DETECTION, SELECTION AND FORMULATION  OF  AN EDUCATIONAL PROBLEM

INTRODUCTION

One of the most difficult phases of the graduate research project is the choice of a suitable problem. Beginners are likely to select the problem that is much too broad in scope. This may be due to their lack of understanding of the nature of research and systematic problem –solving activity

These who are more experienced know that research is often the tedious painfully slow and rarely spectacular. They realize that the research for truth and the solution of important problems take a great deal of time and energy and the intensive application logical thinking. Research makes its contribution to human welfare by countless small additions to knowledge.

Academic Research Project is usually necessary partial fulfillment of the requirements of a graduate course or for an advanced degree. The initial motivation may not be the desire to engage in research but the practical need of meeting a requirement. The lack of time, financial resources, and experience of the student researcher are hindrances to significant contributions. Research however is a process of testing rather than proving and it implies an objectivity that lets the data lead where they will.

IDENTIFICATION OF A PROBLEM

The identification and analysing a research problem is the first and most crucial step of research process. A problem can’t be solved effectively unless a researcher possesses the intellect and insight  to isolate and understand the specific factors giving rights to the difficulty.

The following steps are to be followed in identifying a research problem.

1.     Determining the field of research in which a researcher is keen to do the research work.

2.     The researcher should develop the mastery on the area it should be the field of his specialization.

3.     He should review the researcher conducted in area to know the recent trend and studies in the area.

4.     On the basis of review he should consider the priority field of the study.

5.     He should draw an analogy  and insight in identifying a problem or employ his personal experience of the field in locating the problem.

6.     He should pin-point specific aspect of the problem which is to investigated.

SOURCES OF THE PROBLEMS

The following are the main sources which one may proceed for a suitable problem.

1.     Personal experiences of the investigator in the field of education.

It is the main sources for identifying the suitable problem.

2.     The class room, home, school, community, and other agencies of education.

The research worker should   search for his research problem in the immediate surroundings. 3. Educational Administration.

As difficult professional personal in the field education view the educational scene from difficult angles they may encounter many problems of research in their our perspective. 4. Social Developments and technological changes

They bring forth new problems and new opportunities  for research

5.     Record of previous research

Such specialized sources as  encyclopaedia of educational research, Research abstracts , Research bulletins, Research reports, Journals of educational research, Dissertations and other publications, text book assignments, special assignments, reports,

6.     Discussions

Classroom discussions, seminars and exchange of ideas with the faculty members and follow scholars will suggest many problems. Close professional relationships, academic discussions and constructive academic climate are advantageous opportunities.

7.     Questioning attitude

A questioning attitude towards prevailing practices and research oriented academic experience will effectively promote problem awareness.

8.     Consultations

Consultations with an expert, research supervisor, research guide, a course instructor or a senior scholar will also help to assign a problem.

9.     Inference from theory

An important source of research problem lies in the inferences that can be drawn from various educational and psychological theories known to the researcher.

10.   Government Priorities

Various Government organizations also publicise research topics and circulates a list of various topics in which it feels necessity of research.

Criteria of a good research problem

The factors are to be considered in the selection of a research problem, both the criteria, external and personal. Some of them are as follows.

1.     Novelty and avoidance of unnecessary duplication.

The question of novelty or newness is not merely one of duplication of earlier investigations. It should be sufficiently original and should not involve objectionable duplication.

2.     Importance for the field represented and implementation

This interior of importance in choice of a problem involves such matters as significance for the field involved, time lines lines and practical value in term of application and implementation of the results.

3.     Interest, intellectual curiosity and drive

One of the personal motives of research most frequently mentioned by scientists  themselves is pure curiosity, accompanied by genuine interest and drived satisfaction and enjoyment.

4.     Feasibility and amenability

The suitability of the problem for a particular research worker is the matter of its feasibility. It may be a very good problem but it should be good for the investigator.

5.     Availability of Data

The research worker should ensure the availability of valid and reliable data gathering devices and procedures.

6.     Availability of Co-operation

The study may require co-operation from various institutions, authorities and individuals. The investigator must make sure that necessary permission and co-operation will be readily available.

7.      Availability of guidance

The researcher should get necessary sponsorship and guidance. He should get approval and sanction of competent authority.

8.      Special equipment and working conditions.

The major purpose of equipment is to define the process of observation to provide control of conditions and accuracy of permanence of recording.

9.      Costs and returns

The candidate must consider carefully his our financial resources in the light of such facilities and assistance as can be provided by the institutions.

10.              Time factor

Most of the research programmes impose time limitations. Selecting a problem, library study , preparing the data gathering devices, collecting and analyzing the data, writing the research report etc. or all time consuming processes.

11.              Immediate Application

The research should help in solving an urgent problem.

12.   Aim of research

The aim of research influences the selection of the problem. If it is a producer research, the problem will be studied to enhance existing knowledge and if it a consumer type, the results should be fit for immediate application.

13.   Level of research

The nature and scope of a study will be determined in the light of levels like Master’s degree, M-Phil  degree, Ph.D etc.

14.   Experience and creativity

Good research problems stem from a clear understanding of the theoretical, empirical and practical aspects of the subject derived from personal experiences and from a thorough review of the literature.

15.   Courage and confidence

The researcher should have courage and determination to pursue the study inspite of the difficulties and social hazards that may be involved.

DEFINING A PROBLEM

Defining a problem means ‘To pin-point the problem

or defining a problem to reach the core of the problem i.e., thread bare analysis.

Need of defining a problem.

The definition of  a problem serves the following purposes

1.     The definition of a problem sets the direction of the study.

2.     The definition reveals the methodology or procedure of the study.

3.     The definition helps the researcher to control subjectivity or biases of the researcher.

4.     The definition of the problems suggests and specifies the variables to be taken up into the investigation.

5.     The definition makes the research work practicable.

Steps in defining a problem

The following steps are to be followed :-

1.                 The researcher should have to develop a conceptual frame work of the problem.

2.                 Dedicating the elements of the problem

3.                 Classifying the elements in the homogeneous group

4.                 Locating the key points in the conceptual frame work

5.                 Evaluating  the  theoretical security of the problem

6.                 The final form of the statement can be given in to verbal form to a conceptual frame work of the problem.