Objectives

● Define key terms (research problem, Hypotheses, research questions)

● Identify the sources of research problem
● Explain the development of research problem
● Describe the evaluation of the research problem
● Analyze the critique of the research problem
● List the purposes of research hypotheses
● List some examples for research questions
 Research problem

A research problem is a question that a researcher

wants to answer or a problem that a researcher
wants to solve.

In other words, a research problem is an area of

concern where there is a gap in the knowledge
base needed for professional practices.
Identification and formulation of a
research problem is the first step of
the research process.

• It is the most challenging & difficult

phase of the research process.
- Selection of a research problem depends on several
factors such as researcher’s knowledge, skills, interest,
expertise, motivation & creativity with respect to the
subject chosen.
• A good research studies needs a lots of time for
selection of research problem.

• Initially every researcher faces a predicament of

identifying, selecting and formulating a good research
problem.
 Sources of research problems

Where do ideas for research problems come from?

I. PERSONAL EXPERIENCE
Day to day experience of the researcher serves as a good source
of ideas to formulate research problem.

II. PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE

Clinical experience provides nurses opportunities for problem
identification.
III. NURSING LITERATURE
When one looks at books, articles, summaries of clinical issues
relating to the subject of our interest, pertinent questions may
arise.
 Sources of research problems..cont.

IV. PREVIOUS RESEARCH

V. EXISTING THEORIES
VI. SOCIAL ISUES
VII. BRAINSTORMING
VIII. EXPOSURE TO FIELD SITUATIONS
IX. CONSULTATIONS WITH EXPERTS
 Development of research problem

The problem statement could be done in two forms:

■ Declarative: “The relationship between the

nurses’ job satisfaction and tendency to leave work”

■ Interrogative: “ Is there a relationship between the

nurses’ job satisfaction and tendency to leave work?”
 Population

■ The term population refers to the aggregate or totality

of all the subjects or members which conform to a
designated set of specifications

■ The nature of the population being studied needs to be

specified in the problem statement.
Development of research problem
 Criteria for selecting the
researchable problem
1. Novelty
2. Researcher’s Interest in the Problem
3. Practical Value of the Problem
4. Theoretical Value of the Problem
5. Availability of Data
6. Special Equipment
7. Sponsorship
8. Administrative Support
9. Cost of Research
10. Time Frame
11. Hazards
 Characteristics of a Good Problem

• It should be interesting to you.

• It should have practical value to you, your work or your
community.
• It should not be over researched.
• It should be within your experience/expertise.
• It can be finished within the allotted time.
• It should not carry legal or moral impediments
 WRITING THE TITLE OF THE STUDY

Effects of Touch Therapy on Recovery among

Premature Infants Confined in the Incubators of
Selected Hospitals in Berlin City, Germany
Research Hypotheses
 Purposes of Hypotheses

▪ Provide a bridge between theory and reality

▪ Enable researcher to enter new areas of
discovery
▪ Provide direction for any research
 Developing the Research Hypotheses
■ Hypotheses: intelligent guesses, or predictions that assist
the researcher in seeking the solution or answer to the
research question.

▪ Hypotheses are often not stated explicitly in a research

article

▪ Hypotheses flow from the problem statement, literature

review, and theoretical framework
▪ Hypotheses are formulated before the study is
conducted because they provide direction for the
collection, analysis, and interpretation of data
 Examples of hypothesis types
● Null: There will be no difference in scores on Hudson’s
self-esteem scale between men and women.

● Directional: Women will have higher scores than men on

Hudson’s self-esteem scale.

● Non-directional: There will be a difference by gender in

Hudson’s self-esteem scale scores.
 Critiquing the Research Hypotheses

1) Does the hypothesis directly relate to the

research problem?

2) Is the hypothesis concisely stated in a

declarative form?

3) Are the independent and dependent variables

in the statement of the hypothesis?
4) Are the variables measurable or potentially
measurable?

5) Is each of the hypotheses specific to one

relationship so that each hypothesis can be either
supported or not supported?

6) Is the hypothesis stated in such a way that it is

testable?
7) Is the direction of the relationship in each hypothesis
clearly stated?

8) Is the theoretical rationale for the hypothesis explicit?

9) Are research questions appropriately used?

Interrelationship of Problem Statement, Literature
Review, Theoretical Framework, and Hypothesis

Theoretical
Hypothesis
Framework

Problem Literature
Statement Review
Research Questions
Characteristics of a good research questions:

Clarity Ethical
Related to previous Practical use (relevant)
research ‘fun’ (interesting to
Significant you)

Example:
Does smoking cause lung cancer among adult?
Exploratory studies usually have research questions
not hypotheses
The outcome of an exploratory study may help in
formulating hypotheses for future studies

Qualitative research studies are guided by research

questions rather than hypotheses
Some studies may have research questions and
hypotheses. In such case, research questions do
not pertain to the proposed outcomes, rather,
they may provide additional information that
may enrich the study and may provide direction
for further study
Subject: Obesity
Focus: Parental responsibility as the cure for obesity.
Research Questions:

1. Why is parental responsibility the basis of each solution?

2. Is parental responsibility the best solution for the obesity
crisis?