Formulation of a

Research Problem
Problem Identification and Definition

—  Every research starts with a problem.

Without a problem, there is no need to
conduct research.
—  Very often neophyte researchers find it
difficult to identify a research problem.
—  This discussion deals with the research
problem, how it is identified and defined.
—  A good research problem is described and
the steps in identifying and defining a
researchable problem are explained.
•  For researchers, problems could be:

▫  conditions they want to improve

▫  difficulties they want to eliminate
▫  questions for which they want answers
▫  information gaps they wish to fill
▫  theories they wish to validate
▫  rival hypothesis they want to test.

—  A research problem could also be an issue that should be

settled.

—  It may be a question about the unknown characteristics of

a population or about factors that explain the presence
or occurrence of a phenomenon
 DO YOU HAVE ANY PROBLEM TODAY?

—  Ask for statements or questions about a

problem they are experiencing, observing,
read about, or heard about (home, school,
social issues, economic concerns, work)

—  Why do you say it is a problem? What

feelings do you have about the situation?

—  Do you have any guess as to the possible

solution or answer to your problem.
Identifying a Research Problem
In doing research, the first thing a researcher does
is identify and clearly define the problem to be
studied. If the researcher cannot pinpoint a
problem, he/she cannot expect others to
understand what problems he wants to solve.
Listed below are some examples of possible research questions.

1. What problems do children of separated parents encounter and how do the children
cope with these problems?

2. What goes on in a government office in a typical week? or How do government

employees spend a typical day in the office?

3. Do mothers who have attended health education classes have better health care
management practices than those who have not?

4. Does TV viewing affect a child’s school performance?

5. Will training of managers of cooperatives in financial management improve the

financial control system of cooperatives?

6. Have there been changes in the portrayal of men and women in commercial
advertisements in the last five years?

7. What are the perceptions of college students regarding the granting of emergency
powers to the president in times of crisis?

8. To what extent do students use the internet?

9. Does the students’ use of the internet affect their performance in school?
While a problem is the initiating force of research, not all
problems require research. A potential researchable
problem exists when the following conditions are present
(Fisher, et. al., 1991):

a) There is a perceived discrepancy between what is and what

should be.

b) There are two or more plausible reasons for the discrepancy.

There may be an existing difficult or disturbing situation,

but if this condition is expected to happen because of
known circumstances, then the problem is not
researchable. Even if there is a discrepancy between what
is and what should be, because the causes of the
discrepancy are known at this particular time, there is no
need to conduct research anymore.
Example of a Non-researchable Problem
Situation: Despite free tuition, many high school students in a public
high school in Province X have dropped out. Records show that more than 50 %
of the students have already dropped out before the middle of the school year
(What is)

What should be: Students are expected to finish high school because it is
free. They should not drop out (What should be). On the contrary, a big number
of students dropped out (Discrepancy)

Research Question: Why do students drop out? What factors contribute

to the high drop out rate?

Possible Answer: Fear of being caught in crossfire between military and

rebel groups.

Comment: There have been violent encounters between the military and
rebel groups and many civilians have been caught in the cross fire. It seems clear
that the dropping out of the students is due to the armed encounters in the area. If
they go to school, they might die, so parents keep them out of school until the
peace and order situation in the area returns to normal.
A possible research situation exists when the existing condition (what is)
is different from what is expected (what should be), and there are two or
more plausible (reasonable) causes of the discrepancy between what is and
what should be.
Example of a Researchable Problem

Situation: Despite free tuition, many high school students in a public high school
in Province X have dropped out. Records show that more than 50 % of the students have
already dropped out before the middle of the school year (What is)

What should be: Students are expected to finish high school because it is free. They
should not drop out (What should be). On the contrary, a big number of students dropped
out (Discrepancy)

Research Question: Why do students drop out? What factors contribute to the
high drop out rate?

Possible Answers: There are many possible reasons why students drop out. Among
the possible reasons are: financial difficulties, far distance of students’ houses from school,
students’ lack of interest to study, and poor health.

Comments: Since there are a number of possible reasons for the dropping out of
students despite free tuition, the problem is researchable. Research can determine the
existence and extent of relationship between the identified possible factors and the students’
decision to drop out of school or to stay. Furthermore, research can determine the relative
contribution of each factor in the students’ decision to drop out.
Things to Remember When Defining a Research Problem

1. First review relevant literature and previous studies on

the problem,

2. Examine current available data/statistics,

3. Seek educated opinions from persons concerned with the

problem.

4. Determine the probable reasons for the existence of the

problem from social, economic, or other theories that may
explain the existence of the problem and the possible
connection between the problem and other factors.
A careful review of existing information or studies on
a problem can also help the investigator determine:

1.what answers or solutions have been found/tried in

the past to solve the problem and how successful they
were, and

what questions still remain unanswered and what

aspects of the problem need to be studied further.
Characteristics of a Good Research Problem
A research problem should possess four essential characteristics. It must be
relevant, feasible, clear, and ethical. (Fraenkel and Wallen, 1996).

1. A research problem must be relevant.

.
The problem must be timely and relevant. It must be of interest to the one
investigating it. It should yield answers that will contribute to knowledge and
development. In essence, the problem should be worth investigating and worth the
time, money and effort to be spent on it.

To determine whether a possible research problem is relevant or not, one

should consider the following questions:

a. Will answers to the research question/s help advance knowledge?

b. Can answers to the research question/s help in improving practices/behavior/

performance?

c. Will answers to the research problem improve human conditions?

The research problem is relevant if the answers to the three questions above are all
positive.
An Example of a Relevant Problem

Research Problem : “The Effect of Computer-assisted instruction on the

Students’ Achievement in Mathematics?”

1. Will the answer to the research question help advance knowledge?

Yes. A finding that shows that computer-assisted instruction significantly improves or

does not improve achievement in mathematics comprises new knowledge.

2. Can answers to the research question help in improving practices/behavior/

performance?

Yes. Positive findings suggest that teachers must use the computer as an instructional
device.

3. Will answers to the research problem improve human conditions?

Yes. If the adoption of computer-assisted instruction leads to improved learning,

students will acquire better skills. With better skills, they will definitely have better
chances of getting employed. Skilled workers are better paid than unskilled ones and
more likely will have better quality of life because with more income they can buy
what they need.
 2. A Research problem must be feasible.
 
A research problem can only be investigated if
resources like time, money, and personnel are
available. A research problem may be relevant,
… but if funds are not available and there are no
skilled researchers or tools for data gathering,
then it would not be feasible to conduct it.
Researchers must, therefore be sure of the
availability of funds and human resources, as well
as appropriate tools/devices needed in the
conduct of the study.
 An Example of a Problem that Is Not
. Feasible
 
Research problem: “The Effect on
Achievement of Providing Each Student a
Microcomputer in Their Math Class”
Comment: It might be worth knowing if
computer-based math instruction can
improve students’ achievement in the subject
but giving each student a computer would be
very costly. Moreover, it may not be
afforded by most schools.
 •  
. An Example of a Feasible Problem
 
Research Problem: “The Effect of
Computer-Assisted Instruction on Students’
Achievement in Mathematics”
 
Comment: Instruction in the experimental
group is computer-assisted, while that in
the control group is not. The teacher in the
experimental group can be trained to use
the computer in teaching math. The
experiment can be carried out even if only
one computer is available in the classroom.
This can be provided by the institution.
 
. 3. A research problem must be clear.
 
The research problem must be clearly
stated so that what is being investigated
is made clear. The major variable/s of the
study should be measurable and should be
specified in the problem statement. The
use of ambiguous terms must be avoided.
An Example of a Problem Which Is
Not Clear
 
Research Problem: “ Women’s
Perceptions about Sexual Harassment”
 
Comment: This problem is not clear
because it does not specify what group
of women will be studied. What is
implied is all kinds of women. Even the
word “perception” is not clear. One may
ask, “perception regarding ‘what’ of
sexual harassment”
 An Example of a Clear Problem
 
Research Problem: “Attitudes Towards
Sexual Harassment of Female Rank and File
Bank Employees in Makati City “
 
Comment: In this research problem, it is
clear that what is being examined is
attitudes towards sexual harassment. It
is also clear that the study will cover
female rank and file bank employees in
Makati City. Although the location of the
study may not always be specified,
specifying it helps further clarify the
research problem.
 4. A research problem must be ethical.
 
The conduct of the study should not pose
any danger, embarrassment, hurt or any
risk to the research respondents or
subjects or any one. Information needed
to answer the research questions can be
collected without violating the rights of the
source/s of information. The respondents’
privacy must therefore be protected. They
should be informed about the purpose of
the study and be given the right to consent
or refuse to participate in the study.
An Example of an Unethical Problem
 
Research Problem: “The Effect of Punishment
on the Self-Esteem and Academic Performance of
Adolescents”
 
Comment: If an experiment is to be
conducted, punishment will be applied to the
experimental group, but withheld from the
control group. Even if the result of the study
shows that punishment will improve self-
esteem and performance, applying punishment
to students for the sake of research is
unethical.
An Example of an Ethical Problem
 
Research Problem: “Students’ Perceptions on
the Effect of Physical Punishment on the Self-
Esteem and School Performance”
 
Comment: A survey on students’ perceptions
about the effect of physical punishment on
their self-esteem and performance does not
raise an ethical issue, since respondents are
only asked about their perceptions. It is still
important, however, to explain to the
respondents the purpose of the study and get
their informed consent to participate in the
study.
Steps In Identifying and Defining a
Problem
1. State the problem situation.
 
• Write a short paragraph that describes the
discrepancy between what is and what should be).
• Write the central problem or the main research
question.
• Give two or more plausible answers to the problem
question. (If there is only one plausible answer to the
question, the problem is not researchable.)
 
2. Add details by presenting statistics or any
information that can serve as evidence that the
problem really exists. You can derive these from service
statistics, related studies, and other existing documents.
  2. Using data from available research literature, current
service statistics, educated opinions, and other sources
of information, define further the problem situation
you have just identified. Hopefully, your review of related
studies will reveal concepts and operational variables that you
may have overlooked. If you listed these concepts and
variables as you come upon them in your review of related
studies, the task of defining the problem becomes much
easier.
 
4. With the information you have collected from a
literature review and other sources, improve your
problem definition and add details that will help explain
what your research problem is all about and why you
want to study the problem. Organize the information and
your ideas, such that the readers can be convinced that you
really need to undertake the research.