SC 312
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
LECTURE NO. 2:
FORMULATION OF RESEARCH PROBLEM
RECAP OF RESEARCH PROCESS
IDENTIFICATION OF SUBJECT AREA
Ask yourself what you like to do after your graduation or what field
you would like to specialize in
This will help you to find an interesting topic
For example, if you are a civil engineering student, you can incline
your future to work in the area of;
Construction materials, Structural engineering, Transportation, Highway,
Geotechnical, Hydrology, Hydraulics, Environmental, construction engineering,
construction supply chain management, construction occupational health and
safety, etc.
RESEARCH PROBLEM
Problem formulation is the first and most important step of a research
process.
The problem formulation is like an identification of a destination before
undertaking a journey.
The research problem serves as a foundation of a research study; like a
building and its foundation.
If one wants to solve a problem, one must generally know what the problem is.
It can be said that a large part of the problem lies in knowing what one is trying
to do
WHAT IS A RESEARCH PROBLEM?
Some difficulty which a researcher experiences in the context of either a
theoretical or practical situation and wants to obtain a solution for the same.
Components of a research problem
There must be an individual or a group which has some difficulty or the
problem.
There must be some objective(s) to be attained at.
There must be alternative means (or the courses of action) for obtaining
the objective(s) one wishes to attain.
There must remain some doubt in the mind of a researcher with regard to
the selection of alternatives. 5
There must be some environment(s) to which the difficulty pertains.
SWOT ANALYSIS
Due to importance of a clearly defined research problem, it is a good idea
to undertake a SWOT analysis in the process.
SWOT analysis requires determination of; Uses of SWOT analysis
A SWOT analysis looks at internal and external
Strengths factors that can affect your business. Internal
factors are your strengths and weaknesses.
Weaknesses External factors are the threats and
opportunities. If an issue or situation would exist
Opportunities & even if your business didn't (such as changes in
technology or a major flood), it is an external
Threats issue.
Strengths and weaknesses are the features of the individual/organization
conducting the research, and therefore, can be controlled internally
(Internal Factors)
PEST ANALYSIS
Consideration of PEST factors assists in analysis of Opportunities
and Threats
These are external/exogenous factors and are present in the
environment.
PEST analysis requires determination of;
Political (legal/regulatory)
Economic
Social &
Technical forces
RESEARCH SUBJECT SELECTION
In selecting subject for research, it is useful to begin by considering
the following list
Topic/area of interest
Knowledge/experience on research field (strengths and weaknesses)
Topic of current interest in practice
Access to data
Research Limitations (confidentiality, interest & expertise potential
supervisor and collaborators)
SOURCES OF RESEARCH PROBLEMS
The research problems can be drawn from the faced/
experienced practical or theoretical (existing research
literature) problems.
The research literature include Research books, research
journals and trend reports.
From such literature one may get;
a clue to an unexplored areas,
a hypothesis to test, or
a new direction of inquiry
RESEARCH PROBLEMS & MOTIVATION
In order for a researcher to be motivated with the research
from commencement to the end, the research problem should
be:
Identified from one’s inner intellectual suffering/gap (interest)
Empirical (scientific in nature) (based on direct or indirect measurements or
observations)
Having theoretical potential
Of practical relevance
RESEARCH VS EXPERIENCE AND REASONING
Research can be seen to distinguish itself from gaining knowledge
through purely experience and reasoning as follows:
Gaining experience is uncontrolled and haphazard activity, while research is
systematic and controlled
Reasoning can operate in an abstract world, divorced from reality, while
research is empirical and turns to experience and the world around for
validation
Unlike experience and reasoning, research aims to be self-correcting. The
process of research involves rigorous testing results obtained and methods
and results are open to public scrutiny and criticism.
Research uses rigorous questioning techniques of scientific enquiry/method
SCIENTIFIC METHODS
Assumptions underlying scientific methods
Events have causes and the link between them can be revealed (order)
People recognize same reality, public or shared reality (external reality)
Human perceptions and intellects can be relied upon to provide
knowledge (reliability)
Theories can be put into elegant and simpler ways (explained in
economic manner – parsimony)
There is a valid relationship between a particular investigated case and
the general situation in the world at large (Generality)
RESEARCH & SCIENTIFIC METHODS
Characteristics of research that uses scientific methods
Generated by questions
We are surrounded
By unanswered questions
By unresolved problems
With unproven beliefs
A questioning mind is a precondition for research
Why?
How?
When do things happen?
What do events mean?
What causes them?
TECHNIQUE INVOLVED IN DEFINING A
PROBLEM
Defining a research problem properly and clearly is a crucial part
of a research study and must in no case be accomplished
hurriedly
The research problem should be defined in a systematic manner,
giving due weight to all relating points
1. statement of the problem in a general way;
2. understanding the nature of the problem;
3. surveying the available literature
4. developing the ideas through discussions; and 14
5. rephrasing the research problem into a working proposition
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM IN A GENERAL
WAY
Stated in a broad general way, keeping in view either some
practical concern or some scientific or intellectual interest
Example: “Why is productivity in Malaysia so much higher
than in Tanzania”?
In this form the question has a number of ambiguities such as:
What sort of productivity is being referred to?
With what industries the same is related?
With what period of time the productivity is being talked about?
In view of all such ambiguities the given statement or the
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question is much too general to be amenable to analysis.
UNDERSTANDING THE NATURE OF THE
PROBLEM
Understand its origin and nature clearly
Discuss it with those who first raised it in order to find out how the
problem originally came about and with what objectives in view
If it is yours, consider once again all those points that induced you to
make a general statement concerning the problem
Enter into discussion with those who have a good knowledge of the
problem concerned or similar other problems.
Keep in view the environment within which the problem is to be
studied and understood. 16
SURVEYING THE AVAILABLE LITERATURE
Researcher must be well-conversant with relevant theories in the
field, reports and records and also all other relevant literature
Review research already undertaken on related problems.
what data and other materials, are available for operational
purposes.
gaps in the theories,
the findings of the different studies 17
DEVELOPING THE IDEAS THROUGH DISCUSSIONS
Discuss your problem with colleagues and others who have
enough experience in the same area or working on similar
problems
People with rich experience are in a position to enlighten the
researcher on different aspects of the proposed study
• the formulation of the specific problem at hand,
• the general approach to the given problem,
• techniques that might be used, 18
• possible solutions, etc.
SELECTING RESEARCH PROBLEM
Subject which is overdone should not be normally chosen, for it will be a
difficult task to throw any new light in such a case.
Controversial subject should not become the choice of an average
researcher
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, the qualifications and the training of a
researcher, the costs involved, the time factor are few other criteria that
must also be considered in selecting a problem 19
The selection of a problem must be preceded by a preliminary study
