This is lesson 3 of the course on Research Methodology conducted at the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities of the Rajarata University of Sri Lanka

1. Rajarata University of Sri Lanka
P.B. Dharmasena
0777-613234, 0717-613234
dharmasenapb@ymail.com, dharmasenapb@gmail.com
3. ANALYSIS & STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Rajarata University of Sri Lanka
P.B. Dharmasena
0777-613234, 0717-613234
dharmasenapb@ymail.com, dharmasenapb@gmail.com
https://independent.academia.edu/PunchiBandageDharmasena
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Punchi_Bandage_Dharmasena/contributions
http://www.slideshare.net/DharmasenaPb
LESSON
THREE
EMGT 3172 (1:15)
B.A. (Special) Degree Program
Monday 10.30 am – 12.30 pm
Hall: EML

2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Learning objectives
1. Describe the advantages of a
systematic analysis of a problem
2. Describe the importance of a clear
statement of a problem
3. Enumerate the points that should
be included in the statement of a
problem
Lesson-3
LESSON
THREE
ANALYSIS & STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

3. Problem Statement
• Was the problem adequately
analyzed to include all
possible contributory factors
from different sectors?
• Was it clearly stated?
The above questions should
be clearly answered before
trying to develop the research
proposal. This lesson will
provide principles useful for
the analysis and statement of
the given problem.
Lesson-3
PROBLEM
Environment
Institutional
Cultural
Economic
SocialPhysical

4. Elephant and Blind men
Kidney
Disease
Heavy
metals Fluoride
Agro-
chemicals
Salinity and
ionocity
Cyno-bacteria
and algae

6. Analyzing the Problem
• A systematic analysis of the
problem, completed jointly by
the researchers, institutional
managers, and community
representatives is a very crucial
step in designing the research
• because it:
– Enables those concerned to bring
together their knowledge of the
problem,
– Clarifies the problem and the
possible factors that may be
contributing to it,
– Facilitates decisions concerning
the focus and scope of the
research.
Lesson-3

7. Formulating the Problem statement
• Why is it important to state and define the problem well?
– To obtain a clear statement of the problem:
• A clear statement of the problem
– Is the foundation for further development of the research proposal
(research objectives, methodology, work plan, etc);
– Makes it easier to find information and reports of similar studies from
which your own study design can benefit;
– Enables the researcher to systematically point out why the proposed
research on the problem should be undertaken and what you hope to
achieve with the study results.
• Points that need to be considered for justifying the selected
research problem
– Being a current and existing problem which needs solution
– Being a widely spread problem affecting a target population
– Effects on the social service programmes
– Being a problem which concerns the planners, policy makers and the
communities at large.
Lesson-3

8. Information to be included in the Problem Statement
• A brief description of socioeconomic and cultural characteristics and an
overview of social status.
• A more detailed description of the nature of the problem
– basic description of the research problem
– the discrepancy between what is and what should be
– its size, distribution, and severity (who is affected, where, since when,
etc.)
• An analysis of the major factors that may influence the problem and a
convincing argument that available knowledge is insufficient to answer a
certain question and to update the previous knowledge.
• A brief description of any solutions that have been tried in the past, how
well they have worked, and why further research is needed.
• A description of the type of information expected to result from the project
and how this information will be used to help solve the problem
• If necessary, a short list of definitions of crucial concepts used in the
statement of the problem. Lesson-3

9. Lesson-3

10. Lesson-3

11. Lesson-3

12. Lesson-3

13. Lesson-3

14. Lesson-3

15. Problem Statement and Justification
Up-Country vegetable
• High rainfall
• High depth of water table
• High frequency of rainfall
(> 2500 mm/year)
• Low temperature
• High assimilation capacity
Dry Zone rice
• Low rainfall
• Low depth of water table
• Low frequency of rainfall
(<1750 mm/year)
• High Temperature
• Low assimilation capacity
Determine level of awareness and the factors affecting to level of awareness of
rice farmer regarding pesticide water pollution in Anuradhapura district

16. Problem
• Evaluate user’s expectations
• Experience and
• Desire for e-services
Evaluation of E-Services of Regional
Centre for Strategic Studies (RCSS)
Library, Sri Lanka

17. A Problem Statement
• Farmers in the dry zone have to spend lot of
money for fertilizer, therefore, the study plans
to reduce the cost for fertilizer by promoting
the use of compost prepared by them
Lesson-3

18. A Problem Statement
• Rural villagers face difficulty of finding good
quality water for drinking therefore a
programme is planned to construct roof
rainwater harvesting tanks in selected houses.
Lesson-3

19. A Problem Statement
• People are throwing out garbage to rivers
causing river water pollution, thus an
awareness programme is designed to teach
them the solid waste management
Lesson-3