IDENTIFICATION AND FORMULATION OF RESEARCH

PROBLEM

A PRESENTATION SUBMITTED

TO

[Link] ASHISH VIRK MAM

THE UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE OF LAW

PANJAB UNIVERSITY REGIONAL CENTRE, LUDHIANA
IN THE PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF REQUIREMENT
DEGREE OF MASTERS OF LAWS
2024-2025

SUPERVISED BY: PROF. DR ASHISH VIRK MAM

SUBMITTED BY: KASHISH ASIZA (34/24)

Professor of Laws UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE OF LAW, PANJAB

UNIVERSITY, REGIONAL CENTRE, LUDHIANA
DECLARATION

The work embodied in the term paper entitled

IDENTIFICATION AND FORMULATION OF RESEARCH
PROBLEM has been done by all of us has not been
submitted elsewhere for the award of any degree. All ideas
and references have been duly acknowledged.

Dated: 31/05/2022

Signature

Student Name:
KASHISH ASIZA (34/24)
Acknowledgement

I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude to Prof. DR ASHISH VIRK my

mentor and supervisor for this term paper. It has been under her constant
and sincere guidance, auspices and motivation that I have been able to get
through with this term paper. She has lighted the path for me with her
expertise and attention throughout the course of this term paper and it
would not have been possible to have come through with the research if not
for her persistent counseling and persuasion. I feel highly indebted to her
concern and involvement in then realization of this study.

I would like to thank the staff of the library of University Institute of Laws,
Punjab University Regional Centre, Ludhiana for providing me all the relevant
books and material for the completion of my assignment.

Lastly, I would take an opportunity to thank family, friends and associates for
putting up and sticking up from end to end of the progression of this
research.

DATE: 06/11/2024 KASHISH

ASIZA
INTRODUCTION

Research comprises creative work undertaken on a systematic basis in order to increase the
stock of knowledge, including knowledge of man, culture and society, and the use of this
stock of knowledge to devise new applications. Research problems are questions that indicate
gaps in the scope or the certainty of our knowledge. They point either to problematic
phenomena, observed events that are puzzling in terms of our currently accepted ideas, or to
problematic theories, current ideas that are challenged by new hypotheses.

Selection of research problem is the first step in every research. No research can undergo by
the researcher, unless this first step is properly and scientifically accomplished by the
researcher. Once the research problem has been formulated, the researcher is all set to take on
to further procedures without much difficulties. It requires a good mental exercise to locate
the gap in knowledge and formulate a workable problem. It may not be difficult to find
problem suitable to one’s aptitude, interest and intellectual calibre.
WHAT IS A RESEARCH PROBLEM

The problem is a question, a felt need an issue, which needs to be resolved, a difficulty.

According to Oxford dictionary research problem is a matter difficult for settlement or

solution a question or puzzle propounded for solution.

It is the first step for the discovery of new facts by following certain research procedure.
Problems are infinite but it is very difficult to locate them for investigation. The selection of a
good research problem is considered as a discovery in itself. It is the topic we would like
address, investigate, whether descriptively or experimentally.

It is the focus or reason for engaging in our research. It is necessary to keep in mind that
selected problem should not be fictitious. It must be based on certain logical and rational
observation and proposed research should reflect their significance. The significance value
should also be observed as to their utility and number of beneficiaries thereof.


STEPS OF FORMULATION OF RESEARCH PROBLEM

1. Realization of Problem:
This is the first stage when researcher realizes the existence of problem. Mere statement or
discussion regarding the problem does not suffice for selecting any problem for research
unless researcher realizes or sensitized with the existence of any problem. Generally, victims
of any problem can better realize the existence of problem. It does not mean that only victims
can be the good researcher. Anybody, whoever be either victim, stakeholder or others, who
understand the pain or difficulties of life caused by such problem. If researcher undertakes
any research without his realisation of problem, he may undergo with the research but cannot
formulate the research objectives and purposes pin pointed towards the satisfaction of
objectivity of research. Even he cannot test veracity of solutions suggested on the basis of
results.
Realisation is a cognitive process. When man perceives any stimulus, fact or phenomenon
which is received by his receptors of mind and thereafter cognitive process starts in his mind
to identify such stimulus on the basis of his experience, knowledge and insight. Whatever is
the nature of experience, knowledge or insight he possess outcome of his mind will be
respectively positive or negative. The positive sign provides the state of satisfaction and
negative sign causes dissatisfaction. In turn dissatisfaction proceeds for alteration,
amendment, improvement and replacement. Such realisation stimulates the researcher to feel
about their negative attributes or something lacking.

Interest of researcher is also an important aspect for establishing relation of researcher with
such problem. Since the researcher has to spend a long time with research study if he would
have interest in the subject of research only then he can continuously work on it otherwise
not.

2. IDENTIFICATION OF THE PROBLEM:

The identification of a problem a research problem is a difficult but an important phase of the
entire research process. It requires a great deal of time, energy and logical thinking on the
part of the researcher. The following suggestions are designed to provide direction in a search
for a research problem.
a) PERSONAL EXPERIENCE: Personal experience of the investigation in the
field of physical education is the main source for identifying suitable
atmosphere/environment.
b) SYSTEMATICALLY RECORD UNSOLVED PROBLEMS: Researchers
professional reading may point out several unsolved problems that could be
taken as research topic, class discussions and critical thinking will provide
many topics for research.
c) ANALYSE LITERATURE IN AN AREA OR SUBJECT FIELD: An
analysis of the literature in a particular field is a most important source of
research problem. Analyse the recommendations suggested in a dissertation to
locate and read a review paper, review journals, research journals, term
papers, or a recent text book.
d) CONSIDER COLLOBORATION OF FORMER STUDIES: When the
researcher reads the thesis already completed he may come across the
recommendation heading from that he would be able to select some topic. e.g.,
If a study with a topic study of personality of women athletes and non-athletes
has been completed, similar study on men athletes and non-athletes could be
undertaken by the new investigator.
e) EXAMINE CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES : Controversy may exit
concerning various practices in physical education and sports controversy,
which exists in warming up, intake of glucose, professionalism, and drug in
sports thus the research scholar may face a multidimensional problem.
f) DISCUSSION: Discussion in the classroom, with friends and experts,
discussions in conferences and seminars will suggest many new problems.
Consultation with faculty members and fellow research scholars also provide
many research problems.
g) DISCOVER THE INTERESTS OF ASSOCIATION, CLUBS AND
SOCIETY :: Frequently various clubs and associations may express interest
in expanding specific kinds of research
h) TECHNICAL CHANGES: Technical changes and curricular developments
are constantly bringing forth new problems and new opportunities for
research.
 i) LIBRARY SOURCES: Various library sources such as books,
encyclopaedias, journals, subject, specific periodicals, autobiographies,
official reports, anthologies, etc. provides idea for new problem.
j) INTEREST OF THE RESEARCH WORKER: It should help to overcome
obstacle and meet physical educational professionals, coaches and
administrator.

3. ANALYSIS OF PROBLEM:
Any phenomenon arising problematic state for example - poverty, crime, unemployment,
corruption etc. The first step towards the problem solving, there can be a detailed description
of the circumstances under which it occurs (nature, symptoms, progression and frequency
etc.) and their analysis becomes necessary. This will help to understand the contexts, nature
and effects of such problem. In easy way of addressing any research problem contain three
major steps – description of problem, understanding of problem and explanation thereof.
Researcher has to analyse the problems on following aspects as-
 Whether problem is of temporary or permanent nature?
 What are the constituents of problem?
 Determination of relevant variables.
 What factors are responsible for causing such problem?
 Whether such factors are internal or external one?
In Legal research, analysis is used in a broad sense to refer the process of identifying the
issue or issues in given facts and to determine rules, principles and theories of law to be
applied. It is an organized approach that helps to develop research skills. It makes legal
research easier, saves time, and establishes reliability and validity of results. The most
common approach to legal analysis involves a four-step process: Issue, Rule, Analysis/
Application and Conclusion. It is important to keep in mind the crucial role the facts play in
analytical process. The four steps of the analysis process involve the facts in each step:4

a) Issue: The key facts are included in the issue. The issue is the precise question raised
by the specific facts.
b) Rule: Determination of which the law governs the issue is based on the applicability
of the law to the facts in issue.
c) Analysis / Application: This step is the process of applying the rule of law to the
facts. Without the facts, the law stands in a vacuum.
d) Conclusion: The conclusion is a summation of how the law applies to the facts, a
recap of the first three steps. It too requires the facts.

Two main steps are required to be followed in formulating research problem viz.,
understanding the problem thoroughly, rephrasing the same into meaningful terms from
an analytical point of view. Researcher accepts the problem in general terms and it is up
to him to narrow it down and phrase the problem in operational terms.

4. STATEMENT OF PROBLEM:

This is the final stage when research problem comes into the shape of statement.
Whatever be the understanding and perception made by researcher after crystallisation
and keen analysis of problem thereafter he makes the statement regarding existence of
problem. Statement must convey the real nature of problem as it is as realised and felt by
researcher. While formulating research problem, researcher has to be very careful as to
the use of language and grammar. Language should be clear, easy and unambiguous.

A research problem must be identified without any ambiguity and each selected research
problem must be clearly defined. There may be a situation in which the researcher is
fully aware of the symptoms relating to certain problem in achieving his goal. But, He/
she may not be in a position to clearly spell out the problem which is causing such
deficiency. Unless it is clearly identified, it will not be possible to proceed further to
carry out the project. If a researcher proceeds with ill-defined problems, he/ she may end
up with misleading conclusions. Research problem should be clearly defined in statement
of researcher. “Defining a research problem is the fuel that drives the scientific process,
and is the foundation of any research method and experimental design, from true
experiment to case study. Statement of problem should convey the major objective of
research and type of research objectives. Topic should be little known, important for
group, public, society, nation or world. It should contain specific, unsolved practical or
theoretical problem; or phenomenon not yet adequately understood. This task of
formulating, or defining, a research problem is a step of great importance in the entire
research process. The problem to be investigated must be defined unambiguously for that
will help discriminating relevant data from irrelevant ones. Care must be taken to verify
the objectivity and validity of the background facts concerning the problem. It states that
the statement of the objective is of basic importance because it determines the data which
are to be collected, the characteristics of the data which are relevant, relations which are
to be explored, the choice of techniques to be used in these explorations and the form of
the final report.

All the above steps are the major and necessarily be followed for formulation of research
problem. There can be sub classification under every step according to objective and
subject of study.

SOURCES OF RESEARCH PROBLEM

For any worth will study in any field research scholar needs reference material. The
sources of materials are two types i.e. (i) Primary (ii) Secondary.

(1) PRIMARY SOURCES: These are obtained from the place of origin or from
beginning. Their kinds are as given below: -

a) PERIODICALS: This type of literature is found in journals like – (i)

Research Quarterly. (ii) Journals of sports medicine. (iii) Journal of applied
sports Science. (iv) British journal of physical education and sports
b) BOOKS: It provides information of great thinkers, Critics, Philosopher their
ideas and theories.
c) MONOGRAPHS: It includes written information on a single topic or single
subject.
d) YEAR BOOKS: It has information about the papers of eminent scholars,
research workers etc.
e) GRADUATE AND DOCTORAL LEVEL THESIS: Thesis and
dissertation are the reports of the research work. These are to be maintained
thesis is considered for post graduate level research Ph. D. and M. Phil etc.
Dissertation is at Master Degree level research work.
f) MEMORIES: Personal auto-biographies, life history at eminent personality,
personal letters etc.
g) OFFICIAL PUBLISHED MATERIALS: Such as information about
health, environment, Pollution, Population, Education, Employment and
Crimes etc.
(2) SECONDARY SOURCES: Collection of the information which have been already
reported by some individuals other than the researcher. These can be available in the
following forms:-

(i) Encyclopaedia ( Health, Physical Education, and Recreation )

(ii) Abstract of Sports Medicine. e.g. Injuries and Rehabilitation.
(iii) Bibliographical references.
(iv) Directories.

CRITERIA IN SELECTING THE RESEARCH PROBLEM:

Certain external and personal criteria is to be considered in the selection of research problem.
External Criteria have to do with such matters as novelty and importance for the field,
availability of data, method and institutional or administrative co-operation. Personal criteria
involved is such consideration as interest training cost and time etc. A number of criteria in
the form of conditions might be listed for the guidance in the selection of research problem.

(1) EXTERNAL CRITERIA: These can be given in a following form:-

 NOVELTY: - The research problem should be sufficiently original and new,

one. The investigator should not select a problem until he is sure. That is really
a new problem which has never before investigated successfully.
 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PROBLEM: - While selecting problem the
researcher has to see whether the topic is significant to the professional and
useful to the society. Every problem undertaken for investigation must offer
something of practical value to physical education, the coaches and the
athletes.
 AVAILABILITY OF DATA: - Availability of data is another most important
factor affecting selection of problem for example if a research worker has
taken a study with a topic. Personality traits of Indian Kabaddi players he
should be able to get data from Indian Kabaddi players, otherwise there is no
meaning in selecting this topic.
 AVAILABILITY OF TECHNIQUES AND APPARATUS: - One should
have the appropriate apparatus or instrument and technique to conduct the
research study. If the researcher has taken up a study with the topic. A
comparative study of blood pressure between hockey and football players, the
 researcher should have sphygmomanometer to measure the blood pressure. He
also should know how to use the apparatus.
 AVAILABILITY OF CO-OPERATION: - Research may require co-
operation from various authorities, institutions and individuals. Investigator
must make sure that necessary permission and cooperation will be available
regarding research before selecting the research problem.
 AIM AND LEVEL OF RESEARCH: - The aim of research also influences
the selection of the problem; the nature and scope of the study will be
determined. In the light of the levels like, Master degree, M. Phil degree and
Ph.D.

(2) PERSONAL CRITERIA: The researcher should have an unique drive to an authentic
research work.

(i) INTEREST TOWARDS THE PROBLEM: - The Problem should be interesting for the
investigator himself. If investigator is not interested in it, he will not be able to face and
overcome the obstacles which come at every step in research.

(ii) RESEARCHERS COMPETENCE AND KNOWLEDGE: - Problem selected for

investigation should be within the intellectual capacity and capability of the student if the
researcher does not have any knowledge about physiology, he should not select a topic from
the area.

(iii) COURAGE AND CONFIDENCE: - The researcher should have courage and
determination to carry out the study in spite of the difficulties that may be involved.

(iv) TIME AND FINANCIAL FACTOR: - The problem selected should be one that can be
studied and completed in the allotted time. The researcher most considers carefully his own
financial resources to carry out the study.
CONCLUSION

Formulation of research problem is the first step of research process. Such process should be
systematically, scientifically and objectively followed. Research problem can be selected
after analysing the nature and effect of problem. Problem is a stage of dissatisfaction of mind.

This is the natural cognitive process that man wants to change his dissatisfaction into
satisfaction. If he knows how to turn into stage of satisfaction, he can immediately switch
towards satisfaction. But if he has no experience and knowledge of problem solving he
prepares to get knowledge through research process. The problem selected for research is
called research problem.

Selection of research problem is a scientific process containing certain steps for their final
formulation. Their beginning from realisation of satisfaction problem, identification of
problem, analysis of problem and finally formulation of problem. Realisation is a
psychological process of researcher which plays an important role to seek his interest.
Identification is a functional part towards corroboration of opinion includes review of
literature. Analysis of problem requires study of facts composing problem on three
parameters as ‘What facts are involve?’ ‘When did facts got involve?’ and ‘How facts related
to problem?’ It includes historical, phenomenological and crystallised analytical approach
towards the problem and their components.

The last stage when statement of problem is formulated in words written or verbal. It should
convey in easy and accurate language for communication of real nature of problem
formulated after realisation, identification and analyses of researcher.
BIBLOGRAPHY

 [Link]
 [Link]
 Allen, T. Harrell, New Methods in Social Science Research
 New York: Praeger Publishers, 1978. Best, John W., and Kahn, James V
 “Research in Education,” 5th Ed., New Delhi: Prentice-Hall of India Pvt. Ltd.
 1986. Bhattacharya, Srinibas, Psychometrics & Behavioural Research, New Delhi: Sterling
Publishers Pvt. Ltd., 1972