Formulation of Research

Problem
Research Methodology (RCH 601)

Nepal Engineering College

Center for Postgraduate Studies (nec-CPS)

(Some parts of the lectures are adapted from the Dr. Noriza Mohd Jamal, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia)
 Anticipation of Research Problem

• 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.
• To define a problem correctly, a researcher must
know: what a problem is?
• https://libguides.umgc.edu/c.php?g=709287&p=5388938 plz
visit
 Research Problem
• “Research Problem” means a question or
issue
to be examined.
• Formulating a research problem entails asking a
previously unanswered question for which an
answer is sought.
A research problem is a statement about an
area of concern, a condition to be improved,
a difficulty to be eliminated, or a troubling
question that exists in scholarly literature, in
theory, or in practice that points to the need
for meaningful Source:understanding
Sacred Heart University and deliberate
investigation.
https://library.sacredheart.edu/c.php?g=29803&p=185918
 Types of Research
Problem
1. Theoretical research problem
2. Applied research problem
3. Action research problem

4
Theoretical Research Problem
• Theoretical explanation of a research problem
• Gives only theory and meaning of the problem
• Defines the problem theoretically
• There is no need of hypothesis and verification
Features
• It is exploratory
• It is theoretical in nature
• It provides basic meaning

5
 Applied Research Problem
• Practical use of the theoretical knowledge
• Field work and visits to problematic situation
is necessary
• It has the design of hypothesis and
verification
Features
• It is practical in nature
• It has exploratory hypothesis
• It wants verification

6
Action Research Problem
• Action research problem is that one
for which the immediate solution is
required
• This type of research is continuous and
needs
Features quick solution in emergency basis
• It is welfare oriented
• It is service oriented
• It is sensitive and immediate decision
required for solution
7
The purpose of a problem statement is to:

• Introduce the reader importance of the topic

being studied. The reader is oriented to the
significance of the study and the research
questions or hypotheses to follow.
• Places the problem into a particular context
that defines the parameters of what is to be
investigated.
• Provides the framework for reporting the results
and indicates what is probably necessary to
conduct the study and explain how the finding
will present this information (keep research in
track)
Sacred Heart University
https://library.sacredheart.edu/c.php?g=29803&p=185918
 What is a research question?
is a statement that identifies the phenomenon to be studied

The research question begins with a research problem, an

issue someone would like to know more about or a
situation that needs to be changed or addressed, such as:
• Areas of concern
• Conditions that could be improved
• Difficulties that need to be eliminated
• Questions seeking answers
A research problem can relate to a specific topic or opportunity.
For example: climate change
A research question provides an area to focus on regarding a
research problem. For example: How is ozone levels impacted due
to global temperature rise?

https://researchrundowns.com/intro/writing-research-questions/
 What is a research question?
A research problem leads to a hypothesis (H) and/or
research question. Research questions should in some way:
• Be worth investigating
• Contribute knowledge & value to the field
• Improve educational practice
• Improve the human condition

Characteristics of a good research question:

• The question is feasible.
• The question is clear.
• The question is significant.
• The question is ethical.

https://researchrundowns.com/intro/writing-research-questions/
 Subject Matter Identification
• Observations
• Behaviors
• Concepts
• Theories
• Testing of assessment and intervention
strategies (ex: report reviews and deducing
issues/gaps)
 Subject Matter Identification
• Everyday life (Professional experience)
• Practical issues (Burning questions)
• Past research/Literature (Research often
generates more questions, Disagreements
among studies can lead to worthwhile research)
• Professional meetings
• Discussions
 Sources of Problems for Investigation
• Identifying a problem to study can be challenging, not because there
is a lack of issues that could be investigated, but due to pursuing a goal
of formulating a socially relevant and researchable problem statement
that is unique and does not simply duplicate the work of others.

1. Deductions from Theory

This relates to deductions made from social philosophy or
generalizations embodied in life in society that the researcher is
familiar with. These deductions from human behavior are then fitted
within an empirical frame of reference through research. From a theory,
the research can formulate a research problem or hypothesis stating the
expected findings in certain empirical situations. The research asks the
question: “What relationship between variables will be observed if
theory suitably summarizes the state of affairs?” One can then
design and carry out a systematic investigation to assess
whether empirical data confirm or reject the hypothesis and hence
the theory. The main focus is of theory testing is to find evidence to
confirm a theory. Theory testing tries to find out if there is sufficient
evidence to substantiate the theory under consideration.

Source: Sacred Heart University 9

https://library.sacredheart.edu/c.php?g=29803&p=185918
 Sources of Problems for Investigation
•2. Interdisciplinary Perspectives

• Identifying a problem that forms the basis for a research

study can come from academic movements and
scholarship originating in disciplines outside of your
primary area of study.
• A review of relevant literature should include examining
research from related disciplines, which can expose you to
new path/direction of exploration and analysis.
• An interdisciplinary approach to selecting a research
problem offers an opportunity to construct a more
comprehensive understanding of a very complex issue than
any single discipline might provide.

Source: Sacred Heart University

https://library.sacredheart.edu/c.php?g=29803&p=185918
 Sources of Problems for Investigation
3. Interviewing Practitioners

• The identification of research problems about particular

topics can arise from formal or informal
discussions with practitioners who provide insight into
new directions for future research and how to make
research findings increasingly relevant to practice.
• Discussions with experts in the field, such as, teachers,
social workers, health care providers, etc., offers the
chance to identify practical, “real world” problems
that may be understudied or ignored within academic
circles.
• This approach also provides some practical knowledge
which may help in the process of designing and
conducting your study.
Source: Sacred Heart University
https://library.sacredheart.edu/c.php?g=29803&p=185918
 Sources of Problems for Investigation
4. Personal Experience

• Your everyday can give rise to worthwhile

problems
experiencesfor investigation.
• Think critically about your own experiences and/or
frustrations with an issue facing society, your community,
or in your neighborhood.
• This can be derived, for example, 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.

Source: Sacred Heart University

https://library.sacredheart.edu/c.php?g=29803&p=185918
 Sources of Problems for Investigation
5. Relevant Literature
• The selection of a research problem can often be derived from
an extensive and thorough review of pertinent research associated
with your overall area of interest.
• This may reveal where gaps remain in our understanding of a
topic. Research may be conducted to:
– fill such gaps in knowledge;
– evaluate if the methodologies employed in prior studies can be adapted
to solve other problems; or,
– determine if a similar study could be conducted in a different subject area or
applied to different study sample [i.e., different groups of people].
• Also, authors frequently conclude their studies by noting implications
for further research; this can also be a valuable source of
problems to investigate.

Source: Sacred Heart University

https://library.sacredheart.edu/c.php?g=29803&p=185918
Importance of Research Problem

• Establishes the importance of topics

• Provides the framework for reporting the
results
• Creates interest in reader
• Guide literature search
• Guide for selection of research design
• Guide for type and source of data collection
• Guide for analysis of data
• Restricts to going off from the scope of research
 Determining Whether a Problem
Should Be Researched
• Can you study the problem?
– Do you have access to the research site?
– Do you have the time, resources, and skills to carry
out the research?
• Should you study the problem?
– Does it advance knowledge?
– Does it contribute to practice?

Dr. M.K. Dhamala

 Determining Whether a Problem
Should Be Researched
• Will your study fill a gap or void in the existing
literature?
• Will your study replicate a past study but examine
different participants and different research sites?
• Will your study extend past research or examine
the topic more thoroughly?
• Will your study give voice to people not heard,
silenced, or rejected in society?
• Will your study inform practice? (enhance what you
are already doing)
 Stating the Research Problem
So What!
• The research problem establishes the means by which
you
must answer the "So What?" question.
• The "So What?" question refers to a research
problem surviving the relevancy test [the quality of a
measurement procedure that provides repeatability and
accuracy].(ex: bod of bagmati is very high #you need to measure water
sample @ different location, diff time, many time until desired accuracy is
reached)

• Note that answering the "So What" question requires

a commitment on your part to not only show that you
have researched the Source:material, but that you have thought
Sacred Heart University
about its significance.
https://library.sacredheart.edu/c.php?
g=29803&p=185918
 Research Problem
Mistakes to Avoid
• Beware of circular reasoning. Don’t state that the research problem as simply the
absence of the thing you are suggesting. For example, if you propose, "The
problem in this community is that it has no hospital."

• This only leads to a research problem where:

 The need is for a hospital
 The objective is to create a hospital
 The method is to plan for building a hospital, and
 The evaluation is to measure if there is a hospital or not.

• This is an example of a research problem that fails the "so what?" test because it
does not reveal the relevance of why you are investigating the problem of having
no hospital in the community [e.g., there's a hospital in the community ten
miles away] and because the research problem does not explain the
significance of why one should study the fact that no hospital exists in the
community [e.g., that hospital in the community ten miles away has no emergency
room].
Source: Sacred Heart University
 What is a research question?
Examples:

1. What are the practices followed for construction

schedule management among the Class –
A contractors in Nepal?
2. What is the work schedule variation during
the
construction of X building?
3. How the top management are aware regarding the
risk management and their ways for practicing risk
management in their construction projects?
 Some consideration on
formulating a research question?
•Make research questions as specific and brief as possible.
• Avoid words or terms that do not add to the meaning of research questions
Example: Rather than: Among elementary school teachers, those who
are teaching in year-round schools will report having higher morale than those
who are teaching in elementary schools that follow a more traditional
school-year schedule.
Try: Among elementary school teachers, those who teach in year-round
schools have higher morale than those who teach on a traditional schedule.

•Stick to what will be studied, not implications or your value judgments.

Rather than: Religion is good for society.
Try: Regular attendance at religious services is inversely associated
with cheating
behavior while taking classroom tests.

https://researchrundowns.com/intro/writing-research-questions/
 Some consideration on
formulating a research question?
• Name the variables in the order in which
they occur or will be measured
• Avoid the words significant or significance.
• Avoid using the word “prove.”
• Avoid using two different terms to refer to the
same variable
• Avoid questions that results in Y/N answer

https://researchrundowns.com/intro/writing-research-questions/
 Defining research object
 A critical component of a successful research
engagement is a set of clearly defined and
meaningful objectives.
 Having well-defined objectives narrows and
focuses the research and ensures that the
findings are relevant to decision-makers.
 The research objectives drive all aspects of
the methodology, including instrument design,
data collection, analysis, and ultimately the
recommendations.
Important guidelines that should be observed when
Identifying research objectives are:
1. They should be presented briefly and concisely
2. They should be presented in logical sequence
3. They should be realistic (e.g., achieved within the
expected timeframe, achieved within the available
resources)
4. They should be phrased in operational terms (i.e., in a
way that brings the organization closer to its business
objectives)
5. They should use action verbs that are specific enough
to be evaluated or measured (e.g., assess, determine,
compare, verify, calculate, describe)
6. They should be static once the study work begins (i.e.,
objectives should not be moving targets)
7. Make sure it seeks analysis
 Formulating research question / hypotheses
• Hypothesis may be defined as a proposition or a set of
propositions set forth as an explanation for the occurrence of
some specified group of phenomena either asserted merely
as a provisional conjecture to guide some investigation in the
light of established facts” (Kothari, 1988).
• A well-thought-out and focused research question leads
directly to your hypotheses.
• Hypotheses are more specific predictions about the nature
and direction of the relationship between two variables.
• Hypotheses gives insight into a research question
– Are testable and measurable by the proposed
experiments?
• Each hypothesis is matched with a specific aim and has
rationale.
Dr Norzia Mad Jamal, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
 Design of study
• The research design refers to the overall strategy that
you choose to integrate the different components of
the study in a clear and logical way, thereby, ensuring
you will effectively address the research problem
• The design of a study defines the study type
(descriptive, correlation, semi-experimental,
experimental, review, analytic), research
problem, hypotheses, independent and dependent
variables with applicable, data collection methods
and analysis plan.

Dr Norzia Mad Jamal, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia

 Tools of data collection
Primary data
• Interviews (face-to-face interactions/indiviudal)
• Observation/experiment (audience behavior)
• Surveys/Questionnaires  collect data from subjects through
various sources like emails, social media (online), poll
• Focus group discussions group of respondents
Secondary data
Publications (reports, records, online published data)
• https://www.formpl.us/blog/data-collection-method
(Please go through it)

Dr Norzia Mad Jamal, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia

 Universe of Study
• The universe consists of all survey elements that qualify for
inclusion in the research study.
• From a statistical point of view, the term ‘Universe' refers to
the total of the items or units in any field of inquiry 
• the population or universe represents the entire group of units
which is the focus of the study. Thus, the population could
consist of all the persons in the country, or those in a particular
geographical location, or a special ethnic or economic group,
depending on the purpose and coverage of the study
•  For example, research about voting in an upcoming election
would have a universe comprising all voters

Dr Norzia Mad Jamal, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia

 Case Study (Hypothetical)
Due to the lack of knowledge about the material waste generated during
the construction process, construction industry has suffered a lot. It has
caused either loss of profit due to excessive wastage or quality problem due
to use of quantity below standard. At the same time, it has also caused
significant effect on environment. It is believed that building material
wastage on construction sites account for cost overruns and any
improvement in building materials management on construction sites has the
potential to enhance the construction industry’s performance with cost-
saving benefits (John and Itodo, 2013). Materials account for the largest
input into construction activities in the range of 50-60% of the total cost
of a project (Ganesan, 2000). So, knowledge about magnitude and causes
of materials waste in construction is important to improve the performance of
project.

Till date, there has been very little research regarding the construction
waste in building construction projects in Kathmandu Valley and hence there
is lack of idea about waste management and control measures (Baidya,
2018). So, the need of research in this field is necessary to generate
awareness on waste minimization and control in private building
construction industries in Kathmandu Valley.
 Case Study

Write the possible research questions and objectives from the

case study described in the previous slide.
 Case Study
Possible Research Questions

i. What is the actual quantity of waste materials in the

private housing building construction projects in
Kathmandu Valley?

ii. What are the major causes of material wastage?

iii. What are the possible measures to minimize wastage?

 Case Study
Possible Research Objectives
The overall objective of the study is to assess the
magnitude and the major causes of wastage of building
construction materials in the private housing building
construction projects in Kathmandu Valley.

The specific objectives of the study are as follows:

i. To determine the magnitude of wastage of
commonly used building construction materials in
private housing building construction projects in
Kathmandu Valley.
ii. To identify the major causes of wastage.
iii. To identify the possible measures to minimize wastage.
Literature Review
1. A literature review is a self-contained unit in a study,
which analyzes critically a segment of a published
body of knowledge through summary, classification
and comparison of prior research studies and
theoretical articles
(Cardesco and Ganter).
2. A literature review is a summary and analysis of
current knowledge about a particular topic or area
of enquiry (Williman).
3. A literature review is the process of locating
obtaining reading and evaluating the research
literature in the area of your interest (Haywood and
Wragg).
Sources of Literature Review
-Books
-Research journals/ research papers
-Abstracts
-Reports
-Thesis/Dissertations
-Electronic Media/ Internet
-Unpublished manuscripts
 Objectives of LR (American University Library)
 To see what has and has not been investigated
 To develop general explanations for
observed variations in a behavior or phenomenon
 To identify potential relationships between
concepts and to identify researchable hypotheses
 To learn how others have defined and measured
key concepts
 To identify data sources that other researchers
have used
 To discover how a research project is related to
the work of others
An effective LR should include the following
characteristics (Levy & Ellis, 2006)
 Methodologically analyzeand synthesize
quality literature.
 Provide a firm foundation to a research
topic.
 Provide a firmfoundation to the selection
of research methodology.
 Demonstrate that the proposed research
contributes something new to the overall
body of knowledge and advances the
research field’s knowledge-base.
Importance of Literature Review
1. Identifying research topic
2. Identify methodology and research technique
3. Assessing the success of various research designs
4. Draws a theoretical framework and defines the research
parameters
5. Discovers important variables relevant to the topic
6. Collecting ideas to collect data
7. Knowing methods of data analysis
8. Provides the foundation to the present study and provides
guide for a particular topic (continuity in research-linking
research with past studies)
9. Identify potential relationship between concepts and to
identify researchable hypothesis
10.Helps to avoid duplication of work