Social research:

Social Research is a method used by social scientists and researchers to learn about people and
societies so that they can design products/services that cater to various needs of the people.
Different socio-economic groups belonging to different parts of a county think differently.
Various aspects of human behavior need to be addressed to understand their thoughts and
feedback about the social world, which can be done using Social Research. Any topic can trigger
social research – new feature, new market trend or an upgrade in old technology.
Social research has been defined By P.V. Young as “ we may define social research as the
systematic method of discovering new facts of verifying old facts, their sequences,
interrelationship, casual explanation and natural laws which govern them.
Based on above definition the following characteristics of social research is:
1. Social research deals with the social phenomena. It studies behavior of human being as
members of society, and their feelings response, attitudes under different circumstances.
2. Social research is carried on both for discovering new facts and verification of the old
ones. The object of every science of course, is the discovery of new facts, new
relationship and new laws governing the phenomena. But the constant verification of the
old concept is also needed especially in case of dynamic sciences. Verification is needed
because of two reason:
 There may be an improvement in the technique of research and it is necessary to
test the old concepts by this improved technique.
 The phenomena under study might have undergone a change and it may be
required to test the validity of old concepts in the change circumstance.

3. Social research tries to establish causal connection between various human activities. It is
really very interesting to note whether various complex human activities are being
performed only at random without any sequence, law or system behind them.
Social research makes the social world go around. Research, and especially social research, is
everywhere, and it touches many aspects of our social lives. Essentially, social research is
about investigating and seeking answers to the social questions that we and others ask about
our social world. ‘Investigation’ is the key word here. To be good social researchers, we need
to be keen social investigators, or even social sleuths. The constantly changing nature of our
social world means that we will never run out of social questions to ask or social issues and
phenomena to investigate

Nature of Social Research:

The distinctive nature and character of social research derives in a significant measure from the

real and supposed nature of the social phenomena which poses certain difficulties when it comes

to application of the sophisticated scientific procedures characterizing the natural science to

social phenomena. It does not mean, of course, that social sciences are not science in any real

sense.
Social Research as a discipline is a recent phenomenon. With the elevation in the status of
social science research in the post-World War II period, the teaching of research
methods has become popular. Since the 1950s, the Social Science Departments in the American
Universities have been offering courses in research methods and over the years they have opined
in popularity among the students. Universities in India have introduced research methodology in
Social Science mostly in the 1970s. Concern with methods of research is common for
any science when it decides to come down from the level of vague generalities and
attempts to concentrate on specific problems of a much narrower focus. This fact
was clearly made by Emile Durkheim in his short introduction to the Rules of
Sociological Method. Durkheim said that the great sociologists prior to him “
Seldom advanced beyond vague generalities of the nature of societies, on the relation between
social and biological realms, and on the general march of progress
”.Social Research is connected with the social life. The two cannot be separated. Social research
is in fact a part of the scientific study/approach. Social research investigates and verifies social
phenomena and social realities, the facts about
social life and formulates laws this regard. After the laws have be
e n formulated, investigation is carried out and interrelationships between various facts and laws
is established. Through these steps we are able to collect data and knowledge about society.
It provides scientific knowledge about social problems and helps the researcher to find out
solutions to them. In brief, the goal of social research primarily is to explore and gain an
understanding of human behavior. Thus, social research as the following characteristics:
 Social Research is related to social Life
 Social Research investigates and verifies facts about the society and social interactions
 Social Research formulates laws in regard to different social phenomena and the
principles that guide these phenomena
 It tries to investigate the relationship that exists between various facts and phenomena of
social life.
A research aims to establish a scientific knowledge. Hence the purpose of social science research
is to establish scientific, empirical knowledge about the
human society. Thus, the scope of social research centers on the use of scientific method for the
establishment of scientific knowledge of the society with the use of a scientific
method. Scientific method
is characterized byverifiability, ethical neutrality, accuracy, precision, objectivity, and it issystem
atic, its production based on probability. The scope and method of social research is both wide ad
complex because it involves the comprehension of social reality whose nature is very complex
unlike the physical reality. Social research also covers the field of social planning as social
research guides the social planning process. Adequate social planning depends for its success on
the systematic knowledge of the social resources and liabilities. Social planning requires a store
of reliable factual knowledge on whose basis the
blueprintsmay be designed. Providing such a scientific knowledge falls within theexclusive juris
diction of social research. Control of social power also falls, although indirectly, under the scope
of social research. Since knowledge is particular kind of power, social research gives a greater
power of control overthe social phenomena. Dispelling the trust of outworn assumptions, super
stitions and stereotypes by providing scientific and enlighteningknowledge is something, which
too falls within the scope and domain of social research. Social research also has a direct
implication for social welfare. By virtue of the deeper understanding of the causal nexus
underlying various social maladies, social research provides and can provide a secure basis for
effective remedial measures. Thus social welfare also falls within the scope of social research. It
is also the scope of social research to provide prediction about social phenomena by way of
ascertaining some order among facts. Thus, by prediction, social research has the effect of
initiating and guiding social growth towards cherished goals of the society. These may be
summed up as some important matters that fall within the scope of social research.

Scopes of Social Research

1. Demographic and Social Statistics, Methods and Computation
Demography is the study of changes and population trends using resources such as birth data,
death and disease and others.
Social Statistics, Methods and Computational involve the collection and analysis of quantitative
and qualitative data.

2. Developmental Study, Human Geography and Environmental Planning

Developmental study is a multidisciplinary branch of social sciences that discusses about various
social and economic issues related to the development or study of poor countries.
Human geography studies people, society and culture, especially regarding the impact on the
environmental changes.
Environmental planning explores decision-making process in managing the system of human and
nature relationship.
3. Economics, Management and Business Study
Economics tries to understand how individuals interact in the social structure to answer key
questions about the production and exchange of goods and services.
Management and Business Study explore various aspects related to business management such
as strategic and operational, organizational psychology, work relationship, marketing,
accounting, finance and logistics.
4. Education, Social Anthropology and Linguistics
Education is one of the most important social sciences that explores how people learn and
develop.
Social anthropology is the study of how society and human social structures are organized and
understandable.
Linguistics focuses on language and how people communicate through the spoken voice and
words.
5. Legal, Economic and Social History
Legal focuses on the rule made by the government and people to make sure the society becoming
more orderly.
Economic and Social History see the past events to learn from history and to more understand
the process of contemporary society.
6. Politics and International Relations
Politics focuses on democracy and the relationship between humans and policy at all levels from
the individual to the national and international levels.
International Relation is the study of relationship among countries, including the role of other
organizations.
7. Psychology and Sociology
Psychology studies the human mind and tries to understand how people and groups experience a
variety of emotions, ideas, and awareness.
Sociology involves a group of people, not individuals, and tries to understand how people relate
to each other and function as a society or a social sub-group.
8. Technology Study
Technology Study relates to the role of technology in society, the policy and debates that form
modern technology.
9. Social Policy
Social policy is interdisciplinary and subject concerned on community responses analysis to
social needs with focus on the aspects of society, economy and the implementation of policies to
improve social justice.

Objectives of social research,

Objectives of social research ™

 To facilitate the understanding of human behavior.

 To acquire knowledge about social phenomena, events, issue, problems etc.

 To identify functional relationship existing in the social phenomena. ™

 To find out the natural laws that regulates or directs social phenomena. ™

 To standardize the society concept, e.g. culture, struggle, generation gap, social distance

etc.

 To formulate solution to social problems.

 To maintain social organization, remove social tension, misconception, etc

 To develop social revival plan.

i.e,(1) Manipulation of Things, Concepts and Symbols, (2) Generalization, (3) Verification

of Old Facts, (4) Extension of Knowledge, and (5) Knowledge May be Used for Theory

Building or Practical Application.

1. Manipulation of Things, Concepts and Symbols:

While, dealing with things the scientist remains at the concrete level. He is able to purposefully

handle things for experimentation. But at this level his results are at best limited to the particular

thing in a specific situation and none else. Therefore the concepts symbolizing the things and

their properties are also dealt with, so as to make much sense to conduct controlled inquiries

through abstract notions. Use of concepts or symbols in the process of manipulation not only

reduces the content and load of the things but also provides the scientist with greater facility and

effect.
2. Generalization:

The sole purpose with which manipulation of things, concepts or symbols is undertaken is to

arrive at statements of generality. It implies that the findings of controlled investigation should

be a conclusion which will enable us to expect that under certain class of conditions influencing

a class of things, something will happen in a generalized manner, notwithstanding its degree.

But in any case the absence is generality cannot characterize science. Therefore the propositions

derived on the basis of observations and through manipulation of things, concepts or symbols

may vary in their levels of generality, may maintain a high or low degree but should never reach

the null point.

Otherwise those will move beyond the framework of science. In this regard, Slesinger and

Stepheson have given the example of a physician or automobile mechanic as playing the role of a

researcher. Whereas the automobile mechanic endeavors to generalize about the automobiles, the

physician attempts to make ailments for a given class of patients.

3. Verification of Old Facts:

A major purpose of social research is verification of conclusions which have already been

accepted as established facts. Since there is no place for complacency in the arena of science, the
established system of knowledge always warrant frequentative scrutiny so as to confirm whether

or not the observations are in accordance with the predictions made on the basis of the

established corpus of knowledge. In case it is confirmed, the empirical observation strengthens

the established system of knowledge. Otherwise in the light of the research outcome, the system

of established corpus of knowledge calls for revision or even rejection.

4. Extension of Knowledge:

As a sequel to generalization the seemingly inconsistencies in the existing corpus of knowledge

are brought into light and attempts are made to reconcile these inconsistencies. The new general

proposition, established as an outcome of research also identifies gaps in the established system

of knowledge. A gap in knowledge implies the inadequacy of the theory as well as the failure of

a conceptual scheme to explain and account for certain aspects of a social phenomenon.

The gap is bridged up in the light of the new empirical observations. Thus knowledge gets

expanded. The expansion of systematic knowledge occurs at least in a couple of ways. First in

cognizing certain aspects of phenomena which were not examined in these terms prior to the

advent of the new general proposition.

Secondly in the light of new observation, the phenomena under investigation may be

incorporated in a comparatively large class of phenomena, so as to be governed by a uniform

law. As a result, the new system of knowledge not only accumulates more units under its
conceptual scheme, but also appreciates greater depth of understanding and bettering of

predictions.
5. Knowledge May be Used for Theory Building or Practical Application:

By seeking to explain the unexplained social phenomena, clarifying the doubtful one and

correcting the misconceived facts relating to it, social research provides the scope to use the

fruits of research in two possible ways:

(a) Theory building

(b) Practical application.

In its basic or pure form social research gathers knowledge for the sake of it, for building a

theory in order to explain human behavior in its totality, only for the satisfaction of knowing. For

construction of theoretic models, the researcher organizes knowledge into propositions and then

meaningfully articulated those propositions to constitute a more abstract conceptual system

pertaining to a class of phenomena, influenced by a certain class of conditions.

In its practical or applied form, social research gathers information regarding the betterment of

quality of life in social settings. The findings of social research are used as the means to an end,

not construed just as an end in itself From its utilitarian point of view the results of social

research provide decision makers with proper guidelines for policy making, social welfare,

amelioration of practical problems, mitigation or resolution of social conflict and tensions as well

as rectification and removal of social evils.

Methods of social research:

METHOD The final component of your methodology is the research method you choose, the
core topic of this book. As stated, our research method is the technique or practice we use to
gather our research data, such as an in depth interview, survey or discourse analysis. Indeed,
social science researchers are spoilt for choice in their selection of a social research method. This
book and the online chapters cover a wide selection of the methods in common use by Australian
social science researchers, but this range is by no means complete. How to go about selecting
your research method is covered in the next chapter, but it is important to remember two key
premises in relation to method selection: 1 The method must suit the research topic and question,
not the other way around. 2 All methods have strengths and weaknesses. There are no such
things as good methods, bad methods or even methods that cannot be used within particular
types of research.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE In a return to the first message of this section,

qualitative or quantitative methods are not the same as qualitative or quantitative methodologies,
although we will almost certainly use a qualitative method within a qualitative methodology and
a quantitative method within a quantitative methodology. Also remember that there are many
more social research methods available to you than those listed in this text. Social research
methods is a dynamic field, within which new methods are emerging, and the use of others
waxes and wanes. The website accompanying this text, www.oup.com.au/orc/walter, provides
core information on a range of other methods. On quantitative methods, the website contains two
extension segments, quantitative analysis using SPSS 1: correlations, and quantitative analysis
using SPSS 2: comparison of means. Qualitative modules include conversation analysis, action
research, memory work, and the emerging field of sensory and visual research methods.

QUANTITATIVE METHODS:
Quantitative research involves the collection and analysis of data that can be presented
numerically, or codified and subjected to statistical testing. Its primary role is to allow the
collection, analysis and development of understandings and interpretations of data on social
phenomena from large groups or large data sources. Quantitative research is commonly
associated with standard Western research scientific methods, but this association is limited to
the shared usage of statistical analysis to demonstrate and measure associations between different
concepts. Quantitative methods can be incorporated into a range of methodologies. Major
quantitative methods include gathering data through surveys, questionnaires, and structured
interviews.

QUALITATIVE METHODS:
The key task of qualitative research is meaning making, a process that does not usually require
statistics or large-scale data. Instead, the key focus in qualitative research tends to be on smaller
units of people and society, with the method and analyses drawing out the meanings,
perceptions, and understandings that individuals and groups attach to behaviors, experiences, and
social phenomena. Qualitative research is adaptable to a broad range of methods and data
sources. It is a subjective approach whereby the researcher aims to understand and interpret
experiences by viewing the world through the eyes of the individuals being studied. Methods
include the various forms of observation, focus groups, and unstructured interviews.

Nature of Science:
The phrase “nature of science” typically refers to the epistemology of science, science as a way
of knowing, or the values and beliefs inherent to the development of scientific knowledge and
Nature of science seeks to describe the nature of the scientific enterprise and the characteristics
of the knowledge it generates.
Science
• The intellectual and practical activity encompassing the systematic study of the
structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation and
experiment
• A particular area of this - veterinary science
• A systematically organized body of knowledge on a particular subject - the science of
criminology
• Knowledge of any kind
sci·ence noun (dictionary.com)
• a branch of knowledge or study dealing with a body of facts or truths systematically
arranged and showing the operation of general laws
• systematic knowledge of the physical or material world gained through observation
and experimentation
• any of the branches of natural or physical science
• systematized knowledge in general
• knowledge, as of facts or principles; knowledge gained by systematic study
It is very difficult to define science exactly but the word “science” is from scientia a Latin term
which means knowledge and it was originally used to mean simply knowledge.
A major distinguishing feature of scientific knowledge in comparison to other kind of knowledge
is that it is not static and scientific knowledge is constantly revised or expanded through the
process of observation and experimentation. Therefor, one can say that science include a content
part and a process part of acquiring or improving this content. The body of scientific knowledge
developed as the content of science is what we usually read and learn from science textbooks.

Scientific Methods:
When dealing with science, everyone is supposed to follow certain rules and processes to make it
a reliable source of information. However, these rules had not been there from the beginning and
it is a practical methodology of learning about the world which depends on observation,
measurement, prediction, experimentation, or verification, thus differentiating science from other
fields of knowledge.
The scientific method is based on evidence rather than beliefs or arguments and sometimes we
can call it inductive and deductive method.
Deductive:
Deductive reasoning works from the more general to the more specific. Sometimes this is
informally called a "top-down" approach.

Inductive:
Inductive reasoning works the other way, moving from specific observations to broader
generalizations and theories. Informally, we sometimes call this a "bottom up" approach.

The ‘scientific method’ merely refers to a broad framework for studying and learning more about
the world around us in a scientific manner. It is not so much a series of absolute, unchangeable
steps as a guideline to the method that must be used when trying to reach a scientifically
acceptable theory about a subject matter. Therefore, it is not possible to provide a finite number
of steps or an exact procedure for following the scientific method. However, the scientific
method steps detailed below describe the main steps that scientists commonly take when
conducting a scientific inquiry.

The scientific method is often described as comprising the following main actions:
1. Make observation or gather information
2. Develop a hypothesis
3. Predict results
4. Design an experiment
5. Conduct the experiment and collect data
6. Evaluation and conclusion
7. Acceptance, modification or rejection of the hypothesis.

1. Make observation or gather information:

Scientist observe something in nature and explore how, why, and when this occurs. From
observation, they begin to detect certain patterns. A scientist should look critically and avoid all
source of bias in observation. Information about a defined problem may be gathered in many
ways such as books and journal articles in a library, from information on the internet, from
discussion with experts and colleagues who are also interested in the problem, and by
preliminary observations by the scientist.
Or Ask a Question, The scientific method starts when you ask a question about something that
you observe: How, What, When, Who, Which, Why, or Where?
For a science fair project some teachers require that the question be something you can measure,
preferably with a number.
Scientists are naturally curious about the world. While many people may pass by a curious
phenomenon without sparing much thought for it, a scientific mind will take note of it as
something worth further thought and investigation.
After making an interesting observation, a scientific mind itches to find out more about it. This is
in fact a natural phenomenon. If you have ever wondered why or how something occurs, you
have been listening to the scientist in you. In the scientific method, a question converts general
wonder and interest to a channeled line of thinking and inquiry.
2. Develop a hypothesis:
A hypothesis is an educated guess about how things work. It is an attempt to answer your
question with an explanation that can be tested. A good hypothesis allows you to then make a
prediction:
EX: "If _____[I do this] _____, then _____[this]_____ will happen."
Scientist offer possible explanations for the phenomenon under study with the observation or
information gathered. They form hypothesis using inductive logic.
A hypothesis is an informed guess as to the possible answer of the question. The hypothesis may
be formed as soon as the question is posed, or it may require a great deal of background research
and inquiry. The purpose of the hypothesis is not to arrive at the perfect answer to the question
but to provide a direction to further scientific investigation.
State both your hypothesis and the resulting prediction you will be testing. Predictions must be
easy to measure.
3. Prediction of results:
The prediction is formal way to put a hypothesis test. Suppose you want to find out whether
giving protein rich feed increases milk yield in cattle, you can make a hypothesis and do
prediction like this:
“If protein rich feed increases milk yield cattle, then all these cows fed on protein rich diet will
give more milk yield than the control group”
If this prediction holds, then you should accept the hypothesis. After the experiment, if you find
that this prediction does not hold well, you will reject your hypothesis.

Your experiment tests whether your prediction is accurate and thus your hypothesis is supported
or not. It is important for your experiment to be a fair test. You conduct a fair test by making sure
that you change only one factor at a time while keeping all other conditions the same.
You should also repeat your experiments several times to make sure that the first results weren't
just an accident.
Once a hypothesis has been formed, it must be tested. This is done by conducting a carefully
designed and controlled experiment. The experiment is one of the most important steps in the
scientific method, as it is used to prove a hypothesis right or wrong, and to formulate scientific
theories. In order to be accepted as scientific proof for a theory, an experiment must meet certain
conditions – it must be controlled, i.e. it must test a single variable by keeping all other variables
under control. The experiment must also be reproducible so that it can be tested for errors.

4. Design an experiment to falsify the hypothesis:

Every hypothesis must be tested by performing appropriate experiments and evaluating the
results. Plan the experiments with suitable research designs and replications. When you publish
research articles, you must describe the methodology adopted so that anyone can reproduce or
verify experiment.

5. Conduct the experiment and collect data:

Physical and natural science rely heavily on numerical data and on replicable experimentation to
measure and calculate the results. Usually, two groups – the control group and the experimental
group- are identified for the tests. Identification of relevant variables for the experiment is a
major task. For identifying and deciding on the variables, your can rely on your experience, but
discussing with an expert is also good. Social science disciplines such as sociology, instead of
experiments, usually rely on survey and use description and inferences to arrive at conclusions.

6. Evaluation and conclusion:

Once the experiment is over, subject the data to proper analysis, summarize the results, and
arrive at conclusion. You should also go back to your observations, data, and original hypothesis
for consistency. If you do not prove your hypothesis, nothing to worry, you have achieved
something in another sense. Unsuccessful experiments provide information that can lead to
answers by eliminating other options and also save someone the trouble of repeating your
experiments.
Sometimes, you may also get some ideas for solving similar problems. Remember that research
builds on the work of other.

7. Accept, modify, or reject the hypothesis:

The last stage of the scientific method is acceptance, modification or rejection of the hypothesis,
if the data supports the hypothesis, it is accepted. If the date does not support the hypothesis, then
we modify the hypothesis and repeat the whole process again by a new set of experiments. And
we can’t prove any theory to be absolutely true by following the scientific method.
 To complete your science fair project you will communicate your results to
others in a final report and/or a display board. Professional scientists do
almost exactly the same thing by publishing their final report in a scientific
journal or by presenting their results on a poster or during a talk at a
scientific meeting. In a science fair, judges are interested in your findings
regardless of whether or not they support your original hypothesis.

Basic Elements of research:

Basic elements of research contains:
• Hypotheses
• Concept Construct
• Definition
• Variables
• Theory
Hypothesis: According to Bailey et al (2003), pg 16, a hypotheses is "used to guide a research
project and serve as tentative answers to research problems."

Concept Construct: It relates to the issue you are studying. Concepts are basically the ideas
you want to study. There are two types: constructive and observable.

Definition: It provides a clear description of a concept. There are two types: conceptual and
operational.

Variables: Bailey et al pg 19, also describes variables as, "concepts that are the focus of
research in the social sciences.'' There are two types dependent and independent.

Simply put, they serve as a guide when doing a research and their purpose is mainly to provide
answers to research problems.
Constructive- They are idea based. You have an idea they exists.
Observable: are concepts that can be seen in this case the advertisements.
Conceptual are the ones that can be observed. For e.g women behavior in music videos, poses in
ads.
Operational: conceptual definitions have to be translated to operational definitions to guide the
collection and analysis of data related to the concept.
Dependent is your main concept, the one that you investigate in a social research activity and is
influenced by a number of invisible independent variables.
For example the dependent variable here is women being used as sex symbols and the
independent is the advertising of goods and services.
Theory: according to Sarantok o.s; 1998:9 is "a set of systematically tested and logically
interrelated preposition that have been developed through research and that explain social
phenomenon.
For instance a theory we could arrive at if we actually conducted this study is that 'women are
actually being used as sex symbols to promote the sale of goods and services in music videos and
advertisements to profit companies.

Research Problem:
Introduction:  Identifying the research problem is the first major step when conducting research.
Identification of an appropriate problem to research and analyze is not an easy task. In this
section, we give you advice to help you complete this important step

A research problem is a statement about an area of concern, a condition to be improved, a

difficulty to be eliminated, or a troubling question that exists in scholarly literature, in theory, or
in practice that points to the need for meaningful understanding and deliberate investigation. In
some social science disciplines the research problem is typically posed in the form of a question.
A research problem does not state how to do something, offer a vague or broad proposition, or
present a value question.
A research problem is a definite or clear expression [statement] about an area of concern, a
condition to be improved upon, a difficulty to be eliminated, or a troubling question that exists in
scholarly literature, in theory, or within existing practice that points to a need for meaningful
understanding and deliberate investigation. A research problem does not state how to do
something, offer a vague or broad proposition, or present a value question.
Components of research problem
An individual or a group with some difficulty or problem
Objectives of research that are to be attained
The environment in which the problem exists
Two or more course of action or Alternative means for obtaining the objective
Two or more possible Outcomes
Objective of the study

Characteristic of Research Problem

Any research is a difficult task to achieve and research needs to do a great effort. Selection of research
topic is the first step to success.
 1.Research topic must be very clear and easy to understand. It should not distract people.
2.If a topic is well define is the only way to successful research. The topic should not create doubt
and double impression.
3.Easy language is a key to success. Use technical words if necessary otherwise focus of
simplicity.
4.Research title should be according to the rules of titling. There are different rules of titling, a
researcher must aware before writing a research title.
5.While selecting a research topic current importance of a researcher should also be considered.
Topic should not be obsolete and it should have great importance in the current day.

Selection of problem:
There are some suggestion for the graduate students and researchers which are drawn from the
different areas of education, social sciences as well as psychology. There are two factors in the
selection of topic external and personal. External criteria involves how the topic is important
for the field, availability of both data and data collection methods and the administration is
cooperative or not. Personal Criteria means researcher own interest, time and cost. Criteria for
selection of research problem depends on the following characteristics.

Personal Inclination. The chief motivation in the way of selecting research problem is the
personal inclination of the researcher. If a researcher has personal interest in the topic, he would
select that problem for his research work.

Resources Availability. During the selection, a researcher will see to the resources available. If
these resources like money, time, accommodation and transport are available to the selection
place, then the selection of the problem is easy.

Relative Importance. The importance and the problem also play a vital role in the selection of
research problem. If the problem is relatively important, then the researcher tends towards the
selection of the problem.

Researcher Knowledge. The researcher knowledge should play a vital role in the selection of
the research problem. The wisdom and experience of an investigator is required for well
collection of the research data. He can bitterly select a problem.

Practicality: Practicality is also responsible for the selection. The practical usefulness of the
problem is the main motivation for a researcher to attend it.

Time-lines of the Problem. Some problems take little time for its solution while others take
more time. So, it depends on the time in which we have to complete his research work.

Data Availability. If the desired data is available to the researcher, then the problem would be
selected.
Urgency. Urgency is a pinpoint in the way of the selection of research problem. Urgent problem
must be given priority because the immediate solution can benefit the people.

Feasibility. Feasibility is also an important factor for the selection of the research problem. The
researcher qualification, training and experience should match the problem.

Area Culture. The culture of the area for which a researcher conducts his research is also
responsible for the selection of research problem.

Problem formulation:
The problem formulation consists of just one sentence and should make it clear
to everyone what research problem, you aim to address and to whom and where
it is relevant. In other words, the problem formulation is the heart (or core) of
your thesis to which you should always return if you lose track during your
further research and writing process.

The problem formulation is based on the rationale you reached through your
explorative search and may be the first thing you write related to your thesis.
The aim of a problem formulation is also to set a framework for your research
and a good problem formulation is essential for completing a good study.

The process
It is an iterative process to write a problem formulation. You might switch many
times between checking the literature to see if your idea is relevant and refining
the problem formulation, back to searching the literature with new ideas, etc. It
takes a long time to develop a precise and specific problem formulation but as
Albert Einstein wrote it is necessary to define your problem before any work can
be launched.

In practice, writing of the final project formulation is done in interaction with

your supervisor. This process is described in the lesson: “Meeting the
supervisor”.

When your problem formulation has taken its final form, you are ready to develop
an overall research objective and a number of specific objectives stating exactly
what actions will be taken in order to address your stated problem.

Follow These 5 Steps to Formulate Your Research Problem

1. SPECIFY THE RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
A clear statement defining your objectives will help you develop effective research.
It will help the decision makers evaluate the research questions your project should answer as
well as the research methods your project will use to answer those questions. It’s critical that you
have manageable objectives. (Two or three clear goals will help to keep your research project
focused and relevant.)
2. REVIEW THE ENVIRONMENT OR CONTEXT OF THE RESEARCH PROBLEM
As a marketing researcher, you must work closely with your team of researchers in defining and
testing environmental variables. This will help you determine whether the findings of your
project will produce enough information to be worth the cost.
In order to do this, you have to identify the environmental variables that will affect the research
project and begin formulating different methods to control these variables.
3. EXPLORE THE NATURE OF THE PROBLEM
Research problems range from simple to complex, depending on the number of variables and
the nature of their relationship. Sometimes the relationship between two variables is directly
related to a problem or questions, and other times the relationship is entirely unimportant.
If you understand the nature of the research problem as a researcher, you will be able to better
develop a solution to the problem.
To help you understand all dimensions, you might want to consider focus groups of consumers,
salespeople, managers, or professionals to provide what is sometimes much-needed insight into a
particular set of questions or problems.
4. DEFINE THE VARIABLE RELATIONSHIPS
Marketing plans often focus on creating a sequence of behaviors that occur over time, as in the
adoption of a new package design, or the introduction of a new product.
Such programs create a commitment to follow some behavioral pattern or method in the future.
Studying such a process involves:
Determining which variables affect the solution to the research problem.
Determining the degree to which each variable can be controlled and used for the purposes of the
company.
Determining the functional relationships between the variables and which variables are critical to
the solution of the research problem.
During the problem formulation stage, you will want to generate and consider as many courses
of action and variable relationships as possible.
5. THE CONSEQUENCES OF ALTERNATIVE COURSES OF ACTION
There are always consequences to any course of action used in one or more projects.
Anticipating and communicating the possible outcomes of various courses of action is a primary
responsibility in the research process.