This document discusses defining a research problem. It begins by stating that identifying a research problem is the first step of the research process and involves selecting a question the researcher wants to answer. It then discusses guidelines for identifying a research problem, such as being aware of existing research, controversial issues, and reviewing literature. The document outlines techniques for identifying specific research problems, including inductive and deductive reasoning. Key steps are stated as generally defining the problem, understanding the problem's nature through discussion, surveying literature, developing ideas through discussion, and rephrasing the problem into an operational research question.

1. DEFINING RESEARCH
PROBLEM
DR. HETA PATEL(PT)
PH.D. SCHOLAR

2. CONTENTS
 What is Research Problem?
 Identification of research problem
 Guidelines for finding research question
 Techniques for identification of research problem

3. Research problem
 A research problem is a question that a researcher wants
to a answer or a problem that a researcher wants to solve.
 Selection of a good research problem is a discovery in
itself .
 Defining the research problem is the first step of the
research process.
Defining
Research
Problem
Identification
Formulation

4. Definition of Research Problem
 A problem is an interrogative sentence or
statement that asks what relation exists between
two or more variables.
– Kerlinger

5. Identification of Research
Problem
FUNDAMENTAL ISSUE I N RESEARCH

6. Identification of problem
KNOWN
UNKNOWN
GAP

7.  Identification of a research problem is the first and most
important step in research process.
 A broad area is selected and then broad topic delimited or
narrowed down to a specific one sentence statement of
the problem.
 Its very difficult and challenging and needs lots of time.

8. Guideline for findings research question
Aware of research being done
at your Institute
Alert for any controversial
issues in some area of interest
Read a review paper and
references
List out the research questions

9. Mc. Coly (1930) practical evaluation of selecting a
problem
 Is the problem in the realm of research?
 Does it interest you?
 Does it possess unity?
 Is it worthwhile?
 Is it feasible?
 Is it timely?
 Can you attack the problem without prejudice?
 Are you prepared in techniques to address the
problem?

10. Techniques of identifying the specific research
problem
 It comes from two methods of reasoning:
1) INDUCTIVE REASONING
2) DEDUCTIVE REASONING

11. Inductive reasoning

12. Deductive reasoning

13. Steps in Problem Identification
 Statement of the problem in general way
 Understanding the nature of the problem
 Surveying the available literature
 Developing the ideas through discussions
 Rephrasing the research problem into a working
proposition.

14. Statement of the problem in general way
 Define the problem in general way
 Ex: Does clinician’s interested in application of evidence
based practice ?
 Narrow it down by rethinking over the problem.
(Consider feasibility of problem)
 Ex: Does evidence based practice develop the interest of
clinician?
  How to define in general way?
Note: Study the related subject thoroughly Do preliminary survey or
pilot survey

15. Understanding the nature of the problem
Best way to understand the problem is through
discussion.
Discussion with the people who has good knowledge about
that problem.

16. Surveying the available literature
 Survey all the research which are already undertaken in
related problem.
 It helps to :
 Narrow down the problem
 To identify research gaps
 Gives new ideas in related area
 Helps for research design

17. Developing the ideas through discussions
 Discussion always produces useful information.
 Various new ideas can be developed through such an
exercise.
 Researcher must discuss his/her problem with his/ her
colleagues and others who have enough experience in the
same area or in working on similar problems. This is
known as experience survey.
 Benefits : confined the specific problem, general
approach to problem thorough techniques, possible
solutions

18. Rephrasing the research problem into a working
proposition
 Rephrase the research problem in to operational term.
 Initial research question: Why is knee pain more common in rural
population in India?
 After, the problem has understood, available literature has taken place and
discussion over the problem has taken place, the question has rephrased.
 Rephrased Research question: What factors were responsible for the
knee pain in elderly rural population comparing with the urban
population of India?

20. Take home message