Friday

Formulating Research Problems

Steps in formulation of a research problem :

Working through these steps presupposes a reasonable level of knowledge in the broad
subject area within which the study is to be undertaken. Without such knowledge it is
difficult to clearly and adequately ‘dissect’ a subject area.

Step 1    Identify a broad field or subject area of interest to you.

Step 2     Dissect the broad area into sub areas.

Step 3     Select what is of most interest to you.

Step 4     Raise research questions.

Step 5     Formulate objectives.

Step 6     Assess your objectives.

Step 7     Double check.

As you narrow the research problem, similarly you need to decide very specifically who
constitutes your study population, in order to select the appropriate respondents.