SIMAD University

Defining Research Problem

Ali Yassin Sheikh

Chapter 3 –Defining Research Problem: Outline

• What is research problem?• Selecting the problem• Necessity of defining the problem• Techniques involved in defining the problem• Three steps to writing a research problem• Some samples of research problem

What is Research Problem?

• A research problem refers to some difficulty which a researcher experiences in the context of either theoretical or practical situation and wants to obtain a solution for the same.

• A problem statement is a concise description of the issues that need to be addressed by a problem solving team and should be presented to them (or created by them) before they try to solve the problem.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Problem_tatement

• Components of a research problem:– There must be an individual or a group which has some

difficulty or the problem. – There must be some objectives to be obtained. – There must be alternative means for obtaining the

objectives one wishes to obtain.– There must be some doubt in the mind of the

researcher with regard to the selection of the alternative.

– There must be some environment(s) to which the difficulty pertains.

What is Research Problem?

Selecting the Problem

• The following points may be observed in selecting a research problem:– Too narrow or too vague problems should be avoided– The subject selected for research should be familiar and

feasible so that the related research material or sources of research are within one’s reach

– The importance of the subject, skills required, the cost involved, the time factor, and data access should be considered

– The selection of the problem must be preceded by a preliminary study

Necessity of Defining the Problem

• …a problem clearly stated is a problem half solved!!!

• Defining a research problem is a pre-requisite for any study and is step of the highest importance. It may facilitate questions like:– What data are to be collected?– What characteristics of data are relevant and need to

be studied?– What relations are to be explored?– What techniques are to be used for the purpose?

Techniques involved in defining the problem

• The technique for the purpose involves the undertaking of the following steps:– At the beginning statement of a problem should

be in a general way, then narrow it down and phrase it in operational terms

– Understanding the nature of the problem through discussion

– Surveying the available literature– Developing the ideas through discussion.

Techniques involved in defining the problem cont…

• The following points must also be observed while defining a research problem:– Technical terms and words or phrases should be

clearly defined– Basic assumptions related to the research problem

should be clearly stated– A straight forward statement of the value of the

investigation should be provided– The scope of the investigation of the problem to be

studies must be mentioned explicitly

Three Steps to Writing a Research Problem

• The first step is to write down your problem or the current state. Don’t worry too much about quality at this point – simply making a start is significant. Next, expand on your problem by asking the following questions:– who does it affect / does not affect.– what does it effect / does not affect.– how does it effect / does not affect.– when is it a problem / is not a problem.– where is it a problem / is not a problem.

• Now, re-write your problem statement based on those answers.

• The Second step is the same as the first, but focuses on the Desired or Future State.

• The Third Step is to combine your revised problem or current state and your desired future state into a single statement. This might take a couple of attempts but stick with it. Finally, review your new problem statement against the following criteria:– Focused on only one Problem.– One or two sentences long.– Does not suggest a Solution.

thinkinghow.com

Three Steps to Writing a Research Problem

Statement of the Problem

• Checklist: features of a suitable research problem– You should be able to state the problem clearly

and concisely– It should be a great interest to you– The problem should be significant– It should be defined– You should be able to obtain the required info– The point of research is to find some answers

Sample of Research Problems

3. Research Problems:a) In 2006, BMB launched its CSR framework

(effective in 2007) which is supposed to guide Malaysian PLCs’ CSR disclosure practices to be more systematic, yet there is no evidence whether this framework might influence the level of quality of CSR disclosure practices.

(Thesis - Anas, 2010)

Research Problems, cont...

b) “perception of accounting profession, gender role stereotype and gender bias act as barriers to gender career progression. Hence, this study attempts to discover students perception about accounting profession”

(Mohamed, Na’ima and Shamso, 2011)

Research Problems, cont...

c) Studies examined in higher educational institutions indicated weak internal control such as ineffective budgeting practices (Henry, Bitter and Kubichan, 2010).

–According to our best knowledge, there is no evidence in the literature with regard to studies examine best practices of internal control in Somali educational institutions

(Abdirahman, Abdikarim and Farhiya, 2011)

Sources of this lecture

• Kothari, C. R. (2005). Research methodology: methods and techniques (2nd revised edition). New Age International (P) Ltd Publishers: Delhi

• Three steps to writing a research problem. Source: thinkinghow.com

• What is problem statement? en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Problem_statement

Discussion – Your Research Problems

Q & A