Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
objective in view. Defining a research problem
properly, clearly, and carefully is the most
important part of any research study and should
not be in any case accomplished hurriedly.
A research problem should be defined in a sys-
tematic manner providing due considerations to
all related points. Ideally a research problem is
formulated following the paths described below.
(a) Statement of the Problem
A research problem is the brainchild of a
researcher. In the first instance, a problem
should be stated in a broad and general way.
Ample scope should be there in defining and
redefining research problems. In an organi-
zational research generally, a researcher has
little to do with this. But in case of an indi-
vidual research, a statement of research
problems plays a vital role; before stating
the problem, a researcher must have a prima
facie knowledge about the problem and its
possible solutions. In the absence of such
knowledge, the best way is to conduct a
pilot study or pilot survey. In a conventional
research program of academic institutes, the
guide or the supervisor generally provides
the problem in general terms. The resear-
cher then takes up the problem and
concretizes the areas and puts them in oper-
ational terms.
(b) Understanding the Nature of the Problems
The best way of understanding the nature of a
problem is to discuss the problem with the
experts in the relevant fields. With the
advancement of computer and Internet faci-
lities, discussion groups are being formed
with the view to exchange ideas on different
aspects. Researchers in modern days can also
take help of such facilities. A researcher can
enrich himself/herself using these techniques
to find out how the problem originally came
about and with what objective in view.
Understanding the nature of the problem is
also related to where a research is to be
carried out. This is because of the two facts
in which with the change of situations, the
nature of the problem changes and also the
type of unforeseen situations during the con-
duction of the study.
(c) Surveying Available Literature
Before defining a research problem along with
a clear-cut understanding about the nature of
the problem, a researcher should be thorough
with relevant theories, reports, and documents
in the field of study. Reviewing of the avail-
able literature, thus, forms an inseparable
part of defining research problems. The re-
view of literature enhances the knowledge
bank, the confidence of a researcher, and
directions of a research program to be taken
up. It also helps researchers in getting an idea
about the past works and their merits and
demerits. It can also help in improving the
methodology to be taken up in a research
program. Contextual findings are the added
information generated through a review of
literature. Contextual findings can not only
help in fine-tuning the research problems but
also help in explaining the findings of the
research during the course of the study. There
are different sources of literatures like printed
topics and journals in the libraries, e-libraries,
Internet, discussions, and exchange of
documents from the experts in relevant fields.
While reviewing the literature, one should be
careful whether the knowledge relevant to the-
oretical framework is clarified and confirmed
beyond doubt. Different theories, their
criticisms, methodologies adopted, and their
basis should be noted carefully. A careful
examination is required with respect to what
extent the findings of the literature can be
generalized and used in the present perspective
of the research.
(d) Developing Ideas Through Discussions
Having passed through the stages of the gen-
eral statement of the problem, understanding
the nature of the problem, and surveying the
literature, a researcher is now comfortably
placed to discuss research problems with the
experts in the relevant field to give a pro-
per shape to the problem. In the process, a
researcher must discuss who has enough
experience in the same area or working
on similar problems. This is sometimes
known as experience survey. This will help a
