Office 13 based presentation on 'Selection of a research Problem'. The need, importance and steps involved are discussed.

1. Selection of the
Research Problem

2. What is selection??

3. Meaning
• Selection is the process by which the identified problem is
refined and structured by focusing on specific targets and
emphasising on certain variables
• We are cutting down the edges to reach a well structured
problem statement

4. • What is the purpose of the study?
• How much is already known?
• Is additional information necessary?
• What is to be ascertained or measured?
• How is it to be measured?

5. Factors affecting
the selection..

6. Selection
Process
State of
scientific
discipline
Social
Problems
Personal
values of the
researcher
Social
Premiums
Practical
considerations

7. Evaluating the
selection..

8. • Is the topic worth investigation?
• Is effective data collection possible?
• Is it feasible in terms of money /time?
• Will it enable the development of hypothesis or a theory?

9. Focus of Selection..

10. • Selecting units of analysis
Social Structures
Individual
Social Systems
Social relationships Group of people

11. • Selecting variables
Study on
Purchasing
behaviour
Income
Age
Family
Study on new
product
marketing
Demand
Price
Advertising

12. • Selecting anticipated relationships for research
Price Demand
Demand Advertisement Advertisement Price

13. Formulating
Research Question..

14. Research Question
• A researcher, after refining his research problem, ends up in
formulating the RQ, which describes the ideas contained in the
research objectives.
• A RQ is nothing but a refined, focused, structured and well
defined statement of the research topic.

15. Techniques of developing RQ
• Recording questions
• Reviewing Questions
• Classifying Questions
• Examining the questions
• Separate major or key questions

16. Types of Research Questions
• ‘What’ Questions
• ‘Why’ Questions
• ‘How’ Questions

17. Purpose of Research Questions
1. Define Scope of the research
2. Avoiding deflection or distraction

18. Phases of developing
a Research
Question...

19. Phase 1
• Why is the productivity of Japan is so much higher than in India?
Phase 2
• What factors were responsible for the higher labour productivity of
Japans manufacturing industries during the decade of 1971-1980
relative to Indian manufacturing industries
Phase 3
• To what extend did the labour productivity in 1971-80 in Japan
exceed that of India in respect of 15 selected manufacturing
Industries? What factors were responsible for the productivity
differentials b/w the two countries by Industries

20. Conclusion
• RQ/RP is the basis or foundation for every research.
• Just as in case of physical structures, once you have laid down
the foundation, you cannot go any further beyond its scope.
• Since a RP, defines the scope of a research, one should observe
maximum care and thinking while formulating the same.

21. Reference
• Research methods, Ram Ahuja, Rawat Publications.
• Research Methodology Techniques and Trends, Dr. Y.K. Singh &
Dr. R.B. Bajpai, APH Publishing corporations.
• Research Methodology, K. Chakraworthy, Sumit Enterprises.
• Research Methods in Social Science, Chava Nachmias & David
Nachmias, Copyrighted.
• Research Methodology Methods And Techniques (2nd revised
Edition), C.R. Kothari, Vishwa Prakashan Publications.
• Methodology of Social Sciences, O.R. Krishnaswami, Himalaya
Publishing House.

22. Further Contribution
 Problems faced by small & medium retailers with respect to the
new FDI Policy on retail
 Impact of interest rate, inflation rate and exchange on index
performance (any index such as Nifty index etc.)
 Micro finance in Islamic economy
 Factors that lead to investment in mutual funds ( specific type of
MF)
 Comparative study between current government and former
government
 Study on the impact of Direct Cash Transfer system on the rural
economy