Problems Encountered By Researchers

Research Methodology is a study subject in some of the under-graduate courses

and most of the Post-graduate courses. Still, there is a lack of awareness of the purpose of
research and the purpose of including research methodology in the curriculum. Many
students hate this subject and the hatred is increased when they see the numerical in
biostatistics when it is clubbed with research methodology.

There are several problems encountered by students and novice researchers.

Some of them are:

1. Lack of scientific training in the methodology of research

There is a paucity of competent researchers. The scenario in most cases is like a blind
leading the blind. Most of the people who hold the position of research guides are
themselves not thorough with the various methodologies. They lead the
researcher/students to copy methodology of similar studies.

2. Copying of data (Plagiarism)

Some researchers (as they call themselves), merely copy other international studies or
studies which have been done by researchers/students of other universities. This is a
crime and should not be promoted. A Researchers can re-evaluate others study by
considering and overcoming the limitations of previous study, but at no cost should be
copied or repeated. One should learn to respect others hard work. The act itself leads
to lack of awareness in research methodology.

3. Manipulation of data.
Every researcher tries or does one or the other kinds of manipulation of data. May be
multiplying the sample size or to make the result in the way they want. The lack of
confidence over the result they may get after the completion of study is the reason for
manipulation of result. This never reveals the reality, as the intuition of the researcher
is guided by mere theoretical knowledge. In reality sometimes theory and practice
may be contradictory. Some researchers just finish off their study by simply sitting in
their home; they don’t even interact with their subject or have any one.

4. Lack of availability or access to literature needed.

This is a major problem faced during the literature review. The lack of availability of
access to Internet, ignorance of the way to search needed articles from journals and
other databases are other problems. Searching books and newspaper articles from
conventional libraries consumes a lot of time and effort. These kind of libraries,
especially which are situated away from the capital cities lack copies of new acts/
rules published by the government. There is also timely unavailability of published
data.
5. The outlook of the researcher/research student
All students before being selected by the guide interact with their senior students.
They already finding difficulty with research, tells the hardships they suffer or
suffered. This changes the outlook of the students. Research is the way you take it. It
can be either.

6. Lack of confidence to take up a new study especially explorative study.

This may be due to any of the above-mentioned reasons, also the fear of the result and
fear of not able to answer questions during presentations. One should be dare enough
to disseminate the result of the study, as it is the truth he/she has come to know after
the research process. Limitations of the study are always considered and no one is
going to blame on that, unless until the research is re-done. This leads to undertaking
of overlapping studies, as there is a want of information.

7. Unavailability of permission to do research in specific centers

Hospitals and business establishments usually don’t allow third party inside to
conduct research. This may be due to security reasons or may be due to lack of
confidence in keeping the confidentiality of the data or names. No establishments will
agree a third person to get in and find out the problems within and it being gets
published. Some organizations charge heavy fee or donation (whatever it may be)
from students to allow doing research within.

8. Research: a mere formality to fulfill course requirement

Yes, of course research is a part of curriculum. But most of the students find it as a
mere formality to fulfill their course requirement. They just want to finish off the
study. For this they search the shortcuts. But the fact is that once a study is done, it
will be referred in future by other researchers. They won’t be aware if the study was
sincerely done.

9. Publishing may be expensive

Research study once it is completed, the further step will be the publishing of the
same. Printing and binding may turn to be expensive. Also, it will be very expensive
the paper has to be published in any international journals or conferences. These
expenses may not be affordable by the student researchers.

10. Lack of availability of sponsors

This may be due to lot of reasons.
A. Hesitation to contact sponsors
B. Not able to convince the sponsors
C. Lack of confidence of sponsors over the researcher

If I have missed out any problems encountered by you, and you would like me to add and further improve the
document, please mail me to: physiovipin@hotmail.com.