CHAPTER TWO

Defining the Research Problem

2.1. 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? And so forth
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
anther.
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.
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.

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  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
 Rearview 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.
 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”

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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
 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

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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.
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

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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 successfully. The researcher
must assure whether the pertinent data are available and accessible to him.
Hypothesis
Hypothesis form is employed when the state of the existing knowledge and theory permits
formulation of reasonable prediction about the relationship among variables.
 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:

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 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.
 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 become 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 with in a reasonable time.
Categorizing of hypotheses
• Can be categorized in different ways
1. Based on their formulation
Null and alternate hypotheses
Null hypotheses

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  Always predicts that there is no relationship between the variables being studied.
 The researcher wishes to disapproval this hypothesis
 It is denoted by Ho
For example: there is no significant relationship between learning and intelligence
Alternate hypothesis
 always predicts that there will be a relationship between the variables being studied
 The researcher wishes to approval this hypothesis
 it is denoted by Ha
For example: there is significant relationship between learning and intelligence
2. Based on direction
Directional and non-directional
Non directional hypothesis
• If the hypothesis simply predicts that there will be a difference between the two groups.
because it predicts that there will be a difference but does not specify how the groups will
differ
• E.g. lack of attention leads to failure.
Directional hypothesis
• If the hypothesis uses so called comparison terms such as greater, less, better or worse It
is directional because predict that there will be a difference between the two groups and
specifies how the two groups will differ
• E.g. a person whose attitude is positive towards studies is more likely to succeed than one
who do not
Some examples of Hypothesis,
Hypothesis: 1
Political participation Increases With education

Variable one (dependent variable.) relationship Variable two (independent

variable)

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Hypothesis: 2.

Alienation increase with poverty

Variable one Relation Variable two

The result of the hypothesis test is the substance of our conclusion and expressed as generalization.
Sources of Research problem
There are some important sources of problems, which are helpful to a researcher for selecting a
problem. These include the following
Professional experience: One of the sources of problem for beginner researcher is his own
experience as a professional in a given field. The day-to-day observation of the incidences is the
working place and out of the working environment, which includes the experience of his
colleagues, their attitude, home environment, social-economic status and motivation level
provide rich sources of the problem.
Inference from theory. A research problem can be derived from a critical look into different
theories. In other words application of some general principles involved in different theories to
specific situation makes an important starting point of research.
Technological and social changes: Technological and social change directly or indirectly exerts
an influence in the function of an organization. All such change brings about new problems for
research. For instance, change may affect policy issues in which case they may arouse interest in
investigating new policies among the policy analysts or other concerned personalities.
The following points may be considered in selecting a research problem.
 A subject that is overdone should not be normally chosen, for it will be a difficult task to
throw any new light to such a case.
 Governmental subjects should not become a choice of an average researcher.
 Too narrow or too vague problems should be avoided.
 The subject selected for research should be familiar and feasible so that the related
research material or source of research is within one’s reach.
 The importance of the subject, the qualification and the training of researcher, the cost,
the time factor are the few points that must be considered in selecting a problem