THE RESEARCH PROBLEM

The first step in any research study is to identify and define a research problem.

A research problem refers to some ‘difficulty’ which the researcher experiences in the context of either
a theoretical or practical situation and wants to create a solution for the same (Kothari, 1984)

It is an issue or any field (such as education) where the researcher would like to find an answer or
solution (Cohen and Manion, 1975)

It could be a statement that asks: what relation exists between two or more variables? The answer is
what is being sought in research (Kerlinger, 1986)

For instance, assume that you want to investigate ‘’ how guidance and counselling programmes have
influenced students’ change in behaviour’’

Once the problem is established the following conditions are to be met:

a) There must be an individual, group or organization to which the problem can be attributed (let
us call it, ‘students and teachers’)

b) There must be some environment(s) to which the problem pertains (say, ‘the school
environment’) which is defined by some uncontrolled variables, such as ‘school administration’

c) There must be some objective(s) to be attained (i.e. to determine how G & C programmes have
influenced students’ change in behaviour)

d) There must remain some doubt in the mind of a researcher with regard to the valid explanation
of research problem

Thus, a research problem is one, which requires a researcher to find the best solution for a given for a
given.

SELECTING A RESEARCH PROBLEM

The research problem undertaken for a study must be carefully selected. A researcher when selecting a
problem or a subject/topic for researcher may observe the following points:

1. The subject/topic selected for research should be familiar and feasible so that related research
materials or resources of research are within one’s reach.

• Consultation with an expert may be necessary

• Review or published current literature available on the subject may also be necessary

2. The following factors/criteria must be considered when selecting a problem:

• Importance of the subject/topic

• Costs involved in carrying out the research

• Time to be taken on the research process

In light of the above, the researcher must consider the following questions:

a) Is he/she well equipped in terms of background knowledge/experience to carry out the

b) Does the study fall within the budget he can afford?

c) Will there be adequate co-operation from those who will participate in the research as subjects

3. The selection of the problem must be preceded by a preliminary study. This is necessary
especially when the problem is similar or related to a previous research already conducted

4. Practices to be avoided:

• A subject/topic which is overdone should not be chosen. This is because it will be very difficult
to shed any new light in such a case

• Too narrow or too vague problems should be avoided

• Controversial subjects/topics should not become the choice of an average research

SOURCES OF RESEARCH PROBLEMS

The most likely sources from which a researcher may identify a significant and genuine research
problem are:

1. Review of related literature.

A review of published literature such as textbooks, journals, magazines, etc. may shed some light on the
most current areas/ issues that require investigation

2. Personal experiences of the researcher.

A researcher’s education and professional experience, in terms of prevailing educational practices based
on little or no research evidence may serve as a good source of a problem. e.g. how does the school
transition or culture influence performance?

3. Consultation with experts and research institutions.

Consultations with an expert, research supervisor, research consultant or a senior scholar in one’s area
of specialization can be useful.

4. Participation in professional discussion/forum.

5. Social developments and technology changes.

Social changes and developments constantly bring forth new problems and new opportunities for
research. For example, the development of computer applications in the operations of an organization
has brought forth several issues that require investigation.

6. A questioning attitude.

A questioning attitude towards prevailing practices and research-oriented academic experiences will
effectively promote problem awareness.

CHARACTERISTICS/ CRITERIA OF A GOOD RESEARCH PROBLEM

1. Relationship between variables

A good research problem should express a relation between two or more variables. The relationship
between variables, however, may not apply to qualitative research.

2. Theoretical and /or practical significance

The problem should be significant enough and involve an important principle or practice. Its solution
should add to knowledge or lead to an improvement in the current practices.

3. Feasibility and amenability

Feasibility implies the suitability of the problem for research. The researcher should be able to carry out
the study through to its successful conclusion. He/she should possess the required competence,
knowledge and understanding related to the selected area of study.

4. Availability of data.

The researcher should ensure the availability of adequate valid reliable data. This is necessary because,
it will be on the basis of this data that evidence will be drawn to support research findings or
conclusions.

5. Novelty.

The problem should be sufficiently original so that it does not involve objectionable duplication.

6. Interesting
The problem should be interesting to the investigator. The investigator should have strong motivation
for it. This will give him/her the courage and determination to pursue the study in spite of difficulties
that may be involved. He/she should be willing to risk criticisms.

7. Empirical Testing

We can decide whether to use quantitative or qualitative methodology. This implies that the variables of
the relation can somehow be measured.