METHODS OF RESEARCH FOR ME

Hand-out No. 2: The Research Problem

Hand-out No. 2 THE RESEARCH PROBLEM Time Frame: 2 hours

Learning Objectives
 Determine the factors to consider in selecting a research problem
 Enumerate where they can find research problems
 Provide a procedure on how to formulate a research problem

Content Outline
1. Considerations in Selecting a Research Problem
2. Criteria of a Good Research Problem
3. Sources of Research Problems
4. Steps in Formulating a Research Problem

A research problem is defined as “an intellectual stimulus calling for a response in the form of a scientific
inquiry” (Nachmias & Nachmias, 1996, p.53). This intellectual stimulus is an issue or a problem that justifies the
need for the study. Not all issues, however, are amenable to scientific investigation, particularly those that cannot
be empirically investigated since they cannot be measured or identified in behavior and verified through the use
of sense. These issues or problems are thus empirically grounded, and specifically and clearly stated.

CONSIDERATIONS IN SELECTING A RESEARCH PROBLEM

When selecting a research problem/topic there are a number of considerations to keep in mind which will
help to ensure that your study will be manageable and that you remain motivated. These considerations are:

 Interest – Interest should be the most important consideration in selecting a research problem. A research
endeavour is usually time consuming, and involves hard work and possibly unforeseen problems. If you
select a topic which does not greatly interest you, it could become extremely difficult to sustain the required
motivation and put in enough time and energy to complete it.
 Magnitude – You should have sufficient knowledge about the research process to be able to visualise the
work involved in completing the proposed study. Narrow the topic down to something manageable, specific
and clear. It is extremely important to select a topic that you can manage within the time and with the
resources at your disposal. Even if you are undertaking a descriptive study, you need to consider its
magnitude carefully.
 Measurement of concepts – If you are using a concept in your study (in quantitative studies), make sure
you are clear about its indicators and their measurement. For example, if you plan to measure the
effectiveness of a health promotion programme, you must be clear as to what determines effectiveness and
how it will be measured. Do not use concepts in your research problem that you are not sure how to
measure.
 Level of expertise – Make sure you have an adequate level of expertise for the task you are proposing.
Allow for the fact that you will learn during the study and may receive help from your research supervisor
and others, but remember that you need to do most of the work yourself.
 Relevance – Select a topic that is of relevance to you as a professional. Ensure that your study adds to the
existing body of knowledge, bridges current gaps or is useful in policy formulation. This will help you to
sustain interest in the study.
 Availability of data – If your topic entails collection of information from secondary sources (office records,
client records, census or other already-published reports, etc.) makes sure that this data is available and in
the format you want before finalising your topic.
 Ethical issues – Another important consideration in formulating a research problem is the ethical issues
involved. In the course of conducting a research study, the study population may be adversely affected by
some of the questions (directly or indirectly); deprived of an intervention; expected to share sensitive and
private information; or expected to be simply experimental „guinea pigs‟. How ethical issues can affect the
study population and how ethical problems can be overcome should be thoroughly examined at the problem-
formulation stage.

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Mechanical Engineering Department, College of Engineering and Architecture [email protected]
METHODS OF RESEARCH FOR ME
Hand-out No. 2: The Research Problem

CRITERIA OF A GOOD RESEARCH PROBLEM

1. Interesting. An interesting research problem attracts the attention of the researcher and other people to
conduct the research project even without incentive or research grant at all.
2. Innovative. Though replicability in conducting research is allowed, it is advisable that a research
problem is something novel, original, and unique to attract the attention of the people and contribute to
the economic development of the country.
3. Cost‐effective. A good research problem should be economical and effective in solving the needs and
problems of the society; it should also augment socioeconomic and health conditions of the people and
many others.
4. Relevant to the needs and problems of the people. Researchers must keep in mind that they
conduct research not for the personal aggrandizement but to solve the needs and problems of the
people.
5. Relevant to government’s thrusts. A research problem must respond to the government‟s thrusts.
6. Measurable and time‐bound.

SOURCES OF RESEARCH PROBLEM

1. Specialization of the researcher.
2. Current and past researches.
3. Recommendations from theses, dissertations, and research journals.
4. Original and creative ideas of the researcher based on the problems met in the locality and country.

STEPS IN FORMULATING A RESEARCH PROBLEM

The formulation of a research problem is the most crucial part of the research journey as the quality and
relevance of your research project entirely depends upon it. The process of formulating a research problem
consists of the following steps:
1. Identify a broad field or subject area of interest to you.
This will help you to find an interesting topic, and one which may be of use to you in the future. It is
imperative that you identify one of interest to you before undertaking your research journey.
2. Dissect the broad area into subareas.
In preparing this list of subareas you should also consult others who have some knowledge of the area
and the literature in your subject area. Once you have developed an exhaustive list of the subareas
from various sources, you proceed to the next stage where you select what will become the basis of
your enquiry.
3. Select what is of most interest to you.
It is neither advisable nor feasible to study all subareas. Out of this list, select issues or subareas about
which you are passionate. One way to decide what interests you most is to start with the process of
elimination. Go through your list and delete all those subareas in which you are not very interested.
Once you are confident that you have selected an issue you are passionate about and can manage, you
are ready to go to the next step.
4. Raise research questions.
Make a list of whatever questions come to your mind relating to your chosen subarea and if you think
there are too many to be manageable, go through the process of elimination, as you did in Step 3.
5. Formulate objectives.
Both your main objectives and your sub-objectives now need to be formulated, which grow out of your
research questions.
6. Assess your objectives.
Now examine your objectives to ascertain the feasibility of achieving them through your research
endeavour. Consider them in the light of the time, resources (financial and human) and technical
expertise at your disposal.

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Mechanical Engineering Department, College of Engineering and Architecture [email protected]
METHODS OF RESEARCH FOR ME
Hand-out No. 2: The Research Problem

7. Double-check.
Go back and give final consideration to whether or not you are sufficiently interested in the study, and
have adequate resources to undertake it. Ask yourself, „Am I really enthusiastic about this study?‟ and
„Do I really have enough resources to undertake it?‟ Answer these questions thoughtfully and
realistically. If your answer to one of them is „no‟, reassess your objectives.

The Formulation of Research Objectives

Objectives are the goals you set out to attain in your study. Since these objectives inform a reader of what
you want to achieve through the study, it is extremely important to word them clearly and specifically. Objectives
may be listed under two headings:
 Main objectives;
 Sub-objectives.
The main objective is an overall statement of the thrust of your study. It is also a statement of the main
associations and relationships that you seek to discover or establish. The sub-objectives are the specific
aspects of the topic that you want to investigate within the main framework of your study.

ACTIVITY: Write your answer on a short bondpaper.

1. Select a broad subject area of interest to you and „dissect‟ it into subareas.

2. Consider the following short sentences claiming to be research problems and decide whether they are
researchable for an individual student, like yourself, to undertake for a research degree or as a research
project.
a. A study to compare the results in school history exams for 16-year-olds throughout Europe
between 1970 and 1980.
b. The effects of parent unemployment on their children‟s attitude to schoolwork.
c. The relationship between temperature, humidity and air movement in the cooling effect of sweating
on the human skin.
d. The effects of using glass of different thickness and qualities in single, double and triple glazing.

References:

Kumar, R. (2011). Research Methodology: A Step-By-Step Guide for Beginners. 3rd Edition
Nachmias, C.F. and Nachmias, D. (1996). Research and Methods in the Social Sciences.

Rubric No. 1 Assessing and Grading of Written Reports or Essay

1.0 2.0 3.0 5.0
Level Does not meet
Criteria* Exceeds expectations Meets expectations Needs improvement
expectations
The introduction is The introduction clearly The introduction clearly There is no clear
inviting, states the states the main topic states the main topic or introduction of the
main topic and and position and position but does not main topic, position or
Introduction
position and previews previews the structure adequately preview the structure of the paper.
(10%)
the structure for the for the paper but is not structure of the paper nor
paper. particularly inviting to is it particularly inviting to
the reader. the reader.

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Mechanical Engineering Department, College of Engineering and Architecture [email protected]
METHODS OF RESEARCH FOR ME
Hand-out No. 2: The Research Problem

There is a clear, well- Answer is clear, but the Answer is somewhat The answer is not
focused answer to the supporting information is clear but there is a need clear. There is a
problem. The answer general. for more supporting seemingly random
Content
stands out and is information. collection of
(50%)
supported by detailed information which does
information. not relate at all to the
answer.
Organization/ Writing has a Writing has a beginning, Writing is organized but Writing is aimless and
Conclusion compelling opening, middle and an end. It is sometimes gets off topic. disorganized.
(20%) an informative middle organized but could be
and satisfying more compelling.
conclusions.
Writer makes no Writer makes 1-2 errors Writer makes 3-4 errors Writer makes more
Grammar &
errors in grammar or in grammar or spelling in grammar or spelling than 4 errors in
Spelling
spelling that distracts that distract the reader that distract the reader grammar or spelling
(20%)
the reader from the from this content. from the content. that distracts the
content. reader from the
.
content.

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