Sub: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

FORMULATING THE RESEARCH PROBLEM

WHAT IT IS & HOW TO DO?

 RE-CAP OF PREVIOUS CLASS

RESEARCH PROCESS:
 formulating the research problem;
 extensive literature survey;
 developing the hypothesis;
 preparing the research design;
 determining sample design;
 collecting the data;
 execution of the project;
 analysis of data; hypothesis testing;
 generalisations and interpretation, and
 preparation of the report or presentation of the results
 Selecting and Defining a RESEARCH PROBLEM
First and foremost step of Research Process
A researcher must find the problem To define a problem correctly, a
and formulate it so that it becomes researcher must know: what a problem
susceptible to research is?

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

Selection of research problem is the first step in

every research. No research can undergo by the
researcher, unless this first step is properly and
scientifically accomplished by the researcher
The purpose of a problem statement is to:

Introduce the reader to the importance of the

topic being studied

Places the problem into a particular context

Provides the framework for reporting the results

Basic characteristics of
Reflecting on important issues or needs;

research problem Basing on factual evidence (it’s non-

hypothetical)

Being manageable and relevant

Suggesting a testable and meaningful

hypothesis (avoiding useless answers)
 Different Types of Research Problem
Descriptive research Casual research Relational research
Parameters
problem problem problem

The aim is to investigate the

The aim is to depict what
To identify the extent and nature qualities or the characteristics
Aim/purpose already exists in a group of the
of cause and effect relationships. that are connected in some way
population.
or the other.

Directionality of
Non-directional Directional Directional
hypothesis

Variable manipulation Can manipulate independent and

No manipulations in terms of
dependent variables to find the No manipulation
and control variables and hypotheses.
effect.

Mail, online or offline surveys Field experiment, laboratory Focus groups, surveys, case
Data collection method and interviews. experiments. studies.

Research approach Structured Highly structured Structured

 While selecting any problem for research its general value is to be considered.
 It should be analyzed that how many people are affected by such problem and after
findings of research how many people would be benefited.
 Generalization value increases with population increasing.
 A research is significant if their generalization value is greater.

There are two types of research problems, viz., Essentially, two issues are
 those which relate to states of nature and involved in formulating the
 those which relate to relationships between variables. research problems, viz.,
At the outset the researcher must single out the problem  understanding the
he wants to study, i.e., he must decide the general area problem thoroughly, and
of interest or aspect of a subject matter that he would  rephrasing the same into
like to inquire into. Initially the problem may be stated in meaningful terms from
a broad general way and then the ambiguities, if any, an analytical point of
relating to the problem be resolved. view
STEPS OF FORMULATION OF RESEARCH PROBLEM
Every research problem has to be screened on following steps

Realization Identification Analysis of Statement of

of Problem of problem Problem Problem
 REALIZATION OF PROBLEM
This is the first stage when researcher realizes the existence of problem.

Mere statement or discussion regarding the problem does not suffice for selecting
any problem for research unless researcher realizes or sensitized with the existence
of any problem.

Generally, victims of any problem can better realize the existence of problem. It
does not mean that only victims can be the good researcher. Anybody, whoever be
either victim, stakeholder or others, who understand the pain or difficulties of life
caused by such problem.

If researcher undertakes any research without his realisation of problem, he may

undergo with the research but cannot formulate the research objectives and purposes
pin pointed towards the satisfaction of objectivity of research.

Even he cannot test veracity of solutions suggested on the basis of results.

 Realisation is a cognitive process.
 When man perceives any stimulus, fact or phenomenon which is received by his
receptors of mind and thereafter cognitive process starts in his mind to identify
such stimulus on the basis of his experience, knowledge and insight.
 Whatever is the nature of experience, knowledge or insight he possess outcome
of his mind will be respectively positive or negative.

 The positive sign provides the state of satisfaction and

 negative sign causes dissatisfaction.
 In turn dissatisfaction proceeds for alteration, amendment, improvement and
replacement.
 Such realisation stimulates the researcher to feel about their negative attributes
or something lacking

 Interest of researcher is also an important aspect for establishing relation of

researcher with such problem.
 Since the researcher has to spend a long time with research study if he would
have interest in the subject of research only then he can continuously work on it
otherwise not
 IDENTIFICATION OF PROBLEM
 After realization of any problem next necessary step or process is the identification
of problem. Researcher has to make him sure that what he feels to exist
problematic is true or not?
 Before formulation of problem, there must be corroboration of opinion as to the
existence and nature of problem. Researcher should discuss his observation
regarding problem with stakeholders and experts, and to invite their opinions on
such problem.

 The researcher must at the same time examine all available literature to get himself
acquainted with the selected problem. He may review two types of literature – the
conceptual literature concerning the concepts and theories, and the empirical
literature consisting of studies made earlier which are similar to the one proposed.

 The basic outcome of this review will be the knowledge as to what data and other
materials are available for operational purposes which will enable the researcher to
specify his own research problem in a meaningful context.

 After this the researcher rephrases the problem into analytical or operational terms
 In academic research a very familiar term ‘Review of Literature’ is used.

 Review of literature is basically, a step of corroboration of opinion with earlier

observations propounded by researchers in previous studies on same subject
matter. It is mandatorily a formal step to be followed in every research.

 Researcher has to consult as possibly as with all relevant literature containing

information regarding subject matter of research. After analysing such facts,
information and principles he can sharpen his vision towards the problem.

 Now his perception towards the problem would be more accurate. Corroboration of
opinion or Review of literature is necessary before selection of problem.

 Because, there may be the possibility of finding answers for which research is
proposed and without undergoing the research process he can get intended
knowledge necessary to resolve his problem.
 ANALYSIS OF PROBLEM
Researcher has to analyse the problems on following aspects as
 Whether problem is of temporary or permanent nature?
 What are the constituents of problem?
 Determination of relevant variables.
 What factors are responsible for causing such problem?
 Whether such factors are internal or external one?

No problem comes from the vacuum. Every problem has its history and components
which constitute such problem. Researcher has to search and analyse all those facts
which are the part of any problematic incidence, phenomenon or transaction. This
process is called ‘crystallization of problem’.
In diagnostic research, crystallization process is very important; sometimes the causes
of problem are directly highlighted through analysis.
Another philosophy behind crystallization of constituent is directive approach which
suggests that the facts constituting the phenomenon must be keenly observed.
After crystallisation of problem, researcher has to determine the relevant variables
or relevant facts among all constituting variables or facts to ascertain that what may
be the important facts responsible for occurrence of any problem.

 In Legal research, analysis is used in a broad sense to refer the process of

identifying the issue or issues in given facts and to determine rules, principles and
theories of law to be applied.

 It is an organized approach that helps to develop research skills. It makes legal

research easier, saves time, and establishes reliability and validity of results.

 The most common approach to legal analysis involves a four-step process: Issue,,
Rule, Analysis/ Application and Conclusion. It is important to keep in mind the
crucial role the facts play in analytical process
The four steps of the analysis process
involve the facts in each step
ANALYSIS /
CONCLUSION:
ISSUE: RULE: APPLICATION:
The conclusion is
The key facts are Determination of This step is the
a summation of
included in the which the law process of
how the law
issue. The issue is governs the issue applying the rule
applies to the
the precise is based on the of law to the
facts, a recap of
question raised applicability of facts. Without the
the first three
by the specific the law to the facts, the law
steps. It too
facts. facts in issue stands in a
requires the facts
vacuum
 STATEMENT OF
PROBLEM
This is the final stage when research problem comes into the shape of statement.

Whatever be the understanding and perception made by researcher after

crystallisation and keen analysis of problem thereafter he makes the statement
regarding existence of problem

 Statement must convey the real nature of problem as it is as realised and felt by
researcher.

 While formulating research problem, researcher has to be very careful as to the

use of language and grammar.

 Language should be clear, easy and unambiguous.

A research problem must be identified without any ambiguity and each selected
research problem must be clearly defined.

There may be a situation in which the researcher is fully aware of the symptoms
relating to certain problem in achieving his goal. But, He/ she may not be in a position
to clearly spell out the problem which is causing such deficiency. Unless it is clearly
identified, it will not be possible to proceed further to carry out the project.

If a researcher proceeds with ill defined problems, he/ she may end up with
misleading conclusions. Research problem should be clearly defined in statement of
researcher

Statement of problem should convey the major objective of research and type of
research objectives. Topic should be little known, important for group, public, society,
nation or world. It should contain specific, unsolved practical or theoretical problem;
or phenomenon not yet adequately understood
All the above steps are the major and necessarily be followed for formulation
of research problem. There can be sub classification under every step according to
objective and subject of study

ON BASIS OF VARIABLES UNI-VARIABLE

PROBLEM

BI-VARIABLES
PROBLEM
KINDS OF RESEARCH
PROBLEM
MULTI- VARIABLES
PROBLEM

OPPONENT
VARIABLES PROBLEM
How to Formulate Research Problem
To Formulate Research Problem Follow These Steps
Identify the Broad Study Area

Dissect the Broad Study Area into Subareas

Mark-up your Interest /Select one of the sub areas

Raise the Research Question

Formulate the Objective

IDENTIFY A BROAD RESEARCH AREA OF YOUR INTEREST
A researcher always starts with identifying a broad research area depending on
his interest, knowledge, and expertise. It is generally a large area that a
researcher wants to investigate.

For instance, a researcher in social science may select research areas such as
poverty reduction, overpopulation, conflict resolution, crime control,
unemployment, political instability, economic fluctuations, human rights, the
justice system, familial issues, cultural practices, social and religious
fragmentations, domestic violence and so on.

These are broad research areas that cannot be treated straight as the research
topic. Each of these broad areas has many sub-areas and all of those sub-areas
cannot be covered in a single research study. However, each of the sub-areas of
the larger area can be treated as a research topic
 DISSECT THE BROAD AREA INTO SUB-AREAS
Once a broad research area is selected, it is narrowed down into a specific topic
that is researchable and manageable for the researcher. This involves dissecting
the broad area into sub-areas and finding one suitable sub-area for the research.
For instance, a researcher selects a broad area ‘ Domestic Violence’.

This broad area can be split into the following subareas:

 Profile of families in which DV occurs
 Profile of victims of DV Profile of perpetrators
 Causes of DV
 Types of DV
 Impacts of DV on family
 Impacts of DV on children
 Services available to the victims of DV
 Effectiveness of the services provided to the victims of DV
 The extent of DV in a community
 SELECT ONE OF THE SUB-AREAS
As noted earlier, it is not feasible for a researcher to study all the sub-areas due to
limited resources such as time and monetary resources. Similarly, one research
study should specifically address one particular area so that it can be studied in its
entirety.

If a very broad area is selected, one research study may not do the justice in
exploring its every aspect. This is because the boundaries of a large area are never
easy to be identified in its entirety, and the researcher may unnecessarily pay more
attention to some aspects while leaving other aspects of the research area.

Hence, the researcher should select one of the sub-areas of the broad area for their
research. It makes the research feasible and manageable for the researcher. The
choice of the sub-area depends on the interest, knowledge, research expertise of the
researcher as well as the general significance of the sub-areas.
 RAISE RESEARCH QUESTIONS
After selecting a specific sub-area, the researcher has to think about what needs to be explored
about this sub-area. In other words, the researcher has to raise questions related to the chosen
sub-area which need to be answered through the research. Many research questions can be raised
by the researcher, however, only the most important and relevant questions should be selected .
The total number of questions (to be selected) depends on the nature of the topic which would also
ultimately determine the overall length (or size) of the research thesis.

Let us suppose the researcher selects one sub-area (from the above list of sub-areas)
that is ‘Causes of Domestic Violence’.

The following questions may be raised about this area.

1. How does illiteracy influence DV?
2. Is poverty responsible for DV?
3. How do long-held traditions lead to DV?
4. What are the socio-cultural causes of DV?
Similarly, for the sub-area “Impacts of Domestic Violence on Children”,
the following questions can be raised.

1. What is the impact of DV on the emotional development of a child?

2. How DV affects the child’s academic performance?

3. What are the effects of DV on a child's physical health?

4. How DV influences the social behavior of children?

 FORMULATE THE OBJECTIVES
Then, the researcher formulates the objectives of the research which are
intended to be explored.

These objectives basically stem from the research questions.

The difference between research questions and objectives is the way they are
written.

Research questions are interrogative sentences. On the other hand, objectives

are action or aim-oriented statements consisting of words such as to explore, to
investigate, to examine, to find out and so on.

Therefore, a simple way to write the objectives is to transform research questions

into action-oriented statements
For instance, the research questions for “ Causes of Domestic Violence ” can be
transformed into the following objectives.

To examine the influence of illiteracy on DV

To explore the impact of poverty on DV
To know long-held traditions leading to DV
To investigate the socio-cultural causes of DV

As another example, the research questions for “ Impacts of Domestic

Violence on Children” can be transformed into the following objectives.

To understand the impact of DV on the emotional development of a child.

To examine the influence of DV on the child’s academic performance.

To know various effects of DV on a child’s physical health.

To explore the impact of DV on the child’s social behavior

 CONCLUDING SUMMARY
Formulation of research problem is the first step of research process. Such process
should be systematically, scientifically and objectively followed. Research problem
can be selected after analysing the nature and effect of problem

Selection of research problem is a scientific process containing certain steps for

their final formulation. Their beginning from realisation o satisfaction f problem,
identification of problem, analysis of problem and finally formulation of problem.

The last stage when statement of problem is formulated in words written or verbal.
It should convey in easy and accurate language for communication of real nature of
problem formulated after realisation, identification and analyses of researcher.
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