Formulating Research Problem

 Select Research Topic

 Define Research Problem

 Literature Review

 Research Proposal

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 What Research Problem is?
 Some difficulty which a researcher experiences and wants to

obtain a solution for that problem.

 It can be stated under the following condition.

1. There must be an individual /a group which has/have problem.

2. There must be some objective(s) to be attained at.
3. There must be alternative means (or the courses of action) for
obtaining the objective(s) one wishes to attain.
4. There must remain some doubt in the mind of a researcher with
regard to the selection of alternatives.
5. There must be some environment(s) to which the difficulty
pertains.
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 Defining Research Problem
 Defining a research problem properly is a prerequisite for any

study and is a step of the highest importance

 “. . . Research problem clearly stated is a problem half solved”

 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
 Well defined research problem helps the researcher

 To discriminate relevant data from the irrelevant ones.

 Enable the researcher to be on the track

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 Sources of Research Problem
 Observation of the surrounding environment.

 Literature reviews.

 Participating (attending) of Professional

 conferences,

 symposium,

 thesis defense.

 Expert advice.

 Previous experience.

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 Sources of Research Problem (Cont’d)

Observation
 In many disciplines, questions that need answers

phenomena that need explanation - are everywhere.

 Concentrate on smaller problems – continually ask

questions about what you hear and see.

 Why does such–and–such happen? What makes such–and–

such tick? (The reasons for somebody’s behavior)

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 Sources of Research Problem (Cont’d)
Reading Related Literature
 It gives you what things are already known,what is NOT known ,

what still needs to be done.

Research might
I. Suggests future research that can be done by another researcher.
II. Replicate a research in a different setting/different population.

III. Consider how various subpopulations might behave differently in

the same situation

IV. Apply an existing perspective to a new situation

V. Explore unexpected/contradictory findings in previous studies

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 Sources of Research Problem (Cont’d)

Other Advantages of Literature

 Provides theoretical base on which to build a rationale for
your study
 Provides potential research methodologies and methods of

measurement
 Help you interpret your results and relate them to what is

already known in the field

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 Sources of Research Problem (Cont’d)
Attend/Participate on Professional Conferences
 Many researchers have great success finding new research

projects at national and regional conferences.

 Learn “what is hot and what is not” in the corresponding

field
 Novice researchers can make contacts with experts in their

field, ask questions, share ideas, exchange e-mail addresses

with more experienced and knowledgeable individuals

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 Sources of Research Problem (Cont’d)

Seek the Advice of Experts

 Another simple yet highly effective strategy for
identifying a research problem is simply to ask an
expert:
 What needs to be done?
 What burning questions are still out there?
 What previous research findings seemingly don’t
make sense?
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 Sources of Research Problem (Cont’d)

Choose a Topic that Motivates You

 Reading literature, attend conferences, talk with experts,

will uncover a number of potential research problems

 Pick just one, based on what you want to learn more about

 Must believe that it is worth your time and effort.

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 Sources of Research Problem (Cont’d)

Choose a Topic That Others Will Find Interesting and Worthy

of Attention
 Want to share findings with a larger audience, not only end with

thesis.
 Describe what you have done at a regional or national

conference, publish an article in a professional journal, or both.

 Future employers, too, are also interested in your thesis topic if

in your research, you are pursuing an issue of broad scientific or

social concern or, more generally, a hot topic in your field.

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 Criteria for selecting Research Problem
 Novelty and avoidance of unnecessary duplications.

 Importance for the field represented and implementation.

 Interest, intellectual curiosity and drive.

 Training and personal qualifications.

 Availability of data and method.

 Special equipment and working conditions.

 Sponsorship and administrative cooperation.

 Cost and returns.

 Time factor.

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 Techniques in Defining Research Problem
The technique for the purpose defining research problems
• Statement of the problem in a general way
• Understanding the nature of the problem
• Surveying the available literature
• Developing the ideas through discussions;
• Rephrasing the research problem into a working
proposition.

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 Techniques in Defining . . . (Contd.)

Statement of the problem

State the problem in a broad general way in view either some practical

concern or some scientific or intellectual interest.

Narrow down and rephrase the problem in operational terms.

In case there is some directive from an organizational authority, the problem

has to be stated accordingly.

Feasibility of a the solution has to be considered.

State the problem that anyone can read and understand it.

At the end of the statement of the problem, the researcher has to state the

research problems in the form of ‘Wh’ Question.

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 Techniques in Defining . . . (Contd.)
Understanding the nature of the problem:
 Discuss the problem with

Those who first raised the problem in order to find out how the

problem originally came and with what objectives in view.

Those who have a good knowledge of the problem concerned or

similar other problems.

 If the researcher has stated the problem himself, he should revise

the points that induced him to make a general statement.

 The researcher should also keep in view the environment within

which the problem is to be studied and understood.

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 Evaluating Research Problem
Before the proposed research problem can be considered
appropriate, several searching questions should be raised.
 Is the problem significant?

 Is an important principle involved ?

 Would the solution make any difference for the target

population?
If not, there are undoubtedly more significant problems waiting
to be investigated.

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 Review Literature
“ It is the foundation upon which all future work will be

built. . .”
 If we fail to our work is likely to be shallow, naive and

may often duplicate work that has already been done better
by some one else.”
“ . . .A literature review is an account of what has been

published on a topic by accredited scholars and

researchers.”

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 Review Literature
 It has two phases.

1. Identify all the relevant published material in the problem

area and read that part to develop foundation of ideas and
results .
2. Write this foundation of ideas into a section of the
research report to establishes the background in the field.

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 Objectives of Review Literature

 Provides theories, ideas, explanations or hypothesis which

may prove useful in the formulation of a new problem.

 Indicates whether the evidence already available solves the

problem adequately without requiring further investigation.

 Avoids the replication.

 Suggests method, procedure, sources of data and statistical

techniques appropriate to the solution of the problem.

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 Objectives of Review . . . (Cont’d)
Locates comparative data and findings useful in the
interpretation and discussion of results.
Helps in developing experts and good academician in the area

investigated.
Contributes towards the accurate knowledge of the evidence.

After reviewing the literature, summarize

 what has been done

 what has not been done

 what needs to be done

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 Literature Review Process

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 Common Errors in Review Literature
 Review isn’t logically organized
 Review isn’t focused on most important facts of the study
 Review doesn’t relate literature to the study
 Too few references or outdated references cited
 Review has been written in author’s own words
 Review reads like a series of disjointed summaries
 Review doesn’t argue a point
 Recent references are omitted

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 Assignment

You have to start literature review that you have

selected research papers based on your interesting

research area.

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 Research Proposal
 A research proposal (synopsis) is an outline of proposed works

serves as a useful basis for the evaluation of a project as well as

a guide line for the researcher.
 It Consists of Introduction (background), Statement of the

problem, Research Question, Objective, Hypothesis,

Significance of the problem, Definitions of the important terms,
Scope and Limitations, Review of Related Literature, Analysis
of proposed research producers, Time schedule and Budget.

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 Research Proposal (Cont’d)

The Statement of the Problem

 This attempt to give direction to the research process.

 It must be limited enough in scope to make a definite

conclusion possible.
 A problem suggests a specific answer or conclusion.

 The statement of the problem should be written in specific

clear-cut words.

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 Research Proposal (Cont’d)

Research Question
• It is a statement that identifies the phenomenon to be studied.

• A well-thought-out and focused research question leads

directly into specific, testable hypotheses.

• Should be stated as a ‘WH’question.

Example research questions about a User Interface design:

 Which of several design alternatives is best?

 What are its performance limits and capabilities?

 How much practice is required to become proficient?

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 Research Proposal (Cont’d)
Hypothesis (optional)
It is tentative, intelligent guesses as to the solution of the problem.

‘Hypo’ means tentative or subject to the verification and ‘Thesis’

means statement about solution of a problem.

Hypotheses can direct later research activities since they can help

determine the nature of the research and methods applied.

 Alternative Hypotheses often states there is a pattern, or

difference, or trend among the variables

 Null hypothesis is the opposite of the research hypothesis. States

there is no trend or difference

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 Null Hypothesis Vs. Alternative Hypothesis
Comparison Null Hypothesis Alternative Hypothesis

Meaning It assumes that there is It assumes that there is some

no relationship between statistical significance between
two variables. two measured phenomenon.

Represents No observed effect Some observed effect

What is it? It is what the researcher It is what the researcher tries to

tries to disprove. prove.
Acceptance No changes in opinions Changes in opinions or actions
or actions

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 Null Hypothesis Vs. . . . (Cont’d)
Alternative
Comparison Null Hypothesis
Hypothesis
Testing Indirect and implicit Direct and explicit
Observations Result of chance Result of real effect
Denoted by H-0 H-1 or H-A
Mathematical Equal sign Unequal sign
formulation

 Null hypothesis: “x is equal to y.” Alternative hypothesis “x is not equal to y.”

 Null hypothesis: “x is at least y.” Alternative hypothesis “x is less than y.”

 Null hypothesis: “x is at most y.” Alternative hypothesis “x is greater than y.”

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 Research Proposal (Cont’d)
Objective
It summarize what is to be achieved by the study.

It is closely related to the research problem.

It has both General objective and Specific Objective

General objective:- states what is expected to achieve from the

study in general terms.
Specific Objective :- break down a general objective into smaller,
logically connected parts; called specific objectives.
 Specific objectives should systematically address the various

research questions.
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 Research Proposal (Cont’d)
Objective (Cont’d)
Specific objectives should meet the SMART Criteria.
Specific-each objective has a single key result

Measurable-each objective relates to behavior that can be

measured
Attainable-each objective is realistic

Relevant-each objective is central to district or job site goals; and

makes a difference in job performance or student achievement

Timely-each objective should be able to be accomplished within

the time frame established for the staff development event

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 Research Proposal (Cont’d)
Scope of the Study
It tells what has to be covered in the research.

In this part, you will tell exactly what will be done & where the

information used in the study specifically came from.

It identifies the boundaries of the study in term of subjects,

objectives, facilities, area, time frame.

Sample phrases that help express the scope of the study:

 The coverage of this study… OR, The study covers the …

 The study consists of ……. OR, This study focus on...

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 Research Proposal (Cont’d)
Delimitation of the Study
 It describes the work that will not be undertaken in the research.

 It also identifies the constraints or weaknesses of the study which are not

within the control of the researcher.

 It might provide avenues for valuable future research direction.

Sample phrases that expressed the delimitations of the study

 The study does not cover the……

 The researcher limited this research to……

 This study is limited to………

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 Significance of the study
• The significance of the study should discuss the importance of the

proposed research and its relevance.

– The investigation might be relevant for theory, practice and

future research.
– The investigator should explain why it is important for the

study to be undertaken and indicate the likelihood of its

contribution to the advancement of knowledge.

• Without mentioning significance of the study, it becomes difficult

to convince others that the problem in question is worth study.

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 Template for Research Proposal

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 Assignment
1. Select one research paper as per your interest and then
 Re-write the abstract of the selected paper. (200 to 250
words) and You have to include more Key-Terms (Group
Assignment; Two students in one group )
2. Select another paper as per your interest and then revise the whole
paper and prepare for presentation (Individual Assignment)
3. Select related thesis as per your interest and then revise the whole
paper and prepare for presentation (Individual Assignment)
4. You have to prepare Research Proposal on your interesting
research area. (Individual Assignment)

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