2021-05-03

RESEARCH PROBLEM-
definition, identification, selection,
sources and criteria

Frequently Asked Questions

 What is a problem?
 Where is the problem?
 How to identify a problem?
 Where to select the problem from?
 What sources are used for the selection of a
problem?
 When to identify and select the problem
 What are the features of a problem?
 Can I research this problem?
 Broad area ------specific topic-----ROs ---- RQs ----
FW------ Hypotheses

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 “Everybody wants to go to heaven but

nobody wants to die”
 If a situation has no possible solutions
then it makes little or no sense expending
resources on its researching.
 Take this statement, dying looks like a
problem that needs a solution yet there is
no possible solution to it. A research on
how people can live forever makes little
or no sense.

What Is a Research Problem?

1. A problem can be anything that a person
finds unsatisfactory or unsettling, a
difficulty of some sort, a state of affairs
that needs to be changed, anything that is
not working as well as it might.

2. Problems involve areas of concern to

researchers, conditions they want to
improve, difficulties they want to eliminate,
questions for which they seek answers.
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Research problem
 Generally speaking a research problem is a
situation that needs a solution and for which
there are possible solutions. If a situation has
no possible solutions then it makes little or no
sense expending resources on its researching.
 It is described as a gap in knowledge that
needs to be filled.

 Problem is a state of difficulty that needs to

be resolved;
 a question to be answered;
 situation that causes the researcher to feel
apprehensive, confused and ill at ease;
 something that bothers you and needs to
be resolved by research;
 It is the beginning of the research process
and ends with the solution to the problem;
 It is an intellectual stimulus, calling for an
answer in the form of scientific inquiry.

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 The problem comes from a Greek word

“PROBALLEIN” which means anything thrown
forward, a question proposed for solution, a
matter stated for examination.

 There may be two forms of research problem;

1. Phenomenal (related with the states of
nature e.g. productivity and production of one
factory in one area is better or worse than the
other) 2. Hypothetical (related with the
relationship between variables e.g. prosperity
depends on education, or income, or savings).

Statement of the problem (SOP)

 It is the expression of a disturbing situation
that needs investigation. It identifies the nature
of the problem that is being addressed in the
study, and typically its background (context)
and significance.
 It is the description of an issue currently
existing which needs to be addressed. It
provides the background for the research study
and generates the questions which the research
aims to answer. The statement of the problem is
the focal point of any research. A good
problem statement is just one sentence (with
several paragraphs of elaboration)
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Sources of research problem

Community
Social developments
Technological advancements
Literature review
Discussion
Questioning attitude
Consultation with researchers
Reference materials
Web posted materials
Theories
Theses and dissertations
Personal experience 9

Criteria Used For Identification And Selection

Of A Researchable Problem

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 One of the most difficult phases of research is the

choice of a suitable problem. At this the research
should not take a quick decision. He should consider
each and every aspect with full concentration. For this
purpose, researcher should:
 Select his field of specialization;
 Be a scholar in that specialization;
 Accept all the difficulties in that field;
 Study the available research literature;
 Prepare a record of problem studied by other in his
field of specialization.

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According to VOCKELL (1983) following are the major

considerations in the identification of the problem.
 The problem area should be closely related to
professional work.
 The problem must be significant to the society or field
of study.
 Always check the availability of needed facilities,
data and literature.
 Consider the time factor and level of expertness of
the researcher;
 Always check the risks with problem and cost on the
problem;
 Possibility for the publication of the result.
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According to C. M. Abraham, for the selection of a problem:

 Research problem should express a relation between two
or more variables;
 Research problem should be presented in a question
form;
 Research problem should have the possibility of empirical
testing.
 Research problem should satisfy a personal interest.
 Research problem should give basis for future study.
 Research problem should meet social or organizational
needs.
 Research problem should meet the utilitarian purpose like
personal ambition.
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 Goode and Hatt give the following criteria of the

selection of a problem;
 Research problem should be selected according to
the researcher's interest, and intellectual curiosity.
 Research problem should be practical;
 The research problem should have the currency;
 The problem should reflect expected outcomes.
 Availability of resources, training opportunities
qualified personnel, availability of special
equipment’s, data, methods, time and sponsorship and
administrator's cooperation.

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 Coeharan and Cox suggested the below questions

to be asked:
 Does the area of research appeal to researcher’s
interest?
 Is the interest of researcher purely intellectual?
 Will the results have practical or utilitarian
significance?
 Does the area of research permits extension or
inquiry beyond the verified knowledge?

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 According to Kulbir Sing Sidhu, in his book "Methodology

of Research in Education, (1987. P-55) there are no
standard rules for problem selection but some conditions
are there which can be used as criteria. Some are:
 Novelty: It means newness. A good problem is
always new and original and is free from
objectionable duplication. It should be noted that
novelty does not mean that problem already
investigated in the past is no longer fit for study.
 Interesting: The research problem should be
interesting. Researcher interest in the problem
should be purely intellectual and not for any
rewards or material benefits or advancement in
position, authority etc.

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 Importance: A problem is important if it is significant. This

significance should be to add something new to the available
knowledge.
 Feasibility or amenability: Feasibility means possibility.
A good problem is always feasible for research.
Similarly amenability means suitability. Thus, check
whether the problem is suitable for research. Thus a
problem is suitable if it is feasible for investigation.
 Availability of data: A researcher should confirm the
availability of all kind of data such as confidential,
sensitive and classified information.
 Cooperation: researchers always require cooperation
from various institutions, authorities and individuals
during research process. Therefore while selecting the
problem, it is important to check the availability of such
cooperation.
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 Guidance: Select the problem for which proper

guidance from a qualified member of a faculty is
available.
 Immediate application: Select the problem
whose solution can be immediately applied.
 Aim of research: The aim of research also
effects the selection of problem. If it is producer
research then solution of problem can help to
enhance the existing knowledge. If it is consumer
type, then result is fit for immediate application.
 Level of Research: Knowing the level of research
such BS, master, M Phil and PhD
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 Experience and Creativity: These aspects are

always helpful in the selection of research
problem. It means that researcher can select a
good problem if he has a clear understanding
of the theoretical, practical and empirical
aspects of the subject in the light of personal
experience and thorough review of literature.
 Discussions: Discussion with the persons in the
field of study is helpful in the selection of
problem. They have direct and practical
experience in the field.
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