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Research Problem

The document outlines the process of formulating and selecting research problems, emphasizing the importance of identifying gaps in existing literature and defining clear objectives. It provides a step-by-step guide for researchers, including conducting literature reviews, narrowing focus, and considering practical aspects. Additionally, it distinguishes between primary and secondary sources in literature reviews, highlighting their roles in research.

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5 views

Research Problem

The document outlines the process of formulating and selecting research problems, emphasizing the importance of identifying gaps in existing literature and defining clear objectives. It provides a step-by-step guide for researchers, including conducting literature reviews, narrowing focus, and considering practical aspects. Additionally, it distinguishes between primary and secondary sources in literature reviews, highlighting their roles in research.

Uploaded by

Prem Kumar
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Research Problem

A research problem is a specific question or issue that needs to be investigated or


analyzed. It's the foundation of any research project and is usually an existing gap in a
field of study.

Formulation of Research Problems


Formulating research problems is a crucial initial step in conducting purposeful and
targeted research. Here are five steps to follow:
Identify the broad research area: Determine the broad subject or field that interests you,
considering discipline-specific topics or specific phenomena.
Conduct a literature review: Review existing literature and research in your chosen field to
understand the current knowledge level and identify gaps or unsolved issues and areas
requiring further research. Read relevant scholarly publications, books, and articles to gain a
comprehensive understanding.
Narrow down the focus: Based on the literature review, select a specific component or
subject within your chosen research field. Look for inconsistencies, contradictions, or open-
ended questions in the existing literature that can present challenges for future research.
Refine your research topic and focus it on a single problem or phenomenon.
Define clear objectives: Establish clear and concise research objectives that outline your
investigation's specific aims or outcomes. SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant,
and time-bound) objectives help maintain focus and guide the research process effectively.
Formulate research questions: Create distinct research questions or hypotheses that align
with your research problem and objectives. Qualitative research often utilizes research
questions, while quantitative research employs hypotheses. Ensure these inquiries or
hypotheses are precise, concise, and aimed at addressing the stated research problem.
Selection of Research Problems
Formulating research problems is a crucial initial step in conducting purposeful and
targeted research. Here are five steps to follow:
Identify the Areas of Research: Start with broad areas that fascinate you within your field
of study. This initial interest provides motivation and engagement throughout the research
process.
Review of Existing Literature: Existing research to understand what studies have been
done, identifying gaps, contradictions or unresolved questions. This step helps in pinpointing
areas that need further exploration.
Consider Relevance and Significance: Choose a problem that not only interests you but also
has significance in your field. The potential for contributing new knowledge or solving a
practical issue enhances the value of your research.
Access Feasibility: Evaluate the practicality of investigating your chosen problem. Consider
factors like availability of data, time, constraints, financial resources and ethical implications.
Consult with Peers and Mentors: Discussing potential research problems with peers,
mentors, or experts in the field can provide valuable feedback, helping you refine your ideas
based on their insights and experience.
Necessities to Define a Research Problem
These are the general steps to follow while defining a research problem:
1. Look for a broad problem area: Identify under-explored aspects or areas of
concern, or a controversy in your topic of interest. Evaluate the significance of
addressing the problem in terms of its potential contribution to the field,
practical applications, or theoretical insights.
2. Learn more about the problem: Read the literature, starting from historical
aspects to the current status and latest updates. Rely on reputable evidence and
data. Be sure to consult researchers who work in the relevant field, mentors, and
peers. Do not ignore the gray literature on the subject.
3. Identify the relevant variables and how they are related: Consider which
variables are most important to the study and will help answer the research
question. Once this is done, you will need to determine the relationships
between these variables and how these relationships affect the research
problem.
4. Think of practical aspects: Deliberate on ways that your study can be
practical and feasible in terms of time and resources. Discuss practical aspects
with researchers in the field and be open to revising the problem based on
feedback. Refine the scope of the research problem to make it manageable and
specific; consider the resources available, time constraints, and feasibility.
5. Formulate the problem statement: Craft a concise problem statement that
outlines the specific issue, its relevance, and why it needs further investigation.
6. Stick to plans, but be flexible: When defining the problem, plan ahead but
adhere to your budget and timeline. At the same time, consider all possibilities
and ensure that the problem and question can be modified if needed.
Review of Literature

In a literature review, "primary sources" refer to original research data like raw data
from experiments, interview transcripts, or statistical reports, essentially providing
first-hand accounts of events or findings, while "secondary sources" are interpretations
or analyses of that primary data, such as review articles, textbooks, or commentaries
that synthesize information from multiple primary studies; essentially providing
second-hand information about the topic.

Key points about primary and secondary sources:

 Primary Sources:

 Provide direct access to the subject of research.

 Include original research articles, conference papers, survey data, personal letters,
diaries, and historical documents.

 Considered the most authoritative source for understanding an event or phenomenon.


Secondary Sources:
 Analyze, interpret, or summarize information from primary sources.

 Include review articles, textbooks, biographies, encyclopedias, and news articles.

 Often provide a broader perspective on a topic by drawing conclusions from multiple


primary studies.
Example of how to use both in a literature review:

 Research question: "What are the current findings on the impact of climate change
on agricultural yields in India?"
o Primary source: A research paper published in a peer-reviewed journal presenting
data from field studies on crop yields in different Indian regions under varying climate
conditions.

o Secondary source: A review article summarizing the key findings from multiple
studies on the impact of climate change on agriculture globally, including studies from
India.

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