RESEARCH PROBLEMS

A research problem is a statement egarding an area of concem, a circumstance to be

improved upon. a
difficulty o be eliminated
troubling question that exists in scholarly
or a
literature, in theory or in practice that
point to the need tor
meaningful understanding and
deliberate investigation. In some social science
in the form of one or more
disciplines the research problem is
typically posed
questions. A researeh problem doCs not state how to do
offer a vague or broad
proposition or a value
something.
present question.
Meaning of Research Problem
Research problem refers to the situation where a gap exists between the actual and the
desired state. The problem can be generaled either by an
initiating idea or by a
perceived problem
area
Etample:
Investigation ofrhythmic patterns in settlement planning' is the
there such
product of an idea that
are
things as rhythmic patterns in settlement plans, even if no one has detected them
before. This kind of idea will then need to be formulated
more
precisely in order to
develop it
into a researchable problem. we are sumounded by problems connected with society, the built
environment, educadon etc.. many ot which can readily be perceived.
Introduction

and Formulation of a Research Problem

Selection
An adequate concept problem is one of the most important aspects ot research.
of the
of affairs in the field. Whereas
Problems in social science research are questions about the state
in form
different types of research problems exist, all ask questions to which research respond
that asks about the
of a scientific answer. A problem is 'an interrogative sentence or statement
in the
relationships existing between two or more variables'. The answer is what is being sought
made in the characteristics of
research. 1t is however, to be noted that a distinction is commonly
between the different kinds of research. A problem in both experimental and ex- post
problems
about the relation that exists between two or more variables.
facto research involves a
question
For instance, let us consider the problem: The impacts of river basin development on production

performance of peasant farmers.

A problem need not necessarily mean that something is wrong in the current situation which
could
needs to immediately. t simply indicates an issue for which finding a solution
be rectified
to a clear,
help to improve an existing situation. Problem statement or problem definition refers
with the goal of
precise and succinct statement of question or issue that is to be investigated
finding an answer or solution.

Components of Research Problem

The components of research problem are as suggested by R. L. Ackoff in the "Design of

Social Research" is elaborated below:

0) There must be an individual or a group which has some difficulty with problem.

(i) There must be some objective(s) to be attained at.

m) There must be alternative means or course of action for obtaining the objectives.

(1v) There must be some doubt in the minds of a researcher with regard to the selection of

alternati ves.
There must be some environment to which the difficulty pertains.

Features of Research Problems

arious important features of research problems are:
t should be of great interest to the researcher. Kesearcher shal have to spend many months

A lively interest in the subject will be an invaluable incentive to

nvestigating the problem.
persevere.
The problem should be significant. It 1s not worth ume and efort investigating a trivial

that has already been done elsewhere.

Problem or repeating work
The problem should be delineated. Consider the time researcher have to complete the work.

and the depth to which the problem will be addressed. Researcher can cover a wide field
 46 Business Research Methods

(iv) Personal Experience

h e everyday experiences can give rise to worthwhile problems for investigation. Think

criically about your own experiences and/or frustrations with an issue facing society. your
community. your neighborhood, your family, or your personal life. This can be derived, for
Cxample, from deliberate observations of certain relationships for which there is no clear
explanation or witnessing an event that appears harmful to a person or group or that is out of the

ordinary.

(P)Relevant Literature
The selection of a research problem can be derived from an extensive and thorough review
of pertinent research associated with your overall area of interest. This may reveal where gaps
exist in our understanding of a topic. Research may be conducted to: 1) fill such gaps in
knowledge; 2) evaluate if the methodologies employed in prior studies can be adapted to solve
other problems; or, 3) determine if a similar study could be conducted in a different subject area
or applied to different study sample. Also, authors frequently conclude their studies by
mentioning implications for further research; this can also be a valuable source of new problems
to investigate.

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
Objective of research is one the important elements for conducting any research because it
helps in determining the possibility of conducting the study. Basically, the broad aim
researches is to confim the reliability of existing knowledge and to find the deviation of existing
knowledge ic. to contribute new knowledge in the existing knowledge. Before conducting the
research it is important to identify your objective(s) because it evades wastage of time and
efforts in afterward stages. Keeping the system requirement into consideration, research
objectives must be clearly identifiable. To identify a research objective(s) following things are

important: Research Questions, Hypotheses and Research Study Boundary.

Research Queshions
Rescarch questions arise before the study is conducted. These problems are the issues
which are not resolved till date. Some of the important problems which can arise during research
are: What is the objective(s) of the study? How would the objective(s) of the study be achieved?
And why is the specified method applied for the study? Objectives and Hypotheses of the study
or research problem would be achieved by giving answers to the above questions.

Eypotheses
be
Hypotheses are assumptions about some population which must
characteristics of
of empirical evidence. Few examples of the hypotheses are
accepted or rejected on the basis
given below:
 Introduction 17

A firm performance has positive relationship with capital structure.

There is a positive relatiomship between firm performance and CE0 compensation.

Direct foreign investment has no intluence over the employment of the country.
In the above conditions, Hypotheses may be true or false. It is generally constructed tor a

situation where the influence is not explicit. After collecting und analyzing the data the fact Can

be identificd.

Research Sudy Boundar

After clcarly defining the research problems and hypotheses, the boundaries and limits of

the study must be properly defincd. Assumptions of the study will make the research infeasible
when it will consider the whole universe in the study. Although, it may be bencficial for the firm
to evaluate cach and every aspect during the process of research but it is nol possible due to size

constrains and complexities.

CATEGORIZATION OF RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

Research objective(s) can be categorized into qualitative and quantitative. The aim of the
of research. Examples of the
qualitative objective is to test the hypotheses significance a

qualitaive objecives are following:

a)A research on testing the impact of cultural change on national economy.

b) A research on the impulse buying behavior of consumers at grocery stores.

c)A study on testing the relationship betweco the level of employment and industrial
automaton.

A research testing the relationship between sales and the education level of sales force of
d on

an organization.

The purpose of the quantitative objectives is to optimize certain performance measures of

the research system. Here are few examples of quantitative research objectives:
a) A research to predict the product demand with high precision.

b) A research on training methods to find out the merits and demerits of numerous training
methods applied in a firm with a view to increase the productivity of labor.

) A research on layout design aimed to minimize the material handling cost and increase the
equipment utilization.
d) A research on advertising budget in relation to other expenditures such that the incremental
sales revenue is maximized.