Selecting a Research Problem

Problem!
1. A question raised for inquiry, consideration or solution
2. A complex unsettled question
What do we do with Problems?
► Ignore them
► Talk about them
► Try to solve them
What is a Research Problem?
► It is a problem that someone would like to investigate.
► It is considered a situation that needs to be changed or addressed.
► These problems consist of:
► Areas of concern
► Conditions to be improved
► Difficulties to be eliminated
► Questions seeking answers
► In educational research, the research problem is typically posed as a question.
Sources for the Research Topics
1. Psychological problems being faced by the society
2. Questions in our minds which we always wanted to be answered
3. Consultations with experts in our field of study
4. Future research recommendations in the limitations of the articles
5. Sufficient replication of the previous studies across contexts, cultures, samples etc.
6. Theory building on indigenous issues
7. Testing the validity of existing theories in collectivist contexts (theory-based research)
8. Operationalization of constructs with scale development
9. Review of articles with contradictory findings
10. Search review articles on “latest search in clinical psychology”
11. Book reviews, more specifically last chapters in the books
How does one find topics to research?
1. Become a scholar in an area of specialization
2. Read, listen, discuss and think critically
3. Follow up on ideas that stem from present research
4. Explore areas of dissatisfaction
Factors to consider in Selecting a Research Problem
► You should have a personal interest in the topic.
 By the time you are done, you may really be tired of the topic
► The topic should be important (significant)
 Writing a thesis or dissertation is an exercise to learn how to conduct research.
 However, graduate students can learn the research process on an important
topic just as easy as learning the research process on daily topic!
► Consider the feasibility of the project.
 How much time do you have available
 Do you really want to do a longitudinal study that will take 3 years to
complete for a MS thesis?
 How difficult is it. Are data available?
 How much will it cost?
► Make sure the topic is ethical to study.
► The “newness” of the topic may hold you interest longer, however there is some
value in repeating previous research
► Make sure the research question is clear.

Steps in “Zeroing In” on a Problem

► Identify a broad area that interests you
► Read the literature
► Narrow the area to 2 or 3 topics
► Thoroughly examine the literature on the 2-3 topics
► Select a single problem from 2-3 topics
Focus on Your Topic
Keep it manageable
A topic will be very difficult to research if it is too broad or narrow. One way to narrow a
broad topic such as "the environment" is to limit your topic. Some common ways to limit a
topic are:
1. by geographical area
Example: What environmental issues are most important in the northern area of Pakistan?
2. by culture
Example: How does the environment fit into the Afghanis world view?
3. by time frame
Example: What are the most prominent environmental issues of the last 10 years?
4. by discipline
Example: How does environmental awareness effect mental health practices today?
5. by population group
Example: What are the effects of smartphones usage in adolescence?

Remember that a topic may be too difficult to research if it is too:

1. Locally confined - Topics this specific may only be covered in these (local) newspapers,
if at all.
Example: What sources of pollution affect the Rawalpindi water supply?
2. Recent - If a topic is quite recent, books or journal articles may not be available, but
newspaper or magazine articles may. Also, Web sites related to the topic may or may not
be available.

3. Broadly interdisciplinary - You could be overwhelmed with superficial information.

Example: How can the environment contribute to the culture, politics and society of the
Western states?
4. Popular - You will only find very popular articles about some topics such as sports
figures and high-profile celebrities and musicians.
If you have any difficulties or questions with focusing your topic, discuss the topic with your
instructor, or with a librarian