09-Dec-20

A research problem is a specific issue, difficulty,

contradiction, or gap in knowledge that you will aim
to address in your research. You might look for
practical problems aimed at contributing to change,
or theoretical problems aimed at expanding
knowledge.

RESEARCH
RESEARCH PROBLEM Lecture 5
PROBLEM
A Research problem is a question that a researcher
wants to answer or a problem that a researcher
wants to solve.

A research problem is an issues or a concern that an

investigator / researcher presents and justifies in a
research study.

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Identification and formulation of a

research problem is the first step
of the research process. SELECTION OF RESEARCH PROBLEM
It is the most challenging & difficult A good research studies needs a lots of time for
phase of the research process.
SELECTION selection of research problem.
Initially every researcher faces a difficulty of
OF RESEARCH A problem can not be solved
identifying, selecting and formulating a good
research problem.
PROBLEM effectively unless a research processes
the intellect and insight to isolate and
understand the specific factor giving “ A situation for which we have no ready &
rise to the difficulty. successful response by instinct or by previous
acquired habit. We must find out what to do”, i.e.
Selection of a research problem the solution can be found out only after an
depends on several factors such as investigation. R.S. Woodworth.
researcher’s knowledge, skills, interest,
expertise, motivation & creativity with
respect to the subject chosen.

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In other words, a research problem is an

area of concern where there is a gap in the
knowledge base needed for professional
practices.
It is the usual practice of the
researchers that they select the
A research problem and problem statement topic of the study from different
sources especially from research
SELECTION are frequently used as synonyms. However,
there are a lot of difference between them. abstracts. SELECTION OF
OF RESEARCH RESEARCH
PROBLEM The problem concerns with the functioning of
the broader area of field studies whereas a They do not identify the problem,
but a problem is made based on
PROBLEM
topic or title or statement of the problem is
the verbal statement of the problem. the topic.

The topic is the definition of the problem

which delimits or pinpoint of the task of the
research.

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IDENTIFICATION OF RESEARCH PROBLEM

A research problem has 6 components. They
are as follows…
COMPONENTS 1. Relevance of the study.

OF A 2. Title of the study.

RESEARCH 3. Operational definitions of the variables.

4. Objectives of the study.
Generally, a broad area
is selected and then it is
PROBLEM 5. Delimitations of the study.
Identification of the
research problem is the delimited or narrowed
first step. down to a specific one
6. Scope & limitations of the study. sentence statement of the
problem.

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The main sources to which one may

proceed for a suitable research SOURCES OF RESEARCH PROBLEM
problem:

2. The other source of problem which is most

SOURCES OF 1. Personal experience of the
frequently used by the investigator as suggested by
the supervisor, is the extensive study of available
RESEARCH investigator in the field of education
are the main source of identifying
literature research abstracts, journals, handbooks of
research international abstracts etc. He can draw a
PROBLEM suitable problem. Many of the
problems confronted in the classrooms,
correlation for selecting a research problem or can
think parallel problem in the field studies.
the school or the community lend
themselves to investigation and they 3. In the choice of a suitable problem, the researcher
are perhaps more appropriate for the must decide his field of investigation. He should study
beginning researcher than are the field intensively in the specific area, this may
problems more remote from his own enable him to identify a problem from the specific
teaching experiences. field.

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Criteria for the selection of the problem

4. The new innovations, technological changes and
curricular developments are constantly bringing new suggested by the Good and Scates are as
problems and new opportunities for social studies follow:
research. 1. Novelty and avoidance of unnecessary

SOURCES OF 5. The most practical source of problem is to consult

CRITERIA OF 2.
duplication
Importance for the field represented and
RESEARCH supervisor, experts of the field and most experienced
person of the field. They may suggest most significant RESEARCH 3.
implementation
Interest, intellectual curiosity and drive
PROBLEM problem of the area. They can discuss certain issues of
the area to emerge a problem. PROBLEM 4.
5.
Availability of data and methods
Special equipment and working conditions
6. Sponsorship and administrative cooperation
6. It is a general practice that researchers suggest some 7. Cost and returns
problems in their research report. The researcher can
pick up a suitable problem for his own study. 8. Time factor

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Novelty and avoidance of unnecessary
duplication
The question of novelty or newness is not
CRITERIA OF merely one of the duplication of earlier
investigations.
RESEARCH It involves the regency of the data
PROBLEM summarized especially in the case of survey
studies made during a period of great
economical, educational and social change.
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CRITERIA OF RESEARCH PROBLEM
Interest, intellectual curiosity and drive
One of the personal motives of research
most frequently mentioned by scientists
themselves in pure curiosity, accompanied
by genuine interest and a drive
satisfaction and enjoyment.
Availability of data and methods
The data under consideration must meet
certain standards of accuracy, objectivity
and verifiability.
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Importance for the field represented and
implementation
The criteria of importance in choice of a
CRITERIA OF problem involves such matters as significance
for the field involved, timelines and practical
RESEARCH value in term of application and
implementation of the results.
PROBLEM Scientific research in education,
psychological, and social sciences in general
have an especially urgent obligation to play
a social role rendering service to society
and humanity.
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CRITERIA OF RESEARCH PROBLEM
Special equipment and working conditions
The major purpose of equipment is to define the
process of observation to provide control of
conditions and accuracy or durability of
recording.
Sponsorship and administrative cooperation
It is a common practice for the thesis to be
sponsored by a faculty adviser in whose area of
specialization the problem lies.
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CRITERIA OF RESEARCH PROBLEM CHARACTERISTICS OF RESEARCH

PROBLEM
Cost and returns A problem statement must have the
The candidate must consider carefully his own following characteristics:
financial resources in the light of such facilities and 1. The variables in the problem must be
assistance as can be provided by the institution. clear
2. It should be limited in scope and should
be specific,
Time factor 3. It must have a goal
Generally, the minimum amount of graduate work 4. It should be free from ethical constraints
for the master’s degree is one year, and for the 5. Good research problems must be
doctorate degree three years. researchable.

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STATEMENT OF PROBLEM STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

After selecting a problem, it should be stated carefully Meeting these criteria in his
the researchers to delimit his task and isolate a specific
problem before he can proceed with active planning of problem statement will
the study.
result, on the researcher’s
This type of decisions is concluded in the problem part, in a clear and concise
statement.
Kerlinger has identified three criteria of good problem
idea of what he wants to do,
statement: this sets the stage for further
1. A problem should be concerned with relationship planning.
between two or more variables.
2. It should be stated clearly in question form.
3. it should be open to experimental testing.

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ANY QUESTIONS???

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