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Research Problem

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What is Research Problem

A research problem refers to 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.

In research process, research problem is the first and foremost step.

It can either be a real life situation or it may also refers to a set of opportunities.

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Types of Research Problem

There are two types of Research Problem:

Problems which relates to states of nature Eg – Status of working children in any Metropolitan

city in 2012.Problems which relates to relationship

between variables Eg – Lack of chemical fertilizer in the main cause of

low production of grain food.

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Components of Research Problem

An individual or a group or an organisation that has some difficulty or problem

Some objective to be attainedAlternative means for attaining the objectivesSome doubt in the mind of a researcher with

regard to the selection of alternativesSome environment(s) to which the difficulty

pertains

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Selecting Research Problem

Subject which is overdone shall not be chosen.Controversial subject should not become the choice

of an average researcher.Too narrow or too vague problems should be

avoided.Subject selected for research should be familiar and

feasible.Few factors to be considered are importance of the

subject, the costs involved, the time factor, the qualifications and the training of a researcher

Selection of a problem must be preceded by a preliminary study in case of new problems.

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Technique Involved In Defining A Problem

Techniques involved are:Statement of the problem in a general wayUnderstanding the nature of the problemSurveying the available literature Developing the ideas through discussionsRephrasing the research problem into a

working proposition.

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Research Design

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What is Research Design

It is an important step after defining the research problem.

Research design helps in deciding upon the issues regarding what, where, when, how much and by what means, an inquiry or a research study constitute.

Research design refers to the plan, structure, and strategy of research--the blueprint that will guide the research process.

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Parts of Research Design

The sampling design methods of selecting items to be observed

The observational design conditions under which the observations are to be

madeThe statistical design

how many items are to be observed how the information and data gathered to be analysed

The operational design Deals with the procedures specified

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Need for Research Design

It makes research as efficient as possible by yielding maximal information with minimal expenditure of efforts, time and money.

Research design stands for advance planning of methods to be adopted for collecting the relevant data and the techniques to be used in their analysis.

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Highlights of Research Design

Nature of the studyPurpose of the studyLocation where the study be conductedNature of data requiredWhere the required data be availableWhat time period the study would coverType of sample design to be chosenTechniques of data collection would be usedMethods of data analysis to be adoptedStyle in which the report would be prepared

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Features of Good Research Design

FlexibleAppropriateEfficient EconomicalMinimises biasness Maximises the reliability of the dataSmallest experimental errorYield maximal information

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Effective Research Design

Guiding principle for effective control in a research design is:

The MAXMINCON Principle

MAXimize Systematic Variance MINimize Error Variance CONtrol Variance

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Types of Research Design

Exploratory Research DesignConclusive Research Design

Descriptive Research design Experimental Research Design

Hypothesis-testing research DesignCausal Research Design

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Exploratory Research

Also termed as formulative research studiesThis research studies the subject about which

either their is no information or very little information is available.

The major emphasis in such studies is on the discovery of ideas and insights.

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Purpose of Exploratory Research

Formulate a problem for more precise investigation

Establishing priorities for further researchGathering information about the practical

problemsIncreasing analyst’s familiarity with the

problemClarifying the concepts

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Exploratory Research Methods

Experience Survey Technique in which individuals who are

knowledgeable about a particular research problem are surveyed.

Secondary Data AnalysisCase StudiesPilot StudiesFocus Group Interviews

Unstructured free flowing interview with a small group of people.

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Types of Research Design

Conclusive ResearchThis research provides the information that is

useful in reaching conclusions or decision making.

Two Types Descriptive Research

It is concerned with determining frequency with which something occurs or how two variable vary together.

Experimental Research It is a process in which one or more variables are manipulated

under conditions which allow the collection of data which show the effects.

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Types of Research Design

Causal ResearchThis types of research is concerned with

finding cause and effect relationship.

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Concepts related to Research Design

Dependent and Independent VariablesExtraneous variable ControlConfounded Relationship

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Thank You