Research Problem Identification

Research problem

Research Problem Identification is about finding a specific question or issue a researcher wants to solve. The first step is to identify and define this problem. There are several reasons which help to select a research problem

Identification of the problem

• Knowledge and Expertise 
•  Skills and Interests 
• Motivation 

Most successful research studies require sufficient time to select the right research problem.

To pinpoint a research problem, you need to pick an area to look into focusing on a social issue or idea that matters. This is the key first step in doing research kind of like how a traveler picks where to go. It’s the core of the whole research process. Researchers find these problems using their smarts, know-how, and skills, which help them build a solid base for their work.

Practical research problems

When you carry out applied research, the first thing you should do is read some reports, survey some prior research, and talk with professionals in the field or organization you will be focusing on in your study. You might look for:

• Performance or Efficiency Issues
• Processes that could be improved
• Areas of concern among practitioners in a field
• Difficulties faced by specific groups of people in society

Theoretical research problems

Theoretical research focuses on expanding knowledge and understanding rather than directly contributing to change. Research Problem Identification involves reviewing recent studies, theories, and debates to find gaps in existing knowledge and uncover research opportunities. You might look for:

• A phenomenon or context that has not been closely studied
• A contradiction between two or more perspectives
• A situation or relationship that is not well understood
• A troubling question that has yet to be resolved

Steps in the identification of the research problem

1. Selection of the area
2. Interviewing Practitioners
3. Relevant Literature

1. Selection of the area

Knowing the field or area – The first step for the researcher is to select a broad field of study. This platform should allow researchers to express their work, identity and common sense. A good understanding of the facts and concepts in the field is important in choosing the right research questions.

2. Interviewing Practitioners

You can come up with research questions by talking to employees in formal interviews and casual chats. These conversations help you spot new areas to study and make sure your findings apply to real-world situations. This approach has an influence on how relevant and useful the research turns out to be.

Engaging with experts such as teachers, social workers, healthcare providers, lawyers, and business leaders helps uncover practical problems that may be overlooked in academic research. This approach also provides valuable knowledge for designing and conducting your study.

3. Relevant Literature

Selecting a research problem starts with a thorough review of existing studies in your field. This helps identify gaps in knowledge or areas that have been overlooked. Research can then aim to:

• Fill these knowledge gaps.
• Assess whether methods from previous studies can address other issues.
•  Explore if similar studies can be applied to different subjects, contexts, or populations.

Additionally, examining the conclusions of relevant studies can offer valuable insights for future research. Authors often suggest areas for further investigation, guiding you to potential research problems. A topic highlighted for further exploration is likely worth pursuing.

References

1.Pardede, P. (2018) ‘Identifying and Formulating the Research Problem’, Research
in ELT, 1(October), pp. 1–13

2. Muhammad, S. and Kabir, S. (2018) ‘Problem formulation and objective determination’, (June).