Unit 4 identification of research problem ASIMA SHAHZADI Course code 6461 AIOU

1. Educational
Research and
Statistics
Course Code 6461
Asima shahzadi
asimashahzadi7@gmail.com

3.  A research problem is the topic or title of the research. It is s
phenomenon that a research intend to explore. A research problem in
social sciences is:
1. A distributing situation that needs to be solved- a social problem
2. A question that needs to be answered
3. A concept that the researcher wants to understand
4. A cause-effect relationship in social context that the researcher wants
to explore
What is Research Problem?

4. Problem identification is an important part of a social
inquiry. Most researchers may initially find it difficult to
identify a research topic. (observation, knowledge,
wisdom and skills)
There are hundreds of researchable areas but the
identification of researchable problem leads to the
selection of best researchable topic.
Identification Of Research Problem

5. 1. Poverty, Hunger
2. Unemployment, Crime
3. Pollution, Overpopulation
4. Drug abuse, Energy crisis
5. Corruption, Mass Media
Some researchable topics for social
researchers

6. Importance of Research Problem
 Formulation of research problem is the first and important step of
research process. It is like the identification of a destination before
undertaking a journey.
 A research problem is like the foundation of a building. The type and
design of the building are dependent upon the foundation. If the
foundation is well designed and strong you can expect the building to
be also.
 The research problem serves as the foundation of a research study: if it
is well formulated, you can expect a good study to follow.

7.  • According to Kerlinger: “If one wants to solve a problem, one
must generally know what the problem is. It can be said that a
large part of the problem lies in knowing what one is trying to
do.”
 A research problemmay take a number of forms, fromthe very
simpleto the very complex. The way you formulatea problem
determines almost every step that follows:
1. The type of study design that can be used.
2. The type of sampling strategy that can be employed.
3. The research instrument that can be used or developed.
4. The type of analysis that can be undertaken.

8. When selecting a research problem there are a number of
considerations to keep in mind which will help to ensure that your
study will be manageable and that you remain motivated. These
considerations are:
1. Interest
2. Magnitude
3. Measurement of concepts
4. Level of expertise
5. Relevance
6. Availability of data
7. Ethical issues
Consideration in Selecting a
Research Problem

9. 1. Person experience
2. Practical experience
3. Critical appraisal of literature
4. Previous research
5. Existing theories
6. Social issues
7. Exposure to field situations
8. Consultations with experts
Sources for Identification Of a
Research Problem

10. 1. Selection of the area .
2. Delimitation of the problem .
3. Sampling .
Steps in identification of problem

11.  1) Knowing the fieldor area
 It is first necessary for a researcher to choose a broad field within which
he will conduct the study .
 The field selected should be one in which researcher is capable of
demonstrating necessary initiative , originality and good judgment .
 A thorough understanding of the known facts and ideas of the field is
the most important step in selecting a problem for study .
 Periodicals and annual biographies are helpful in keeping the researcher
informed
1) Selection of the area

12.  1) Selection of the problem :
 After selecting the broad area , the researcher must narrow it
down to a highly specific research problem and must state the
specific questions .
 SOURCES OR ORIGINOF THE PROBLEM :-
 1) Personal experience:- one of the sources of problem for research
is the daily contact of the professional educator . The classroom
teacher for example is in daily contact with the students . The
interaction occurs between teacher and pupil, pupil and pupil ,
pupil and material , furnishes a rich research oriented professional
journals .
1) Selection of the area

13. 2) Professional Literatutre
 Research oriented professional journals .
 The EducationIndex is the most complete biography of writings in the
field of education .
 The Reviewof Educational Research, a publication of the American
Educational Research Association ,reviews specific problem area in a
three year cycle .
 The Encylopedia of Educational Research, gives a review of the research
in nearly every area of education and covers 10 years period.
 Dissertationabstracts , The handbook of research on Teaching .
 Psychological Abstracts and the Sociological Abstractsare also excellent
place to began general survey .

14.  Ideas can also came through association with research oriented
colleagues .
 Attendance at meetings of research Association , such as The American
Educational ResearchAssociation, offers another opportunity for
association with other professionals who are reporting research
problems .
 Active membership in professional organization such as :-The National
EducationAssociation, Associationfor Supervisionand curriculum
development , and Pi Delta Kappa is also conducive to a research
orientation .
3) Professional Contacts

15.  Problems may be selected among the suggestions given by
educators and research workers .
1. The Journal of Experimental Education,
2. The Journal of educational Research ,
3. The Doctors‘and Masters’ Theses in education ,
4. Dissertation Abstracts, Psychological Abstract , theReviewof
Educational Research ,
5. Text books, Special assignment, Repots and Papers.
4) Suggestions

16. 1. Use of Hardware andSoftware in classes
2. The training of teachers through Team-Teaching
3. Microteaching , Simulation , Computers
4. Development of new courses and curriculumfor
students .
All these development constantly bring forth new
problems for Research .
5) Technological and Social changes

17. Once you have chosen a general topic idea the next step
is to refine your topic and ultimately to formulate a
research question.
Consider the points below to keep your research focused
and on track. If you continue to have difficulties
defining a topic talk to your instructor or a librarian.
Refining and Stating the Research
Problem

19. Once you have the topic you would like to
research, the next step is forming your research
question.
 Your research question should be focused and
specific.
The result should also be a question for which
there are two or more possible answers.
The Research Question

20. Broad Topic NarrowedTopic FocusedTopic ResearchQuestion
Women's health Women & cancer Women smokers
& breast cancer
Is there a connection between
cigarette smoking and breast
cancer risk?
Computer
games
Computer game
violence
Computer game
violence &
children
How does violence in
computer games affect
children?

21.  Before selecting your topic, make sure you know what your final project should look like.
Each instructor will probably have different assignment requirements so be sure to read
your assignment thoroughly and check for specific guidelines concerning:
1. The number of sources you are required to use
2. The kinds of sources are you able to use - books vs. web sites vs. journal articles or a
variety?
3. The type of research you are you being asked to conduct. - original research or review what
research has been done?
4. The length of your final project - two-pages, ten pages, etc. or an informal, five minute
presentation?
5. The depth of your project - Is your project an overview of the subject or in-depth and
focused coverage of a specific aspect?
6. The scope you are required to cover - Is this an historical summary or a report of current
developments?
Assignment Guidelines

22. AssignedLengthof
ResearchPaperor Project
Suggested Guidelines for Number& Types of Sources
1-2 page paper
2-3 magazine articles or Web sites
3-5 page paper 4-8 items, including book, articles (scholarly and/or popular)
and Web sites
Annotated bibliography 6-15 items including books, scholarly articles, Web sites and
other items
10-15 Page research
paper
12-20 items, including books, scholarly articles, web sites and
other items
You instructor will probably provide specific requirements
for your assignment, if not the table below may provide a
rough guide: