Unit I Social Research and

Making Research
Sociological

Research Topic and

Research Problem

Dr Mani Ram Banjade

Dr Mina Adhikari
 8-Step Research Process

Formulating a Constructing an
Conceptualising a Selecting a
research instrument for
research design sample
problem data collection

proposal

Writing a
research
Writing a
Processing data Collecting data
research report

Source: Kumar, 2011

 Research Topic
The broad subject matter to be investigated

Research Problem
The educational issue or problem with a broad topic area

Research Purpose
A statement of the intent or the objective of the study

Research Question
A question about an issue, some process or phenomena to be
explored
Creswell, J. W. (2005). Research Design : Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed
Methods Approaches (3rd ed.).
Research Idea and Topic, and Its
Justification
Broad sectoral areas: e.g. health, education,
medicine, engineering, government, policy
Why you are interested in the topic: personal
experience, feel comfortable, your prior
education, workplace requirement, future
career prospects
Any other?
Research Problem

o A research problem is an issue or concern that an

investigator/researcher presents and justifies in a
research study.

o A research problem must integrate concepts and

theoretical perspective of the literature into the
problem to be addressed.
 Research Problem

o A research problem exists if at least two elements are present:

• The current state differs from the ideal state

• There is not an “acceptable” solution available. The absence of an

acceptable solution can entail either there being no solution
documented in the literature, or the solutions noted in the literature
leading to mixed results or contradictions (i.e. not properly addressing
the problem) (Creswell, 2005).
Locating a research problem

Look at any published material/study:

o What is the issue or problem?

o What controversy lead to the need for a study?

o What concern is being addressed behind the

study?
Why the research problem is important?

o It establishes the importance of the topic.

o It creates the readers interest.

o It focuses the reader’s attention on how the

study will add to the literature.
Why  First step of research process

Formulate  Foundation of a research study

Research  The quality and relevance of the research

Problem depends on how well the research problem is

defined.

According to Kerlinger, ‘‘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.’’
 Five elements of a research problem

Issue Evidence for the

• A concern issue
Topic • Evidence from
• A problem
• Subject area • Something that literature
needs a solution • Evidence from
practical
experience

How will addressing what we

need to know will help to: Deficiencies in the
• Researchers evidence
• Educators • In this body of
• Policy makers evidence what is
• Practitioners missing?
• Individuals • What do we need to
know more about?
• Society
Considerations in selecting a research
problem

o Researcher’s Interest

o Researcher’s competence

o Relevance

o Importance and urgency of the issue

o Availability of data

o Ethical issues
 Steps in Formulating a Research Problem

Step 1. Identify broad field of study or subject area of interest to you

Step 2. Dissect the broad area to sub-areas

Step 3. Select what is of most interest to you

Step 4. Raise research questions

Step 5. Formulate objectives

Step 6. Assess your objectives

Step 7. Double-check
Topics

 Castism
 Child labor
 Child marriage
 Soil and education
 Biofuel
 Tharu Marriage
 College bunk
 Youth development
 Wood carving
 Child development
Problem Statement: Child Marriage
Ideal
 Legal age bar
 Ideal age of marriage: research
Practice
 Early marriage problems
 Practice: data
 Reasons of gap
What you are going to do to address the gap/problem?
 Significance of the research
 Which areas will your research contribute
 Justification of research
Example: Alcoholism
Step 1 Identify Step 2 Dissect the topic into sub- Step 3 Select Step 4 Raise Res
broad topic areas sub-area Questions
1. Profile of alcohol
2. Causes of alcoholism 1. What impact has
The effects of alcoholism on marital
3. Process of becoming an alcoholic
alcoholism on status?
Alcoholism 4. The effects of alcoholism on family
family 2. How it affects on
5. Social response towards
(Process of children’s lives?
alcoholics
elimination) 3. What are the effects on
6. Effectiveness of a treatment
model family/finances?

Step 7 Double Check Step 6 Make sure your Step 5 Formulate Objectives
objectives Main Objective:
1. You are really interested
in the research To find out the effects of alcoholism
2. You are fine with the 1. Work involved on family
objectives 2. Time available? Specific objectives
3. You have resources 3. Financial resources 1. To assess the effects of alcoholism on
4. You have technical 4. Your (and your marital status
resources to undertake supervisor’s) technical 2. To determine the ways in which it
the study expertise) affects children’s lives
3. To find out effects of alcoholism on the
financial situation of the family