What is Research Problem?

What is a Research Problem?

Research problem refers to the situation where a gap exists between the actual and the desired state. The problem can be generated either by an initiating idea or by a perceived problem area.

A research problem is a statement regarding an area of concern, a circumstance to be improved upon, a difficulty to be eliminated or a troubling question that exists in scholarly literature, in theory or in practice that point to the need for meaningful understanding and deliberate investigation. In some social science disciplines, the research problem is typically posed in the form of one or more questions. A research problem does not state how to do something, offer a vague or broad proposition or present a value question.

Example: Investigation of ‘rhythmic patterns in settlement planning’ is the product of an idea that there are such things as rhythmic patterns in settlement plans, even if no one has detected them before. This kind of idea will then need to be formulated more precisely in order to develop it into a researchable problem. We are surrounded by problems connected with society, the built environment, education etc., many of which can readily be perceived.

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Defining Research Problem

A problem need not necessarily mean that something is wrong in the current situation which needs to be rectified immediately. It simply indicates an issue for which finding a solution could help to improve an existing situation. Problem can be defined as any situation where a gap exists between the actual and the desired state. Problem statement or problem definition refers to a clear, precise and succinct statement of question or issue that is to be investigated with the goal of finding an answer or solution.

Components of Research Problem

The components of research problem are as suggested by R. L. Ackoff in the “Design of Social Research” is elaborated below:

There must be an individual or a group which has some difficulty with problem:

• There must be some objective(s) to be attained at.
• There must be alternative means or course of action for obtaining the objectives.
• There must be some doubt in the minds of a researcher with regard to the selection of alternatives.
• There must be some environment to which the difficulty pertains.

Criteria for Selecting the Research Problem

The following criteria can be kept in the minds of researchers in selecting the research problem:

• Subjects on which the research is carried on amply should not be normally chosen as there will not be a new dimension to reveal.
  
  
• Too narrow or too vague problems should be avoided.
  
  
• The researcher should be familiar with the subject chosen for research. The researcher should have enough knowledge, qualification and training in the selected problem area.
  
  
• The resources needed to solve the problem in terms of time, money, efforts, manpower requirement should be taken into account before embarking on a problem.
  
  
• The subject of research should be familiar and feasible so that related research material or sources of research can be obtained easily.
  
  
• The selection of a problem must be preceded by a preliminary study.

Research problems trigger the research process. Defining the research problem is a critical activity. A thorough understanding of research problem is a must for achieving success in the research endeavor. Defining the research problem begins with identifying the basic dilemma that prompts the research. It can be further developed by progressively breaking down the original dilemma into more specific and focus oriented objectives.

Five steps could be envisaged:

• Identifying the broad problem area.
• Literature review.
• Identifying the research question.
• Refining the research question.
• Developing investigative questions.

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Components of Research Problem

The components of research problem are as suggested by R. L. Ackoff in the “Design of Social Research” is elaborated below:

• There must be an individual or a group which has some difficulty with problem.
  
  
• There must be some objective(s) to be attained at.
  
  
• There must be alternative means or course of action for obtaining the objectives.
  
  
• There must be some doubt in the minds of a researcher with regard to the selection of alternatives.
  
  
• There must be some environment to which the difficulty pertains.

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Features of Research Problems

Various important features of research problems are:

• It should be of great interest to the researcher. Researcher shall have to spend many months investigating the problem. A lively interest in the subject will be an invaluable incentive to persevere.
  
  
• The problem should be significant. It is not worth time and effort investigating a trivial problem or repeating work that has already been done elsewhere.
  
  
• The problem should be delineated. Consider the time researcher have to complete the work and the depth to which the problem will be addressed. Researcher can cover a wide field only superficially, and the more researchers restrict the field, the more detailed the study can be. Researcher should also consider the cost of necessary travel and other expenses.
  
  
• Researcher should be able to obtain the information required. Researcher cannot carry out research if researcher fail to collect the relevant information needed to tackle researcher problem, either because researcher lack access to documents or other sources, and/or because researcher have not obtained the cooperation of individuals or organizations essential to the research.
  
  
• Researcher should be able to draw conclusions related to the problem. The point of asking a question is to find an answer. The problem should be one to which the research can offer some solution, or at least the elimination of some false ‘solutions’.
  
  
• Researcher should be able to state the problem clearly and concisely. A precise, well thought out and fully articulated sentence, understandable by anyone, should normally clearly be able to explain just what the problem is.

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Criteria for Selecting the Research Problem

The following criteria can be kept in the minds of researchers in selecting the research problem:

• Subjects on which the research is carried on amply should not be normally chosen as there will not be a new dimension to reveal.
  
  
• Too narrow or too vague problems should be avoided. The researcher should be familiar with the subject chosen for research. The researcher should have enough knowledge, qualification and training in the selected problem area.
  
  
• The resources needed to solve the problem in terms of time, money, efforts, manpower requirement should be taken into account before embarking on a problem.
  
  
• The subject of research should be familiar and feasible so that related research material or sources of research can be obtained easily.
  
  
• The selection of a problem must be preceded by a preliminary study.

Research problems trigger the research process. Defining the research problem is a critical activity. A thorough understanding of research problem is a must for achieving success in the research endeavor. Defining the research problem begins with identifying the basic dilemma that prompts the research. It can be further developed by progressively breaking down the original dilemma into more specific and focus oriented objectives.

Five steps could be envisaged:

• Identifying the broad problem area
• Literature review
• Identifying the research question
• Refining the research question
• Developing investigative questions.

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Sources of Problems for Research

Indentifying a problem to study can be challenging, not because there’s a lack of issues that could be investigated, but due to pursuing a goal of formulating an academically relevant and researchable problem that is unique and does not simply duplicate the work of others. To facilitate how you might select a problem from which to build a research study, consider these sources of inspiration:

Deductions from Theory

This relates to deductions made from social philosophy or generalizations embodied in life in society that the researcher is familiar with. These deductions from human behavior are then fitted within an empirical frame of reference through research. From a theory, the researcher can formulate a research problem or hypothesis stating the expected findings in certain empirical situations.

The research asks the question: “What relationship between variables will be observed if theory aptly summarizes the state of affairs?” One can then design and carry out a systematic investigation to assess whether empirical data confirm or reject the hypothesis, and hence, the theory.

Interdisciplinary Perspectives

Identifying a problem that forms the basis for a research study can come from academic movements and scholarship originating in disciplines outside of your primary area of study. A review of pertinent literature should include examining research from related disciplines that can reveal new avenues of exploration and analysis.

An interdisciplinary approach to selecting a research problem offers an opportunity to construct a more comprehensive understanding of a very complex issue that any single discipline may be able to provide.

Interviewing Practitioners

The identification of research problems about particular topics can arise from formal or informal discussions with practitioners who provide insight into new directions for future research and how to make research findings more relevant to practice.

Discussions with experts in the field, such as, teachers, social workers, health care providers, lawyers, business leaders, etc., offers the chance to identify practical, “real world” problems that may be understudied or ignored within academic circles. This approach also provides some practical knowledge which may help in the process of designing and conducting your study.

Personal Experience

The everyday experiences can give rise to worthwhile problems for investigation. Think critically about your own experiences and/or frustrations with an issue facing society, your community, your neighborhood, your family, or your personal life.

This can be derived, for example, from deliberate observations of certain relationships for which there is no clear explanation or witnessing an event that appears harmful to a person or group or that is out of the ordinary.

Relevant Literature

The selection of a research problem can be derived from an extensive and thorough review of pertinent research associated with your overall area of interest. This may reveal where gaps exist in our understanding of a topic.

Research may be conducted to:

• fill such gaps in knowledge;
  
  
• evaluate if the methodologies employed in prior studies can be adapted to solve other problems; or
  
  
• determine if a similar study could be conducted in a different subject area or applied to different study sample. Also, authors frequently conclude their studies by mentioning implications for further research; this can also be a valuable source of new problems to investigate.