How to Identify, Formulate, and State an Acceptable Research

Problem: A Guide for Higher Degree Students and their

Research Supervisors

David Onen, PhD

Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
[email protected]

A Paper Presented on 4th January 2020 to the Participants at an Academic Staff

Seminar held in the School of Research and Postgraduate Studies of Amoud
University, Somaliland
1.0 Introduction...
• No doubt, research problem (RP) is very important in research
because:
• It is the very reason behind every research activity (Patidar, 2013).
• It provides for how a study can be conducted and its results reported
(Bryman as cited in Kebritchi, 2019).
• It defines the parameters of a study (Shuttleworth, 2008).
• In a nutshell, it is the very heart of every research process.
• But, identifying and stating an acceptable RP is challenging – even for
the most accomplished researcher.
• The challenge is more critical for the higher degree students and early
career researchers!
 2.1 What is a Reasearch Problem?
…an area of concern, a condition to be
…the issue(s) that a researcher improved upon, a difficulty to be
intends to investigate. eliminated, or a troubling question that
…the foundational purpose of exists in scholarly literature, in theory,
one’s study upon which one’s or in practice that points to the need for
entire research activity is based. meaningful understanding and
deliberate investigation

What is a • …a gap in knowledge

…an incongruence; a Research that needs to be filled.
discrepancy between what is Problem? • Little research has been
and what ought to be. done in this field.
• …Something working well
that needs to be understood
and maintained.
• This is called Appreciative
Fig. 1: Conceptualization of the Research Problem
inquiry
2.2 How is a research problem different from other problems?
• A research problem is about a need or a discrepancy that can only be
solved through collection and analysis of data.
• This may not be the case with certain problems whose solutions are
either known or can be found in literature.
• The common pointers to research problems include:
1) Issues which attract attention and may need investigation,
2) Unanswered questions,
3) Missing links, imbalances,
4) Unsatisfactory states of affairs, and
5) problems of adjustment to say technological advances, etc.
 Examine -
Theory/Practice/Experience/Environment

Qn1. Is there a discrepancy between the actual status (what is) and what should
be (the ideal)?
No Yes [A problem exists]
No Problem Qn. 2. Is there a question about why there is a
discrepancy?
No Yes [A problem exists]
Solution already exists: No research Qn. 3. Are there possible & reasonable answers to the
problem discrepancy?
No Yes [A problem exists]

No research problem. The A research problem exits. The

problem cannot be investigated possible answers form the basis of
through research. investigation.

Figure 2: A Flow Diagram for identifying a Research Problem

Source: Oso & Onen (2009)
Fig. 3: Sources of Research Problems
2.4 What are the different types of research problems?
Research problems can classified into different types based
on several criteria. On the basis of types of questions, we
have:
1. Descriptive,
2. Relative,
3. Comparative,
4. Predictive,
5. Explanatory
6. Exploratory, and
7. Casual types of research problems.
2.6 How is a RP identified and formulated?
• Scholars have different views about how the research problem can be identified.
• Commonly, a researcher needs to identify a broad area of research e.g.– HRM
practices or productivity of academic staff in higher education or UPE et cetera,
• Then the researcher needs to widely and critically review literature.
• This can help the researcher to identify a problem (a gap, an anomaly, etc.)
• But this should be followed by creating research question(s).
• According to Akhidime (2017), “research questions set out the framework and the
specific terms of inquiry needed to address the research problem” (p.638).
• Research questions can be asked about different aspects of the problem concept or
variable.
• Once a researcher formulates his/her research question, then his/her research
problem will become clearer.
 How RP identified….Contd
• RP can also emerge from one’s personal or professional life experiences.
• Here, the researcher can observe an ‘anomaly’ or ‘undesirable conditions’ that
could prompt lit. review.
• Purpose is to identify ‘gaps in knowledge’.
• After identifying problem, it is thus formulated for research.
• This involves formulating the research questions that the study will address.
• But, such a RP should be verified through lit. review.
• Thus, Bakkabulindi’s (2019, Oral Communication) counsel of “literature first,
and literature throughout” holds water.
2.7 Characteristics of a Good Research Problem
• First, it must be clearly and succinctly stated.
• Second, it must be significant in nature.
• Third, it should be grounded in theory.
• Fourth, it should be feasible and amenable to research.
• Fifth, it should generate significant questions that need to be
answered.
• Sixth, it needs to be novel in nature; that is, it should be on something
new, original or fresh.
• Seventh, it needs to have a base in literature.
• Eight, it should be in one’s field of study.
• Ninth, it should be within the means of the researcher to competently
conduct it.
• Finally, it should have the potential for influencing future research and
other researchers in a given field.
2.8 How to Write the Statement of the Problem…Template 1(a)
• Essentially, a good problem statement is just one sentence (with several
paragraphs of elaboration).
• The statement can be written in two formats:
1. Interrogative (or question) form – this is a problem statement stated in form
of a question or questions.
• It is the clearest way to identify the problem area of study because it clearly
indicates what is bothering the researcher.
Examples
i. Is there any relationship between self-esteem and the participation of
doctoral students in group discussions at University X?
2. Declarative Form – is stating a problem statement in terms of a ‘flat’
sentence; not a question.
Example:
i. To establish the relationship between self-esteem and the participation of
doctoral students in group discussions at University X.
 Template 1(b)
According to Jackson (2017), the statement of the problem should
contain at least these 5 items:
(1) your methodology, e.g., “In this interpretive study…”,
(2) the methods you will use to collect data, e.g., “I will interview …
and analyze their journals”
(3) your participants, e.g., “4 Latina middle-school girls”,
(4) where the study will take place, e.g. “who attend an urban public
high school in a large western city"
(5) what you are studying, e.g., “in order to determine how they use
journal writing to help them negotiate the joys and difficulties of
adolescence.”
Source: Adopted from Alecia Jackson (2018)
 Template 2(a)
One way of writing the problem statement is to:
1. Start by describing the ideal situation; that is, the ideal
relationship between your study variables or issues.
2. Then describe the actual situation prevailing in your research
area or context.
3. Provide evidence of the intensity and magnitude (or scope) of
the existing problem.
4. Give the implications of the current situation.
5. Then state what needs to be done (the problem itself).
Template 2(b)…(Adapted from Monash University. 2007)
These guidelines indicate that when writing a Problem statement, start with describing the:
1.Stable Context
Describe unchanging facts about the topic/problem e.g. For many years, people have debated about ________or__
has been controversial because …or______________________ has dominated discussions of…
2. Describe the Status quo
State common but incorrect or incomplete assumptions. Many people think___________Or At first glance, it may
seem like _______
3. Describe the Destabilizing Moment
Describe something that reveals the status quo assumptions to be incomplete or inaccurate e.g.
This initial perception fails to take into account __________________________ Or This theory can't explain
________________Or People have failed to notice, however, _________
4. Show the Consequences
Show readers why they should care: what bad things will happen if people continue to believe the status quo?
What good things will happen once they stop believing it? E.g.
If we continue to believe _______________, we'll never understand the larger question of _______________

5. State your Resolution

Provide a better theory/explanation to replace the status quo. State your
claim.____________________________________________________
 Example 2…
In order to accomplish their missions, public universities need
motivated workforces (Statement 1). There are, however, frequent and
severe disciplinary actions, absenteeism, as well as various forms of
unrest in public universities which affect the accomplishment of the set
missions. Our preliminary investigation reveals that both non-
management and management staff are under motivated (Statement
2 & 3). Without effective motivational packages and procedures, the
said vices are likely to continue and retard the achievement of the
universities’ missions (Statement 4). Thus, there is a need to examine
the public universities’ motivation systems and procedures, which is
the aim of the proposed research (Statement 5). (Adapted from
Okafor , 2017)
1/3/2020 Dr. D. Onen 15
.
 Template 3(a)
• According to Bwisa (2008), the researcher needs to:
• Start with a general problem identifying the need for the study. E.g. The
problem of this study is ______
• State the specific problem proposed for research. (use citation & usually
a number to make it clear to the reader, e.g. 30% of the farms have
been affected by the Napier grass disease).
• Introductory words describing Methodological approach (i.e. Research
Design) are given and are appropriate to the specific problem, e.g. this
qualitative study will explore... or this quantitative study will examine ...
• General population group of proposed study is identified. E.g. small
scale farmers in affected locations will be surveyed to determine…
1/3/2020 Dr. D. Onen 16
 Example 3…
Brain drain in Kenya is increasing (GENERAL PROBLEM). Every year about 50
professionals migrate abroad due to unsatisfactory working conditions
(SPECIFIC PROBLEM WITH NUMBERS and supported with a citation). This
brain drain is different from previous shortages, because it involves not only
fresh graduates but also seasoned professionals (quote). This crisis in the
professionals’ industry requires innovative solutions. One innovative solution
may be a less structured leadership style, such as steward leadership (quote).
This qualitative case study (DESCRIPTION OF STUDY TYPE) will explore
perceptions of professionals in Kenya (POPULATION BEING STUDIED) about
steward leadership as a strategy to alleviate or reduce factors contributing to the
brain drain among professionals in the lake basin region (GEOGRAPHICAL
LOCATION OF STUDY) The data to be gathered in this study may provide
leaders with information relating to how they may address or mitigate factors
contributing to the current brain drain.
Source: Adopted from Bwisa (2008)
1/3/2020 Dr. D. Onen 17
 Template 3(b)….
• There is a problem in ______________________(e.g. organization or
situation where problem is occurring). Despite
___________________________(efforts to prevent or deter),
_____________________(something undesirable or unexpected) is
occurring (provide evidence). This problem has negatively
affected_____________(victims of the problem)
because_____________________________. A possible cause of this
problem is ___________________________. Perhaps a study which
investigates_________________ by a
___________(paradigm/method) could help resolve the situation.
• Source: Adapted from Bwisa (2017)
1/3/2020 Dr. D. Onen 18
2.9 Recommended Template for Writing the Statement of the
Problem
• It is recommended that the researcher uses the integrated format of
stating the research problem.
• In this format, the researcher needs to:
 Step1: Describe the ideal or actual situation in the research context if
there were no problem.
 Step 2: Describe the actual situation that is prevailing in the research
context.
 Step 3: Problematize the situation indicating how ‘bad’ or ‘good’ the
situation that concerns or bothers you.
 Step 4: Point out what would happen if nothing is done to change the
present situation or show what desirable things might happen if the
current situation is improved upon.
Integrated Format Continues…

Step 5: State what needs to be achieved in this study in an

interrogative or a declarative manner. Remember to include
what Jackson (2018) proposed to be included in a good
problem statement such as the: (1) study methodology, (2)
the methods to be used to collect data, (3) study
participants, (4) place where the study will occur, and (5)
what is exactly being studied.
Step 6: State how the data that will be obtained from the
study shall be used to benefit stakeholders such as policy-
makers.
 2.10 Relationships between Key Concepts
Research Area

Research Problem

Research Topic
Research Question Research Purpose
(and title)

Sub-Questions Research Objectives

Research Process
continues…

Fig.4: Relationships between Research Area, Problem, Questions, Topic (and Title)
2.11 What skills are required for identifying and stating a RP?
• Reading skills
• Conceptual skills
• Analytical skills
• Critical thinking skills
• Writing skills
3.0 Activity for self reflections
• What is your current research area?
• What is the research problem?
• What is your main research question?
• What is the purpose of your study?
• What is your working topic (and title)?
• What are your sub-questions and research objectives?
• What is your statement of the problem?
• What is the significance of your study?
 Thank you for your attention!

Any questions or comments ?

1/3/2020 Dr. D. Onen 24