Introduction

• The term problem originates from a

Greek word “Proballein”
• Meaning
anything thrown forward,
a question proposed for
solution,
a matter stated for examination.
Definition

• “a situation for which we have no ready and

successful response by previously acquired
habit”-by R.S.Woodworth.
• In other words it means a situation in which
a ready solution is not available. The
solution can be found out only after an
investigation.
Criteria for Selecting
a Problem

• Interest
• Most important
• Significance
• Theoretical value
• Practical value
• Timeliness
• External review
• Manageability
• Expertise, time, resources
• Free from personal bias
Problem Distillation

• The process of refining the question or

idea into a problem and making it
sufficiently specific so that it is
amenable to investigation
• This process should lead to the
development of a “statement of the
problem” that is clear, concise, and
definitive
Statement of the Problem
• A very specific statement which clearly
identifies the problem being studied; will
usually identify the key variables as well as
give some information about the scope of the
study
• May be in either question or declarative form
• May include inherent sub-problems, if
appropriate
• Formulation of problem statement takes
place after an initial review of related
literature and the distillation process
Problem
Statements
• “The problem of this study was to
…”
• “This study was concerned with
…”
• “This study is designed to …”
• “The purpose of this investigation
is to …”
Sample Problem
Statements

1. The problem was to investigate the effects of

exercise on blood lipids among college-age
females.
2. This study was designed to determine the
relationship between stability performance
and physical growth characteristics of
preschool children.
3. The present study was designed to identify
those characteristics which differentiate
between students who binge drink and
those that do not.
4. The problem of the study was to determine
is there is a relationship between self-
efficacy and self-reported alcohol usage
among middle-aged adult females.
Delimitations

• Delimitations define the scope of the

study. That is, they set the boundaries of
the study
• Normally under control of the researcher
• Examples include
• number and kinds of subjects
• treatment conditions
• tests, measures, instruments used
• type of equipment
• location, environmental setting
• type of training (time and duration)
Limitations
• Limitations are very similar to delimitations, but
they tend to focus on potential weaknesses of
the study
• Examples include
• sampling problems (representativeness of
subjects)
• uncontrolled factors and extraneous
variables
• faulty research design and techniques
• reliability and validity of measuring
instruments
• compromises to internal/external validity
Limitations continued

• Possible shortcomings of the study . . .

usually cannot be controlled by the
researcher
• the researcher will, of course, try to
eliminate extremely serious weaknesses
before the study is commenced
• May be a result of assumptions not being
met
• No study is perfect; the researcher
recognizes the weaknesses
Assumptions

• Assumptions are basic, fundamental

conditions that must exist in order for the
research to proceed
• Basic premises required in the study... the
researcher does everything possible to
increase the credibility of the assumptions,
but does not have absolute control
• Assumptions could be made about (1) the
motivation of the subjects, (2) whether
subjects responded truthfully, (3) the validity
of the measuring instrument, and (4) whether
subjects followed directions correctly
Selection of a Research
Problem

• Is the problem relevant and important.

• Does the subject area suits to his interest.
• Does it contain originality and creativeness.
• Does the problem requires extension of
knowledge.
Steps involved in
Research

• Choice of a topic.
• Data collection.
• Formation of Hypothesis.
• Verification.
• Writing the thesis.
Choice of Research
Problem

• The interest of the research scholar in the

research work.
• Technological change.
• The unexplored area.
• The available publications on specialised
area of his interest.
• The dialogue or discussion with the
supervisor.
Sources of
Problem
• Published works
• Record of previous research.
• Discussion with learned person.
• Research abstracts, Research
Bulletins, Research reports and
Dissertation abstracts.
• Conference proceedings and
papers presented in technical
sessions.
• Trend Reports.
Criteria of a Good
Research Problem.
• Clarity and unambiquity: The problem
should be related clearly and unambiguously
question form.

• Empirical verification: The problem should

be such as to imply possibilities of empirical
testing.

• Relation between variables expressed: The

problem should express a relation between
two or more variables.
Cont…,
• Novelty: fundamental qualities needed for a research
problem. Duplication of work is avoided

• Interest: The problem should be interesting for the

investigator himself. If he is not interested in it, he
will not be able to take and overcome the obstacle
which comes at every step of research.

• Importance: It should be significant enough and

involves an important principle or practice.

.
Cont…,

• Empirical verification: The problem should

be such as to imply possibilities of empirical
testing.
• Availability of Guidance: Every research
activity needs the patronage of guide and
approval and sanction of a competence
authority.
Cont…,

• Experience and creativity: Good

research problem stem form a clear
understanding of the theoretical
empirical and practical aspects of the
subject derived from personal
experience and from a thorough review
of the literature.
• Level of Research: It is another
criterion to help in the selection of a
problem. The nature and scope of a
study will be determined.
 Problem Identification
process

• A research problem, in general,

refers to some difficulty which a
researcher experiences in the
context of either a theoretical or
practical situation and wants to
obtain a solution for the same.
 1. Subject which is overdone should not be
normally chosen
Selecting the
2. Controversial subject should not become
research the choice of an average researcher.
problem: 3. Too narrow or too vague problems should
be avoided.

4. The subject selected for research should

be familiar and feasible
Techniques involved in defining the problem:

1. Statement of the problem in a general way

2. Understanding the nature of the problem

3. Surveying the available literature

4. Developing the ideas through discussions

5. Rephrasing the research problem

Cont…,

• Amenability: The problem chosen for

research should be amenable to
investigation.Research should posses
a reasonable basic knowledge in
necessary statistical techniques.
• Availability of date:
• Availability of Co-operation:
• Availability of other facilities.
 • A variable is a characteristic, trait, or
attribute of a person or thing that can be
classified or measured
• Attitude
Concept of •
•
Gender
Heart rate
Variables • Hair color
• Variable - the condition or characteristic
which in a given study may have more than
one value
Classification of
Variables

• Quantitative – measured numerically

• Discrete
• Continuous
• Qualitative – categorical in nature
 • A variable that is presumed to influence
another variable; the variable under study
or the one that the researcher
Independent manipulates
• Two types
Variable • Active – variable is actually manipulated
• Attribute – cannot be manipulated because it
is preexisting trait; sometimes called a
“categorical” variable (e.g., race, gender)
 • The variable that is expected to change as
Dependent a result of the manipulation of the
Variable independent variable; that which is
measured in a study
 • A variable that could contribute some
type of error in a research study
• Also referred to as . . .
• Confounding variable
• Intervening variable
• Modifying variable
Extraneous • Error-producing variable that the
Variable researcher should attempt to eliminate or
control
• May affect the relationship between the
independent variable and the dependent
variable if not adequately controlled
 • Excluding the variable
Controlling • Random selection of research
Extraneous participants
Variables • Matching cases according to some
criterion
 • Is the problem feasible with respect to
time and date required in its solution.
• Is the study reveal some new ideas.
Cont.., • Is the study practically fulfill the
objectives.
• Is the problem of investigation is too
narrow or too broad.
Elements or
components of
research proposal.
• Title
• Introduction
• The research question
• The literature review
• Theoretical framework
• Research methodology
• Limitations
• Conclusion