What is Research problem Techniques to define a Research problem Selection of Research problem Necessity of defining a problem Points to remember on research problem Sources of Research problem

1. Research Problem
Dr. Balamurugan M
Associate Professor
Department of MCA
Acharya Institute of Graduate Studies
Bengaluru

2. SELECTION OF A RESEARCH TOPIC AND PROBLEM
The starting point of a research is the selection of a research topic
and problem. There are many ways to do research as there are
scientists. The choice of a research area has always been a very
subjective process.
Identifying a suitable topic for work is one of the most difficult parts
of a research. Before choosing a research topic and a problem the
young researchers should keep the following points in mind.
• Topic should be suitable for research.
• The researcher should have interest in it.
• Topic should not be chosen by compulsion from some one else.

3. If the researcher is not interested in the topic and problem assigned to him
but he is working on it because of supervisor’s compulsion, then he will not
be able to face and overcome the obstacles which come at every stage in
research.
What is Research Problem?
A research problem is the situation that causes the researcher to feel
apprehensive, confused and ill at ease. It is the demarcation of a problem
area within a certain context involving the WHO or WHAT, the WHERE,
the WHEN and the WHY of the problem situation.
There are many problem situations that may give rise to research. Three
sources usually contribute to problem identification.

4. 1. Own experience or the experience of others may be a source of
problem supply.
2. A second source could be scientific literature. You may read about
certain findings and notice that a certain field was not covered.
This could lead to a research problem.
3. Theories could be a third source. Shortcomings in theories could be
researched.
Techniques Involved in Defining a Problem
Defining a problem is a herculean task, and this must be done
intelligently to avoid confusions that arise in the research operation.

5. Try to follow the below steps systematically to best define a problem:
State the problem in a general way
First state the problem in general terms with respect to some practical,
scientific or intellectual interest. For this, the researcher may himself
read the concerned subject matter thoroughly or take the help of the
subject expert. The problem stated should also be checked for
ambiguity and feasibility.
Understand the nature of the problem
The researcher needs to discuss the problem with those related to the
subject matter in order to clearly understand the origin of the
problem, its nature, objectives, and the environment in which the
problem is to be studied.

6. Survey the available literature
All available literature including relevant theories, reports, records,
and other relevant literature on the problem needs to be reviewed and
examined.
This would help the researcher to identify the data available, the
techniques that might be used, types of difficulties that may be
encountered during the study, possible analytical shortcomings, and
even new methods of approach to the present problem.

7. Go for discussions for developing ideas
The researcher may discuss the problem with his/her colleagues and
others related to the concerned subject. This helps the researcher to
generate new ideas, identify different aspects on the problem, gain
suggestions and advices from others, and sharpen his focus on certain
aspects within the field.
However, discussions should not be limited to the problem only, but
should also be related to the general approach to the problem,
techniques that might be used, possible solutions, etc.

8. Rephrase the research problem into a working proposition
Finally, the researcher must rephrase the problem into a working
proposition. Rephrasing the problem means putting the problem in
specific terms that is feasible and may help in the development of
working hypotheses.
Once the researcher has gone through the above steps
systematically, it is easy to rephrase the problem into analytical and
operational terms

9. Necessity of Defining a Research Problem:
The problem to be researched needs to be described unambiguously as
that will help you to discriminate useful data from the unrelated ones.
A proper formulation of research problem will allow the investigator to
be on the track in contrast to an ill-defined problem may possibly
create difficulties. Questions like:
• What data are to be gathered?
• What attributes of data are appropriate and need to be analyzed?
• What relations should be investigated?
• What methods should be employed for the purpose?

10. Other questions turn up in the head of the investigator who can well
plan his strategy and find solutions to these kinds of questions only
when the research problem has been well defined.
Therefore, defining the problem accurately is a necessity for any
research and is a step of the highest value.
In fact, formulation of a problem is often vital than its solution. It is
only on thoroughly describing the problem that we can work out the
research design and can efficiently proceed all the consequential steps
needed while doing research.

11. Points to Ponder on Research Problem
The following points should be kept in mind while defining a research
problem:
i) The right question must be addressed if research is to aid
decision makers. A correct answer to the wrong question leads
either to poor advice or to no advice.
ii) Very often in research problem we have a tendency to
rationalize and defend our actions once we have embarked upon a
particular research plan. The best time to review and consider
alternative approaches is in the planning stage. If this is done
needless cost of false start and redoing work could be avoided.

12. iii) A good starting point in problem definition is to ask what the
decision maker would like to know if the requested information
could be obtained without error and without cost.
iv) Another good rule to follow is “Never settle on a particular
approach” without developing and considering at least one
alternative”.
v) The problem definition step of research is the determination and
structuring of the decision maker’s question. It must be the
decision maker’s question and not the researcher’s question.

13. vi) What decision do you face? If you do not have decision to make,
there is no research problem.
vii) What are your alternatives? If there are no alternatives to choose,
again there is no research problem.
viii) What are your criteria for choosing the best alternative? If you do
not have criteria for evaluation, again there is no research problem.
ix) The researcher must avoid the acceptance of the superficial and
the obvious.

14. Sources of research topic
In general, humanities, occupational or academic base study revolves
around four P’s: problem, people, phenomena, and programs, and
the emphasis of each ‘P’ varies base from study to study, but in general
practices, research has considered at least two Ps.
Every study has two aspects area; ‘people’ provides researcher’s ‘study
population,’ and the other three P’s (problem, phenomena, and
programs) provide ‘subject area.’