Introduction
The
term "identification of research problem" refers to the knowledge of
a persistent social issue, a social phenomenon, or a notion that merits
investigation in order to be understood. Such a study problem is discovered by
the researcher by observation, knowledge, wisdom, and abilities.
Finding
a subject to study can be difficult, not because there aren't any problems that
could be researched, but because it can be difficult to formulate a problem
that is both academically important and researchable and that is also original
and doesn't just repeat previous research. Consider these sources of
inspiration to help you decide on a problem to base your research project
around.
Deductions from Theory
This
relates to deductions from social philosophy or generalizations that the
researcher is familiar with in life and society. Through research, these
deductions from human behavior are then placed within an empirical frame of
reference. A theory can be used to develop a research problem or hypothesis that
states the expected results in specific empirical situations. The study asks
that what relationship between variables will be observed if theory accurately
summarizes the situation. Thus, the hypothesis or a theory, can then be tested
using a systematic investigation.
Perspectives from Various Disciplines
Identifying
a problem that will serve as the foundation for a research study can come from
academic movements and scholarship that originate in disciplines other than
your primary field of study. This can be a mentally stimulating activity.
Examining research from related disciplines that can reveal new avenues of
exploration and analysis should be included in a review of relevant literature.
An interdisciplinary approach to selecting a research problem allows for a more
comprehensive understanding of a very complex issue than any single discipline
could provide.
Practitioner Interviews
Formal
interviews or informal discussions with practitioners who provide insight into
new directions for future research and how to make research findings more
relevant to practice can lead to the identification of research problems about
specific topics. Discussions with experts in the field, such as teachers,
social workers, health care providers, lawyers, business leaders, and so on,
provide an opportunity to identify practical, "real world" issues
which is often ignored within academic circles. This approach also provides
some practical knowledge that may aid in the design and execution of your
study.
Related Literature
A
thorough review of relevant research related to your overall area of interest
can help you choose a research problem. This may reveal where there are gaps in
understanding or where an issue has been understudied. Research may be
conducted to: 1) fill such knowledge gaps; 2) assess whether the methodologies
used in previous studies can be adapted to solve other problems; or 3)
determine whether a similar study could be conducted in a different subject
area, in a different context, or with a different study sample.
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| (Identification of Problem) |
Formulation of Research Questions/ Statement
A
strong problem statement starts by outlining the broad topic on which your
study is focused before guiding the reader toward the more specific problems
you are looking into. A good research problem should have the following
characteristics, albeit it need not be long:
1. Captivating Subject
The
problem you choose should be one that inspires you to solve it; nevertheless,
pursuing a research project out of mere curiosity is not recommended as this
does not suggest significance. The issue you decide to research must matter to
you, but it must also matter to your readers and the greater academic and/or
social community that might be affected by the findings of your investigation.
2. Accepts Multiple Points of View
The
issue must be phrased in a way that avoids dichotomies and instead encourages
the generation and exploration of multiple points of view. A general rule of
thumb in the social sciences is that a good research problem is one that will
elicit a wide range of opinions from a diverse group of reasonable people.
3. Research ability
Research
ability is an important aspect of creating a good research statement. It seems
a smidgen obvious, but you don't want to find yourself in the middle of
investigating a complex research project and realize that it is not necessary much
prior research to draw from for the analysis. There's nothing wrong with
original research, but as a researcher you certainly need to select the problems
of research is supposed to be able in supporting, to some extent, the resources
available to the researcher.
Analytical
questions that are well-developed can focus on any of the following:
Draws attention to a genuine quandary, area of ambiguity, or point of confusion about a topic that is open to interpretation by your readers;
It gives birth to an answer that is unexpected and not apparent slightly but is inevitable and self-evident;
Provokes meaningful thought or discussion;
Increases the visibility of key ideas or concepts that may be understudied or hidden;
Research ability helps in providing the suggestions to the need for complex analysis or argument rather than a basic description or summary;
Process of Problem Identification in Research
The process is illustrated in the following diagram.
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| (Process of Problem Identification) |
Features of a research questions
The
research question should be feasible that is to say adequate number of
subjects, adequate technical expertise, affordable in time and money,
manageable in scope.
It should be interesting: Getting the answer intrigues the investigator and her friends.
It should be novel: Confirms, refutes or extends previous findings, provides new findings.
It should be ethical: Amenable to a study that institutional review board will approve.
It should be relevant: to scientific, knowledge, to clinical and health policy and to future research.
Definitions of Hypothesis
Etymologically
speaking, hypothesis is made up of two words. Here, 'Hypo' means an assumption or tentative or subject to
verification, and 'Thesis' means a statement about a problem's solution i.e. a
tentative thesis waited to be tested. The definition of hypothesis is a
tentative statement about how to solve a problem. The simplest definition of
hypothesis is "It is a solution to a problem that is empirically and
rationally verifiable. In another word it is also defined as a hypothesis is
made up of two words - 'Hypo' means a combination of two or more variables that
must be verified. The term 'thesis' refers to the position of these variables
in a specific frame of reference. The term hypothesis has this operational
meaning.
In
a more comprehensive way, a hypothesis is an educated guess about the
relationship between two or more variables. A hypothesis is a specific,
testable prediction/guess about what will happen in the upcoming research. The
basic requirement is the hypothesis must include three components in order to
be complete: the variables, the population, and the relationship between the
variables. Keep in mind that a hypothesis does not have to be correct. The
hypothesis predicts what the researchers expect to see, but the goal of
research is to determine whether this guess is correct or incorrect.
What is an Assumption and Postulate? How are they related to hypothesis?
Assumption
is the act of taking something for granted in order to simplify a situation for
logical procedure. Assumptions, unlike postulates, are not the foundation of
our activity. They merely facilitate the progression of an agreement by
introducing restrictive conditions. Statistics and measurement formulas, for example,
are based on a number of assumptions. Assumption refers to the requirement of
certain conditions before an argument can be considered valid. Assumptions are
made based on logical insight, and their veracity can be determined using data
or evidence. The postulates are the foundation and starting point of an
argument, whereas assumptions are a matter of choice and less use, giving them
more freedom.
Postulates
are the fundamental beliefs that strengthen most scientific activity. A
postulate is a statement that is assumed to be true without any kind of proof.
A postulate is an assumption we make about the relationship of two objects. For
example, we could assert that a+b = b+a. This simply states that if we combine
two objects, a and b, the order in which they are combined has no effect on the
outcome. Other statements, known as theorems, are derived through logical
deductions. We are entirely within the realm of ideas, from postulates to
theorems. It is pointless to demand experimental proof of deductions. A request
of this nature would be meaningless. The only appropriate appeal for proof is
entirely within the realm of logic.
A
hypothesis is not the same as either of these. The investigator seeks to prove
a presumptive statement of a proposition. It's a shortened generalization. This
generalization necessitates knowledge of fundamental principles or essential
characteristics that apply to an entire class of phenomena. The theory is known
as a hypothesis when it is stated formally and clearly as a testable
proposition and is subjected to empirical or experimental verification. The
hypothesis serves as the foundation for the entire investigation and must be
validated by facts. The hypothesis is founded on some prior theory and
reasoning, whereas postulates are assumed to be true. An assumption is a major
problem's assumed solution. It could be partially correct.
What is the actual nature of a hypothesis?
The
hypothesis is a concise statement of what will be investigated. It should be
specified prior to conducting research and openly stated in the results report.
a. This
allows you to - Identify... the research objectives;
b. The
key abstract concepts involved in the research;
c. The
relationship between the problem statement and the literature review.
What are the main features of a hypothesis?
The major and common features of a hypothesis can be
listed as follows
a. It
is of a conceptual nature.
b. It
is a declarative statement made verbally.
c. It
possesses the empirical referent.
d. It
denotes a possible relationship between two or more variables.
e. It
is a powerful tool for knowledge advancement that is consistent with existing
knowledge and conducive to further investigation.
f. It
is testable, verifiable, and falsifiable.
g. It
is not a moral or ethical issue.
h. It's
neither too specific nor too broad.
i.
It is a prediction of outcomes.
j.
Even if proven false, it is considered
valuable.
What are the roles and functions of hypothesis?
In empirical or socio-legal research, a hypothesis,
which is a provisional formulation, plays an important role. It not only guides
research in the right direction, but it also helps to test or suggest theories
and describe a social or legal phenomenon. The roles and functions of a
hypothesis can be listed as follows:
The role of hypothesis in research navigation
A
hypothesis, regardless of its source, expresses what a researcher is looking
for. It also offers some plausible explanations for the possible relationships
between the concepts or variables mentioned. In fact, it guides you through the
research. Without it, no further steps in empirical or non-doctrinal legal
research are possible. A hypothesis assists the researcher in reaching
"meaningful conclusions" based on "relevant" empirical
data.
A
hypothesis becomes supportive and helps the researcher in many respects such as
it gives the idea to the type of data that must be collected in order to answer
the research problem. In the same line it provides the ways to the most
efficient and meaningful way to organize the data; and helps in deciding the
types of methods that can be used to analyze the data.
The
role of the 'tested' hypothesis: In order to draw conclusions about the
initially posited relationship between the variables indicated in the
hypothesis, it must be empirically tested. As a result, when empirically tested
(or not), the previously assumed relationship between concepts or variables, as
the case may be, becomes a proven fact. Once a hypothesis is proven, it is no
longer a hypothesis.
A
hypothesis, even if related to an existing theory, may, when tested, reveal
certain 'facts' that are not related to the existing theory or reveal
relationships other than those stated in the theory. It does not support the
existing theory but rather proposes a new one.
A
hypothesis can also be used to describe something. When a hypothesis is
empirically tested, it tells us something about the phenomenon with which it is
associated. If the hypothesis is empirically supported, our understanding of
the phenomenon grows.
The
hypotheses functions a significant role mainly in the scientific studies.
For example
·
It helps in the testing of the theories.
·
It serves as a great platform in the
investigation activities.
·
It provides guidance to the research
work or study.
·
It sometimes also suggests the theories.
·
It aids in understanding the data's
requirements.
·
Explains social phenomena and advances
the theory.
·
Also serves as a link between theory and
investigation.
·
Provides a relationship between
phenomena in such a way that empirical testing of the relationship is possible.
·
Aids in determining the most appropriate
analysis technique.
·
Aids in the selection of the most
appropriate type of research.
·
Provides information on the necessary
data sources.
·
Under the guidance of the hypothesis,
research becomes more focused.
·
It is extremely useful in conducting an
investigation into a specific activity.
·
If correctly drawn, it aids in reaching
conclusions.
According to Mac Ashan the hypothesis in research
has mainly five functions:
1. It is a temporary solution of a problem
concerning with some truth which enables an investigator to start his/her
research works.
2. It offers a basis in establishing the specifics
what to study for and may provide possible solutions to the problem.
3. Each hypothesis may lead to formulate another
hypothesis.
4. A preliminary hypothesis may take the shape of
final hypothesis.
5. It provides the investigator with definite
statement which may be objectively tested and accepted or rejected and leads
for interpreting results and drawing conclusions that is related to original
purpose.
Importance of Hypothesis
The importance of hypothesis is understood as the
eye of the researcher because it actually opens the vision to the researcher.
The main importance of hypothesis is to focus on the
research.
Hypothesis helps in linking the similar facts, ideas
and opinion together.
There is always a risk that without proper
hypothesis, the researcher may go ahead as a blind man on the way.
Hypothesis simply plays a beautiful role like a
guiding light in the entire research process.
Characteristics of a good hypothesis
A good hypothesis should possess the various
features as follows:
It is as in statement form but not in a question
form.
It may be right or wrong but should be empirically
tested.
It should be specific and precise.
It should not be contradictory.
It clearly mentions the independent and dependent
variables which are to be compared.
It should deal with only one issue either in
descriptive form or relational form.
According to C R Kothari & Gaurav Garg (2019) the brief introduction and characteristics
of research hypothesis as follows:
Research hypothesis is a predictive statement,
capable of being tested by scientific methods, that relates an independent
variable to some dependent variables.
For example
Students who receive counseling will show a greater
increase in creativity than students not receiving counseling.
Or
The automobiles A is performing as well as
automobile B.
The basic characteristics of hypothesis are:
Hypothesis should be clear and precise.
Hypothesis should be capable of being tested.
Hypothesis should state relationship between
variables.
Hypothesis should be limited in its scope.
Hypothesis should be consistent with most known
facts.
Hypothesis must explain the facts that gave rise to
the need for explanation.
Ranjit
Kumar (2014) in his book Research Methodology A step-by-step guide for
beginners has mentioned that a hypothesis construction is the second important
consideration in the formulation of a research problem in quantitative research.
He further says, in epidemiological studies, to narrow the field of investigation,
it is important to formulated hypotheses. The importance of hypotheses lies in
their ability to bring direction, specificity and focus to a research study.
A
hypothesis is a hunch, assumption, suspicion, assertion or an idea about a
phenomenon, relationship or situation, the reality or truth of which you do not
know.
H.K.
Dangi and Shruti Dewen (2016) in their book entitled 'Business Research
Methods' clearly distinguish the concept of propositions and hypothesis.
Propositions are statements that define the relationships amongst the concepts.
Prepositions can be judged as true or false if they are related to observable
phenomena. Once a proposition can be tested for its validity then it is called
a hypothesis.
Hypothesis
are formulated to be tested. Hypothesis testing is a process of testing a
hypothesis about a parameter of a population. Hypothesis testing involves
checking the likelihood of claims regarding the population being true.
The
steps of hypothesis testing according to them are illustrated as in the following
diagram.
 |
| (Steps of Hypothesis Testing) |
The common types of hypothesis are null hypothesis and alternate
hypothesis/research hypothesis. The null means there is no
effect/impact/relation/difference between the independent variable and
dependent variable whereas alternate hypothesis is also called research
hypothesis. In alternate hypothesis the researcher sees or assumes the
impact/effect/relation/difference between or among the independent and dependent
variables.
The
null hypothesis is indicated by H0 whereas alternate hypothesis is indicated by
H1.
The
idea of null and alternate hypothesis can be beautifully illustrated with the
following examples.
H0:
There is no relationship between working conditions and job satisfaction of
employees.
H1:
Increasing the improvement in job quality will improve the job satisfaction.
H0:
There is no difference in educational level of employee to their work
performance in an organization.
H1:
Higher educational qualification contributes high level of work performance in
an organization.
H0:
There is no relation between earning and saving.
H1:
Earning and saving are positively related.
Some
Scholars also have classified hypothesis into simple, complex, directional,
non-directional, associative, causal, inductive and deductive as well.
Simple Hypothesis
Simple
hypothesis is one which deals with the only one independent variable to one dependent
variable there is a direct relation or impact between them. For example The
impact of education in work performance.
Complex Hypothesis
Complex
hypothesis purposes and predicts the relation between two or more independent
variables and two or more dependent variables. It is called complex in the
sense that there is not direct and one to one relation or impact between them.
For example, The training and hard work (IV) have positive impacts on
individual growth as well as the goodwill of organization (DV).
Directional Hypothesis
It
predicts the outcome or impact is as intellectually directed. The effect or
impact or relationship between two variables into a specified direction. The
researcher not only predicts the relationship but also the nature of the
relation i.e. the direction. For example, Discipline as well as rules and
regulation has negative relation to the creative outcome among the students.
Non-directional Hypothesis
This
hypothesis predicts the relation between two variables but the nature and
direction of relationship is not specified. For example 'There is a
relationship between discipline and creative outcome of the school children'.
Associative Hypothesis
There
is relationship between Independent Variable (IV) and Dependent Variable (DV) where
when one variable changes there is the change in another variable but it is not
in case of cause and effect.
Inductive and Deductive Variable
These
both inductive and deductive are based on a particular type of reasoning if the
hypothesis is based on deduction it is called deductive and in the same way
when the researcher goes from one specific to theory then it is called as
inductive variable. In this way, inductive hypotheses are formed through
inductively reasoning from many specific observations to tentative
explanations. The deductive one is generated through deductive reasoning based
on implications of theory.
Null Hypothesis
This is a hypothesis purposes that there is no relationship or difference i.e. relationship is null between two variables. This is the conventional approach to making a prediction. It involves a statement that the researcher compares on a certain variable. The hypothesis may also state that there is no significant difference when different groups/sets are compared accordance to a specified variable. For example, ‘There is no difference in the job performance of commercial bank's employees who participate in motivational classes and those who do not participate in such classes’ is a null hypothesis. It asserts that there is no true difference in the sample statistic and population parameter under consideration and that the difference found is accidental arising out of fluctuations of sampling.
Alternative/ Research Hypothesis
As
opposite to null hypothesis, research hypothesis assumes, predicts and expects
the relation between independent and dependent variables.
The
alternative hypothesis is a statement of what a hypothesis test attempts to
establish. Alternative hypothesis is designated by: H1 or Ha. It is opposite of
Null Hypothesis. It is only reached if Ha is rejected. Frequently “alternative” is actual desired
conclusion of the researcher.
It
is important to see the following formula and example to comprehend the context
and situation of hypothesis in relation to null/alternative.
Ha=
the males go for eating out than females.
Ho=
the males and females do not differ in respect of the frequency of eating out.
So, Alternative hypothesis is usually the one which one wishes to prove and the
Null hypothesis is the one which one wishes to disapprove.
Conclusion
Problem
identification and hypothesis formulation in research has a significant role.
This is one of the important aspect or step of the entire research process. The
researcher has to do the literature review based on his/her need, interest and
ability that in which areas/topic are dealt. It is not an overnight job to
identify the research problem as well as formulation of hypothesis. If the
process of problem identification and hypothesis formulation is systematic and
objective then the entire research process and activities go to the specified
direction.
References
Timilsena
(2022). A platform for discussion to University Students- Business Research
Methodology
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