Defining the Research

Problem

Sasmita Mishra
What is a Research Problem?
A research problem in general refers to
some difficulty which a researcher
experiences in the context of either a
theoratical or practical situation and wants a
solution for the same.
 Components of a research
problem
 There must be an individual or a group which has
some difficulty or the problem
 There must be some objective(s) to be attained at.
If one wants nothing one cannot have a problem.
 There must be alternative means (courses of
action) for obtaining the objective.
 There must remain some doubt in the mind of a
researcher with regard to the selection of
alternatives. Research must answer the relative
efficiency of the possible alternatives.
 There must be some environment(s) to which the
 Selecting the problem
The following points must be taken into account while
selecting a problem
 Subject which is overdone must not be selected.
 Controversial subject should not be choosen by an
average researcher.
 Too narrow or too vague problems should not be chosen.
 The problem should be chosen in such a way that the
ingredients required for the study should be within the
reach of a researcher.
 The importance of the subject, time ,efficiency of the
researchers is also an essential requisite factor.
 Selection of problem must be preceded by a preliminary
study.
 Necessity of defining the
problem
 Problem clearly stated is a problem half solved.
 An unambiguously defined problem helps in
discriminating relevant data from irrelevant ones.
 Ill defined problem creates hurdles in the way of
research.
To summaries, a well defined problem helps in
selecting appropriate techniques, collecting
appropriate data and determining what
relationships to be studied.
 Techniques involved in
defining a problem
Defining a problem involves the task of laying down
boundaries within which it is to be studied.
The usual approach of defining a problem is that
researcher himself put a question.
However, the following points are wise to consider
 State the problem in general way
 Understand the nature of the problem
 Survey the available literature
 Develop ideas through disscussion
 Rephrase the research problem into a working
proposition
 Conclusion
Defining a research problem very often
follows a sequential pattern – the problem is
stated in a general way, the ambiguities are
resolved, thinking and rethinking process
results in a more specific formulation of the
problem so that it may be realistic one in
terms of the available data and resources
and is also analytically meaningful.