Statement of the Research Problem

BY
Kabir Tahir Hamid, PhD.
Department of Accounting & Finance
Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University,
Bauchi

Being a Presentation for Research Methodology

to PhD. Students in the Faculty of Management
Sciences, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University,
Bauchi
18th May, 2017 1
 Outline of the Presentation
 Introduction
 The concepts of Science, Research Methodology and research
 Meaning of research problem, qualities, nature and scope, types and
sources
 Relationship between research problem (input) and quality of
content(output)
 The Importance of Formulating the Research Problem
 Factors to consider in selecting research problems
 Essential Parts of a Problem Statement
 Steps involved in formulating a research problem
 Examples of Problem Statement
 Activities/Questions
 Conclusion
2
 Introduction
Statement of the problem is the heart of
every research. Hence, there is no need
for a research where a problem does not
exist. It shows the merits of a proposal
or research, the reasons for its conduct
and its importance.
A research problem statement outlines
the current situation, identifies the
challenges, specifies the location and
indicates the people involved.
 Introduction… Cont’d
Process of formulating the research problem
in a meaningful way is not at all an easy task.
It is often the hardest part of writing a
research proposal or thesis.
Hence, a researcher should spend
considerable time in thinking and formulating
a research problem. One should write, rewrite
and rewrite the statement of the problem …
until he/she is happy that the problem is
vividly clear to the reader to enjoy his/her
sympathy on the need for the research.
 The Concept of Science
Science as an activity that aims at
gathering and classifying information
with a view to understanding the
present state of knowledge and adding
more knowledge to it, discovering new
ways and ideas, making a break-
through and providing solutions to
identified problems or providing better
ways of doing things.
 Research Methodology
Research Methodology is science of
studying how research is done
scientifically. In it researchers
learn not only the methodology, but
also the methods and techniques,
their assumptions and logic and
their relevance or otherwise in
every research situations.
 The Concept of Research
Research may be defined as structured, organized, careful,
systematic and patient enquiry into some field of
knowledge that utilizes acceptable scientific methodology
to solve problems, create new knowledge that is generally
applicable, establish facts or principles, or providing
dependable solutions to identified problems.
The purpose of research is to discover answers to
questions through the application of scientific procedures.
The main aim of research is to find out the truth which
is hidden and which has not been discovered yet.
 Steps of Scientific Enquiry
Science as an activity involving the gathering and
use of information through a scientific process, by
following the steps of scientific enquiry, namely:
oProblem identification

oProblem definition and delimitation

oProblem analysis

oDeductions based on the analysis

oRecommendations and its implementation

(where applicable)
 Research Problem

"Problem Statement" is a description of a difficulty or

lack that needs to be researched to see whether a
solution can be found. It can also be described as
either a gap between the real and the desired or a
contradiction between principle and practice, or a
contraction between different findings.
In other words, research problem is an interrogative
statement which asks about the presumed relationship
between two or more variables that create a particular
state of affairs.
Research Problem… Cont’d
 The problem statement must convince the reader that the study must be
done.
 Evidence must be provided that the problem is serious and in need of
further investigation.
 The problem statement should state or imply the nature of the study-
correlational, exploratory, descriptive, create a model, experimental,
quasi-experimental, ex post factor, survey…
 It should explain the population affected by the problem and the nature
of the study- quantitative or qualitative, type of methodology to be used
and type of data to be collected and possible outcomes expected.
 It state the variables and how the variables are related and can be
measured.
 A statement problem need not be long and windy. It should be written
with Clarity, conciseness and lucidity.
Qualities of a Good Research Problem

A good research problem should possess the

following:
express a relationship between two or more
variables;
should be stated clearly without any ambiguity;
and
should be such that it implies the possibilities
for empirical testing.
 Nature and Scope of the Research Problem

What is the overriding problem?

Retention, inability to adapt to change, poor working conditions,
inequalities, poor financial conditions in the a firm, deficits,
conflict of interest, lack of evaluation of a program, inefficiencies,
fraud, poor revenue, increasing cost…
Where is the problem found?
Manufacturing, banking, Nigerian capital market, oil and gas
industry, government, corporate Nigeria, …
What needs to be done to solve the problem?
Survey, ex post factor, create a new model, conduct an
experiment, benchmark, meta-analysis/synthesis…
Types of Research Problem

 Conceptual problem- two findings that

are conceptually or theoretically
inconsistent.
 Practical problem- Undesirable outcome
in a system hampering the attainment of
desired objectives.
 Knowledge gap- Vacuum that needs to
be filled in a body of knowledge.
 Sources of Research Problem
The following are the common sources of a research problem.
Researcher’s personal experience and accumulated knowledge.

Critical review of professional literature may reveal a number

of contradictions that may need to be resolved or findings that do
not seem right, both of which suggest the need for replication.
Critical review of empirical studies, research projects,
dissertations and thesis. These can be obtained from supervisors,
libraries and internet.
Relationship between research problem
(input) and quality of content (output)
 The Importance of Formulating the
Research Problem

The formulation of a research problem is like the

“input” for a research work and the “output” refers to
quality of contents of the research report and the
validity associated is entirely dependent upon it, as
illustrated in the Figure above.
As a researcher, one must remember that formulating
research problem is the most crucial step. So should
take time in formulating the research problem because
a clearer research problem means clearer research
output and progress.
Factors to consider in selecting a research problem

 Interest- Interesting to the researcher and suit

his/her skills, time and resources
 Originality-should be sufficiently original and
does not involve objectionable duplication.
 Researchability-must be empirically
researchable.
 Significance-must be significant capable of
extending the frontiers of knowledge.
factors to consider in
selecting a research problem
 Feasibility-Research into the problem must be feasible
in terms of availability of data and access to it,
availability of funds and time to do justice to the topic
and researcher’s competence to handle tools of analysis.
 Open mind-The researcher should have an open mind
on the problem.
 Knowledge gap-Existence of vacuum in the body of
knowledge.
 Ethics- Researching into the problem should not
involved any ethical violation.
Essential Parts of a Problem Statement
A persuasive problem statement consists of three parts:
A) the ideal, B) the reality, and C) the consequences.
Part A- the ideal:  Describes a desired goal or ideal
situation; explains how things should be.
Part A- the reality:  Describes a condition that
prevents the goal, state, or value in Part A from being
achieved or realized at this time; explains how the
current situation falls short of the goal or ideal.
Part C- the consequences: Identifies the
repercussions of the problem and how the current
situation improved or moved closer to the goal or ideal
by ending the statement with the motivation for the
research.
Steps involved in Formulating Research Problem

Step 1 (statement 1): Construct statement 1 by

describing a goal or desired state of a given
situation, phenomenon etc. This will build the ideal
situation (what should be, what is expected,
desired)
Step 2 (statement 2): Describe a condition that
prevents the goal, state, or value discussed in step
1 from being achieved or realized at the present
time. This will build the reality, the situation as it is
and establish a gap between what ought to be and
what is. Indicate citations in all the relevant places.
Steps involved in Formulating Research Problem… Cont’d

Step 3: Connect steps 1 and 2 using a term such as

"but," "however,“ "Unfortunately," or "in spite of“.
Step 4 (statement 3): Using specific details show
how the situation in step 2 contains little promise of
improvement unless something is done.  Then
emphasize the benefits of research by projecting the
consequences and possible solutions as well.
Draft your research problem statement. Leave it for some times and
then come back to it. Review it with a fresh eye and tighten the wording.
Review research problem statement with your thesis supervisor. He
may be able to help you further hone the statement.
Example 1 MSEs and Industrial Development of Nigeria

STEP 1 (statement 1)
The government of Nigeria has a goal to industrialize by the year 2020 (Cite). In
this regard it has encouraged growth oriented micro and small enterprises (MSEs)
that should graduate into medium and large enterprises capable of contributing to
the industrialization goal. There are several policies (quote/cite) that contain
specific measures to encourage and support MSEs.
Step 2 and 3 (STATEMENT 2)
Despite the said government efforts there is slow growth of micro into small
enterprises  and even slower growth of small into medium scale enterprises(quote,
show statistics). The government has officially acknowledged that there exists a
missing middle entrepreneurs in Nigeria meaning that there is a gap between small
and large enterprises in the country (cite, quote).
STATEMENT 3
Should the missing middle entrepreneurs gap persist then the industrialization goal
may be difficult to achieve. Need therefore arises to investigate why despite
government efforts there is a persistent missing middle entrepreneurs.
Example 2: Motivation and Employee
Productivity in Nig. Public Universities
STATEMENT 1
In order to accomplish their missions public universities need motivated
workforces.
STATEMENT 2
There are however frequent and severe disciplinary actions, absenteeism,
as well as various forms of unrests in public universities which affect the
accomplishment of the set missions. Previous investigation reveals that
both non-management and management staff are not adequately
motivated.    
STATEMENT 3
Without effective motivational packages and procedures the said vices are
likely to continue and retard the achievement of the universities’
missions. Need arises to examine the public universities motivation
systems and procedures hence this proposed research
Example 3: Enterprise Development Funds and Employment Generation in Bauchi State
STATEMENT 1
The Ministry of Youth is dedicated to allocating enterprise development funds to both the
youth and women.  These funds are made available in order to start entrepreneurial
ventures that create and expand employment (provide relevant statistics and quote)
STATEMENT 2
One of the main focuses of the ministry is consistency. Unfortunately, consistency in
allocating funds to the next generation of recipients requires prior knowledge of previous
allocations and established practices.  The current continuous disbursement method does
not allow for adequate analysis of previous disbursements before a current disbursement is
done.
STATEMENT 3: Continuing with this current disbursement method prevents consistency
and causes decisions to become grossly political, which in turn inhibits the achievement of
the goals of the funds. Developing a more informed disbursement system could help better
implement the consistency focus of the ministry and at the same time help the ministry
better monitor and evaluate its funds.
STATEMENT 4: This proposed research aspires to explore options for a new funds
disbursement system that would focus on consistency. To do this, the researcher will carry
out a full stakeholder analysis and use it to propose appropriate policy interventions.
Conclusion

The formulation of a research problem is the first

and most important step of the research process.
This is more like identifying a destination prior
to beginning a journey.
A research problem is like the foundation of a
building. The type and architecture of the
building depends on the foundations. If the
foundation is well designed and strong, one can
expect the building to be strong as well.
Conclusion… Cont’d

Researcher must have a clear idea

with regard to what it is that he want
to find out but not what he thinks he
must find.
A research problem can begin with
something simple to something very
complex, depending on the nature of
the research theme.
Activities
 Describe why a research problem is the
heart of the research process.
 Do you agree that formulating research
problem should be the first thing to do in
undertaking a research thesis? Discuss.
 What is your proposed research topic and
how did you state the problem?