This document discusses research problems and hypotheses. It defines a research problem as an area needing further investigation to address a gap in knowledge. Key components of a research problem are that it involves a difficulty, objectives to be achieved, alternative means of achieving objectives, and doubt about the best alternative. The document also discusses selecting an appropriate problem, defining the problem clearly, and techniques for problem definition. Finally, it defines a hypothesis as a conjectured relationship between variables, and discusses the importance and types of research hypotheses.

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MODULE 2

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Research Problem

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• According to Kerlinger, ‘A problem is an
interrogative sentence or statement that
asks what relation exists between two or
more variable. The answer to question will
provide what is having sought in the
research.
• R.S. Woodworth defines problem as ‘a situation for which we have
no ready & 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.
• In other words, ‘a research problem is an area of concern where
there is a gap in the knowledge base needed for professional
practices.

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We can, thus, state the components1 of a research
problem as under:
(i) There must be an individual or a group which has
some difficulty or the problem.
(ii) There must be some objective(s) to be attained at. If
one wants nothing, one cannot have a problem.
(iii) There must be alternative means (or the courses of
action) for obtaining the objective(s) one wishes to
attain. This means that there must be at least two
means available to a researcher for if he has no
choice of means, he cannot have a problem.
(iv) There must remain some doubt in the mind of a
researcher with regard to the selection of alternatives.
This means that research must answer the question
concerning the relative efficiency of the possible
alternatives.
(v) There must be some environment(s) to which the
difficulty pertains.

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SELECTING THE PROBLEM
(i) Subject which is overdone should not be
normally chosen.
(ii) Controversial subject should not become
the choice of an average researcher.
(iii)Too narrow or too vague problems should
be avoided.
(iv)The subject selected for research should
be familiar and feasible so that the
related research material or sources of
research are within one’s reach.

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(v) The importance of the subject, the
qualifications and the training of a
researcher, the costs involved, the time
factor are few other criteria that must
also be considered in selecting a
problem.
(vi) The selection of a problem must be
preceded by a preliminary study.

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NECESSITY OF DEFINING THE PROBLEM
Quite often we all hear that a problem clearly stated is a
problem half solved. This statement signifies the need
for defining a research problem. The problem to be
investigated must be defined unambiguously for that will
help to discriminate relevant data from the irrelevant
ones. A proper definition of research problem will enable
the researcher to be on the track whereas an ill-defined
problem may create hurdles. Questions like: What data
are to be collected? What characteristics of data are
relevant and need to be studied? What relations are to
be explored. What techniques are to be used for the
purpose? and similar other questions crop up in the mind
of the researcher who can well plan his strategy and find
answers to all such questions only when the research
problem has been well defined.

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TECHNIQUE INVOLVED IN
DEFINING A PROBLEM
(i) Statement of the problem in a general
way.
(ii) Understanding the nature of the
problem.
(iii)Surveying the available literature.
(iv)Developing the ideas through
discussions.
(v) Rephrasing the research problem.

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Hypothesis

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Hypothesis may be defined as a
proposition of a set of proposition set
forth as an explanation for the
occurrence of some specified group
phenomenon either asserted merely as
a provisional conjecture to guide some
investigation or accepted as highly
probable in the light of established facts.

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Definition
“A hypothesis is a conjectural statement of the
relation between two or more variables”.
(Kerlinger, 1956)
“Hypotheses are single tentative guesses, good
hunches– assumed for use in devising theory or
planning experiments intended to be given a
direct experimental test when possible”. (Eric
Rogers, 1966)
“Hypothesis is a formal statement that presents the
expected relationship between an independent
and dependent variable.”(Creswell, 1994)

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Importance of hypothesis
Van Dalen advocates the importance of hypothesis
in the following ways –
• Hypotheses are indispensable research
instrument, for they build a bridge between the
problem and the location of empirical evidence
that may solve the problem.
• A hypothesis provides the map that guides and
expedites the exploration of the phenomena
under consideration.
• A hypothesis pin points the problem. The
investigator can examine thoroughly the factual
and conceptual elements that appear to be
related to a problem.

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Contd…
• Using hypothesis determines the relevancy of facts. A
hypothesis directs the researcher’s efforts into a
productive channels.
• The hypothesis indicates not only what to look for is an
investigation but how to obtain data. It helps in
deciding research design. It may suggest what
subjects, tests, tools, and techniques are needed.
• The hypothesis provides the investigator with the most
efficient instrument for exploring and explaining the
unknown facts.
• A hypothesis provides the framework for drawing
conclusions.
• These hypotheses simulate the investigator for further
research studies

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TYPES OF RESEARCH
HYPOTHESIS
• Directional Hypothesis
• Nondirectional Hypothesis
• Associative Hypothesis
• Causal Hypothesis
• Null Hypothesis
• Alternate or Research Hypothesis