Problem Statement
Problem Statement
3. Source of Research
Problem Potential sources of research problems include: •School library (reading through literature
or archival material) •Community (consultations or narrations or public participation processes)
•Own experiences (observations) •Classroom lectures (narration and disputation) .
3) The problem selected should not necessarily be a new one. It may be old problem or one on which
work has already been done. 4) The problem should be within meaningful limits, i.e., it should not be
too comprehensive
1. A Research Problem
1. Interest: a research endeavor is usually time consuming, and involves hard work and possibly
unforeseen problems. One should select topic of great interest to sustain the required motivation. 2.
Magnitude: It is extremely important to select a topic that you can manage within the time and
resources at your disposal. Narrow the topic down to something manageable, specific and clear. 3.
Level of expertise: Make sure that you have an adequate level of expertise for the task you are
proposing since you need to do the work yourself.
4. Relevance: Ensure that your study adds to the existing body of knowledge, bridges current gaps and
is useful in policy formulation. This will help you to sustain interest in the study. 5. Availability of
data: Before finalizing the topic, make sure that data are available. 6. Ethical issues: How ethical
issues can affect the study and how ethical problems can be overcome should be thoroughly examined
at the problem formulating stage
1. Criteria
1) Novelty: It should be original. It should not involve duplication of prior research. 2) Interest: The
problem should be interesting for the researcher and their team. 3) Importance: If the research is not
worthwhile, if neither adds to knowledge nor leads to any improvements in the current practices then
it should not be done. 4) Immediate Application: The investigator should ask himself the question,
will my research help in solving an urgent or practical problem. 5) Feasibility
2. Availability
a) Availability of data required for a meaningful research. b) Potential of cooperation from participants
and relevant institutions. c) Availability of expertise and guidance in the field of research. d)
Availability of requisite research facilitates and instruments. e) Experience and creativity of the
researcher or research team. f) Coverage or scope of the research and confidence of the researcher in
embarking on the research.
1. Statement
•A statement of the problem is used in research work as a claim that outlines (or points to) the
problem addressed by a study. •The statement of the problem briefly addresses the question: What is
the problem that the research will address? .
2. Goals of Statement
What are the Goals of a Statement of the Problem? •The ultimate goal of a statement of the problem is
to transform a generalized problem (something that bothers you; a perceived lack) into a targeted, well-
defined problem; one that can be resolved through focused research and careful decision- making
•A statement of problem need not be long and elaborate: one page is more than enough for a good
statement of problem.
1. Key Characteristics
A good research problem should have the following characteristics: 1.It should address a gap in
knowledge. 2.It should be significant enough to contribute to the existing body of research. 3. It
should lead to further research. 4. The problem should render itself to investigation through
collection of data. 5. It should be of interest to the researcher and suit his/her skills, time, and
resources. 6. The approach towards solving the problem should be ethical.
2. Format of Statement
A persuasive statement of problem is usually written in three parts. Part A (The Ideal): Statement 1 •It
describes a desired goal or ideal situation; •It explains how things should be. Part B (The Reality):
Statement 2 •It describes a condition that prevents the goal, state, or value in Part A from being achieved
or realized at this time; •It explains how the current situation falls short of the goal or ideal. Part C (The
Consequences): Statement 3 •It identifies the way you propose to improve the current situation and
move it closer to the goal or ideal