CHAPTER TWO

RESEARCH TOPICS
AND
PROBLEMS FORMULATION
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 What is a research problem?

 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.
Workings of a research problem
 There must be an individual or a group or an organization which has some difficulty or the
problem.
 There must be some objective(s) to be attained at
 There must remain some doubt in the mind of a researcher with regard to the selection of
alternatives.
 There must be some environment(s) to which the difficulty pertains.
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 Techniques in Defining a Problem

• Defining a problem involves the task of laying down boundaries within which a researcher shall study the problem
with a pre-determined objective in view.

 statement of the problem in a general way;

 understanding the nature of the problem;

 surveying the available literature

 developing the ideas through discussions; and

 rephrasing the research problem into a working proposition.

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 Techniques in Defining a Problem

• Defining a problem involves the task of laying down boundaries within which a researcher shall study the problem
with a pre-determined objective in view.

 statement of the problem in a general way;

 understanding the nature of the problem;

 surveying the available literature

 developing the ideas through discussions; and

 rephrasing the research problem into a working proposition.

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 Problem Formulation

• A problem formulation (identification) means choosing a topic or defining the general interest area of the study.
• Your problem formulation should keep the following points:
The discrepancy/inconsistency between what is and what should be,
for example:
- 30% of unemployment ------ what is.
- All should be employed------what should be.
The magnitude or incidence of the problem,
for example:- only 30% of Ethiopian labor force is employed.
 Population affected by the problem:
-who are directly or indirectly affected by the problem?
 Previous attempts to address the issue:

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 Writing the problem statement

• The following is a simple and straightforward template often used in Business Analysis to maintain
focus on defining the problem.
Ideal Reality Consequences Proposal
• IDEAL: This section is used to describe the desired or “to be” state of the process or product. It
identifies the goals of the stakeholders and customers as well as assists in defining scope. At large, this
section should illustrate what the expected environment would look like once the solution is
implemented.
• REALITY: This section is used to describe the current or “as is” state of the process or product. It
explains the pain points expressed by the stakeholders and customers. It should also include the
insights and expertise of the project team and subject matter experts provided during problem analysis.

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 …Writing the problem statement
• CONSEQUENCES: This section is used to describe the impacts on the business if
the problem is not fixed or improved upon. This includes costs associated with loss
of money, time, productivity, competitive advantage, and so forth. The magnitude of
these effects will also help determine the priority of the project.
• PROPOSAL: This section is used to describe potential solutions. Once the ideal,
reality, and consequences sections have been completed, understood, and approved,
the project team can start offering options for solving the problem. It can also include
suggestions by the stakeholders and customers, although further discussions and
research will be needed before a specific course of action can be determined.

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 Example
• The following is an example of a simple problem statement for the creation of a single sign on capability:
• IDEAL
 Ideally our users would be able sign into their laptops and then automatically have access to all of the applications they need to use.
• REALITY
 In reality we use at least three applications every day to accomplish our work. Each application is protected by a password with
different requirements for username & password length. Passwords also expire at different times.
• CONSEQUENCES
 Users waste approximately 2 minutes per day logging into multiple applications (500 users * 2 minutes per day = 1000 minutes in lost productivity;
1000 minutes = 16.67 hrs per day * $75/hr = $1250 per day).
 Helpdesk resolves approximately 6000 calls per year to reset forgotten passwords & unlock accounts. Security risk as users will continue to write
usernames & passwords on sticky notes at their desks.
• PROPOSAL
 Have S/W Dev, Network Administration and business stakeholders collaborate to evaluate potential solutions for a Single Sign On
capability

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 Research Topics/Titles
A research topic is a subject or issue that a researcher is interested in when
conducting research.
Research topic is the starting point of every successful research project.

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 Topic Selection Considerations
 Personal interest
 Organizational support
 Ethical issues
 Relevance of the study
 Contribution to the field
 Time constraints
 Breath and scope
 Economic factors
 Others

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 Sources of Research Topics

Journals, books, and dissertations in your Expert consultations

field Online library services
Conferences, workshops, presentations Magazines and periodicals
Recommendations about future research Research summaries
Courses Every day situations
Workplace
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 Research Topic Relevance

Basic questions that should be answered

Is the topic too broad?
Can the problem be really investigated?
Are the data susceptible to analysis?
Is the problem significant
-Is the problem add knowledge to the information already available in the field?
-What is the real purpose of the study?
Can the result of the study be generalized
-one must generalize from it
What cost and time can be involved?
Is planned approach is appropriate for the study?
Is there any potential harm to the subjects

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 Research Topic Vs Research
Although topic and title are Title
often used interchangeably, topic actually to an object or area
of study.

If topic is child mortality, title can be reducing child mortality rate in Ethiopia. 

Research topic is broader than research title.

Usually you derive the title of your research from the topic.

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 Effective Research Titles characteristics.
Indicate accurately the subject and scope of the study.
Avoid using abbreviations.
Use words that create a positive impression and
stimulate reader interest.
Use current nomenclature from the field of study.
Identify key variables, both dependent and independent.
May reveal how the paper will be organized.
Suggest a relationship between variables which supports
the major hypothesis.
Is limited to 10 to 15 substantive words.
Do not include "study of," "analysis of" or similar
constructions.
Titles are usually in the form of a phrase, but can also be
in the form of a question.
Use correct grammar and capitalization with all first
words and last words capitalized, including the first
word of a subtitle. All nouns,  pronouns, verbs,
adjectives, and adverbs that appear between the first and
last words of the title are also capitalized.
In academic papers, rarely is a title followed by an
exclamation mark. However, a title or subtitle can be in
the form of a question mark.
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 Formulation of Hypothesis and Research
Questions
• A hypothesis is often described as an attempt by the researcher to explain the phenomenon of interest.
• It is a formal statement regarding the relation between variables and it is tested directly.
• It is a statement of what we expect to observe if the theory is true.

 In formulating a research hypothesis, please keep yourself aware of the following criteria:

 Stand a test;

 Be expressed in clear language;

 Be in accordance with them general theme of other hypotheses statements in the same field of study, and should be regarded as valid;

 Be coordinated with the theory of science;

 Be a tentative answer for the formulated problem;

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 ….cont’d
Be logical and simplistic;
Consider available research techniques (to be able to analysed and interpret the results);
Be specific; and
Be relevant to the collection of empirical phenomenon, and not merely conclude value judgment.
For example:

1. Leadership practices have positive and significant effect on employee job satisfaction in ……..
2. Training has a positive relationship with the productivity of employees
3. Seniority has a positive and significant effect on performance of …
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• Discuss on the following terms and give basic differences between each
• Research problem
• Research topic
• Research purpose and
• Research Questions

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