Understanding Research Problem

1. RESEARCH PROBLEM
September 9, 2014 Dr.Padma Shankar 1

2. RESEARCH PROBLEM
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3. Research Problem
R.S. Woodworth defines problem as:
“A situation for which we have no ready and
successful response by instinct or by previously
acquired habit. We must find out what to do.”
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4. The first step is designing social research is to
perceive a problem either theoretical or applied.
This may happen if:
there is a noticeable gap in the results of
investigations.
the results of several enquiries disagree.
a fact exists in the form of a bit of unexplained
information, and
there is desire for innovation.
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5. Research problem exist if the
following conditions are met with:
There must be an individual (or a group or an
organization) I – to whom the problem is
attributed
I occupies an environment say N
N is defined by values of the uncontrolled
variables Y
There are at least two courses of actions
say C1, and C2 to be pursued.
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6. There are at least 2 possible outcomes i.e., O1
and O2 of course of action of which one will be
preferred or the researcher wants i.e his
objective.
The choices must have unequal efficiencies.
The course of action available provides some
chance of obtaining the objective.
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7. O2
YY YY
II
O1 preferred Environment
YY
YY
YY
YY YY
cc11 cc22
YY
YY
YY
To whom
problem
attributed
N is defined by
values of
uncontrolled
variables
Course of action
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8. P(O1 /I,C1, N) ≠ P(O2/ I, C2 N)
i e. C1 & C2 – efficiencies are different
They provide some chance of obtaining the
objective.
But they do not provide same chance.
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9. Example
If you want to buy a Pineapple.
N
Pineapple
Koyambedu
Niligiri
c1
c2
cost
Choice
Quality
Service & Salesman
behaviour
Values of uncontrolled variables.
1
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10. Selecting the Problem: Criteria
It should be original.
It should be neither very general nor very specific.
It should be solvable.
It should be feasible.
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11. Techniques involved in defining a
problem:
Statement of the problem in a general
way.
Understanding the nature of the
problem
Surveying the available literature.
Developing the ideas through
discussion.
Rephrasing the research problem. September 9, 2014 Dr.Padma Shankar 11

12. Techniques involved in defining a
problem:………contd.
Technical terms words or phrases used in the
research problem should be clearly defined.
Basic assumption or postulates relating to the
research problem should be clearly stated.
A straight forward criteria for the selection of
the problem should be provided .
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13. Techniques involved in defining a
problem:………contd.
The suitable time period and sources of data
available must also the considered by the
researches in defining the problem.
The scope of the investigate or the limits within
which the problem is to be studied must be
mentioned explicitly in defining a research
problem.
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14. Finally How a problem originates
Contemporary interest.
Own interest.
Gaps in the field
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