Research 1 – Research Problem

Prepared by: Liza Mariz Basallo-Pabona

This research module is designed and written to help you
understand the characteristics and components of a research
problem. It also guides you on how to formulate and evaluate a
powerful researchable topic.
At the end of this module, you are expected to:
1. describe the different sources of research problem;
2. discuss the characteristics and components of a research
problem;
3. identify possible research problems; and
4. formulate and evaluate a research problem.
Research Problem

 A research problem refers to any clear and definite

statement or expression regarding the chosen field of
interest, a condition to be eliminated or a troubling
question present in a theory, literature and in practice that
needs a thorough investigation. The direction of the
research study depends on how the researcher addressed
the problem.
Sources of Research Problem
 Most sources of researchable problems come from real life
experiences in different setting such as personal or
practical like in schools, offices, environment, peers,
organization, homes, clinics or hospitals or in any part of
the community. Another way is through reading or
reviewing literature, reports or databases from your field
of interest. Sometimes in the recommendation section
present in doctoral dissertations, journal articles and past
researches can also provide a researchable problem.
Characteristics of Research Problem

An effective research problem must have the following

characteristics:
1. It reflects on important issues or needs.
2. It is based on factual evidence.
3. It has to be manageable and relevant.
4. It suggests a testable and meaningful hypothesis.
Components of Research Problem
 It is important that after understanding the characteristics of a
research problem, the researcher must now analyze some important
details which will serve as his guide to formulate a testable research
topic. The following are the components of research problem which
a researcher must consider in choosing a researchable problem.
1. The research problem must be relevant.
2. The objectives must be attainable.
3. The variables must be defined operationally.
4. The scope, limitations and delimitation of the study must be
considered and given emphasis.
Identification of Research Problem

 After understanding the characteristics and components of

a research problem, the researcher should now identify a
topic or problem for his research study. An identified
problem will keep the researcher focused on the entire
research process.
Formulation of Research Problem

 Understanding of what a research problem is and how to identify it,

is the first thing that a researcher must do. Remember that a
research problem serves as the driving fuel and the foundation of the
study or investigation. The success of the entire scientific process
depends on how the research problem is created and also
formulated. Consider these five methods on how to formulate a
quality and powerful research problem.
1. Make your Research Objectives specific.
 All objectives must be defined and stated clearly for you to conduct and
create an effective and significant study. They are the indicators of your
success and consider as your guide in order for you to keep on the right
track.
2. Assess or review the context or environment variables
 All kinds of environmental variables must be defined and tested to make
your research study successful. Through reviewing, it will help you to
find out if the important findings will give you enough data which is
worth considering for your study. There are instances that some
environmental variables can affect the study. With this, the researcher can
find ways on how to control them.
3. Explore its nature
 A research problem can be categorized from simple to complex. The range of variables and their
relationships depends on this. The researcher must understand the nature of a research problem. A
deep understanding of this will help the researcher to identify a relevant variable, provide a better
insight and develop an effective solution to a given problem.
 
4. Determine the relationships between the given variables
 Researcher sometimes did not focus or pay attention to the variables’ relationships which later on
can affect the possible solution to the research problem. As much as possible that during the
formulation stage, the researcher must gather as many variable relationships as he can. In this way,
he can choose the most critical variable/s for a solution to the existing problem. 
5. Be ready for the possible consequences if using an alternative approaches.
 In conducting a research study, there are different approaches an investigator can utilize. Being a
responsible researcher, your primary goal is to anticipate the possible consequences or outcomes of
using them particularly in the research process. 
Evaluation of Research Problem
 After formulating your research problem, the next step is to evaluate it to ensure that it is
suitable for research. Evaluating a research problem should be based on the following:
literature, significance, timeliness, novelty, specific and researchable. A well evaluated
research problem can achieve a high success rate. 
The research problem must be supported by a literature.
 A credible literatures from different past studies will be the basis of a strong research
problem. Even though you already recognized or formulated a problem still you will be
needing some evidences to support it. These evidences may come from the literatures or
recommendations of different related studies. Through this, you are showing the support of
other researchers to this problem and pointing out that there is a need in conducting this
research in order to address the problem. 
It must be significant.
 Always remember that your research problem must have a positive impact on your chosen
field. Be sure that the result of your investigation is deemed significant or beneficial to the
following entities that you had chosen. 
The research problem must be timely.
 The formulated research problem should be related to the present situation or issue. A researcher must
prioritize recent problems encountered or experienced
The research problem must be in the novelty.
 Novelty refers to the newness of the problem in the field of inquiry. The created problem must be unique
or original and it is used to address a gap in our knowledge or application. 
It must be specific.
 There must be specificity or preciseness on the research problem. There is a need to specify it to be able
to set the direction of the study, formulate research questions, and know the suitable research method or
design for the study.
 
It must be researchable.
 Research problem must follow the steps and processes involved in a scientific way to reach the target
result. It only means that the above mentioned characteristics are useless if the problem is not
researchable. A researcher must solve the problem based on his abilities and available resources which
includes the different research sites.
 To show how to formulate a research problem, let us consider the given example below. Suppose you
want to conduct a study about alcoholism. In formulating your research problem follow these steps.

1. Identify the problem

 Alcoholism
2. Narrowing/Dissecting the Problem
 Profile of alcoholics
 Causes and effects of alcoholism
 The process of becoming an alcoholic
 Community attitudes towards alcoholism
 The effectiveness of a treatment model
3. Selecting of a Researchable Topic/Problem
 Effects of Alcoholism on the Family
4. Possible Questions
 What impact has alcoholism on marital relations?
 Which facet of children’s lives is most affected?
 What are the effects of this to the family financial status?
5. Formulating of Objectives
 General Objective
-To find out the effects of alcoholism on the family
 Specific Objectives
-To discover the impact of alcoholism on marital relations
-To determine in which aspect in children’s lives is most affected by alcoholism
-To find out the effects of alcoholism on the family’s financial status  
6. Make sure to assess the objectives based on:
 The work involved
 Availability of your time
 Capacity of your financial resources
 Expertise in the chosen field/study
 
7. Recheck the following:
 Interest in the study
 Satisfaction with the objectives
 Enough time for the study
 Adequacy of resources
 Have the technical expertise or experts’ support to undertake the study.