Research Problem

Definition

A research problem is a definitive or clear expression about an area of concern, a condition to be improved upon, a difficulty to be eliminated, or a troubling question that exists in scholarly literature, in theory, or within existing practice that points to the need for meaningful understanding and deliberate investigation. In some social science disciplines the research problem is typically posed in the form of a question. A research problem does not state how to do something, offer a vague or broad proposition, or present a value question.

Importance of a Research Problem

The research problem serves as the foundation for a research study and affirms its necessity. The problem statement provides a guide for navigating the project, defines the scope of the study, and forms the basis for making conclusions. A well-defined research problem reflects the depth of preliminary work and provides a clear direction for the entire research process.

Identifying a Research Problem

Identifying a research problem involves some detective work. It starts with a broad area of interest, then narrows down to a specific research problem, question, or hypothesis. This process involves a series of steps:

Literature Review: A thorough review of the existing literature is a crucial part of identifying a valid research problem. The literature review helps to identify gaps, inconsistencies, or contradictions in the existing knowledge.
Observation: Observation of phenomena or behaviors can also lead to identification of a research problem. This can be done in natural settings or within the context of a laboratory.
Theory: Theoretical frameworks can also help identify research problems. If a theory predicts certain outcomes and these are not observed in the empirical world, a research problem exists.
Practical Problems: Practical problems encountered in the field or in professional practice can inspire research questions.

Formulating a Research Problem

Once a general area of interest has been identified, the next step is to formulate the research problem. This involves clearly defining the problem, developing a research question or hypothesis, and setting the objectives of the research. The research problem should be stated in a way that it allows for empirical testing, that is, it should be stated in terms that can be measured, and it should be confined to the data that can be collected.

Characteristics of a Good Research Problem

A good research problem possesses several characteristics that provide clues as to its quality. For example:

Relevance: The problem chosen should be of relevance to the researcher and suitably significant to justify the effort and resources to be invested in resolving it.
Researchability: The problem must provide scope for investigation and the collection of information. It should not be beyond the capacity of the researcher to handle.
Novelty: The problem should be original and novel, contributing something new to the body of knowledge in the field.
Clarity and Precision: The problem should be clearly defined and unambiguous.
Ethical Consideration: The problem should not violate any ethical norms and should respect human rights and dignity.

Challenges in Defining a Research Problem

Defining a research problem can be a challenging task. Some of the common challenges include:

Lack of Clear Focus: A common mistake is to choose a topic that is too broad, making it difficult to focus the research.
Lack of Prior Research: In some cases, there may be little prior research on the topic, making it difficult to frame a research problem.
Overly Complex Problem: If the problem is too complex, it may be difficult to define and investigate.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the research problem is a critical component of any research process. It provides the foundation for the study and guides the entire research process. A well-defined research problem is the first step in conducting meaningful and useful research.