FORMULATING THE
RESEARCH PROBLEM
1
TOPIC LEARNING
OUTCOMES
At the end of this lecture, students should be able to;
• identify importance of formulating a research problem
• list sources of research problems
• explain the considerations in selecting a research
problem
• describe steps in formulating a research problem
• demonstrate how to formulate research objectives
2
WHAT IS RESEARCH
PROBLEM?
• Any question that you want answered and any
assumption or assertion that you want to challenge or
investigate.
• However;
– not all questions can be transformed into research
problems.
– the process of formulating them in a meaningful way
is not at all an easy task.
– it requires considerable knowledge of both the subject
area and research methodology.
3
WHAT IS RESEARCH PROBLEM?
(CONT.)
• A research problem is a perceived gap between what
is and what should be.
• Research problem arise from;
– Evolution of theories.
– Peers and supervisors etc.
– Published research (literature review).
– Day-to-day experience
4
Researc
h problem is
like an
identification of
destination
before
undertaking
research journey
5
SCHOOLOFNUTRITIONANDDIETETICS•UNIVERSITISULTANZAINALABIDIN
RESEARCH PROBLEM IS
THE FOUNDATION OF THE
RESEARCH STUDY
7
SCHOOLOFNUTRITIONANDDIETETICS•UNIVERSITISULTANZAINALABIDIN
THE WAY WE FORMULATE THE
RESEARCH PROBLEM DETERMINES
EVERY STEP THAT FOLLOWS;
• type of study design that can be used
• type of sampling strategy that can be employed
• research instrument that can be used or developed
• type of analysis that can be undertaken
10
SOURCES
People
OF
RESEARCH
PROBLEMS
Phenom
-ena
4P Problem
Programme
ASPECTS OF RESEARCH
PROBLEM
Aspects of study About Study of
Study population People Individuals, They provide you with
organizations, groups, the required information
communities or you collect
information from or
about them
Subject area Problem Issues, situations, Information that you
associations, needs, need to collect to find
population composition, answers to your service
profiles etc. research questions
Programme Contents, structure,
outcomes, attributes,
satisfaction, consumers,
providers etc
Phenomenon Cause and effect,
relationships, the study
of a phenomenon itself
etc
CONSIDERATIONS
IN SELECTING A Interest
RESEARCH
PROBLEM Ethics Magnitude
Data Concept
availability Measures
Relevance Expertise
[Link]: A research is usually time consuming, and involves hard work and possibly
unforeseen problems. One should select topic of great interest to sustain the required
motivation.
[Link]: It is extremely important to select a topic that you can manage within the
time and resources at your disposal. Narrow the topic to something so it becomes
manageable, specific and clear.
3. Measurement of concepts: Make sure that you are clear about the indicators
and measurement of concepts (if used) in your study.
[Link] of expertise: Make sure that you have adequate level of expertise for the
task you are proposing since you need to do the work yourself.
5. Relevance: Ensure that your study adds to the existing body of knowledge, bridges
current gaps and is useful in policy formulation.
6. Availability of data: Before finalizing the topic, make sure that data are available.
7. Ethical issues: How ethical issues can affect the study population and how ethical
problems can be overcome should be thoroughly examined at the problem formulating
stage.
[Link] subject: Subject which is overdone should not be chosen, for it will
be difficult task to throw any new light in such a case.
9. Controversial subject: Should not become the choice of an average researcher.
10. Too Narrow topic should be avoided
FUNCTIONS OF RESEARCH
OBJECTIVES
• Focus the study (narrowing it down to essentials).
• Avoid the collection of data which are not strictly
necessary for understanding and solving the problem
you have identified.
• Organize the study in clearly defined parts or phases.
