Research Problem

 

Research Problem

 

 Social problems : All research problems are driven by social problems. Problem solving aptitude is a natural quality given by the nature to all for their survival on this earth. But human being is the only creature blessed on this earth with vision, imagination, creativity and innovation. These attributes of man makes him enable to change the things surrounding him according to his wish. If man feels anything problematic only then he thinks to change them. Various research methods are used to resolve any problematic stage.

Research problem :  Selection of research problem is the first step in every research. No research can undergo by the researcher, unless this first step is properly and scientifically accomplished by the researcher. Usually, it is observed that academic research work undertaken by the students or research scholars are selected on certain parameters i.e., novelty of topic, suitability of topic, convenience in data collection or on option of supervisor. Though, these considerations cannot fulfill the real objective of academic research. On other hand, if any research project is supported by the funding agencies, sometimes research problems are already designed by such agencies and researchers are expected to research on such problems. In all such cases researcher’s involvement and his relation with research are not established up to expected level. No research can be performed by the researcher without his psychological involvement, his realization and sensitization towards the research problem. In many instances of academic research it has been observed that, without serious consideration of research problem researcher has undergone complete research and even concluded their work. Selection of research problem is a scientific process involving certain steps on the part of researcher to be performed.

Characteristics of Research Problem:

There are some general assumptions as “Every problem has their solution.”

 When you drive car without carrying license and immediately you find traffic police stopping vehicles for documents checking, which causes dissatisfaction and felt problem.

‘Dissatisfaction’ is a mental element and it is always related to present fact. Even, if a man is worry about his future, the subject matter of his anxiety may be future but dissatisfied mental state is always present, thus the subject matter of dissatisfaction may be past, present or future which causes dissatisfaction of mind at any point of time it is perceived problematic. If a man is dissatisfied he always thinks to change his dissatisfaction into satisfaction by controlling and manipulating the facts responsible for his dissatisfaction. This is only possible if he knows or he has answer how to change the state of dissatisfaction into satisfaction one. Contrarily, if he has no answer to find out proper solution of such problem then he undergoes to research process for finding out the answer, how to resolve such problem.

 

Rational observation: It is necessary to keep in mind that selected problem should not be fictitious. It must be based on certain logical and rational observation and proposed research should reflect their significance. The significance value should also be observed as to their utility and number of beneficiaries thereof. While selecting any problem for research its general value is to be considered. It should be analyzed that how many people are affected by such problem and after findings of research how many people would be benefited. Generalization value increases with population increasing. A research is significant if their generalization value is greater.

 

Steps of Formulation of research problem

(i)                 Realization of Problem

(ii)                Identification of problem

(iii)              Analysis of Problem

(iv)              Statement of Problem

Realization of Problem:

This is the first stage when researcher realizes the existence of problem. Mere statement or discussion regarding the problem does not suffice for selecting any problem for research unless researcher realizes or sensitized with the existence of any problem. Generally, victims of any problem can better realize the existence of problem. It does not mean that only victims can be the good researcher. Anybody, whoever be either victim, stakeholder or others, who understand the pain or difficulties of life caused by such problem. If researcher undertakes any research without his realisation of problem, he may undergo with the research but cannot formulate the research objectives and purposes pin pointed towards the satisfaction of objectivity of research.

Positive or negative : When man perceives any fact which is received by his receptors of mind thereafter cognitive process starts in his mind to identify such stimulus on the basis of his experience, knowledge and insight. Whatever is the nature of experience, knowledge or insight he possess outcome of his mind will be respectively positive or negative. The positive sign provides the state of satisfaction and negative sign causes dissatisfaction. In turn dissatisfaction proceeds for alteration, amendment, improvement and replacement. Such realisation stimulates the researcher to feel about their negative attributes or something lacking.

Interest of researcher is also an important aspect for establishing relation of researcher with such problem. Since the researcher has to spend a long time with research study if he would have interest in the subject of research only then he can continuously work on it otherwise not.

Identification of Problem:

After realisation of any problem next necessary step or process is the identification of problem. Researcher has to make him sure that what he feels to exist problematic is true or not? Before formulation of problem, there must be validation of opinion or review of literature as to the existence and nature of problem. Researcher should discuss his observation regarding problem with stakeholders and experts, and to invite their opinions on such problem.  The researcher must at the same time examine all available literature to get himself acquainted with the selected problem. He may review two types of literature – the conceptual literature concerning the concepts and theories, and the empirical literature consisting of studies made earlier which are similar to the one proposed. The basic outcome of this review will be the knowledge as to what data and other materials are available for operational purposes which will enable the researcher to specify his own research problem in a meaningful context.

 

Analysis of Problem:

The first step towards the problem solving, there can be a detailed description of the circumstances under which it occurs and their analysis becomes necessary. This will help to understand the contexts, nature and effects of such problem.

Researcher has to analyse the problems on following aspects as

 Whether problem is of temporary or permanent nature?

What are the constituents of problem?

Determination   of relevant   variables.

 What factors are responsible for causing such problem?

 Whether such factors are internal or external one?

Many times in our life we come across to such circumstances which are dissatisfactory for us and after passing them we neither go to look into such problem nor interested to research on such matter. Because, we are well assured that such happening was by chance or incidental only which would not occur again and losses caused by such incidence are not very high. Such problems are of temporary nature which does not affect our life very seriously and not exist persistently. These problems are not researchable since the research results may be beneficial to know about the nature and causes of problem, but it would not serve any purpose unless there is any possibility of their repetition in our life. Thus, the cost paid for searching such knowledge which is only informative, has no immediate utility is not beneficial. Therefore, while selecting any research problem, researcher must see that problem should not be of temporary nature it should be of permanent nature which requires human interception.

No problem comes from the vacuum. Every problem has its history and components which constitute such problem. Researcher has to search and analyse all those facts which are the part of any problematic incidence, phenomenon or transaction. This process is called ‘crystallisation of problem’. In diagnostic research, crystallisation process is very important; sometimes the causes of problem are directly highlighted through analysis. problematic may occur due to composition of facts in certain manner. But such problem cannot subsist long unless nurtured by other factors. Such nurturing factors may be internal or external. Internal factors are those factors which are hidden in problem itself and they can be searched by crystallisation of problematic phenomenon. Whereas external factors are those factors which do not participate as constituent of problem and they cannot be seen by crystallisation of phenomenon. But they externally influence such phenomenon. It constitutes the relation of existence of problem depending on other factors which are nurturing factors responsible for continues existence of problem. These factors are called ‘Independent Variables’ and Problem is called ‘Dependent variables’. Resorting actions for eradication of problem cannot succeed without controlling and manipulating independent variables.

The most common approach to legal analysis involves a four-step process: Issue,, Rule, Analysis/ Application and Conclusion. It is important to keep in mind the crucial role the facts play in analytical process. The four steps of the analysis process involve the facts in each step: a. Issue: The key facts are included in the issue. The issue is the precise question raised by the specific facts. b. Rule: Determination of which the law governs the issue is based on the applicability of the law to the facts in issue. c. Analysis / Application: This step is the process of applying the rule of law to the facts. Without the facts, the law stands in a vacuum. d. Conclusion: The conclusion is a summation of how the law applies to the facts, a recap of the first three steps. It too requires the facts.

Statement of Problem:

This is the final stage when research problem comes into the shape of statement. Whatever be the understanding and perception made by researcher after crystallisation and keen analysis of problem thereafter he makes the statement regarding existence of problem. A research problem must be identified without any ambiguity and each selected research problem must be clearly defined.

Kinds of Research Problem: On the basis of variables, research problems can be classified as:

Uni-variable Problem: Where problems are formulated after following certain hypothesis as to the relation of problem with single Independent variable.

Example :

‘Illiteracy is the cause of Criminal behaviour’ or ‘Effect of illiteracy on criminal behaviour’. Here problem of research is criminal behaviour, for which illiteracy is the alleged cause. Only single variable is held responsible for the problem.

Bi-variable Problem:

Where hypothesis suggests inference on two different independent variables responsible for occurrence of the problem is called Bi-variable problem. Researcher has to focus his attention on these two variables simultaneously.

Example:

Question is who has caused the death of A? It is shown that death was caused by either B, C or both. Here investigator has to investigate the antecedents of B and C both and he has to study the relations between A and B; A and C; and between B and C. After searching and analysing the facts relating to both variables hypothesis can be tested in the light of findings.

 

Multi-variable Problem:

Where more than two variables are shown in hypothesis responsible for problem is called multi-variable problem. Difficulty level and complexity in study increases with increasing number of independent variables. Researcher has to give keen attention on all variables equally.

 

Opponent variable Problem: Where there is a question between two or more inconsistent variables whether A is the cause of problem or B is the cause. Where A and B cannot stand together in such cases two hypothesis are formulated. First alleges the role of A variable and second on B. On proving one hypothesis other is rejected.

Example:

Court has to decide paternity of X it is shown that either P or Q may be the father of X. There is no possibility in the course of nature that P & Q both can be the father of X. Such phenomenon contains opponent variables problem.