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.

Like a medical doctor, a researcher must examine all the symptoms (presented to him or observed
by him) concerning a problem before he can diagnose correctly. To define a problem correctly, a
researcher must know: what a problem is?
 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.

The research problem undertaken for study must be carefully selected. Help may be taken from
a research guide in this connection. Nevertheless, every researcher must find out his own salvation for
research problems cannot be borrowed. A problem must spring from the researcher’s mind like a plant
springing from its own seed. If our eyes need glasses, it is not the optician alone who decides about the
number of the lens we require. We have to see ourselves and enable him to prescribe for us the right
number by cooperating with him. Thus, a research guide can at the most only help a researcher choose a
subject. However, the following points may be observed by a researcher in selecting a research problem
or a subject for research:

(i) Subject which is overdone should not be normally chosen, for it will be a difficult task to
throw any new light 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) The importance of the subject, the qualifications and the training of a researcher, the costs
involved, the time factor are few other criteria that must also be considered in selecting a
problem.
(vi) The selection of a problem must be preceded by a preliminary study.
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?

Quite often we all hear that a problem clearly stated is a problem half solved.

The problem to be investigated must be defined unambiguously for that will help to discriminate
relevant data from the irrelevant ones.

A proper definition of research problem will enable the researcher to be on the track whereas an
ill-defined problem may create hurdles.

Questions will help, like: What data are to be collected? What characteristics of data are relevant
and need to be studied? What relations are to be explored. What techniques are to be used for
the purpose?

The technique for the purpose involves the undertaking of the following steps generally one after
the other: (i) statement of the problem in a general way; (ii) understanding the nature of the
problem; (iii) surveying the available literature (iv) developing the ideas through discussions; and
(v) rephrasing the research problem into a working proposition.

A brief description of all these points will be helpful.

(i) Statement of the problem in a general way:

First of all, the problem should be stated in a broad general way, keeping in view either
some practical concern or some scientific or intellectual interest. For this purpose, the
researcher must immerse himself thoroughly in the subject matter concerning which he
wishes to pose a problem. In case of social research, it is considered advisable to do some
field observation and as such the researcher may undertake some sort of preliminary
survey or what is often called pilot survey.
(ii) Understanding the nature of the problem:
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. If the researcher has stated the problem himself, he should consider once again all
those points that induced him to make a general statement concerning the problem. For
 a better understanding of the nature of the problem involved, he can enter into discussion
with those who have a good knowledge of the problem concerned or similar other
problems. The researcher should also keep in view the environment within which the
problem is to be studied and understood.
(iii) Surveying the available literature: This means that the researcher must be well-
conversant with relevant theories in the field, reports and records as also all other
relevant literature.
He must devote sufficient time in reviewing of research already undertaken on
related problems. This is done to find out what data and other materials, if any, are
available for operational purposes. “Knowing what data are available often serves to
narrow the problem itself as well as the technique that might be used.” A researcher to
know if there are certain gaps in the theories, or whether the existing theories applicable
to the problem under study are inconsistent with each other, or whether the findings of
the different studies do not follow a pattern consistent with the theoretical expectations
and so on.

(iv) Developing the ideas through discussions: 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”.
People with rich experience are in a position to enlighten the researcher on
different aspects of his proposed study and their advice and comments are usually
invaluable to the researcher. They help him sharpen his focus of attention on specific
aspects within the field.

(v) Rephrasing the research problem: Finally, the researcher must sit to rephrase the
research problem into a working proposition. Once the nature of the problem has been
clearly understood, the environment (within which the problem has got to be studied)
has been defined, discussions over the problem have taken place and the available
literature has been surveyed and examined, rephrasing the problem into analytical or
operational terms is not a difficult task.
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.

The technique of defining a problem outlined above can be illustrated for better understanding by
taking an example as under

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”?

With this sort of formulation, the various terms involved such as:
Productivity is being referred, industries related, period of time the productivity talked about, ambiguities
on the given statement, amenable to analysis, factors responsible for the higher labour productivity,
Rethinking and discussions.