Problem Formulation or Defining a Research Problem

1. PROBLEM FORMULATION OR
DEFINING A RESEARCH
PROBLEM
MRINAL UPADHYAY
PhD Scholar

2. RESEARCH PROBLEM
• A research problem, in general, 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.

3. PROBLEM FORMULATION
• There are two types of research problems, viz., those which relate to states of
nature and those which relate to relationships between variables.
• Most important stage in research.
• This stage has a key role to play in determining the subsequent stages and steps
in research.
• It is the reference point deciding the general research strategy as well as the
specific designs.

4. STEPS IN PROBLEM FORMULATION
1. Identify the probable problems or questions for research
2. Selecting the specific research problem or questions to study
3. Formulating the objective of the study
4. Clarifying the objective of the study

5. STEPS IN PROBLEM FORMULATION
1. Identifying and Selecting the specific research problem or questions to study
• Carefully look at each of the probable researchable problems that have been identified in
the step one.
• Then decide to concentrate on just one of them or at the most two related problems.

6. • The criteria for selecting the appropriate problem are
a) A problem that is affecting the community
b) A general curiosity about the problem
c) Surveying the available literature
d) The time within which the study must be completed
e) The emphasis is on the learning processes
f) The problem lends itself to clear demarcation and selection of some specific aspects
g) Relate to practical problem
h) Relate to a wide population
i) Fills a research gap

7. 2. Formulating the objective of the study
• Enumerate the specific objective of the study
• This objective state in precise terms what is the aim and focus of the study
3. Clarifying the objective of the study
• Stating in clear terms what is implied in the objectives.

8. SUB – STEPS IN CLARIFYING OBJECTIVES
a. Operationalising the concepts implied in the objectives and in terms of variables and items
of information that will have to be collected
b. Determining the time period of the study
c. Stipulating the location of the study
d. Delimiting the target population of the study
e. Identifying the various relevant sources of data, and then pin pointing the most optimum
source from which the data will be obtained.

9. THANK YOU