CHAPTER TWO

2. FORMULATION OF THE RESEARCH PROBLEM AND HYPOTHESIS

Introduction
In research processes, the first step happens to be identifying and properly defining a research
problem. The researcher first must find any social, economic, business problem and formulate it
into research problem. The problem identified initially may be stated in broad general way and
then gradually the ambiguity will be resolved. The feasibility of a possible particular solution has
to be considered before formulating the problem. The best way of understanding a problem is to
discuss it with colleagues or those having some experience in the matter.
Problem formulation from the researcher point of view represents translating the managers,
social and other problems in to a research problem. In order this to happen the researcher must
understand the origin and nature of the management (economic, environmental, and etc.)
problems and then be able to rephrase it into meaningful terms from analytical point of view.
2.1. What is a Research problem?
A research problem, in general, refers to some difficulty, which a researcher faces (experiences)
in the context of both theoretical and practical situation and wants to obtain a solution for the
same.
We say a research problem exist, if the following conditions are met:
1. There must be an individual or group or organization which has some difficulty/the
problem
2. There must be some objectives (goals) to be attained at. If one wants nothing then,
cannot have a problem. The objective of the decision-maker provides motivation to solve
the problem.
3. There must be an alternative means or actions for obtaining the objective (s) one wishes
to attain. This means that there must be two or more means or actions available for/to
researcher for if he has no choice of means, he can’t’ have a problem
4. There must remain some doubt in the mind of a researcher with regard to the selection of
alternatives. This means that research must answer the question concerning the relative
efficiency of the possible alternatives.
5. There must be some environment (s) to which the difficulty pertains. This means that
researcher must answer the question concerning the relative efficiency.

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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. There are several factors which may result in making the
problem complicated. For instance, the environment may change affecting the efficiencies of the
courses of action or the values of the outcomes; the number of alternative courses of action may
be very large; persons not involved in making the decision may be affected by it and react to it
favorably or unfavorably, and similar other factors. All such elements (or at least the important
ones) may be thought of in context of a research problem.
2.2. Defining the Problem
Defining the research problem is crucial and very hard part of a research process. It is crucial
because, the problem identified will provide us with the topic of the designed research and the
objective of the research. It is the most difficult and hard part of the research study because; there
is a cause and effect issue. It is commonly difficult to distinguish effect of a problem from the
cause of the problem. The researcher should be certain that the problem identified is a cause but
not an effect. There is a common say in research that “The problem clearly stated is a problem
half solved”. This signifies the importance of properly defining the problem. A proper definition
of research problem will enable the researcher to find answers to question such as
 What kind of data and information are relevant and needed to be studied?
 What relationship is to be explored among variables?
 What technique has to be used to collect and analyze data?
Therefore, defining a research problem properly is a prerequisite for any study and a very
important step. Even it is more essential than its solution.
Techniques involved in defining a problem
The research problem should be defined in a systematic manner. The technique involved in
defining a research problem has a number of steps, which should be under taken one after
another.
i. Statement of problem in a general way: First of all, the problem should be stated in a broad
general way keeping with some practical, scientific and intellectual interest. For that
purpose, the researcher must immerse him completely in the subject matter, which he wishes
to pose a problem.

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In social science it is advisable to do some field observation and / or preliminary survey (pilot
survey). Then the researcher can himself state the problem or can seek guidance of the subject
expert.
ii. Understanding the nature of the problem: the next step is to understand clearly the nature
and the origin of the problem. The best way of understanding the problem is:
 To discuss with those who first raised the problem in order to know how the problem
originally come in view.
 To discuss it with those who have a good knowledge of the problem concerned or
similar other problem.
iii. Survey the available literature. All available literature concerning the problem must be
studied and examined before defining research problem. This means the researcher must
be familiar with:
 The relevant theory in the area. Theory has got the following role in overall research
studies
 Theory provides patterns of the interpretation of data
 It links on study with the other
 It supplies frameworks within which concepts and variables acquire
special significance.
 It allows us interpret the large meaning of our findings for ourselves and
others
 Reports and records and other literature in the concerned area
 Review research works undertaken on related problem. This is important especially to
learn what data and other material have been used and are available for operational
purpose
Knowledge about these all will help the researcher to narrow the problem down himself.
Generally, survey literature will enable researcher to know
 If there are certain gap in the theory
 Whether the existing theory applicable to the problem and consistent with
each other.
 Whether the findings of the research do or do not follow a pattern
consistent with the theoretical expectation.

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  Study on a related problem is also useful for indicating the type of
difficulty that may be encountered in the present study.
iv. Developing ideas through discussion: Discussion on a problem produces useful
information. Various new ideas can be discovered and developed through it. The
researcher should discuss his problem with colleagues and others who have enough
experience in the same area. Such practice is called ‘experience survey”
Peoples with rich experience are in a position to show the researcher different aspects of his
proposed study and their advice and comments are usually of high values.
v. Rephrasing the research problem (reformulation of the problem): Finally, the researcher
at this stage should be able to reformulate the problem that has been stated in broad and
general way in to working proposition. The researcher should narrow and break down the
problem into its components variables and relationship. That is, problem should be
expressed as:
a) a relationship between two or more variable
b) the problem should be stated either in question form or hypothesis form
Question form is appropriate mostly when the research is descriptive in nature. What important
is that when a researcher state the problem in question form the formulated problem should be
free from ambiguity and the relationship among variables should be clearly expressed
E.g.,
 Does a relationship exist between income of university students and score on their
exams?
 Is there a relationship between employees' age and their productivity?
 Does a relationship exist between the men circumcision and sensitivity to HIV virus?
In above examples, the study’s main elements are identified in reasonably clear fashion.
The following points must be considered while redefining the research problem
 Technical terms and words or phrased, with special meanings used in the statement of the
problem, should be clearly defined.
 Basic assumptions or postulates (if any) relating to the research problem should be
clearly defined.
 A straightforward statements of the value of the investigation, i.e., the criteria for the
selection of the problem) should be provided

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  The suitability of the time period and the sources of data available must also be
considered by the researcher in defining the problem.
 The scope of the investigation or the limits within which the problem is to be studied
must be mentioned explicitly in defining the research problem.
Evaluation of the problem
Before the final decision is made on the investigation of the problem, the feasibility of the
problem has to be tested with regard to personal suitability of the researcher and social value of
the problem. In short, the research problem should be evaluated in terms of the following criteria.
Is the problem researchable?
Some problems cannot be effectively solved through the process of research. Particularly,
research cannot provide answers to philosophical and ethical questions that do not show the
relationship existing between two or more variable vividly. Therefore, the problem must be
stated in workable research question that can be answered empirically.
Is the problem new?
As much as possible, the research problem needs to be new. One should not target his
investigation to the problem that had already been thoroughly investigated by other researchers.
To be safe from such duplication, the researcher has to go through the record of previous studies
in a given field. However, there are times where by a problem that has been investigated in the
past could be worthy of study. A researcher may repeat a study when he wants to verify its
conclusion or to extend the validity of its findings in situation entirely different from the
previous one.
Is the problem significant?
The question of significance of the problem usually relates to what a researcher hopes to
accomplish in a particular study. What is his purpose in undertaking to solve the particular
problem he has chosen? What new knowledge does he hopes to add to the sum total of what is
known? And what value is this knowledge likely to have? When these all questions are answered
clearly by the researcher, the problem should be considered for investigation.
The researcher should show that the study is likely to fill the gaps in the existing Knowledge to
help resolve some of the inconsistencies in previous research or to help in the reinterpretation of
the known facts. The findings should become a basis for theory generalization, or principles and
should lead to new problems further research.

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Is the problem feasible?
In addition to the above-stipulated points, the feasibility of the research problem should also be
examined from the point of view of the researcher’s personal aspects as stated hereunder.
Researcher Competence: The problem should be in an area in which the researcher qualified
and competent. Before indulging into investigation of the problem, the researcher has to make
sure that he is well acquainted with the existing theories, concepts and laws related to the
problem. He must also possess the necessary Skills and competence that may be needed to
develop, administer, and interpret the necessary data gathering tools. What is more, he needs to
consider whether he has the necessary knowledge of research design and statistical procedure
that may be required to carry out the research through its completion.
Interest and enthusiasm: The researcher has to make sure that the problem really interests him.
He must also be truly enthusiastic about the problem. If the problem is chosen properly by
observing these points, the research will not be boring; rather it will be love’s labor.
Financial consideration: Research is an expensive endeavor, which requires a great deal of
money to invest. In this regard, the researcher should ascertain whether he has necessary
financial resources to carry on the investigation of the selected problem. An estimate of the
expenditure involved in the data gathering equipment, printing, test material, travel, and clerical
assistance to be specified. Furthermore, the possible sources of fund must be consulted ahead of
time.
Time requirement: Research should be undertaken within a given scope of time, which was
allocated, with careful analysis of the prevailing situation. Each and every activity of a research
process requires time. Particularly, it is worthwhile to plan for the time that will be needed for
the development and administration of tools, processing and analysis of data, and writing of the
research report. While allocating time for research project, care should be taken for the
researcher’s other engagement or commitments, the respondents’ accessibility, the expiry data of
the required data.
Administrative consideration: The researcher has to pay to all administration matters that are
necessary to bring his study to its full administrative matters that are necessary to bring his study
to its full completion. In this regard the researcher should consider the kinds of data equipment,
specialized personnel. And administrative facilities that are needed to complete the study

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successfully. The researcher must assure whether the pertinent data are available and accessible
to him.
2.3. Source of research problem
Like a plant springs from its own seed, a research topic must spring from the researcher’s mind.
Nevertheless, some important sources which may be helpful to a researcher for selecting a
research problem may be suggested.
a) Own professional experience is the most important source. In addition, contacts and
discussions with research oriented people, attending conferences, seminars and listening to
the learned speakers
b) Inferences from theory and professional literature: Research reports, bibliographies of
books and articles, periodicals, research abstracts and research guides suggest areas that need
research. In general, a preliminary literature search is important in order to find out:
 What other researchers have to say about the topic
 Ensure that no one else has already exhausted the questions that you aim to examine
 See how the topic has been discussed within the computing theoretical framework.
 Make sure there is enough material available for you to work with productively.
c) Technological and social change: New developments bring forth new development
challenges for research. New innovations and changes need to be carefully evaluated
through the research process.

In an organizational setup, however, management is the core origin/source of problems that are
to be researched. Naturally, the surrounding environment within which organizations are
operating is so dynamic and it changes frequently. This change is either a treat or opportunity for
the organization. Unless management responds to such forces/ changes critical problems will
develop in the organization. Through time management starts to clearly observe different
symptoms, which indicate the existence of problem. These symptoms observed by management
in an organization are called management Dilemma. The real cause of the symptom is not as
such easily detectable. Rising cost, falling market share, declining product quality, high labor
turnover, high rate of absenteeism, etc are some common examples of management dilemma
(Symptoms).

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The management question restates the dilemma in question form. Here the question is “What
must be done to alleviate the problem and not to see the symptom again?”, “What must be
researched?”

For instance, if the dilemma is declining market share, then the management question could be
“What must be done to increase the market share of our product?”
Though there is no hard and fast rule for the formulation and classification management problem
one can present the following three types of management questions,

i. Trouble shooting and control: Cause of business problem (disorder) is unknown

Question: Why do things happen the way they do? What is the cause? This question requires
analysis of cause-and-effect and the relationship between variables. Objective: Identify cause!

ii. Generation of solutions: Cause of business problem is known.

Question: How could things be made better? This question is the basis for problem solving and
synthesis. Using questions to pull and change things around until a new, better version emerges.
Objective: Identify alternative methods for handling the problem

iii. Cause of business problem known and alternatives are known

Question: Which do I select? Which one is the best? This question requires thoughtful decision-
making - a reasoned choice based upon explicit (clearly stated) criteria and evidence. Objective:
Determine the most appropriate alternative.

2.4. Hypothesis

Hypothesis is a tentative intelligent guess postulating form the purpose of directing the
researcher towards the solution of problem. Or it is a statement which predicts the relationship
between two or more variables. It is necessary link between theory and investigation, usually
stated after an extensive survey of the literature.
Hypothesis form is employed when the state of the existing knowledge and theory permits
formulation of reasonable prediction about the relationship among variables.

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The word hypothesis is a compound of two words, “hypo” and “thesis”. Hypo means, under or
below and thesis means a reasoned theory or rational viewpoint. Thus, hypothesis would mean a
theory, which is not fully reasoned.
Hypotheses are a set of suggested tentative solution of a research problem, which can be or may
not be a real solution.
Research hypothesis differs from research question in that, hypothesis both indicate the question
in testable form and predict the nature of the answer. Hypothesis proposes a relationship between
two or more variables. In other words, hypothesis is a theory entertained in order to study the
facts and examine the validity of the theory. The task of the researcher in this case will be to
establish and test such hypothesis.
Establishing a hypothesis should follow rules like:
 The variables must be clearly specified and measurable by some techniques we know
 The relationship between them must be stated precisely.
Importance of Hypothesis
A well-grounded hypothesis provides the following advantages
 Represents specific objective, which determine the nature of the data needed to test the
proposition
 Offer basis for selecting the sample, the research procedure, and the statistical analysis
needed.
 Keeps the study restricted in scope thereby preventing it from becoming too broad
 Sets a framework for reporting the conclusion of the study.
Criteria of usable hypotheses
Hypotheses can be useful if and only if they are carefully formulated. There are several criteria
used to evaluate hypothesis. These include the following.
 Hypotheses should be clearly and precisely formulated
 Hypotheses should be formulated in such way that, they can be tested or verified (should
be testable)
 Hypothesis should state explicitly the expected relationship between variables
 Hypotheses should be limited in scope. Hypotheses of global significance are not usable
as they are not specific and simple for testing and drawing conclusions.

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  Hypotheses should be consistent with the known facts. In other words hypotheses should
be grounded in a well-established facts, theories or laws.
 Hypotheses should be stated as much as possible in simple terms. The simple statement
helps to gain the following advantages
i. It becomes easily understandable to others (readers)
ii. It became easily testable
iii. It provides a basis for a clear and easily comprehended report at the
completion of the study.
 The hypotheses selected should be amendable to testing within a reasonable time.
Null versus alternative hypothesis
Once you have developed a clear and focused research question or set of research questions,
you’ll be ready to conduct further research, a literature review, on the topic to help you make an
educated guess about the answer to your question(s). This educated guess is called a hypothesis.
In research, there are two types of hypotheses: null and alternative. They work as a
complementary pair, each stating that the other is wrong.
Null Hypothesis (H0) – This can be thought of as the implied hypothesis. “Null” meaning
“nothing.” This hypothesis states that there is no difference between groups or no relationship
between variables. The null hypothesis is a presumption of status quo or no change.
Alternative Hypothesis (Ha) – This is also known as the claim. This hypothesis should state what
you expect the data to show, based on your research on the topic. This is your answer to your
research question.
Examples:
Null Hypothesis: H0: There is no difference in the salary of factory workers based on gender.
Alternative Hypothesis: Ha: Male factory workers have a higher salary than female factory
workers.
Null Hypothesis: H0: There is no relationship between height and shoe size.
Alternative Hypothesis: Ha: There is a positive relationship between height and shoe size.
Characteristics of Good Hypothesis

The criteria for judging the usability of the hypothesis are non else than those that help the
hypothesis perform their designated functions vis- a vis research and the growth of knowledge.
Hence, a good useable hypothesis is the one which satisfies many of the following criteria.

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  A hypothesis should be empirically testable
 A good hypothesis in agreement with the observed facts.
 A good hypothesis does not conflict with any law of nature which is known to be true.
 A good hypothesis is expert.
 It should be so designed that its test will provide an answer to original problems which
forms primary purpose of the investigation.
 It must be stated in final form early in the experiment before any attempt at verification is
made.
 The hypothesis must be conceptually clear.
 The hypothesis must be specific
Advisedly, the hypothesis should be related to a body of theory or some theoretical orientation.

Process of testing hypothesis-------------- Reading Assignment

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