PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION

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 INTRODUCTION
• Problem identification is the first and foremost step to initiate a
journey.
• Know your destination first.
• Confusion is the beginning of gaining clarity.

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Selecting the Research Problem
depends on
• Expertise of researcher in Research Methodology.
• Knowledge of researcher about the subject area.
• Understanding of issues to be examined.
• Predetermining the focus of researcher’s study.

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Sources of Research Problem:
Research in Humanities revolve around 4Ps
• People
• Problems
• Programmes
• Phenomena

Most research studies are based on a combination of 2Ps.

e.g. Person and problem , Phenomenon and programme.

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Considerations in selecting a
research problem:
• Interest of researcher
• Magnitude of the subject under selection.
• Measurement of concepts
• Level of Expertise
• Relevance
• Availability of Data
• Ethical Issues

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Steps in selecting a research problem
I. Identify a broad field or subject area of interest to researcher

Ask Yourself
What interests me?
What is the use of research in future?

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II- Dissect the broad area into sub areas
• Read literature to gain knowledge.
• Consult others who have more knowledge in the subject area.
• Continue developing an exhaustive list of subareas.

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III- Select what is of most interest to you
• Your most passionate area.(Process of Elimination)
• Examine if manageable ?
• Review time which is available?
• Examine availability of resources at your disposal.
• Your credibility and expertise in the area.

Cross check-passion, Manageability, available time and other resources

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IV- Raise Research Questions
Ask yourself What is it that I want to find out about in the chosen
subarea?
Make a list of measurable research questions.
List all questions which you want to answer.

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V- Formulate Objectives: Set Goals
• Based on Research Questions, formulate main objective and sub
objectives
• Main Objective reflects main thrust of the study
• Sub objectives reflect the specific aspects of the topic under
investigation within the main frame of research study.
• Objectives should include different action oriented phrases in the
beginning of sentences. E.g. To find out, To determine, To ascertain, To
examine etc.
• Objectives should be
S(specific),M(Measurable),A(Achievable),R(Reliable) and T(Time bound)
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VI- Double Check All The Steps
Review all steps again and ask these questions
• Are you sufficiently interested?
• Do you have adequate resources?
• Are you enthusiastic in undertaking the research?
• Do you have the required technical expertise?
• Do you have the required time at your disposal?

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Scope of the Study
• Decision regarding the study population
Decide who will constitute your study population?
e.g. If you have to ascertain the needs of adolescents living in an urban
slum you must decide
Who is an adolescent?
Which urban slum are you talking about? (Geographical Area)

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 Establishing Operational Definitions
• Operationalize all the terms in the title as well as objectives. Simplify till
you are able to understand them yourself.
• Operationalization : Defining or establishing a set of rules, indicators or
yardsticks to establish clearly the meaning of all concepts whose
meaning may vary from respondent to respondent. It is very important to
obtain information from the respondents in a uniform and unambiguous
manner. It could also be different from legal , census or dictionary
definition depending on the requirements of the research study.
• e.g. Children below poverty line. The definition of poverty line needs to
be decided.

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 Aravali College of Engineering And Management
Jasana, Tigoan Road, Neharpar, Faridabad, Delhi NCR
Toll Free Number : 91- 8527538785
Website : www.acem.edu.in

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