Selection of the Research Problem

What is selection??

Meaning

• Selection is the process by which the identified problem is refined and structured by focusing on specific targets and emphasising on certain variables

• We are cutting down the edges to reach a well structured problem statement

• What is the purpose of the study?

• How much is already known?

• Is additional information necessary?

• What is to be ascertained or measured?

• How is it to be measured?

Factors affecting the selection..

Selection Process

State of scientific discipline

Social Problems

Personal values of the researcher

Social Premiums

Practical consideratio

ns

Evaluating the selection..

• Is the topic worth investigation?

• Is effective data collection possible?

• Is it feasible in terms of money /time?

• Will it enable the development of hypothesis or a theory?

Focus of Selection..

• Selecting units of analysis

Social Structures

Individual

Social Systems

Social relationships

Group of people

• Selecting variables

Study on Purchasing behaviour

Income

Age

Family

Study on new product marketing

Demand

Price

Advertising

• Selecting anticipated relationships for research

Price

Demand

Demand

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ntPrice

Formulating Research Question..

Research Question

• A researcher, after refining his research problem, ends up in formulating the RQ, which describes the ideas contained in the research objectives.

• A RQ is nothing but a refined, focused, structured and well defined statement of the research topic.

Techniques of developing RQ

• Recording questions

• Reviewing Questions

• Classifying Questions

• Examining the questions

• Separate major or key questions

Types of Research Questions

• ‘What’ Questions

• ‘Why’ Questions

• ‘How’ Questions

Purpose of Research Questions

1. Define Scope of the research

2. Avoiding deflection or distraction

Phases of developing a Research Question...

Phase 1

• Why is the productivity of Japan is so much higher than in India?

Phase 2

• What factors were responsible for the higher labour productivity of Japans manufacturing industries during the decade of 1971-1980 relative to Indian manufacturing industries

Phase 3

• To what extend did the labour productivity in 1971-80 in Japan exceed that of India in respect of 15 selected manufacturing Industries? What factors were responsible for the productivity differentials b/w the two countries by Industries

Conclusion

• RQ/RP is the basis or foundation for every research.

• Just as in case of physical structures, once you have laid down the foundation, you cannot go any further beyond its scope.

• Since a RP, defines the scope of a research, one should observe maximum care and thinking while formulating the same.

Reference

• Research methods, Ram Ahuja, Rawat Publications.

• Research Methodology Techniques and Trends, Dr. Y.K. Singh & Dr. R.B. Bajpai, APH Publishing corporations.

• Research Methodology, K. Chakraworthy, Sumit Enterprises.

• Research Methods in Social Science, Chava Nachmias & David Nachmias, Copyrighted.

• Research Methodology Methods And Techniques (2nd revised Edition), C.R. Kothari, Vishwa Prakashan Publications.

• Methodology of Social Sciences, O.R. Krishnaswami, Himalaya Publishing House.

Further Contribution

Problems faced by small & medium retailers with respect to the new FDI Policy on retail

Impact of interest rate, inflation rate and exchange on index performance (any index such as Nifty index etc.)

Micro finance in Islamic economy

Factors that lead to investment in mutual funds ( specific type of MF)

Comparative study between current government and former government

Study on the impact of Direct Cash Transfer system on the rural economy