RESEARCH PROBLEM

Research ideas and problems

 Research begins with a researcher

identifying a research topic, question or
problem, and follows methodologically, step
by step, to study and investigate the
problem.
Definition of a research problem

 Research process  
 The first step in any research is selection and
properly defining a research problem.
 A researcher must find the problem and formulate it
so that it becomes susceptible to research.
 Like a doctor, a researcher must examine all the
symptoms (presented to him or observed by him)
concerning a problem before he can diagnose it
correctly.
 To define the problem properly, a researcher must
know: what a problem is.
What is a research problem?
 

 A research problem, in general refers to difficulty,

which a researcher experiences in the text of either
theoretical or practical situation and wants to obtain
a solution for the same.
 There are two type of research problem
–  Those related to states of nature .
– Those related to relationship between variables.
 At the very onset, the researcher must single out the
problem he wants to study i.e. he must decide the
general areas of interest or aspect of subject-matter
that he would like to inquire into.
 Initially the problem may be stated in a broad general
way and the ambiguities, if any relating to the
problem be resolved.
 Then the feasibility of particular problem can be set
up.
 Like any decision making process, problem
selection is a complex procedure involving
numerous factors.
  Below are some of factors
1. Curiosity - on of the oldest and most common source of
research problem is curiosity. Just you interest in football
or gardening may stimulate you to investigate a
phenomenon in which you have a special interest.
2. Significance to others - Selection of topics often reflects
the teachers or fellow students since researchers are
recruited and trained.
3. Social problems eg. drug abuse, poverty, urban riot,
energy crisis may generate a research.
4. Theory - most research conducted is an effort to test
proposition. The researcher begins with a theory and use
empirical evidence to find how well that description
actually fits reality.
5. Research: research can develop further research
concerned.
Selecting the problem

 Must be carefully selected

 Each and every researcher must find out his
own salvation, for research problems can not
be borrowed
 The problem must be from the researcher’s
mind
 A research guide can only be used to help
the researcher
 The following points my be observed by a researcher
– Subject that is overdone should not be normally chosen, for
it will be difficult task to throw a new light in such a case.
– Controversial subject should not become the choice of an
average researcher
– Too narrow or vague problems should be avoided
– The subject selected for research should be familiar and
feasible
– The study should be preceded by preliminary study
What is a research topic

 The topic must be clear in mind after reading

more about a research idea
 The topic and area of study are determined
by the selected research idea
 The topic should be brief, clear, short and
informative
 The leader should know the expected
research outcome by reading the topic
Describing the topic

 After identifying the topic, a thorough literature review

should be done to understand:
– The philosophical perspectives of the topic
– Methods and tools used by other investigators to solve the problem
– How familiar research problems were solved by other researches
– Validity of previous research
– reliability of instruments for data collection
– Methods of analysis
– Results, findings, conclusions and recommendations
 Knowledge from LR helps researcher understand the research
problem and topic clearly