SELECTION OF RESEARCHPROBLEM

Presented byBindiya Patel

Objective.

Definition.

Why to define research problem?

Sources of research problem.

Steps in defining research problem.

Consideration in selecting a research problem

What is a bad research?

Conclusion

CONTENT

To understand some basic concepts of research and its

methodologies.

To identify appropriate research topics.

To select and define research problem and parameters.

To prepare a project proposal or to write research report.

OBJECTIVE…

RESEARCH

The broad general area expected to investigate.

It is a broad idea or concept from which many problems may be delineated.

Research in common term refers to search of knowledge.

RESEARCH PROBLEM

A situation or circumstance that requires a solution to be described, explained, or

predicted.

WHAT IS A RESEARCH & RESEARCH PROBLEM ???

It determines,

what you will do,

will it withstand scientific scrutiny,

how you will do it, and

what you may achieve!!!!

WHY TO DEFINE THE RESEARCH PROBLEM ?

Is the problem/topic significant enough?

Is it feasible (practical/possible for me to do it)?

Is it free of unknown hazards/dangers?

Is it clear (unambiguous)?

Answer the following preliminary questions…while SELECTING

PROBLEM

From where ???????Curiosity

Information Gaps

Controversy

Replication

Literature Review

Resource persons - professors

SOURCES OF RESEARCH PROBLEM

Dissertations

Books/reports

Newspapers/TV/radios/medias

Seminars, workshops/conferences

Own critical observations

….???

The problem statement should address all six questions: what, how, where, when, why, and who

CONT…

1. Identify a broad topic.

2. Identify a narrow topic within the broad topic.

3. Raise questions.

4. Formulate objectives.

Examples of Broad Topics

Sustain release parenterals / novel drug delivery system.

Dermal delivery of drugs using different vesicular carriers.

STEPS IN DEFINING RESEARCH PROBLEMS !!!

Examples of a narrow topic:

Solid lipid nanoparticles.

Nuclear over hauses effect in NMR.

Biomarkers used in cancer therapy.

Loaded erythrocytes.

Micro encapsulation.

When selecting a narrow topic think how it can contribute

towards solving the BIG PROBLEM !!!

FROM BROAD TOPIC TO NARROW TOPIC !!!

PROBLEM TREE – KEEP ASKING WHY?

Food Insecurity

Low Labor Productivity

Low Land Productivity

Unskilled Labor

Unsuitable Climate

Water Scarcity

Unsuitable Crops

Poor Soil

Inefficient Irrigation

Inefficient Water harvesting

Lack of crop varieties adapted to climate

Farming Patterns do not Return nutrients

Farmers can’t afford fertilizers

Farmers unaware of best practices

EXAMPLE

Considerations In Selecting A Research Problem

1. Interest: A research is usually time consuming, and involves hard work and possibly

unforeseen problems. One should select topic of great interest to sustain the required

motivation.

2. Magnitude: It is extremely important to select a topic that you can manage within the

time and resources at your disposal. Narrow the topic to something so it becomes

manageable, specific and clear.

3. Measurement of concepts: Make sure that you are clear about the indicators and

measurement of concepts (if used) in your study.

4. Level of expertise: Make sure that you have adequate level of expertise for the task

you are proposing since you need to do the work yourself.

CONT…..

5. Relevance: Ensure that your study adds to the existing body of knowledge, bridges

current gaps and is useful in policy formulation.

6. Availability of data: Before finalizing the topic, make sure that data are available.

7. Ethical issues: How ethical issues can affect the study population and how ethical

problems can be overcome should be thoroughly examined at the problem formulating

stage.

8. Overdone subject: Subject which is overdone should not be chosen, for it will

be difficult task to throw any new light in such a case.

9. Controversial subject: Should not become the choice of an average researcher.

10. Too Narrow topic should be avoided

The opposites of what have been discussed.

Looking for something when it simply is not to be found.

Plagiarizing other people’s work.

Falsifying data to prove a point.

Misrepresenting information and misleading participants.

WHAT IS BAD RESEARCH?

By selecting a research problem we come to know what type of research

will be helpful for us & society.

Drawbacks can be overcome which the other researchers has phased.

We also come to know availability of data and ethical issue related to it.

It will be helpful to know what we will achieve after the research is over.

We can also know weather the topic is significant enough, feasible & free

of unknown hazards or dangers.

CONCLUSION

Kothari, C.R., 1985, Research Methodology-methods And Techniques, New Delhi,

New Age International Publishers, Wiley Eastern Limited. Second Revised Edition,

PG. No. 1, 24-27.

John W. Best, James V. Kahn., Research In Education, Published By Pearson

Education Problem, Tenth Edition, Pg. No. 6, 28, 30-33.

Selecting, Refining & Defining Research Problems By Dr. Nazik Zakari, Dr. Hanan A.

Ezzat, Dr. Olfat Salem, Nursing Administration & Education Department.

Framework of Problem-Based Research: A Guide for Novice Researchers on the

Development of a Research-Worthy Problem Volume 11, 2008.

REFERENCE…