Transcript Problem Statement in Qualitative Research

Professor Sanjoy Bandopadhyay
Ustad Alauddin Khan Professor of Instrumental Music
Rabindra Bharati University, Kolkata
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Problem formulation in qualitative research begins
with selecting a general topic and methodology
(ethnographic research or an analysis of historical
documents).
The topic and methodology are interrelated and are
selected interactively rather than in separate steps.
Most qualitative research interests come from personal
experiences and a long interest in a topic developed
from accidents of current biography and personal
history.
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Ethnographic Questions
Historical Questions
Legal Questions [generally not applicable to our area of
researches.]
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Qualitative research, in contrast to quantitative
research, employs primarily inductive reasoning .
Qualitative research problems are reformulated
several times after the researcher has begun data
collection. [In contrast, quantitative research
problems are stated before data collection.]
The research problem is stated initially in planning
for the study, reformulated during beginning data
collection, and reformulated as necessary
throughout data collection.
The continuing reformulation of the research
problem reflects an emergent design.
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This emergent design allows qualitative research to build
the findings from the data by analyzing and presenting data
in increasingly abstract and synthesized forms.
Reformulation of a research problem relates to changing
data collection strategies to acquire the "totality" of the
phenomena and then to study some aspect in greater depth.
The specific research problem emerges and is condensed
toward the end of data collection.
The condensed version of the research problem in most
publications often is not the exact same problem statement
which initiated the research.
 1. Foreshadowed problems;
 2. Condensed problems.
General Research Problem
 Does the statement of the general research
problem imply the possibility of empirical
investigation?
 Does the problem statement restrict the scope
of the study?
 Does the problem statement give the
educational context in which the problem lies?
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Is the significance of the problem discussed in
terms of one or more of the following criteria?
Develops knowledge of an enduring practice;
Develops theory
Can be Generalized;--that is, expands knowledge
or theory
Provides extension of understandings;
Advances methodology;
Is related to a current social or political issue;
Evaluates a specific practice at a given site;
Is exploratory research.
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Do the foreshadowed problems or the condensed
problem statement indicate the particular case of
some phenomena to be examined?
Is the qualitative methodology appropriate for
description of present or past events?
Is the inductive logic of the research reasonably
explicit?
Does the research purpose (understanding of a
social situation or grounded theory) indicate the
framework for reporting the findings?
Thank You