The Research Problem

The research problem

• It is a specific issue, difficulty, contradiction, or gap in knowledge that
will aim to address.

• the main organizing principle guiding the analysis of the paper

• The problem under investigation offers an ocasion for writing and a

focus that governs what we want to say.
Steps in forming a problem
• Identify a broad problem area. The area can either be a practical
research problem or a theoretical research problem

• Practical research problem

- Issues with performance or efficiency in an organization
- Process that could be improved in an institution
- Difficulties faced by a specific group of people in a society
• Theoretical research problem
- A phenomenon or context that has not been closely studied
- A contradition between two or more perspectives
- A situation or relatonship that is not well understood
- A troubling question that has yet to be resolved
Steps. . .
• Learn more about the problem
- context and background
* Who does the problem affect?
* Has it been a long issue?
* Whaat research has already been done?
* Have solutions been proposed?
* What are current debates regarding the problem?
- Specificity and relevance
* What is the place, time, the people to focus?
* What aspects are not to be tackled?
* What are the consequences of the problem if not solved?
* Who will benefitif solved?
Steps
• Review related literature to help you refine how you will approach
examining the topic and finding a way to analyze it.
- sources of criticism
- sources of new ideas
- sources of historical context
- sources of interdisciplinary insight
Steps. . .
• Look for sources that can help broaden, modify or strengthen critical
thoughts and arguments. Topics which -
- are not obscure/complex
- are interesting, engaging
- you have a strong opinion
- have some personal meaning
- are motivating to take a position
- can embrace the opportunity to learn something new