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Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Amit Verma
Any scientific investigation starts when a person has collected many facts but all that can be told on the basis of those facts is that there is something, which we do not know. Here a problem originates. A problem is manifested in at least three ways. First, when there is a clear gap in the results of several investigations in the same field, a problem is said to exist. Second, when the results of several investigations disagree with each other, a problem is manifested. Third, when the facts in any field are found in terms of unexplained information, a problem is said to exist. The statement of a research problem is often a difficult task for the researcher. Sometimes he has only a diffused and even confused idea regarding the problem. Before selecting and formulating a problem he must know what is meant by a research problem or a problem.
Meaning of Problem
Any scientific investigation starts when a person has collected many facts but all that can be told on the basis of those facts is that there is something which we do not know. Here a problem originates. A problem is manifested in at least three ways. First, when there is a clear gap in the results of several investigations in the same field, a problem is said to exist. Second, when the results of several investigations disagree with each other, a problem is manifested. Third, when the facts in any field are found in terms of unexplained information, a problem is said to exist. The statement of a research problem is often a difficult task for the researcher. Sometimes he has only a diffused and even confused idea regarding the problem. Before selecting and formulating a problem he must know what is meant by research problem or a problem. A problem statement may be defined as an interrogative testable statement which expresses the relationship between two or more than two variables. Analyzing this simple definition of a problem statement, it can be said that there are three important characteristics of a problem
Statement:
1. A problem statement is written clearly and unambiguously, usually in question form. A few examples of problems may be What is the relationship between IQ and class-room achievement?
What is the relationship between anxiety and intelligence among school children?
Do students learn more from a democratic teacher than from an authoritarian teacher?
All the above examples state a problem (to be investigated) in question form.
2. A problem statement expresses the relationship between two or more than two variables. This kind of problem, which expresses the relationship between two or more variables, permits the investigator to manipulate one of these variables and to examine its effect upon the other variable. Such a problem is completely different from a problem in a descriptive study where the investigator cannot manipulate a variable rather he simply observes or counts the occurrence of a particular variable. For example, if the investigator puts the question, “How many students have an IQ above 110 in Class VII?”, it will be an example of a problem in which he is required not to manipulate rather simply to count the students having IQ higher than 110. This illustrates the problem found in a descriptive study. But suppose he puts the problem like this: “Is higher IQ related to classroom achievement?”, it illustrates the problem found in a scientific study because the problem statement explores the relationship between IQ and class-room achievement.
3. A problem statement should be testable by empirical methods. In other words, a problem statement should be such that it should be tested through the collection of data. A problem statement, in which the stated relationship between variables cannot be tested, is not a scientific problem. Apart from these characteristics, there are three additional characteristics of a problem statement.
First, a problem statement should avoid moral or ethical judgments simply
Because such statements are very difficult to study. For example, questions like the Following should be avoided. Should a widow remarry? Should children avoid cheating in all situations? Should a person not tell a lie in all situations?
Second, the problem should be of sufficient importance. In other words, the
Problem should not be too trivial, or too expensive in terms of time, money and effort otherwise the investigator will not be able to furnish any answer immediately or even in the future.
Third, problems can be general or specific. Scientifically, a too general or broad
Problem is quite useless because it cannot be tested. Therefore, the problem must be reduced to a workable size or it must be specific. But a problem should not to be too specific because “great specificity is perhaps a worse danger than too great generality”
( Kerlinger, 1973:24). A too specific problem is therefore, a trivial problem.
Definition
According to Townsned (1953), “A problem is a question proposed for Solution”.
According to F.N. Kerlinger (1986), “A problem statement may be defined as an interrogative testable statement which expresses the relationship between two or more than two variables.”
Sources of Stating a Problem
Stating is a suitable problem is always a difficult task for the researcher.
To solve this difficulty, it is essential that the researcher acknowledges the likely sources to which he may go for formulating a suitable research problem. These sources are as follows:
1. A careful examination of problems, which are being faced by teachers,
Students, guardians may throw light upon several topics that are worth investigating. For example, student unrest is one of the most important problems, which school and college teachers are facing today. Thoughtful deliberations may enlighten several problems worth investigation. E.g.- What type of students participate in unrest? In which age group is the unrest most obvious? To what extent are teachers and guardians responsible for student unrest?
Those who are looking for a suitable problem should consult textbooks and research journals. Many research articles suggest problems for further investigation. Not only this, they also demonstrate the use of different techniques and procedures to be followed in investigating a certain problem.
2. Problem seekers may also consult research professors, instructors and advisors who are regarded as the most competent persons for suggesting a suitable problem.
3. Social changes and educational innovations constantly bring forth new problems, which are worth investigating. These new problems pave the way for new opportunities for further researches. The problem seeker may find a suitable research problem grown out of the various social changes and educational innovations.
Any scientific investigation starts when a person has collected many facts but all that can be told on the basis of those facts is that there is something which we do not know. Here a problem originates. A problem is manifested in at least three ways. First, when there is a clear gap in the results of several investigations in the same field, a problem is said to exist. Second, when the results of several investigations disagree with each other, a problem is manifested. Third, when the facts in any field are found in terms of unexplained information, a problem is said to exist. The statement of a research problem is often a difficult task for the researcher. Sometimes he has only a diffused and even confused idea regarding the problem. Before selecting and formulating a problem he must know what is meant by research problem or a problem. A problem statement may be defined as an interrogative testable statement which expresses the relationship between two or more than two variables. Analyzing this simple definition of a problem statement, it can be said that there are three important characteristics of a problem
Statement:
1. A problem statement is written clearly and unambiguously, usually in question form. A few examples of problems may be What is the relationship between IQ and class-room achievement?
What is the relationship between anxiety and intelligence among school children?
Do students learn more from a democratic teacher than from an authoritarian teacher?
All the above examples state a problem (to be investigated) in question form.
2. A problem statement expresses the relationship between two or more than two variables. This kind of problem, which expresses the relationship between two or more variables, permits the investigator to manipulate one of these variables and to examine its effect upon the other variable. Such a problem is completely different from a problem in a descriptive study where the investigator cannot manipulate a variable rather he simply observes or counts the occurrence of a particular variable. For example, if the investigator puts the question, “How many students have an IQ above 110 in Class VII?”, it will be an example of a problem in which he is required not to manipulate rather simply to count the students having IQ higher than 110. This illustrates the problem found in a descriptive study. But suppose he puts the problem like this: “Is higher IQ related to classroom achievement?”, it illustrates the problem found in a scientific study because the problem statement explores the relationship between IQ and class-room achievement.
3. A problem statement should be testable by empirical methods. In other words, a problem statement should be such that it should be tested through the collection of data. A problem statement, in which the stated relationship between variables cannot be tested, is not a scientific problem. Apart from these characteristics, there are three additional characteristics of a problem statement.
First, a problem statement should avoid moral or ethical judgments simply
Because such statements are very difficult to study. For example, questions like the Following should be avoided. Should a widow remarry? Should children avoid cheating in all situations? Should a person not tell a lie in all situations?
Second, the problem should be of sufficient importance. In other words, the
Problem should not be too trivial, or too expensive in terms of time, money and effort otherwise the investigator will not be able to furnish any answer immediately or even in the future.
Third, problems can be general or specific. Scientifically, a too general or broad
Problem is quite useless because it cannot be tested. Therefore, the problem must be reduced to a workable size or it must be specific. But a problem should not to be too specific because “great specificity is perhaps a worse danger than too great generality”
( Kerlinger, 1973:24). A too specific problem is therefore, a trivial problem.
Definition
According to Townsned (1953), “A problem is a question proposed for Solution”.
According to F.N. Kerlinger (1986), “A problem statement may be defined as an interrogative testable statement which expresses the relationship between two or more than two variables.”
Sources of Stating a Problem
Stating is a suitable problem is always a difficult task for the researcher.
To solve this difficulty, it is essential that the researcher acknowledges the likely sources to which he may go for formulating a suitable research problem. These sources are as follows:
1. A careful examination of problems, which are being faced by teachers,
Students, guardians may throw light upon several topics that are worth investigating. For example, student unrest is one of the most important problems, which school and college teachers are facing today. Thoughtful deliberations may enlighten several problems worth investigation. E.g.- What type of students participate in unrest? In which age group is the unrest most obvious? To what extent are teachers and guardians responsible for student unrest?
Those who are looking for a suitable problem should consult textbooks and research journals. Many research articles suggest problems for further investigation. Not only this, they also demonstrate the use of different techniques and procedures to be followed in investigating a certain problem.
2. Problem seekers may also consult research professors, instructors and advisors who are regarded as the most competent persons for suggesting a suitable problem.
3. Social changes and educational innovations constantly bring forth new problems, which are worth investigating. These new problems pave the way for new opportunities for further researches. The problem seeker may find a suitable research problem grown out of the various social changes and educational innovations.
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