Chapter Two

2. Defining the Research Problem

2.1. Meaning of the research problem
• In research, the first and foremost step happens to be that
of selecting and properly defining a research problem.
• A researcher must find the problem and formulate it.
• A research problem refers to some difficulty which a
researcher experiences in the context of either a
theoretical or practical situation and wants to obtain a
solution for the same.
 Cont.…..
• Usually we say that a research problem does
exist if the following conditions are met:
1. There must be an individual or a group which
has some difficulty or the problem.
2. There must be some objective(s) to be
attained. If one wants nothing, one cannot have
a problem.
3. There must be an alternative means( or the
course of action) for obtaining the objective(s)
one wishes to attain.
 Cont.…
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.
 2.1.2 Selecting the problem
• The identification of a research problem is an
important phase of the entire research process.
• Therefore, a considerable care must be taken
while selecting a research problem.
• It requires a great deal of time, energy, and
logical thinking.
• The following points may be observed by a
researcher in selecting a research problem or a
subject for research:
 Cont.…
 Subject which is overdone should not be normally
chosen, for it will be a difficult task to throw any
new light in such a case.
 Controversial subject should not become the
choice of an average researcher.
 Too narrow or too vague problems should be
avoided.
 The subject selected for research should be
familiar and feasible so that the related research
material or sources of research are within one’s
reach.
 Cont.…

 The importance of the subject, the qualifications

and the training of a researcher, the costs
involved, the time factor are few other criteria that
must also be considered in selecting a problem. In
other words, before the final selection of a
problem is done, a researcher must ask himself
the following questions:
(a) Whether he is well equipped in terms of his
background to carry out the research?
(b) Whether the study falls within the budget he
can afford?
 Cont.…
(c) Whether the necessary cooperation can be
obtained from those who must participate in
research as subjects?
• If the answers to all these questions are in the
affirmative, one may become sure so far as the
practicability of the study is concerned.
 Cont.….
 The selection of a problem must be preceded by a
preliminary study.
• This may not be necessary when the problem
requires the conduct of a research closely similar
to one that has already been done.
• But when the field of inquiry is relatively new
and does not have available a set of well
developed techniques, a brief feasibility study
must always be undertaken.
 2.2 Technique Involved In Defining A Problem
• In general, When selecting a research problem/topic
there is a number of considerations to keep in mind.
These considerations are:
A.Interest
B. Magnitude-(scope)
C. Measurement of concepts-Do not use concepts
in your research problem that you are not sure
how to measure.
D. Level of expertise-Make sure you have an adequate
level of expertise for the task you are proposing.
E. Relevance
F. Availability of data
G. Ethical issues
 Cont.…
• Formulation of a problem involves the
following steps/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 idea through discussion
Rephrasing the research problem into a working
proposition.
 Cont.…
• In addition to what has been stated above, the
following points must also be noted while
defining a research problem:
1.Technical terms and words or phrases should be
clearly defined.
2.Basic assumptions or postulates (if any) relating
to the research problem should be clearly stated.
3.A straight forward statement of the value of the
investigation (i.e., the criteria for the selection of
the problem) should be provided.
 Cont.…
4. The suitability of the time period and the
sources of the data available must also be
considered .
5. The scope of the investigation or the limits
within which the problem is to be studied
must be mentioned explicitly.
2.2.1. Importance of formulating a research problem

 It determines the research destine. It indicates

a way for the researcher. Without it a clear and
economical plan is impossible.
 Research problem is like the foundation of a
building. The research problem serves as the
foundation of a research study: if it is well
formulated, one can expect a good study to
follow.
 Cont.….
 The way you formulate your research problem
determines almost every step that follows:
• The type of study design that can be used
• The type of sampling strategy that can be
employed
• The research instrument that can be used; and
• The type of analysis that can be undertaken.
 The quality of the research report (output of the
research undertakings) is dependent on the quality
of the problem formulation.
 2.3. Hypothesis Formulation
The meaning of Hypotheses
• The word Hypothesis is composed of two words,
‘hypo’ and ‘thesis’.
• Hypo means under or below and thesis means a
reasoned theory or rational view point. Thus
hypothesis would mean a theory which is not
fully reasoned.
• Hypothesis is a set of suggested tentative solution
of a research problem.
 Cont.….
• Hypothesis is a tentative statement about
something, the validity of which is usually
unknown.
• A hypothesis is a proposition, condition, or
principle which is assumed perhaps without
belief.
 2.3.1 Importance of Hypotheses

a) It places clear and specific goals before the

researcher.
• These clear and specific goals provide the
investigator with a basis for selecting
samples and research procedures to meet
these goals.
 Cont.…
b) It provides direction to research
• It defines what relevant and what is
irrelevant. Thus it prevents the review of
irrelevant literature and the collection of
useless or excess data.
• It not only prevents wastage in the collection
of data, but also ensures the collection of the
data necessary to answer the question posed
in the statement of the problem.
 Cont.…
c) It serves as a framework for drawing
conclusions.
• It makes possible the interpretation of data in
the light of the tentative proposition.
• It provides the outline for setting conclusions
in a meaningful way.
 2.3.2 Characteristics of Good Hypotheses
• There are a number of considerations to keep
in mind, as they are important, for valid
verification, when constructing hypotheses.
a) A hypothesis should be simple, specific, and
conceptual clear.
b) A hypothesis should be capable of
verification.
c) A hypothesis should be related to the body of
knowledge.
 Con…..
d) A hypothesis should be operationalisable.
• That is, it can be expressed in terms that can
be measured. If it can not be measured, it can
not be tested and hence no conclusions can
be drawn.
 2.3.3. Types of Hypotheses
• A hypothesis could be null or alternate
hypothesis.
• Null Hypothesis is a statement that there is no
actual relationship between variables. (Ho or HN)
A null hypothesis may read, “There is no
difference between………..”
Ho states the opposition of what the
experimenter would expect or predict
 Cont.…
The final conclusion of the investigator will either
retain a null hypothesis or reject a null hypothesis in
favor of an alternate hypothesis
Not rejecting Ho doesn’t really mean that Ho is true.
There might not be enough evidence against Ho
Example: “There is no statistically significant
difference in the anxiety level of children of high IQ
and those of low IQ”
• Alternate Hypothesis is a statement that suggests a
potential outcome that the researcher may expect. (H 1
or HA)
H1 may come from prior literature or studies
It is established when a null hypothesis is
rejected
Often an alternate hypothesis is the desired
conclusion of the investigator
It is of two types directional and non-
directional
• Directional alternate hypothesis is a type of
alternate hypothesis that specifies the direction of
expected findings
 Example: “Children with high IQ will exhibit more
anxiety than children with low IQ”
• Non-directional alternate hypothesis is a type of
alternate hypothesis in which no definite direction of
the expected findings is specified
 Example: There is a statistically significant
difference in the anxiety level of children of high IQ
and those of low IQ”.
 THE END
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