The document outlines the steps for selecting a research problem, which include: 1. Identifying a broad field or subject area of interest and narrowing it down into subareas through literature review and consultation. 2. Selecting the subarea of most interest based on passion, manageability within available resources and expertise. 3. Raising research questions and formulating objectives for the selected subarea. 4. Double checking that the problem is sufficiently interesting, manageable within available resources and expertise before finalizing the research problem.

1. PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION
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2. INTRODUCTION
• Problem identification is the first and foremost step to initiate a
journey.
• Know your destination first.
• Confusion is the beginning of gaining clarity.
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3. Selecting the Research Problem
depends on
• Expertise of researcher in Research Methodology.
• Knowledge of researcher about the subject area.
• Understanding of issues to be examined.
• Predetermining the focus of researcher’s study.
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4. Sources of Research Problem:
Research in Humanities revolve around 4Ps
• People
• Problems
• Programmes
• Phenomena
Most research studies are based on a combination of 2Ps.
e.g. Person and problem , Phenomenon and programme.
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5. Considerations in selecting a
research problem:
• Interest of researcher
• Magnitude of the subject under selection.
• Measurement of concepts
• Level of Expertise
• Relevance
• Availability of Data
• Ethical Issues
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6. Steps in selecting a research problem
I. Identify a broad field or subject area of interest to researcher
Ask Yourself
What interests me?
What is the use of research in future?
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7. II- Dissect the broad area into sub areas
• Read literature to gain knowledge.
• Consult others who have more knowledge in the subject area.
• Continue developing an exhaustive list of subareas.
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8. III- Select what is of most interest to you
• Your most passionate area.(Process of Elimination)
• Examine if manageable ?
• Review time which is available?
• Examine availability of resources at your disposal.
• Your credibility and expertise in the area.
Cross check-passion, Manageability, available time and other
resources
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9. IV- Raise Research Questions
Ask yourself What is it that I want to find out about in the chosen
subarea?
Make a list of measurable research questions.
List all questions which you want to answer.
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10. V- Formulate Objectives: Set Goals
• Based on Research Questions, formulate main objective and sub objectives
• Main Objective reflects main thrust of the study
• Sub objectives reflect the specific aspects of the topic under investigation
within the main frame of research study.
• Objectives should include different action oriented phrases in the
beginning of sentences. E.g. To find out, To determine, To ascertain, To
examine etc.
• Objectives should be S(specific),M(Measurable),A(Achievable),R(Reliable)
and T(Time bound)
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11. VI- Double Check All The Steps
Review all steps again and ask these questions
• Are you sufficiently interested?
• Do you have adequate resources?
• Are you enthusiastic in undertaking the research?
• Do you have the required technical expertise?
• Do you have the required time at your disposal?
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12. Scope of the Study
• Decision regarding the study population
Decide who will constitute your study population?
e.g. If you have to ascertain the needs of adolescents living in an urban
slum you must decide
Who is an adolescent?
Which urban slum are you talking about? (Geographical Area)
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13. Establishing Operational Definitions
• Operationalize all the terms in the title as well as objectives. Simplify
till you are able to understand them yourself.
• Operationalization : Defining or establishing a set of rules, indicators
or yardsticks to establish clearly the meaning of all concepts whose
meaning may vary from respondent to respondent. It is very
important to obtain information from the respondents in a uniform
and unambiguous manner. It could also be different from legal ,
census or dictionary definition depending on the requirements of the
research study.
• e.g. Children below poverty line. The definition of poverty line needs
to be decided.
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