Formulation of Research Problem and

Hypothesis
Module III
Research Problem

A research problem is a question that a researcher wants to answer, or a

problem that a researcher wants to solve.

Identification & Formulation of research problem is a first step in the

research process.

It is believed that most of the good research studies needs lot of time for
selection of a research problem.

A problem is an interrogative sentence or statement that asks what

relation exists between two or more variables. – Kerlinger
Problem Selection
The selection of a problem must be preceded by a
preliminary study (not necessary if it is already done)

Formulation means translating and transforming the

selected research problem/topic into a scientifically
researchable question.
A problem well defined is half
solved

Ill defined problem may create hurdles like:

What data are to be collected?
What characteristics of data are relevant and
need to be studied?
What relations are to be explored.
What techniques are to be used for the
purpose?
Why is a good problem formulation
important?
Formulating a Problem formulation is the first and
most important step of a research process.
The problem formulation is like an identification
of a destination before undertaking a journey.
The research problem serves as a foundation of
a research study; like a building and its foundation.
If it is well formulated, you can expect a good study
to follow.
Sources of Research Problem
Steps in Problem Formulation
How to Arrive at Research Questions
Ask these questions
– Do I known the field and its literature well?

– What are the important research questions in my field?

– What areas need further exploration?

– Could my study fill a gap? Or lead to greater understanding?

– Has a great deal of research already been conducted in this

topic area

– Has this study been done before? If so, is there room for

improvement?

– Is the timing right for this question to be answered? Is it a hot

topic, or is it becoming obsolete?

– Will the study have a significant impact on the field?

Research Objectives
What are research objectives?
Description of what is to be achieved by the study
Importance
Narrows and focus the study
Guides information to be collected
Facilitate development of METHODOLOGY
Type of Objectives
Broad

Specific
Broad Objective
States what is to be achieved by the study in
general terms.
Usually only one per study
Related to core problem and topic of the study
Shows target population and place
Use action verb
Example:
To determine the factors associated with increased
attrition levels among employees of XYZ in
Bengaluru
Specific Objectives
Describe the variables that are measured by the study
Several in one study
Use action verb
Example:
To find out methods used for waste disposal
To find out methods used for water treatment
Qualities of Specific Objectives
Stated in logical sequence
Clear and unambiguous
What is to be done?

Objectives should be:

Specific
Measurable
Attainable
Realistic
Time bound
Review of Literature
It is an account of what is already known about a
particular phenomenon.

The main purpose of literature review is to convey to

the readers about the work already done & the
knowledge & ideas that have been already established
on a particular topic of research.

Literature review is a laborious task, but it is essential

if the research process is to be successful.
Need for Review of Literature
Identification of a research problem & development or refinement of
research questions.

Generation of useful research questions or projects/activities for the

discipline.

Orientation to what is known & not known about an area of inquiry to

ascertain what research can best contribute to knowledge.

Determination of any gaps or inconsistencies in a body of knowledge.

Discovery of unanswered questions about subjects, concepts or problems

Determination of a need to replicate a prior study in different study

settings or different samples or size or different study populations.
Need for Review of Literature
Identification of relevant theoretical or conceptual framework for
research problems.

Identification or development of new or refined clinical interventions to

test through empirical research.

Description of the strengths & weaknesses of design/methods of inquiry

and instruments used in earlier research work.

Development of hypothesis to be tested in a research study.

Helps in planning the methodology of the present research study.

It also helps in development of research instruments.

Identification of suitable design & data collection methods for a research

study.
Sources or Literature Review
Hypothesis
A hypothesis, generally means a mere assumption or supposition
to be proved or disproved.

Hypothesis provides the basis for investigation and ensures

proper direction in which the study should proceed.

It facilitates the collection of adequate facts and helps one to

arrive at appropriate conclusions, suggestions and observations.

E.g. “Advertising has an impact on brand awareness”

Formulation of Hypothesis
Formulation of hypothesis gives a definite point to the
enquiry, helps in establishing direction in which to
proceed and helps to delimit the field of enquiry by
choosing the permanent point on which to concentrate.
Functions/Uses of Hypothesis
Hypothesis are inevitable in scientific research. They have the
following functions to perform.
1. A hypothesis adequately explain all the facts connected
with the hypothesis.
2. It enables to direct enquiry along right lines.
3. It determines the method of verification as well as the
procedure for enquiry.
4. It makes deductions possible.
5. It forms the starting point of investigation.
6. It makes observation and experiment possible.
Characteristics of a good Hypothesis

The basic characteristics of a good hypothesis are:

1. Conceptual clarity and definiteness.
2. It should be empirically testable, whether it is right
or wrong.
3. It should be specific and precise.
4. It should describe one issue only.
5. Related to available techniques.
6. Related to body of theory.
7. The statements in the hypothesis should not be
contradictory.
8. It should specify variables between which the
relationship is to be established.
Forms of Hypothesis
The various forms of hypothesis are:

Descriptive hypothesis:
When a hypothesis relates to the cause and effect relationship of
a phenomenon it is called descriptive hypothesis.

E.g:“ Public enterprises are more amenable for centralized

planning”.

Explanatory hypothesis:
This type of hypothesis explains the happenings of a
phenomenon.

E.g:“ Families with higher incomes spend more for recreation”

Forms of Hypothesis…
Null Hypothesis:
When a hypothesis is stated negatively, it is called null
hypothesis. It is usually represented as H0.

E.g: H0: There is no relationship between a family’s income and

expenditure on recreation.

Alternate Hypothesis:
It is the hypothesis that describes the researcher’s prediction
that, there exist a relationship between two variables or it is the
opposite of null hypothesis. It is represented as Ha or H1.

E.g: Ha: There is a definite relationship between family’s income

and expenditure on recreation.
Testing of Hypothesis
Hypothesis testing can be used to determine whether
a statement about the value of a population parameter
should or should not be rejected.

The hypothesis testing procedure uses data from a

sample to test the two competing statement indicated by
H0 and Ha.
The p-Value Approach to one-tailed Hypothesis
Testing

The p-value is the probability, computed using the

test statistic, that measures the support (or lack of
support) provided by the sample for the null hypothesis.

If the p-value is less than or equal to the level of

significance α, the value of the test statistic is in the
rejection region.

Reject H0 if the p-value < α .

Suggested Guidelines for Interpreting p-Values

Less than .01

Overwhelming evidence to conclude Ha is true.

Between .01 and .05

Strong evidence to conclude Ha is true.

Between .05 and .10

Weak evidence to conclude Ha is true.

Greater than .10

Insufficient evidence to conclude Ha is true.
Type I & II errors
 Type I Error: A Type I error is rejecting H0 when it is
true.
• The Probability of a Type I error is denoted by α

 Type II Error: A Type II error is accepting H0 when it

is false.
• The Probability of a Type II error is denoted by β
Test Statistic
A test statistic is a standardized value that is calculated
from sample data during a hypothesis test. You can use
test statistics to determine whether to reject the null
hypothesis. The test statistic compares your data with
what is expected under the null hypothesis. The test
statistic is used to calculate the p-value.
Steps for Hypothesis Testing
Step 1. Develop the null and alternative hypotheses.

Step 2. Specify the level of significance α .

Step 3. Collect the sample data and compute the value of

the test statistic.

P-Value Approach
Step 4. Use the value of the test statistic to compute the
p-value.

Step 5. Reject H0 if p-value < α.

Steps for Hypothesis Testing
Critical Value Approach
Step 4. Use the level of significance α. to determine the
critical value and the rejection rule.

Step 5. Use the value of the test statistic and the

Rejection rule to determine whether to reject H0.