1. RESEARCHPROBLEMBySATHIA.NSENThONYPADMAVATHISUDARSANA

2. INTRODUCTION A research problem is a question that researcherwants to answer or a problem that a researcherwants to solve Identification & formulation of a research problem isthe first step of the research process. Selection of research problem depends on severalfactors such as researchers knowledge, skills,interest, expertise, motivation & creativity withrespect to the subject of inquiry. It is like the identification of a destination beforeunder taking a journey Without a problem , research cannot proceedbecause there is nothing to proceed to ward. 3. Count If one wants to solve a problem , one must generallyknow what the problem is . It can be said that a largepart of the problem lies in knowing what one is tryingto do. Research problem may take a number of forms ,from the very simple to the very complexResearch Topic:The broad general area expected to investigate. It is abroad idea or concept from which many problems may bedelineated.Research Problem:A situation or circumstance that requires a solution to bedescribed, explained, or predicted. It is an unsatisfactory 4. DEFINITION According to Kerlinger, A problem is aninterrogative sentence or statement that asks whatrelation exists between two or more variable. Theanswer to question will provide what is havingsought in the research. R.S. Woodworth defines problem as a situation forwhich we have no ready & successful response byinstinct or by previous acquired habit. We must findout what to do, i.e. the solution can be found outonly after an investigation. In other words, a research problem is an area ofconcern where there is a gap in the knowledgebase needed for professional practices. 5. SELECTION OF RESEARCHPROBLEMAny research problem does exist if the following conditionare in existence:-1.There must be an individual or a group or anorganization having different types of environment.2.There must be atlest two course of action is defined byone or more values of the controlled variable.3. There must be atlest two possible outcomes .Out ofthese two a researcher wants an objective. 6. Count4. The courses of action available must provide somechance of obtaining the objective but they cannotprovide the same chance as they have unequalefficiencies for the desired result.R.L.ACKOFF has discussed the five components of aresearch problem as under:-1. Research consumer:-individuals or group which have some difficulty orproblem. they may be researcher or other.2. Research consumers objective:-- there must be some objective to be attained asthe research consumer must have something to getit. If one wants noting one cannot have a problem. 7. Count3.Alternative means to meet the objective:-this means that there must be at least two means(coursesof action) available to a researcher or if has no choice ofmeans, he/she cannot have a problem.4. Doubt in regard to selection of alternatives:-the existence of alternative courses of action is not enoughto experience a problem-The researcher must have some doubt as to whichalternative to select.-without such a doubt there can be no problem5. There must be one or more environments:- there must be some environment to which the difficulty orproblem pertains- A researcher may have doubts as to which will be mostefficient means in one environment.- -some problems are specific to any one environment whileothers are quite general. 8. The following points should be kept in mind by a researcher inselecting a research problem:1.The subject on which research work has been overdue shouldnot be chosen, because it will be a difficult task to throw anynew light.2.The problem should neither be too narrow nor too vague.3.The topic of the research should be familiar and feasible sothat the researcher can easily have an access to relatedresearch materials or source of research.4.Controversial subject should be avoided while selecting aresearch problem.5.While selecting a research problem the researcher should alsotake into account the various factors such as the importance ofsubject, the qualifications , the training of researcher , theinvestment elements in the research in terms of time, money andenergy.6.The selection of any research problem must be preceded by a 9. A research problemmay come fromseveral sources 10. Selection of a researchareasReviewing the literature &theoriesDelimiting the researchtopicEvaluating the researchproblemFormulating final statementof research problem 11. Selection of a research area:Formulation of a research problem begins withselection of a broad research topic from personalexperience, literature, previous research, & theories inwhich researcher is interested & has significance forlibrary profession.For example, a researcher gets an idea to conduct astudy on the Impact of library internship on MLISStudent.Therefore, he or she initially begins with such broadresearch topic. 12. Reviewing literature & theories:After getting a broad idea for research, he or she needsto review the LISc. literature & theories.Literature is reviewed to know what has already beendone in this selected areas of research.Review of library theories provides an opportunity forLISc researcher to plan a research problem tocontribute towards either testing or development of atheory/conceptual model. 13. Delimiting the research topic:In this step, researcher proceeds from a general area ofinterest to more specific topic of research to conduct astudy.For example, initially a researcher decides to conduct astudy on Impact of library internship on MLIS Student;later in this stage researcher limits it to specific researchtopic a study on perception of MLIS Students aboutimpact on internship in pondicherry university .In this stage, a researcher clearly identifies variables,population, & setting of research study. 14. Evaluating the research problemOnce researcher is clear about the specific researchproblem, next the research problem must be carefullyevaluated for its significance, researchability, &feasibility.Feasibility of the research problem should beevaluated for time, cost, availability of subjects &resources, administrative & peer support, ethicalconsideration, & researchers competence & interest. 15. Formulating final statement of researchproblem:After establishing the significance, researchability, &feasibility, then researcher finally formulates a finalstatement of a research problem.A statement of research problem could be indeclarative or interrogative format 16. Count1.Declarative format:In this format, a research problem isstated in declarative statement.e.g.- impact of library internship on MLIS student ofPondicherry University.2. Interrogative format:In interrogative format, a researchproblem is stated in question form.e.g- What is the Impact of library internship on MLISStudent of Pondicherry University ? 17. CountThe choice of either of these two types of format formulationof a research problem depends on the researcherspreference & institutional policies.Declarative format much popular among researchers.For the formulation of a research problem it is preferable it itfulfils the following features: Research problem is clearly, precisely articulated. It clearly states the variables, population, & research settingunder study. Variable are expressed in measurable terms. The type of study also may be included in the statement ofresearch problem. 18. Thank you