Unit 3

PROBLEM DEFINITION AND

HYPOTHESIS FORMULATION
Research Problem
• A problem well defined is half solved. This is especially true in
many of the research, for it is only when the problem has been
clearly defined and the objectives of the research precisely stated
that research can be designed properly.
• It is extremely important to define the research problem carefully
because the definition determines the purpose of the research
and, ultimately, the research design
• A problem has been discovered does not mean that the problem
has been defined
Research Problem

It specifies research questions to be answered and the objectives of the research.

A well-defined research problem helps the researcher in:

• Discriminating relevant data from irrelevant data
• Preventing the research study to go out of track
• Exploring data, techniques, and other aspects of research in an efficient manner
• Using the research problem as a guide throughout the research
Components of a Research Problem
• Research Consumer:
There must be individuals or groups which have some difficulty or problem. The
individuals or the groups themselves may be researchers.
• Specify the research objectives
There must be some objectives to be attained as the research consumer must
have something he wants to get. If one wants nothing, one cannot have a problem.
This answers the question “Why?” Why is there a need for investigation, inquiry or
study?
• Environment of the problem
There must be some environments to which the difficulty or problem
pertains. This answers the question “Where?” Where we need to
conduct the study? The space coordinates give you the geographic
boundaries within which the action is to be taken. A change in the
environment may produce or remove a problem. A researcher may
have doubts as to which will be the most efficient means in one
environment but may entertain no such doubt in another.
• Alternative Means to Meet the Objective
There must be alternative means or the courses of action for attaining an
objective one wishes to obtain. This means that there must be at least two
means available to a researcher or if he has no choice or means, he cannot
have a problem.
• Doubt in Regards to Selection of Alternatives
The existence of alternative courses of action is not enough. To
experience a problem the researcher must have some doubt as to which
alternative to select. Without such a doubt there can be no problem. This
means that research must answer the question concerning the relative effi­
ciency of the possible alternative
Research Problem
The things to be considered to define the research problems are:

A. Statement of the problem in a general way

B. Understanding the nature of the problem,
C. Surveying the available literature
D. Developing the ideas through discussion
E. Rephrasing the research problem
A. Statement of the Problem in a General
Way
• Define the problem in a general way
EG: Does negative news interest people more than positive news?

• Narrow it down by rethinking over the problem (consider feasibility)

Eg: Does negative news like robbery, corruption interest people more than positive
news like country economic growth?

• Study the related subject thoroughly or Do preliminary study or Pilot survey.

B. Understanding the Nature of the
Problem
• Best way to understand the problem is through discussion

• Discussion with people who has a good knowledge about that problem

Eg: Discuss with expert, consultant , decision makers

C. 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
D. Developing the Ideas through
Discussion
• Discussion always produces useful information.

• Various new ideas can be developed through such an exercise.

• Researcher must discuss the problem with the colleagues and other who have
enough experience in the same area.
E. Rephrasing the Research Problem
• Rephrase the research problem in to operational team

• Initial research question: Why is productivity of Japan much higher than in India?

• After the problem is understood, available literature has taken place and
discussion over the problem has been done the question has rephrased

• Rephrased question: What factors were responsible for higher Labor productivity
of Japans manufacturing industries during decade 1990 to 2000 relative to Indian
manufacturing industries?
Steps of Problem Identification
•Discussion with decision maker
•History of the problem
•Alternatives available for the firm
•Evaluation of alternatives
•Action after research
•Information need
•Experts Interview
•Secondary Data Analysis
•Qualitative research
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
• Description of an issue currently existing which needs to be addressed.
• It provides the context for the research study and generates the
questions which the research aims to answer.
• The problem itself, stated clearly and with enough contextual detail to
establish why it is important
• The method of solving the problem, often stated as a claim or a
working thesis
• The purpose, statement of objective and scope of the project being
proposed. These elements should be brief so that the reader does not
get lost.
KEY COMPONENTS OF THE
STATEMENT PROBLEM
The problem statement should be stated in three paragraphs
•Background of the problem
•Environment of the problem
•Research questions
ROLE OF PROBLEM STATEMENT
• Provides the context for the research study and typically generates questions
which the research hopes to answer

• The problem statement limits scope by focusing on some variables and not
others.

• It also provides an opportunity for you to demonstrate why these variables are
important
HOW TO WRITE THE STATEMENT
PROBLEM
• There must be very good communication between your topic and the statement
problem

• There should be a close relationship between the title of the proposal and the
problem statement question

• An example question might be: this proposal poses the question, "What is the
relationship between farm productivity and farmer use of fertilizer"?
• "Fertilizer use by small scale farmers in Bungoma district and their farm
productivity"
Research Objective
• A research objective is a clear, concise, declarative statement, which provides
direction to investigate the variables under the study.
• Research objectives focus on the ways to measure the variables, such as to
identify or describe them
• The objectives of a research project summarize what is to be achieved by the
study. Objective should be closely related to the statement of the problem.
CHARACTERISTICS OF RESEARCH
OBJECTIVES
• A well-worded objective will be SMART
• S – SPECIFIC • M – MEASURABLE. • A – ATTAINABLE. • R – REALISTIC. • T – TIME
BOUND
• Objective is a purpose that can be reasonably achieved within the expected
timeframe & with the available resources.
• The objective or research project summarizes what is to be achieved by the study.
• The objective include obtaining answers to research questions or testing the
research hypothesis.
• Examples of action verbs are: to assess, to identify, to find out, to determine, to
compare, to find, to verify, to calculate, to describe, to analyze, to establish, etc.
TYPES OF RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
• General objective
1. General objectives are broad goals to be achieved.
2. The general objectives of the study state what the researcher expects to achieve by the study in
general terms.
3. General objectives are usually less in number.
EG: To Make Ace No. 1 Business School in Nepal

• Specific objective
1. Specific objectives are short term & narrow in focus.
2. General objectives can be broken into small logically connected parts to form specific objectives.
3. General objective is met through accomplishing all the specific objective.
EG: To Increase the sales of Tea by 20% with july 2019
Example Of Research Objectives
• General objective: To assess the knowledge of staff nurses working in psychiatric
unit regarding physical restraint.

• Specific objective: To evaluate the effect of “planned teaching” on Physical

Restraints among nurses. To associate the knowledge with selected demographic
Example Of Research Objectives
• E.g. Factors influencing eating out behaviour of consumers within
Kathmandu valley
• Following are some of the objectives of this research:
• To identify the most decisive attribute that plays a crucial part while
eating out
• To test/examine the relationship between influencing factors and
eating out
• To find out the times of visit in these eateries
• To study the amount spent on per visit while eating out
Research Question
• A research question is the fundamental core of a research project,
study, or review of literature. It focuses the study, determines the
methodology, and guides all stages of inquiry, analysis, and reporting.
• The research question begins with a research problem, an issue
someone would like to know more about or a situation that needs to be
changed or addressed, such as:
• Areas of concern
• Conditions that could be improved
• Difficulties that need to be eliminated
• Questions seeking answers
• A research problem leads to a hypothesis (H) and/or research
question (RQ)
• E.g. Factors influencing eating out behaviour of consumers within
Kathmandu valley
• The research questions are:
• How much do people spend on eating out?
• Is there a relationship between demographic variables and eating
out?
Hypothesis
• A hypothesis is an unproven statement or proposition about a factor or
phenomenon that is of interest to the researcher.

• It is a testable prediction which is expected to occur. It can be false or a true

statement that is tested in the research to check its authenticity.
Hypothesis
In research, a hypothesis serves several important functions:

• It guides the direction of the study

• It identifies facts that are relevant and those that are not
• To test theories
• It suggests which form of research design is likely to be most appropriate
• It prevents from blind research
Types of Hypothesis
• Simple Hypothesis
• It reflects a relationship between two variable i.e. dependent and
independent
• E.g. Higher the unemployment, higher would be the rate of crime in
society.
• Complex Hypothesis
• It reflects a relationship among more than two variables
• E.g. Higher the poverty, higher the illiteracy in a society, higher will be
the rate of crime
• Null Hypothesis
• It expresses no relationship between variables. A null hypothesis is
denoted by H0
• A null hypothesis is made with an intention where the researcher
wants to disapprove, reject or nullify the null hypothesis to confirm a
relationship between the variables.
• E.g. Poverty has nothing to do with the rate of crime in a society.
• Alternate Hypothesis
• If the working hypothesis is proved wrong or rejected , another
hypothesis (to replace the working hypothesis) is formulated to be
tested to generate the desired results - this is known as an alternate
hypothesis.
• It is denoted by H1.
Criteria of Good Hypothesis statement
• Power of Prediction
• One of the valuable attribute of a good hypothesis is to predict for
future. It not only clears the present problematic situation but also
predict for the future that what would be happened in the coming
time. So, hypothesis is a best guide of research activity due to power
of prediction.
• Clarity
• A hypothesis must be conceptually clear. It should be clear from
ambiguous information’s. The terminology used in it must be clear
and acceptable to everyone.
• Testability
• A good hypothesis should be tested empirically. It should be stated
and formulated after verification and deep observation. Thus
testability is the primary feature of a good hypothesis.
• Relevant to Problem
• If a hypothesis is relevant to a particular problem, it would be
considered as good one. A hypothesis is guidance for the
identification and solution of the problem, so it must be accordance
to the problem.
• Specific
• It should be formulated for a particular and specific problem. It should
not include generalization. If generalization exists, then a hypothesis
cannot reach to the correct conclusions.
• Consistency & Harmony
• Internal harmony and consistency is a major characteristic of good
hypothesis. It should be out of contradictions and conflicts. There
must be a close relationship between variables which one is
dependent on other.
• Null hypothesis = H0i, where i = 1,2,3,4 and 5
• Ho1: There is no significant relationship between gender and eating out
• Ho2: There is no significant relationship between age group and frequency
of eating out
• Ho3: There is no significant relationship between occupation and eating out
• Ho4: There is no significant relationship between monthly income level
(allowances) and amount spent while eating out
• Ho5: There is no significant relationship between attributes and eating out
Thank you