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MODULE-2
Defining the research problem - Selecting the problem, Necessity of defining the problem, Techniques
involved in defining the problem, Importance of literature review in defining a problem, Survey of
literature, Primary and secondary sources, Reviews, treatise, monographs patents , web as a source,
searching the web, Identifying gap areas from literature review, Development of working hypothesis.
CHARACTERISTICS OF A PROBLEM
Although selecting a research problem is one of the most difficult steps for a student in a
research process, it is unfortunately one for which the least guidance can be given.
A problem statement must have the following characteristics:
1. It should ask about a relationship between two or more variables.
2. It should be stated clearly and unambiguously, usually in question form.
3. It should be possible to collect data or answer the questions asked.
4. It should not represent a moral or ethical position.
Dr. E. Melagiriyappa, HOD of Science, S J M Polytechnic, Chitradurga
Research Methodology 3 VTU-Ph.D
In other words, before the final selection of a problem is done, a researcher must ask himself
the following questions:
Why have I decided to do some research?
What personal characteristics do I have which might help me to complete my
research?
What skills and experience do I have which might help me in my research?
The five ‘Ws’: What is my research?; Why do I want to do this research?;
Who are my research participants?; Where am I going to do the research?;
When am I going to do the research?
You must take time to think about your research as this will save you
problems later.
When you’re thinking about your research, keep asking yourself questions
Sum up your research project in one sentence
Discuss your sentence with your tutor or boss and revise if there is any
confusion.
(13) The selection of a problem must be preceded by a preliminary study.
If the subject for research is selected properly, the research will not be a
boring drudgery; and it will be love’s labour. In fact, zest for work is a must.
solved”. This statement signifies the need for defining a research problem. The problem to
be investigated must be defined unambiguously to discriminate relevant data from the
Dr. E. Melagiriyappa, HOD of Science, S J M Polytechnic, Chitradurga
Research Methodology 5 VTU-Ph.D
irrelevant ones. A proper definition of research problem helps the researcher to be on the
track. An ill-defined problem may create hurdles.
Some questions crop up in the mind of the researcher.
i. What data are to be collected?
ii. What characteristics of data are relevant and need to be studied?
iii. What relations are to be explored?
iv. What techniques are to be used for the purpose?
The answers of all these questions are possible only when the research problem has
been well defined. Thus, defining a research problem properly is a step of the highest
importance. In fact, formulation of a problem is often more essential than its solution. It is
only on careful detailing the research problem that we can work out the research design and
can smoothly carry on all the consequential steps involved while doing research.
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
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. In addition to what has been stated above, the following
points must also be observed while defining a research problem:
a Technical terms and words or phrases, with special meanings used in the
statement of the problem, should be clearly defined.
b. Basic assumptions or postulates (if any) relating to the research problem
should be clearly stated.
c. A straight forward statement of the value of the investigation (i.e., the criteria
for the selection of the problem) should be provided.
d. The suitability of the time-period and the sources of data available must also
be considered by the researcher in defining the problem.
e. The scope of the investigation or the limits within which the problem is to be
studied must be mentioned explicitly in defining a research problem.
SURVEY OF LITERATURE
Dr. E. Melagiriyappa, HOD of Science, S J M Polytechnic, Chitradurga
Research Methodology 9 VTU-Ph.D
After defining a problem, the researcher has to do literature survey connected with the
problem. Literature survey is a collection of research publications, books and other
documents related to the defined problem. It is very essential to know whether the defined
problem has already been solved, status of the problem, techniques that are useful to
investigate the problem and other related details. One can survey
1. The journals which publish abstracts of papers published in various journals,
2. Review articles related to the topic chosen,
3. Journals which publish research articles,
4. Advanced level books on the chosen topic,
5. Proceedings of conferences, workshops, etc.,
6. reprint/preprint collections available with the supervisor and nearby experts
working on the topic chosen and
7. Internet.
[A free e-print service provider for physics, mathematics, nonlinear science, computer
science and biology is http://www.arXiv.org]
Other sources are the Education Index and the Educational Resources information
centers (ERIC). Computer-assisted searchers of literature have become very common today.
They have the advantage of comprehensiveness and speed. They are also very cost-effective
in terms of time and effort although access to some of the databases requires payment.
Irrespective of the sources of the literature, ethics of research require that the source is
acknowledged through a clear system of referencing.
Primary Sources
1. A primary source provides direct or firsthand evidence about an event, object,
person, or work of art.
Secondary Sources
1. A secondary source is second-hand information.
2. Secondary sources describe, discuss, interpret, comment upon, analyze,
evaluate, summarize, and process primary sources.
3. Secondary source materials can be articles in newspapers or popular
magazines, book or movie reviews, Web pages or articles found in scholarly
journals that discuss or evaluate someone else's original research.
Ease of completion.
Submission and data capture.
Appropriateness to particular populations.
High respondent acceptance for some groups.
Potential difficulties include:
o The paucity of methodological literature.
o Appropriateness to research aims.
o Target population.
o Technical difficulties.
o Sampling and response rates.
QUESTIONS-II SET
1. Describe fully the techniques of defining a research problem.
2. What is research problem? Define the main issues which should receive the attention
of the researcher in formulating the research problem. Give suitable examples to
elucidate your points.
3. How do you define a research problem? Give three examples to illustrate your
answer.
4. What is the necessity of defining a research problem? Explain.
5. Write short notes on:
(a) Experience survey;
(b) Pilot survey;
Dr. E. Melagiriyappa, HOD of Science, S J M Polytechnic, Chitradurga
Research Methodology 15 VTU-Ph.D
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