MODULE 2

DEFINING THE RESEARCH PROBLEM AND

REVIEWING THE LITERATURE
INTRODUCTION
In research process, the first and foremost step happens to be that of selecting and
properly defining a research problem. A researcher must find the problem and
formulate it so that it becomes susceptible to research. Like a medical doctor, a
researcher must examine all the symptoms (presented to him or observed by him)
concerning a problem before he can diagnose correctly. To define a problem
correctly, a researcher must know: what a problem is?
WHAT IS A RESEARCH PROBLEM?
A research problem, in general, refers to some difficulty which a researcher
experiences in the context of either a theoretical or practical situation and wants
to obtain a solution for the same.
CONDITIONS TO BE MET FOR RESEARCH PROBLEM:

1) There must be an individual or a group or an organisation, let us call it ‘I,’ to whom the
problem can be attributed. The individual or the organisation occupies an environment, say ‘N’,
which is defined by values of the uncontrolled variables, Yj.
2) There must be at least two courses of action, say C1 and C2, to be pursued. A course of action
is defined by one or more values of the controlled variables. For example, the number of items
purchased at a specified time is said to be one course of action
3) There must be at least two possible outcomes, say O1 and O2, one per course of action i.e., an
objective
4) The courses of action must provide some chance of obtaining the objective, such that each
choices have different efficiencies for the desired outcomes Thus, if P(Oj|I,Cj,N) represents the
probability that an outcome Oj will occur, if I select Cj in N, then P(O1|I,C1, N) not equal to
P(O1|I,C2,N)
Components of a research problem
a. There must be an individual or a group which has some problem I
b. There must be some environment(s) to which the difficulty pertains N
c. There must be some objective(s) to be attained O1, O2
d. There must be alternative means (or the courses of action) for obtaining the
objective(s) c1, c2
e. There must remain some doubt with regard to the selection of alternatives based on
efficiency
A research problem is one which requires a researcher to find out the best solution i.e.,
which course of action the objective can be attained optimally in the context of a given
environment.
The individual or the organisation ‘I’ have the problem which can be technically
described as a research problem, if ‘I’ wants one or more desired outcomes ‘o’ ,with two
or more courses of action that have different efficiency for the desired objective(s) and
‘I’ are in doubt about which course of action is best
SELECTING THE PROBLEM
The research problem undertaken for study must be carefully selected with the research
guide
Following points may be observed while selecting a research problem:
1. Subject which is overdone should not be normally selected
2. Controversial subject should not be chosen by an average researcher
3. Too narrow or too vague problems should be avoided
4. The subject selected for research should be familiar and feasible so that the related
research material or sources of research are within one’s reach
5. The importance of the subject, the qualifications and the training of a researcher, the
costs involved, and the time factor are few other criteria that must also be considered
6. The selection of a problem must be preceded by a preliminary study (for new study)
NECESSITY OF DEFINING THE PROBLEM

Problem clearly stated is a problem half solved

A proper definition of research problem will enable the researcher to be on the
track whereas an ill-defined problem may create hurdles.
Questions like: What data are to be collected? What characteristics of data are
relevant and need to be studied? What relations are to be explored? What
techniques are to be used for the purpose? The researcher can well plan his
strategy and find answers to all such questions only when the research problem
has been well defined.
TECHNIQUE INVOLVED IN DEFINING A PROBLEM

The technique for definition of research problem:

1. Statement of the problem in a general way: First of all the problem should
be stated in a broad general way, keeping in view either some practical concern
or some scientific or intellectual interest. For social research purpose, the
researcher must conduct pilot survey. Then the researcher himself or with
guides help can state the problem,
Often, the guide puts forth the problem in general terms, and it is then up to the
researcher to narrow it down and phrase the problem in operational terms.
Feasibility of a particular solution has to be considered and the same should be
stated in the problem
2. Understanding the nature of the problem: To discuss it with those who first
raised find out how the problem originally came about and with what objectives
in view
Keep in view the environment within which the problem is to be studied and
understood
3. Surveying the available literature: All available literature concerning the
problem at hand must necessarily be surveyed and examined before a definition
of the research problem
Knowing what data are available often serves to narrow the problem and
choose technique that might be used
Surveying help a researcher to know if there are certain gaps and inconsistency in
the theories; understand the type of difficulties that may be encountered; possible
analytical shortcomings also show new lines of approach to solve the present
problem
4. Developing the ideas through discussions: A researcher must discuss his
problem with his colleagues and others who have enough experience in the same
area or in working on similar problems which is the experience survey.
Discussion helps researcher to sharpen his focus of attention on specific aspects
within the field, provide general approach; techniques that might be used;
possible solutions, etc.
5. Rephrasing the research problem: Finally, the researcher must rephrase the
research problem into a working proposition ,the researcher puts the research
problem in as specific terms as possible so that it may become operationally
viable and may help in the development of working hypothesis.
Following points must also be observed while defining a research
problem

1. Technical terms and words or phrases, with special meanings used

should be clearly defined
2. Basic assumptions or postulates should be clearly stated
3. The value of the investigation (i.e., the criteria for the selection of the
problem) should be provided
4. The suitability of the time-period and the sources of data available must
also be specified
5. The scope of the investigation or the limits must be mentioned explicitly
An illustration
The technique of defining a problem can be illustrated for better understanding by
taking an example as under:
Let us suppose that a research problem in a broad general way is as follows:
“Why is productivity in Japan so much higher than in India”?
“What factors were responsible for the higher labour productivity of Japan’s
manufacturing industries during the decade 1971 to 1980 relative to India’s
manufacturing industries?”
“To what extent did labour productivity in 1971 to 1980 in Japan exceed that of India in
respect of 15 selected manufacturing industries? What factors were responsible for the
productivity differentials between the two countries by industries?”
The place of the literature review in research

A literature review has the following functions:

It provides a theoretical background to study.
It helps to establish the links between what is being proposed to examine and what has already
been studied.
It enables to show how the findings that have contributed to the existing body of knowledge in
the profession.
It helps to integrate the research findings into the existing body of knowledge.
In relation to particular research study, the literature review can help in four ways.
1. Brings clarity and focuses on research problem;
2. Improves research methodology
3. Broadens the knowledge base in your research area; and
4. Contextualises the findings.
Bringing clarity and focus to your research problem

There is a paradox in the literature review: you cannot undertake an effective literature review
unless you have formulated a research problem, yet your literature search plays an extremely
important role in helping you to formulate your research problem. The literature review brings
clarity and focus to your research problem, improves your research methodology and broadens
your knowledge base.
When reviewing the literature one learns what aspects of subject area are examined by others,
suggestions for further research. All these will help to gain a greater insight, clarity and focus
which are central to a relevant and valid study. In addition, it will help one to focus on the study
on areas where there are gaps in the existing body of knowledge, thereby enhancing its relevance.
Improving research methodology
Reading literature review will help in the following
1. Methodologies
2.Process and methods similar to the present work and their efficiencies
Broadening the knowledge base in the research area

Literature review ensures to read widely around the subject area in which one intends to conduct
the research study. It is important that one should know what other researchers have found in
regard to the same or similar questions, what theories have been put forward.
A thorough literature review helps one to become expert in his/her area of research. Another
important reason for doing a literature review is that it helps to understand how the findings of
present study fits into the existing body of knowledge .
Enabling to contextualise the findings

Obtaining answers to research questions is comparatively easy: the difficult part is examining
how those findings fit into the existing body of knowledge.
How do answers of present research questions compare with what others have found?
What contribution the present study is able to make to the existing body of knowledge?
How are the present study findings different from those of others?
Undertaking a literature review enables to compare the present study findings with those of
others and answer these questions.
How to review the literature

If one does not have a specific research problem, he/she should review the literature in broad
area of interest with the aim of gradually narrowing it down to the findings.
After that the literature review should be focused around the research problem.
There is a danger in reviewing the literature without having a reasonably specific idea as it results
in a less innovative choice of research problem and methodology.
There are four steps involved in conducting a literature review:
1. Searching for the existing literature in present area of study.
2. Reviewing the selected literature.
3. Developing a theoretical framework.
4. Developing a conceptual framework.
Searching for the existing literature

To search effectively for the literature in the field of enquiry, it is important to have at least
some idea of the broad subject area and the problem of investigation, in order to set
parameters for the search.
Next, compile a bibliography for this broad area. There are three sources that can be used to
prepare a bibliography: books ,journals, the Internet.
Reviewing the selected literature
After identifying several books and articles as useful, the next step is to start reading them
critically to pull together themes and issues that are of relevant to the study. The following
example details the process.
1.Drought condition :What does it mean?
2.Factors responsible for drought.
3.Historical development of drought.
4.Attitude of community towards existence of drought.
5.Effects of drought on community, agriculture etc.
6.Strategies developed to overcome drought.
Keeping in mind that one may add more themes as the process continues . While going through
the literature one should carefully and critically examine it with respect to the following aspects:
1.Note whether the knowledge relevant to theoretical framework has been confirmed beyond
doubt.
2.Note the theories put forward, the criticisms of these and their basis, the methodologies adopted
(study design, sample size and its characteristics, measurement procedures, etc.) and the
criticisms of them.
3.Examine to what extent the findings can be generalised to other situations.
4.Notice where there are significant differences of opinion among researchers and give your
opinion about the validity of these differences.
5.Ascertain the areas in which little or nothing is known – the gaps that exist in the body of
knowledge.
DEVELOPING A THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
It is important to set parameters by reviewing the literature for there is limited time
The information obtained from different books and journals now needs to be sorted under the
main themes and theories, highlighting agreements and disagreements among the authors and
identifying the unanswered questions or gaps.
Use direct and indirect aspects of literature review as a basis for developing the theoretical
framework.
The review of literature should sort out the information, within a particular framework. Unless
the review of the literature is in relation to the proposed framework, one will not be able to
develop a focus in the literature search
The theoretical framework provides the researcher with a guide .
E.g. Researching on the bright and dark side of the relationship between industrialization and
agriculture ,in simple words : Environmental impact assessment of industries or urbanization on
environment.
1.The growth of industrialization and the diminishing environment
2. Studying economic ,religious, medical etc.
3. Pollution causing industries, eco friendly industries ,strategies to overcome the affects of
industrialization
Literature pertinent to your study may deal with two types of information:
1. universal; e.g.. Studying about drought.
2. more specific (i.e. local trends or a specific programme). Eg. Studying about RWH
In writing about such information you should start with the general information, gradually
narrowing it down to the specific.
Developing a conceptual framework
The conceptual framework is the basis of the research problem.
The base of conceptual framework is theoretical framework and usually focuses on the section(s)
which become the basis of the study.
The theoretical framework consists of the theories or issues in which the study is embedded, the
conceptual framework describes the aspects that are selected from the theoretical framework to
become the basis of the enquiry.
Hence the conceptual framework grows out of the theoretical framework and relates to the
specific research problem.
WRITING ABOUT THE LITERATURE REVIEWED
Two of the broad functions of a literature review are :
(1) to provide a theoretical background to the study
(2) to enable to contextualise the findings in relation to the existing body of knowledge in
addition to refining the methodology.
The content of the literature review should reflect these two purposes.
In order to fulfil the first purpose, one should identify and describe various theories relevant to the
field; and specify gaps in existing knowledge in the area, recent advances in the area of study, current
trends and so on.
In order to fulfil the second function one should integrate the results from the study with specific and
relevant findings from the existing literature by comparing the two for confirmation or contradiction.
Note that at this stage one can only accomplish the first function of the literature review, to
provide a theoretical background to the study.
For the second function, the contextualisation of the findings, one has to wait till report writing
stage.
It is strongly recommended to write your literature review under subheadings based upon the
main themes that the researcher have discovered and which form the basis of the theoretical
framework. These subheadings should be precise, descriptive of the theme in question and follow
a logical progression.
E.g.
1.History of industrialisation.
2.Advantages an disadvantages on environment
3.Detoriation of environment from the rise of industrialisation.
4.Methods to control the adverse affects of industries on environment.
5.Methods to control the pollution from industries.
6.Progress from pollution causing industries to eco friendly industries.
Assignment 3
Explain in detail how
1. books
2. journals
3. internet
helps in literature survey.