Identifying and Defining a Research Problem Problem A

Identifying and Defining a Research Problem

Problem! A question raised for inquiry, consideration or solution

What do we do with Problems? • Ignore them • Talk about them • Try to solve them

What is a Research Problem? A research problem is an issue or concern that an investigator presents and justifies in a research study.

What is a research problem? A problem that someone would like to research Anything that a person find unsatisfactory or unsettling, a difficulty of some sort, a state of affairs that need to be changed. A problems involve areas of concerns to researchers, for condition they want to improve, difficulties they want to eliminate, questions for which they want to seek answers.

How to Identify a Research Problem • • • Search for a problem. Read more about your problem. Take notes or keep a research journal. Seek professional advice. Keep the topic interesting.

What to do: problem identification and definition • • Follow a general procedure. identifying the problem situation. Study the available research. Write statement identifying and defining the problem. • Have colleagues read your final statement identifying and defining the problem situation.

One of the most challenging task is defining the research problem such that the research yields information that directly addresses the management issues. The end result should be for management to understand the information fully and take action based on it. Clearly identification and definition of marketing research problem cannot be overstated.

Five Elements of a “Problem Statement” FLOW OF IDEAS Topic Subject Area Educational Issue • A Concern • A Problem • Something that needs a solution Evidence for the Issue • Evidence from the literature • Evidence from practical experiences Deficiencies in the Evidence • In this body of evidence, what is missing? • What do we need to know more about? What Remedying the Deficiencies will do for Select Audiences How will addressing what we need to know help: – researchers – educators – policy makers – individuals like those in the study

Writing Problem Statements • Tells what will be (or was) done • Identifies variables & relationships to be studied

Ask yourself • To help IDENTIFY your research problem for your thesis, ask yourself such questions as: Ø What was the issue/problem you want to study? Ø What is the concern being addressed “behind” this study? Ø Why do you want to undertake this study? Ø Why is this study important to the scholarly community?

DESIGNING & WRITING THE STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM 1. The research problem within this study 2. Justification for the problem (based on past research and practice) 3. Shortcoming of past research or practice 4. The importance / significance of the problem