Formulation of the Research Problem

By Gech. G
 Research Problem
 A research problem:
 Question that researcher wants to answer
 A problem that a researcher wants to solve
 First step of the research process
 Interrogative sentence or statement that asks what relation exists
between two or more variable
 A situation for which we have no ready and successful response by
instinct or by previous acquired habit
 Solution can be found out only after an investigation
 An area of concern where there is a gap in knowledge base
Research Problem

 Investigator should know a problem is really researchable

when:
 There is a known solution to problem
 Solution can be answered by using statistical methods and
techniques
 There are probable solutions but they are not yet tested
 Occurrence of phenomena requires scientific investigation
to arrive at a precise solution
Identification of Research problem

 Identification of a research problem:

 First and most important step in research process
 Broad area is selected and then a broad topic is delimited or
narrowed down to a specific one-sentence statement of the
problem
 This step of the research process is considered as the most
difficult and challenging and needs lots of time
 A research problem may come from several sources
 Levels of Research Questions (1)

 First Level :Factor naming questions

 Usually starts with “What” and deals with exploratory information

 Utilizes descriptive type of research

 Statement of specific questions begins with the analysis of respondents’ profile

like gender, socio- economic status, religious affiliations, etc
 Example :

 What is the general academic performance of school children with infestation of

intestinal parasitosis?
 What are the parenting styles of single-parent mothers?
 What are the characteristics of newly graduate public health instructors?

 What are the experiences of the students in computer literacy prior to the
Computer Aided Instruction approach of public health actions?
 Levels of Research Questions (2)
Second Level :
 Dependent and independent variables are required in order to determine
extent of relationship between variables under study
 Used after isolating the variables and relating them with each other

 Examples:
 What is the relationship of parenting styles to the age of parents at the
time of marriage?
 What is the relationship of prior experiences of students in computer
literacy to Computer Aided Instruction in Public Health?
 Levels of Research Questions (3)

Third Level:
 Questions that assume relationship or difference between
variables and asks why such relationship or difference exists
 Example:

 Is there a significant difference between the prior experiences of

student in computer literacy and the general performance in public
health with the use of Computer Aided Instruction?
 Steps in formulating the research questions

 Ask these questions

 Do I known the field and its literature well?
 What are the important research questions in my field?
 What areas need further exploration?
 Could my study fill a gap? Or lead to greater understanding?
 Has a great deal of research already been conducted in this topic area?
 Has this study been done before? If so, is there room for improvement?
 Is the timing right for this question to be answered?
 Is it a hot topic, or is it becoming obsolete?
 Will the study have a significant impact on the field?
 What is the purpose of the study? How much is already known?
 What is to be ascertained or measured? How is it to be measured?
Evaluating of the selection of research problem

 Is the topic worth investigation?

 Is effective data collection possible?
 Is it feasible in terms of money /time?
 Is the data analysis possible? Statistical methods? Ethics?

 Will it enable the development of hypothesis or a theory?

 Characteristics of a Good Problem

 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 should be finished within the allotted time

 It should not carry legal or moral impediments
Thank You!!!