In the relevance of Social Work research

1. FORMULATIN OF RESEARCH
PROBLEM
Dr. Kumaraswamy. C
Associate professor
Department of Social Work

2. Definition of research problem
 According to Kerlinger“A problem is an
interrogative sentence or statement that asks what
relation exist between two or more variables. The
answer to questions will provide what is having
sought in the research.”
 R.S.Woodworth“A situation for which we have no
ready and successful response by instinct or by
previous acquired habit. We must find out what to
do ‘ i.e the solution can be found out only after an
investigation”

3.  By accident or by choice-get an
Idea/Concept from
 Talks of Lecture
 Books
 Articles
 Everyday observation

4.  The first step in designing the research is
to perceive a problem either theoretical or
applied.
 It is a researcher perception or
recognition of a problem that motivates
research.
 A problem exists when we do not have
enough information to answer a question

5.  A researcher must find the problem and
formulate it so that it becomes
susceptible to research
 A research problem n general refers to
some difficulty which a researcher
experience in the context of either a
theoretical or practical situation and
wants to obtain a solution

6. Example
 Do foreman’s comments cause
improvement in worker’s performance?
 Does anxiety affect achievement?
 Do girls prefer tall boy friends?
The goal of research in all these cases
would be to seek answers to these
question

7. Criteria of a Problem
Every problem selected for research must
satisfy the following criteria

8. It should be original:
 Purpose of research is to fill the gaps in
existing knowledge to discover new fact
and not repeat already known facts.
 Knowledge about previous research will
serve five useful purposes
 It will enable the researcher to identify his
specific problem for researcher
 It will eliminate the possibility of
unnecessary duplication of effort

9.  It will give hi valuable information on the
merits and demerits of various research
techniques which have been used in the
past
 It will tell him where others have
floundered so that he may be cautious and
 It will enrich his knowledge of the
characteristic concepts and terminology in
his area of specialization

10.  It should be neither very general
nor vary specific:
 If the problem is very general it is usually
too vague to be tested
 If the problem is very specific usually to be
important at any rate some kind of
compromise must be made between
generality and specificity

11. Sources of Research Problem
 Own Interest
 Burning issue
 Critical appraisal of existing
literature
 Guide recommendation
 Discussion with experts
 Day to day observations
 Practical experience
 Previous studies
 Existing theories

12. Criteria of good research
problem
 Interesting.
 Innovative.
 Cost-Effective.
 Relevant to the needs and problem of
the People.
 Relevant to Government's Thrusts.
 Measurable and Time-Bound.