5. CONTENTS
What is Research Problem?
Identification of research problem
Guidelines for finding research question
Sources of problem
Criteria for selection
Techniques for identification of research problem
6. RESEARCH PROBLEM
A research problem is a question that a researcher wants
to a answer or a problem that a researcher wants to
solve.
Selection of a good research problem is a discovery in
itself .
Defining the research problem is the first step of the
research process.
Defining
Research
Problem
Identification
Formulation
7. DEFINITION OF RESEARCH PROBLEM
A problem is an interrogative sentence or
statement that asks what relation exists
between two or more variables.
– Kerlinger
10. Identification of a research problem is the first and most
important step in research process.
A, broad area is selected and then broad topic delimited
or narrowed down to a specific one sentence statement
of the problem.
Its very difficult and challenging and needs lots of time.
11. GUIDELINE FOR FINDINGS RESEARCH
QUESTION
Aware of research being done
at your Institute
Alert for any controversial
issues in some area of interest
Read a review paper and
references
List out the research questions
14. MC. COLY (1930) PRACTICAL EVALUATION OF
SELECTING A PROBLEM
Is the problem in the realm of research?
Does it interest you?
Does it possess unity?
Is it worthwhile?
Is it feasible?
Is it timely?
Can you attack the problem without prejudice?
Are you prepared in techniques to address the
problem?
15. TECHNIQUES OF IDENTIFYING THE SPECIFIC
RESEARCH PROBLEM
It comes from two methods of reasoning:
1) INDUCTIVE REASONING
2) DEDUCTIVE REASONING
18. STEPS IN PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION
Statement of the problem in 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.
19. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM IN GENERAL WAY
Define the problem in general way
Ex: Does clinician’s interested in application of
evidence based practice ?
Narrow it down by rethinking over the problem.
(Consider feasibility of problem)
Ex: Does evidence based practice develop the interest of
clinician?
How to define in general way?
Note: Study the related subject thoroughly Do preliminary survey or
pilot survey
20. UNDERSTANDING THE NATURE OF THE
PROBLEM
Best way to understand the problem is through
discussion.
Discussion with the people who has good knowledge
about that problem.
21. SURVEYING THE AVAILABLE LITERATURE
Survey all the research which are already undertaken in
related problem.
It helps to :
Narrow down the problem
To identify research gaps
Gives new ideas in related area
Helps for research design
22. DEVELOPING THE IDEAS THROUGH DISCUSSIONS
Discussion always produces useful information.
Various new ideas can be developed through such an
exercise.
Researcher must discuss his/her problem with his/ her
colleagues and others who have enough experience in
the same area or in working on similar problems. This is
known as experience survey.
Benefits : confined the specific problem, general
approach to problem thorough techniques, possible
solutions
23. REPHRASING THE RESEARCH PROBLEM INTO A
WORKING PROPOSITION
Rephrase the research problem in to operational term.
Initial research question: Why is knee pain more
common in rural population in India?
After, the problem has understood, available literature
has taken place and discussion over the problem has
taken place, the question has rephrased.
Rephrased Research question: What factors were
responsible for the knee pain in elderly rural population
comparing with the urban population of India?