Research Methodology

|
 
   
| 
   


|
 

 ˜


The identification and analyzing a research problem is the first and

most crucial step of research process.

Meaning
1. A question proposed for solution
2. A matter stated for examination

Definition
A problem is a situation for which we have no ready made solution.

|
  
 £ £
££


˜


The following steps are to be followed in identifying a research

Problem
Step 1 : Determining the field of research
Step 2 : The researcher should develop the mastery on the area
Step 3 : He should review the researches conducted in area to know the recent
trend and studies in the area.
Step 4: On the basis of review, he should consider the priority field of the study.
Step 5: mploy his personal experience of the field in locating the problem. He
may take help of supervisor.
Step 6 : He should pin-point specific aspect of the problem which is to be
investigated.

|
  
 S
S

˜
S

The following are the main sources to which one may proceed for a
suitable research problem:
1. Personal experiences of the investigator
2. Literature-research abstracts, journals, hand-books of research
international abstracts etc
3. The most practical source of problem is to consult supervisor,
experts of the field and most experienced person of the field.
4. It is a general practice that researchers suggest some problems
in their research reports. The researcher can pick up a suitable
problem for his own study.

|
  
   £S£S


˜

A problem statement must have the following characteristics:
1. It should ask about a relationship between two or more variables.
2. It should be stated clearly and unambiguously, usually in question
form.
3. It should be possible to collect data or answer the questions asked.
4. It should not represent a moral or ethical position.

|
  
 £ £

S£



˜

èriteria for the selection of the problem suggested by Good and Scates are as follows:
1. Novelty and avoidance of unnecessary duplications.
2. Importance for the field represented and implementation.
3. Interest, intellectual curiosity, and drive.
4. Training and personal qualifications.
5. Availability of data and method.
6. Special equipment and working conditions.
7. Approachability of the sample.
8. Sponsorship and administrative cooperation.
9. Hazards, penalties and handicaps.
10. èost and returns.
11. Time factor.

|
 
 *
the
erts pre

ÿ ldreth ÿoke McAshan has proposed an object
e gu de for judg ng the mer ts
of a problem.
The follow ng quest ons may be ra sed for th s purpose.

" #$ $$  %


" #$   &   %

"   #$ $ #$%

|  #$'$ & $ '  %

" $$  ' ' & $ %

"#$    #$ #$ %
!
($$"$   &   #$%
)
| " '  ' $   #$ # '  #$ %
*
($$##$ $$ " &  $   $ %

+
($$    $$&   ##$  $'%

($$  '',&  &   $$&"   "

 %


"'- $' &$   $- $%. #  
    $'# / ' #$ #$

|
  !
 ee

e pre

The definition of a problem serves the following purposes:

1. The definition of a problem sets the direction of the study.
2. The definition reveals the methodology or procedure of the study.
3. The definition helps the researcher to control subjectivity or biases
of the researcher.
4. The definition of the problem suggests and specifies the variables
to be taken up into the investigation through a problem involved
into so many variables.
5. The-definition makes the research work practicable.

|
  )
 ˜rec ts retet e

etthepre

The following precautions should be taken into consideration for

identifying problem.
1. The words used for defining a problem should have a single
meaning.
2. The statement of the problem must be brief but comprehensive.
3. The assumptions are to be recognised for the study.
4. The problem should have practical importance in the field.
5. The definition or the statement of the problem should have certain
rationale.

|
  *
 £££˜

A study should be delimited by the following aspects:
1. A study should be delimited to certain variables that should be mentioned
clearly in the problem.
2. The study is delimited to the area or level as primary level, secondary level,
college or university level.
3. Again study is delimited to size of sample. èonsidering the time, energy and
money, but it should be a representative.
4. Method of Research: A Problem or study may be conducted by different
methods but it is not possible. Therefore, the best method should be used so
that the study should be delimited to the method only.
5. @
 
 
: In behavioral science number of instruments are
available but all tools can not be used to measure Thus the best available tool
will be used for measuring the variable.
6.    
 : A number of techniques can be used for analyzing
data but most appropriate techniques should be used.
7. The other limitation should vary from problem to problem as every problem
has its own delimitations.

|
 
+
  S ˜
˜
S

SY
˜S£S

The synopsis contains a clear and concise statement of the problem, the hypothesis
involved, a recognition of the significance of the problem, definitions of the important
terms, assumptions and limitations, a resume of related literature, an analysis of proposed
research producers, and a time schedule.
A research proposal includes. the following essential parts:
1. The Problem and statement of the problem.
2. The Review of literature or theoretical framework of the study.
3. The Hypotheses and objectives.
4. The Methodology and procedure of the study.
5. Educational implications or significance of the problem.
6. Definitions, assumptions and delimitations.
7. A tentative structure of the report.
8. Bibliography.

|
 

  £ £

 £

˜
˜
S
SY
˜S£S
The following are the some criteria which are commonly used for this purpose:
1. Significance of the proposed research, including:
(
) Importance of the problem area from the standpoint of basic knowledge of problems.
() Likely magnitude of the addition that will be made to knowledge if the project is
successful, including the generalizability of the results.
2. Quality of the proposed research project, including such considerations as :
(
) Extent to which the application exhibits through knowledge of pertinent previous work
and relates the proposed research to it.
() Likelihood of success of the project.
( ) Adequacy of design, methodology and tools, where appropriate.
3. Qualifications of the investigator and professional personnel as evidenced by :
(
) Experiences and previous research productivity.
() Quality of the discussion and analysis in the application.
4. Adequacy of the facilities and arrangements available to the investigator to conduct the
proposed study.
5. Reasonableness of the budget for the work to be done and the anticipated results. These
criteria should be incorporated in preparing a research proposal.

|