Defining a research problem

In research process, the first and foremost step is selecting and properly
defining a research problem.

What does defining a research problem mean ???

A researcher must find the problem and formulate it so that it becomes

susceptible to research. 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.
Explanation: In other words, after a research problem has been chosen,
the researcher must then define what exactly the problem is about
properly and restructure the problem into a proper sentence. Then it can
be used as the foundation of your research project. All the research that is
done in the project aims to satisfy the questions asked in the research
problem.

What then is a research problem ?

A research problem, in general, 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.

Usually we say that a research problem does exist if the following

conditions are met with:
(i) There must be an individual (or a group or an organisation), to
whom the problem can be attributed. This individual, group or organism
exists in an environment that has a number of variables.
(ii) There must be at least two courses of action to be pursued. A
course of action is defined by one or more values of the controlled
variables.
(iii) There must be at least two possible outcomes of the course of
action, of which one should be preferable to the other. In other words,
this means that there must be at least one outcome that the researcher
wants, i.e., an objective.
(iv) The courses of action available must provides some chance of
obtaining the objective,but they cannot provide the same chance,
otherwise the choice would not matter.
(v) Thus, a research problem is one which requires a researcher to find
out the best solution for the given problem, i.e., to find out by which
course of action the objective can be attained optimally in the context of
a given environment.

Selecting a research problem

Selecting a research problem is a difficult task. It is also the most

important task. While selecting a research problem the following points
have to be noted.
(i) Subject which is overdone should not be normally chosen, for it will
be a difficult task to throw any new light(or make any new discoveries)
in such a case.
(ii) Controversial subject should not become the choice of an average
researcher.
(iii) Too narrow or too vague problems should be avoided.
(iv) The subject selected for research should be familiar and feasible so
that the related research material or sources of research are within one’s
reach.
(v) Before the final selection of a problem is done, a researcher must ask
himself the following questions:
(a) Whether he is well equipped in terms of his background to carry out
the research?
(b) Whether the study falls within the budget he can afford?
(c) Whether the necessary cooperation can be obtained from those who
must participate in research as subjects?
(vi) The problem must be selected after doing a preliminary (general)
study first.

Necessity of defining a problem

The problem to be investigated must be defined unambiguously for that
will help to discriminate (separate) relevant data from the irrelevant ones.
A proper definition of the research problem will enable the researcher to
be on the track whereas an illdefined problem may create hurdles. It
helps the researcher to understand what exactly needs to be done.

TECHNIQUE INVOLVED IN DEFINING A PROBLEM

Defining the research problem is a very important and difficult task. It

has to be done properly in order to avoid confusions from coming up
while doing the research. It involves a few steps:
Statement of the problem in a general way - First of all the problem
should be stated in a broad general way, mentioning either some practical
concern or some scientific or intellectual interest.
Understanding the nature of the problem - Understand its origin and
nature clearly. The best way of understanding the problem is to discuss it
with those who first raised it in order to find out how the problem
originally came about and with what objectives in view.
Surveying the available literature - All available literature concerning the
problem at hand must necessarily be surveyed and examined before a
definition of the research problem is given.
Developing the ideas through discussions - Discussion concerning a
problem often produces useful information. Various new ideas can be
developed through such an exercise. Hence, a researcher must discuss his
problem with his colleagues and others who have enough experience in
the same area or in working on similar problems. This is quite often
known as an experience survey.
Rephrasing the research problem into a working proposition - Finally,
the researcher must sit to rephrase the research problem into a working
proposition. Through rephrasing, the researcher puts the research
problem in as specific terms as possible so that it may become
operationally viable and may help in the development of working
hypotheses.

While defining a research problem, the following points must be

observed.
(a) Technical terms and words or phrases, with special meanings used in
the statement of the problem, should be clearly defined.
(b) Basic assumptions or postulates (if any) relating to the research
problem should be clearly stated.
(c) A straight forward statement of the value of the investigation (i.e., the
criteria for the selection of the problem) should be provided.
(d) The suitability of the time-period and the sources of data available
must also be considered by the researcher in defining the problem.
(e) The scope of the investigation or the limits within which the problem
is to be studied must be mentioned explicitly in defining a research
problem.

Example - Let us suppose that a research problem in a broad general way

is as follows:

“Why is productivity in Japan so much higher than in India”?

When the research problem is defined, it becomes -

“To what extent did labour productivity in 1971 to 1980 in Japan exceed
that of India in respect of 15 selected manufacturing industries? What
factors were responsible for the productivity differentials between the
two countries by industries?”