning dates for the completion of each phase
help the researcher to use his time systematically.

4.2 Budget Schedule

The research proposals which are submitted to governmental or non-governmental organizations

for financial assistance should also include a budget schedule. This is a financial breakdown that
helps to estimate the cost of the study.

5. Bibliography

This is a section where a list of books, journals and other documents is offered. The researcher
should list all reference materials that he has used in selecting the problem and which he may use
during the conduct of study.

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