Michelle C.

Cabrera
3BSA-1
RESEARCH PROBLEM
Research problem is a question that researcher wants to answer or a problem that a researcher
wants to solve. The identification and formulation of a research problem is the first step of the research
process. Selection of research problem depends on several factors such as researchers knowledge, skills,
interest, expertise, motivation and creativity with respect to the subject of inquiry. It is believed that most
of the good research studies need lots of time for selection of a research problem.
According to Kerlinger, A problem is an interrogative sentence or statement that asks what relation
exists between two or more variable. The answer to question will provide what is having sought in the
research.
R.S. Woodworth defines problem as a situation for which we have no ready and successful response
by instinct or by previous acquired habit. We must find out what to do i.e. the solution can be found out
only after an investigation.
A research problem is an area of concern where there is a gap in the knowledge base needed for
professional practices.

IDENTIFICATION OF RESEARCH PROBLEM

Identification of a research problem is the first and most important step in research process.
Generally, a 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 need slots
of time.

A research problem may come from several sources:

1. Personal Experiences:
Day-to-day personal experience of a research may serve as good source of ideas to formulate are
search problem. For example, a researcher observed domestic violence suffered by wives of alcoholic
husbands. This experience may provide ideas to identity several research problems related to domestic
violence against women.
2. Practical Experiences
Nurses gets plenty of ideas to formulate research problems from their clinical experiences. Every
curious nurse has several questions to be answered which are encountered during clinical experience.
For example, a nurse finds that unrestricted visiting hours in surgical wards reduced the analgesic
demand among postoperative patients. Such clinical experiences could be rich sources of ideas to
identify a significant research problem
3. Critical Appraisal of literature
When we critically study books and articles relating to the subject of our interest, including research
report, opinion articles, and summaries of clinical issues, pertinent questions may arise in our mind.
These may strike readers mind indirectly by stimulating imagination and directly by stating what
additional research is needed. For example, a nurse reads an article on the prevalence of the pin site
infection among patients with external fixators; while reading this article nurse learns that there is lack
of consensus about pin site care. This information may serve as a basis to formulate a research
problem.
4. Previous Experience
A body of knowledge should be developed on a sound foundation of research findings. Usually at
the end of a research further research problems are suggested, based on the shortcomings of previous
research, which can be investigated. In nursing profession, not much research has been yet done;

therefore, this profession needs research who are willing to replicate or repeat other studies on
different samples and settings where all the essential elements of the original study are held intact.
5. Existing theories
Research is a process of theory development & theory testing. Nurses use many theories from
other disciplines in their practices. It an existing theory is used in developing are searchable problem, a
specific statement from the theory must be isolated. Generally, a part of parts of the theory are
subjected to testing in the clinical situation.

6. Social issues
Sometimes, topics are suggested by more global contemporary social or political issues of
relevance to the health care community. For example, HIV/AIDS, female foeticide, sexual harassment,
domestic violence, & gender equality in health care and in research are some of the current social
& political issues of concern for health care professionals.
7. Brainstorming
Brainstorming sessions are good techniques to find new questions, where an intensified discussion
among interested people of the profession is conducted to find more ideas to formulate a good
research problem. For example, ideas for studies may emerge from reviewing research priorities by
having brainstorming session with other nurses, researchers, or nursing faculties.
8. Intuition
Traditionally institutions are considered good sources of knowledge as well as sources to find new
research problems. It is believed that reflective mind is good sources of ideas, which may be used to
formulate a good research problem.
9. Folklores
Common beliefs could be right or wrong. For examples, it is generally believed that studying just
before the test decrease the score. We believe we should not study just before test to relax our mind.
Researchers can conduct a research study on whether one should study before the test or not.
10.Exposure to field situations
During field exposure, researchers get variety of experiences, which may provide plenty of ideas to
formulate research problems. For example, while working in field a researcher observed a specific
traditional practice for cure of disease condition, which can be used as research problem to investigate
its efficacy.
11.Consultation with experts
Experts are believed to have sound experience of their respective field, which may suggest a
significance problem to be studied. In addition, expert may help in finding a current problem of
discipline to be solve, which may serve as basis for formulation of research problem.

Elements of a Research Problem

1. Objective or aim of the problem which is to be investigated. This answers the question Why?
Why is there a need for investigation, inquiry or study?
2. The topic or theme which needs to be investigated. This answers the question What? What is
to be researched or studied? For example: What would a rival company do if we decrease our prices
by 25%? What would sales be if prices were Rs. 89 ? Rs. 99 ? How would a rival firms action influence
our sales and profits? The right question needs to be addressed if research is to help decision
makers. The decision maker cant acquire all the information, but it is often feasible to identify the

factors that are critical to the existing problem. These factors are then included in the problem
definition.
3. The time dimension of a decision problem is always the future. The period or time of the study
when the data are to be gathered. This answers the question When? When is the research to be
performed? Managers frequently run the risk of making the correct decision at incorrect time. It is
essential that the decision maker as well as the researcher determine the right time reference for-the
decision.
4. The area or location in which the study is to be conducted. This answers the question Where?
Where we need to conduct the study? The space coordinates give you the geographic boundaries
within which the action is to be taken. In the problem definition, these lines are hardly ever neat
political divisions or subdivisions. The universe of interest should be defined either conceptually or by
enumeration.
5. Population or universe from whom the data needs to be gathered. This answers the question
Who? or from whom? Who are the respondents? From who are the data to be collected? They may
include persons, groups of persons, business establishments.

Guidelines In Selecting A Research Problem

When faced with choosing a research problem, it can be a very daunting and overwhelming prospect. Even
with the restrictions of a particular field of research, you can still choose to research almost anything.
There are some guidelines you should follow though that may help make your selection and purpose of
the research study become a lot clearer.

Select a research topic

This is easier said than done. It should be of interest to a particular group or based on a follow up of
findings you found in a previous project. It needs to be worthwhile and of some interest to some group
otherwise it will just be a waste of time.

Originality

Try to choose something that has an element of originality. Although it may be based on some prior or
existing knowledge you may have, it could be carried out from another angle for example.

Feasibility

When thinking of a topic, think of something that is feasible and within your knowledge base, academic
abilities,
budget
and
time
constraints.
If you are struggling to come up with a topic for a research study you could consider these avenues as
possibilities:

Something related to recent advancements in science or technology

Interests you share with other like-minded thinkers and individuals

A topic based on a subject you have read about in an academic or professional publication.

Once you are happy with your choice of topic, you need to have a clear focus and direction to ensure
the research project will be worthwhile and successful.
Identifying variables
1) Independent Variable something that is changed by the scientist.

o
o

What is tested?
What is manipulated?

2) Dependent Variable something that might be affected by the change in the independent variable.
o
o
o

What is observed?
What is measured?
The data collected during the investigation

3) Controlled Variable a variable that is not changed.

o
o

Also called constants

Allow for a fair test

Here are three principle components in the formulation of a problem.

The originating questions (what one wants to know?)
The rational- theoretical or practical (why one wants to have the questions answered?)
The specifying questions (possible answers to the originating) questions in term of that satisfy the
rationale.)
The Originating Questions
Represent the beginning of certain difficulties or challenges
Are formulated in such specific indicate where exactly the answers to them can be searched for.
Constitute the initial phase in the process of problem formulation.
May be formulated in terms of broadly delimited categories of social variable but do not indicate
specifically which particular variables in each class might be germane to the issues.
Usually derive from a general theoretical orientation rather than a definite theory.
Rationale of Questions
Is the statement of reasons why a particular question is worth putting a cross..
States what will happen to other parts of knowledge or practice if the question posed is answered,
i.e., how the answer to the question will contribute to theory and/ or practice.
Helps to effect a discrimination between scientifically good and scientifically trivial questions.
Specifying Questions
Culminate the process of formulating a research problem
Involve the breaking down of originating question in to several specifying questions related to
particular aspects and their consequences.
Formulating and Stating the Problem
After the problem has been selected it must be definitely formulated and stated in precise terms. The type
of statement to be employed depends on the preference of the worker and the nature of the problem.
There are two alternative ways of stating a problem.
Posing question (s)
Making declaration statement (s)
One may choose any of these ways remembering that the question form has an advantage in sharpening
and focusing the issue, but the declarative form is perhaps more common and both of the ways may be
combined easily in an initial statement