2. INTRODUCTION
Selection of research problem depends on several factors such as researcher’s
knowledge, skills, interests, expertise, motivation and creativity with respect
to the subject of inquiry.
A research problem is a question that researcher wants to answer or a
problem that a researcher wants to solve.
Identification and formulation of a research problem is the first step of the
research process.
It is believed that most of the good research studies needs a lot of time for
selection of a research problem.
4. DEFINITION
According to Kerlinger, ‘A problem is an interrogative sentence or
statement that asks what relation exists between two or more
variable. The answer to question will provide what is having sought
in the research.
R.S. Woodworth defines problem as ‘a situation for which we have
no ready and successful response by instinct or by previous acquired
habit. We must find out what to do’, i.e. the solution can be found
out only after an investigation.
5. ELEMENTS OF A RESEARCH
PROBLEM
1. Objective or aim of the problem which is to be
investigated.
2. The topic or theme which needs to be
investigated.
3. The time dimension of a decision problem is
always the future.
4. The area or location in which the study is to be
conducted.
5. Population or universe from whom the data
needs to be gathered.
6. GUIDELINES IN THE SELECTION OF A
RESEARCH PROBLEM OR TOPIC
1. Select a research topic
2. Originality
3. Feasibility
4. Solvable/ Researchable
5. Current
6. Interesting
7. The name of a book, composition, or
other artistic work.
WHAT IS A TITLE?
8. 1. It should be CLEAR & SPECIFIC
2. MAIN CONCEPTS should be included like the SUBJECT MATTER OF THE
STUDY
3. VARIABLES being investigated should always be written as part of the
title
4. number of words in the title should not exceed 20 SUBSTANTIVE
WORDS, function words not to be included in the counting (Baker &
Shutz, 1999)
5.Avoid title phrasing such as "Study of....". "An analysis...", "A scientific
study of...", "An experimental investigation...." and "A preliminary Study
of..." They are vague and not acceptable for inclusion in a research title..
6. If the title contains more than one line, it must be written like an
inverted pyramid, all words in capital letters...
GUIDELINES IN WRITING THE
TITLE
9. A Research Problem, or phenomenon as it might
be called in many forms of qualitative research, is
the topic you would like to address, investigate, or
study, whether descriptively or experimentally.
WHAT IS A RESEARCH PROBLEM
10. 1.) Specify the Research Objectives
2.) Review the environment or Context of the Research Problem
3.) Explore the Nature of the Problem
4.) Define the Variable Relationships
5.) The Consequences of Alternative Courses of Action
GUIDELINES IN FORMULATING THE GENERAL
PROBLEM AND SPECIFIC SUBPROBLEMS OR
SPECIFIC QUESTIONS
11. An assumption is a self-evident truth
which is based upon a known fact or
phenomenon
ASSUMPTION
12. GUIDELINES IN THE USE OF BASIC
ASSUMPTIONS
1. You cannot assume the value of your study.
2. You cannot assume the reliability of the instruments you propose
to use in your research.
3. You cannot assume the validity of basic data.
4. You cannot assume that your population is typical.
5. An assumption is not tested, neither is it defended nor argued.
13. HYPOTHESES
A hypothesis is a
tentative conclusion or
answer to a specific
question raised at the
beginning of the
investigation.
14. A hypothesis should be:
* stated clearly using appropriate terminology;
*testable;
*a statement of relationships between variables;
*limited in scope (focused).
15. Forms of Hypotheses
1.Operational form
states that there is a difference between two
phenomena.
2. Null form
states that there is no difference between the
two phenomena.
16. QUESTION:
Is there any significant
difference between the perceptions
of the teachers and those of the
students concerning the different
aspects in the teaching of science?
EXAMPLES
17. Operational hypothesis: There is a significant
difference between the perceptions of the
teachers and those of the students concerning the
different aspects in the teaching of science.
Null hypothesis: There is no significant difference
between the perceptions of the teachers and
those of the students concerning the different
aspects in the teaching of science
FORMS OF HYPOTHESIS
18. also known as research hypothesis or experimental
hypothesis is a statement of inequality between
variables predicting that there is a difference in
conditions or that there is an association between
variables (Brace, Kemp & Snelgar, 2006).
ALTERNATIVE HYPOTHESIS
19. Instructions
1
Know what your null hypothesis is beforehand.
For example, in an experiment testing the whitening
effects of a new kind of toothpaste, the null hypothesis
would be "On average, there is no difference in whitening
effect between the new toothpaste and the control
whitening toothpaste."
20. 2
Gather the facts you already have about the new
toothpaste. For example, you may know that the
toothpaste contains higher levels of a whitening
agent than the control toothpaste, that the control
toothpaste does not perform as well as hoped and
that the new toothpaste has seemed to be effective
in informal testing.
21. 3
Compose your alternative hypothesis, using the
facts you have gathered to make an informed guess.
In this case, it may be, "The new toothpaste is more
effective than the control toothpaste for whitening
teeth, on average."
22. 4
Check your alternative hypothesis to make certain it
fulfills the requirements of an experimental hypothesis: Is
it a prediction? Is it testable? If not, rewrite it. For
example, if your hypothesis is "Will the new toothpaste
prove more effective than the control toothpaste?,"
rewrite it as a prediction instead of a question.
23. 1.They have to be expressed.(experimental
investigation)
2.Hypotheses are seldom expressed if not
entirely absent.(descriptive and historical
investigation)
3.Hypotheses are usually stated in the null
form because testing a null hypothesis is
easier than in an operational form of
hypothesis.
4.Hypotheses are formulated from the
GUIDELINES IN THE FORMULATION OF EXPLICIT
HYPOTHESES
25. 1.They help the researcher in designing his
study.
2.They serve as bases for determining
assumptions.
3.They serve as bases for determining the
relevance of data.
4.They serve as bases for the explanation or
discussion about the data gathered.
5.They help or guide the researcher in
Notes de l'éditeur
In other words, ‘ a research problem is an area of concern where there is a gap in the knowledge base needed for professional practices.
1. Objective or aim of the problem which is to be investigated. This answers the question “Why?” Why is there a need for investigation, inquiry or study?
2. The topic or theme which needs to be investigated. This answers the question “What?” What is to be researched or studied?” For example: What would a rival company do if we decrease our prices by 25%? What would sales be if prices were Rs. 89 ? Rs. 99 ? How would a rival firms action influence our sales and profits? The right question needs to be addressed if research is to help decision makers. The decision maker can’t acquire all the information, but it is often feasible to identify the factors that are critical to the existing problem. These factors are then included in the problem definition.
3. The time dimension of a decision problem is always the future. The period or time of the study when the data are to be gathered. This answers the question “When?” When is the research to be performed?” Managers frequently run the risk of making the correct decision at incorrect time. It is essential that the decision maker as well as the researcher determine the right time reference for-the decision.
4. The area or location in which the study is to be conducted. This answers the question “Where?” Where we need to conduct the study? The space coordinates give you the geographic boundaries within which the action is to be taken. In the problem definition, these lines are hardly ever neat political divisions or subdivisions. The universe of interest should be defined either conceptually or by enumeration.
5. Population or universe from whom the data needs to be gathered. This answers the question “Who?” or “from whom?” Who are the respondents? From who are the data to be collected?” They may include persons, groups of persons, business establishments.
When faced with choosing a research problem, it can be a very daunting and overwhelming prospect. Even with the restrictions of a particular field of research, you can still choose to research almost anything. There are some guidelines you should follow though that may help make your selection and purpose of the research study become a lot clearer.Select a research topic
This is easier said than done. It should be of interest to a particular group or based on a follow up of findings you found in a previous project. It needs to be worthwhile and of some interest to some group otherwise it will just be a waste of time.Originality
Try to choose something that has an element of originality. Although it may be based on some prior or existing knowledge you may have, it could be carried out from another angle for example.Feasibility
When thinking of a topic, think of something that is feasible and within your knowledge base, academic abilities, budget and time constraints.If you are struggling to come up with a topic for a research study you could consider these avenues as possibilities:Something related to recent advancements in science or technology
Interests you share with other like-minded thinkers and individuals
A topic based on a subject you have read about in an academic or professional publication.
Once you are happy with your choice of topic, you need to have a clear focus and direction to ensure the research project will be worthwhile and successful.
You assume even without proof
Typical – having the distinctive quality of a particular person or thing