Problem Formulation and Techniques

1.2. How to Define a Research Problem/ How to come about a good problem to research

Research problem definition begins with identifying a broad problem area, followed by learning more about the problem, identifying the variables and how they are related, considering practical aspects, and finally developing the problem statement. 

        i.            Problem Identification: Start by identifying a research problem or topic of interest. This could come from gaps in existing knowledge, real-world issues, or personal curiosity. Look for a broad problem area: Identify under-explored aspects or areas of concern, or a controversy in your topic of interest. Evaluate the significance of addressing the problem in terms of its potential contribution to the field, practical applications, or theoretical insights.

       ii.            Preliminary Review of Literature: Read the literature, starting from historical aspects to the current status and latest updates. Once you have picked a topic, you can start doing preliminary research. This initial stage of research accomplishes two goals. First, a preliminary review of related literature allows you to discover issues that are currently being discussed by scholars and fellow researchers. This way, you get up-to-date, relevant knowledge on your topic.

Second, a preliminary review of related literature allows you to spot existing gaps or limitations in existing knowledge of your topic. With a certain amount of fine-tuning, you can later use these gaps as the focus of your research question.

     iii.            Identify the relevant variables and how they are related: Consider which variables are most important to the study and will help answer the research question. Once this is done, you will need to determine the relationships between these variables and how these relationships affect the research problem. 

     iv.            Think of practical aspects: Deliberate on ways that your study can be practical and feasible in terms of time and resources. Discuss practical aspects with researchers in the field and be open to revising the problem based on feedback. Refine the scope of the research problem to make it manageable and specific; consider the resources available, time constraints, and feasibility.

       v.            Formulate the problem statement: Craft a concise problem statement that outlines the specific issue, its relevance, and why it needs further investigation.

     vi.            Formulate a Research Question: Craft a concise research questions. Define specific, clear, and focused research questions or hypotheses. These questions should be answerable through research.

Example:
If you’re interested in education, your research problem might be: "How does online learning impact student performance in high school?"