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Why define the Research Problem?

RESEARH PROBLEM DEFINITION { Defining your destination before

beginning a journey.
{ It determines,
what you will do,
Tapas Bala z

z will it withstand scientific scrutiny,

Assistant Professor
z how you will do it, and
Department of Marketing z what you may achieve!
BSMRSTU, Gopalganj.

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How is a research problem selected? What is research Problem

{ Researchers interest in a topic A research problem refers to some difficulty

which a researcher experiences in the
{ National or agency priorities
context of either theoretical or practical
{ Urgency of an issue situation and wants to obtain a solution for
{ Availability of research funds the same. A problem statement is a concise
description of the issues that need to be
{ Availability of supervision
addressed by a problem solving team and
should be presented to them (or created by
them) before they try to solve the problem.

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Components of a research problem Steps in defining research problems

There must be an individual or a group which has 1. Identify a broad topic

some difficulty or the problem. 2. Identify a narrow topic within the
a) There must be some objectives to be obtained. broad topic
b) There must be alternative means for obtaining 3
3. Raise questions
the objectives one wishes to obtain. 4. Formulate objectives
c) There must be some doubt in the mind of the { Use action-oriented words - To
researcher with regard to the selection of the demonstrate; To evaluate; To measure…
alternative.
d) There must be some environment(s) to which
the difficulty pertains.

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Identifying Broad Topics From Broad Topic to Narrow Topic

{ Think of the BIG PICTURE { Examples of a narrow topic:
z What is the problem you are trying to solve? z Liver disease in Goat
z Think of something you like to learn more
about z Greenhouse Agriculture
z Consult text books, journal or your supervisor z Milk Quality
Q lit
{ Pick one based on: z Greywater reuse potential in Oman
z Interest and relevance { When selecting a narrow topic think
Magnitude of work involved
z
how it can contribute towards
Level of expertise
solving the BIG PROBLEM!
z

{ yours and your advisors

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Examples Problem Research Objective

Frequent and long delays may The purpose of this study is two
translate into much frustration fold;
among airline passengers, to a) To identify the factors that
switching behavior and to negative influence the passengers
passengers’ waiting
word-of-mouth communication. experience and.
These feelings and behaviors b) To investigate the possible impact
eventually have negative effects on of waiting on customer
the performance and the satisfaction and service
profitability of the firm. evaluation.

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Research Questions Problem Tree – Keep asking Why?

Unskilled Labor Inefficient Irrigation

a) What are the factors that affect the Low Labor

Productivity
perceived waiting experience of airline
Unsuitable Climate Inefficient Water harvesting
passengers and to what extent do these
factors affect the exception of waiting times?
b) What are the affective consequences of Water Scarcity Lack of crop varieties
adapted to climate
waiting and how does affect mediate the Food Insecurity

relationship between waiting and the service Unsuitable Crops Farming Patterns do not
evaluations. Return nutrients

c) How do situational variables (such as filled

Low Land
time) influence customer reactions to the Productivity
Farmers can’t afford fertilizers

waiting experience.
Poor Soil Farmers unaware of
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Necessity of Defining the Problem Techniques involved in defining the problem

…………………a problem clearly stated is a problem The technique for the purpose involves the
half solved!!! undertaking of the following steps: At
A Proper definition of research problem will enable the beginning statement of a problem
the researcher to be on the track whereas an ill- should be in a general way, then narrow
defined problem
p oblem may
ma create
c eate hurdles.
h dles Defining a it down and phrase it in operational
research problem is a pre-requisite for any
terms Understanding the nature of the
study and is step of the highest importance. It
may facilitate questions like: What data are to problem through discussion Surveying
be collected? What characteristics of data are the available literature Developing the
relevant and need to be studied? What relations ideas through discussion.
are to be explored? What techniques are to be
used for the purpose?
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Techniques involved in defining the problem Techniques involved in defining the problem

a) Statement of the problem in a general The following points must also be observed while defining
a research problem:
way.
a) Technical terms and words or phrases should be
b) Understanding the nature of the clearly defined
problem.
p b) Basic assumptions related to the research problem
should be clearly stated
c) Surveying the available literature.
c) A straight forward statement of the value of the
d) Developing the ideas through discussion investigation should be provided
e) Rephrasing the research problem. d) The suitability of the time-period and the sources of
data available must also be considered by the
researcher in defining the problem.
e) The scope of the investigation of the problem to be
studies must be mentioned explicitly
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Three Steps to Writing a Research Problem Three Steps to Writing a Research Problem
The first step is to write down your problem or { The Second step is the same as the first, but
the current state. Don’t worry too much about focuses on the Desired or Future State.
quality at this point – simply making a start is { The Third Step is to combine your revised
significant. Next, expand on your problem by problem or current state and your desired
asking the following questions: future state into a single statement.
statement This might
a) who does it affect / does not affect? take a couple of attempts but stick with it.
b) what does it effect / does not affect?
Finally, review your new problem statement
c) how does it effect / does not affect?
against the following criteria:
d) when is it a problem / is not a problem?
a) Focused on only one Problem.
e) where is it a problem / is not a problem.
Now, re-write your problem statement based on b) One or two sentences long.
those answers. c) Does not suggest a Solution.

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Statement of the Problem Sample of Research Problems

Features of a suitable research problem; In 2006, BMB launched its CSR framework
a) You should be able to state the problem (effective in 2007) which is supposed to
clearly and concisely. guide Malaysian PLCs’ CSR disclosure
b) Ittsshould
ou d be a g
great
eat interest
te est to you
you. practices to be more systematic, yet
c) The problem should be significant.
there is no evidence whether this
framework might influence the level of
d) It should be defined
quality of CSR disclosure practices.
e) You should be able to obtain the required
(Thesis - Anas, 2010)
info
f) The point of research is to find some
answers
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Research problem cotd Research Problems Contd

“perception of accounting profession, Studies examined in higher educational

gender role stereotype and gender bias institutions indicated weak internal
act as barriers to gender career control such as ineffective budgeting
progression. Hence, this study attempts practices (Henry, Bitter and Kubichan,
to discover students perception about 2010). According to our best knowledge,
accounting profession” (Mohamed, there is no evidence in the literature
Na’ima and Shamso, 2011) with regard to studies examine best
practices of internal control in Somali
educational institutions (Abdirahman,
Abdikarim and Farhiya, 2011)

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