LESSON 2: FORMULATION OF A RESEARCH PROBLEM

Learning Objectives:

At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:

1. define a research problem;
2. discuss possible ways in formulating a research problem;
3. identify sources of research problems; and,
4. enumerate the factors that influence the selection of a research problem.

Keywords and Phrases:

problem statement research objective

brainstorming focused-group discussion (FGD)

LEARNER
concept mapping dephi method

Introduction

A research, whether it is academic, business, engineering, marketing, media, social research, etc.,
always starts with a research problem. A major problem is usually stated clearly, followed by specific
questions that need to be answered by the research.

Problem Formulation

The research problem presents what the researcher wants to find out about something. There
are many methods that might help researchers formulate good research problems. These include
brainstorming, focus group discussion (FGD), Delphi methods, concept mapping, and other methods
such as reading relevant literature and previous research studies. Ideas for a research problem are
influenced by the researcher’s intent, educational background, education, and experiences.

Practical problems exist in many fields. Many researchers are involved in health and human
development projects, social and service programs. It is possible to get ideas for research topics by
reading the literature of previous researches that may be refined for off-shoots or using other approaches.
Educators have many ways to formulate research problems based on specializations, programs, research
priorities, technological and scientific advancement, and thrusts of education.

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Sources of Problems

Anderson (2002) suggested some possible sources of research problems:

• Observation
• Deduction from theory
• Literature
• Current social and political issues
• Practical situations
• Personal experiences and insights
• Problem statement
• General topic and specific focus
• Context
• Significance or usefulness
• Purpose of the study

Other sources of research problems are:

1. Research priorities and needs of CHED, DepEd, TESDA in different fields of specialization
2. Research priorities of the institution
3. Research priorities and needs in the graduate school and open university system
4. Research priorities and needs in the college
5. Research priorities of industries, companies, and other agencies
6. Personal interests influenced by work
7. Current issues and problems needing solutions in the work environment
8. Off-shoots of theses and dissertations
9. Relevant literature in one’s field of interest or specialization
10. Suggestions from professors/advisers
11. Projects that need evaluation for efficiency, effectiveness, relevance, responsiveness, access,
quality, excellence, sustainability, efficacy etc.
12. Technological advancement
13. Extensions of investigations previously done by other researchers

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 Factors that Influence the Selection and Formulation of a
Research Problem

1. Value of the research project

The time relevance of the research should be considered. The outputs of the study should have
long-term professional benefits. It should have wider practical application to the field, to the
sector, and to the community.
2. Availability of Data

No matter how good and current a research problem is, if the data are not available, then the
research study cannot be carried out. For example, a tracer study of scholars in a particular
postgraduate course is a good study but if the respondents cannot be traced anymore, then the
research cannot be pushed through.

3. Capability of the researcher

The researcher’s background and capability are very important factors in the success of any
research project. Taking research methods for academic purposes is a necessity. Training is
another strategy needed to be able to follow the formal procedures in undertaking researches.
Other qualities needed by a researcher are experience, ingenuity, resourcefulness, imagination,
creativity, good attitude, and sound decision-making.

4. Recency of issue

We say that change occurs with time. Changes over time affect results. If a researcher wishes to
evaluate partially the implementation of a certain project, the research should be finished before
it is fully implemented. Selection and formulation of a research problem should consider
timeliness or recency of an issue to be solved.

5. Cost of the research

The inputs to a study are time, effort and energy required of the researcher and the cost required
by a given study. It is not easy to estimate the time, energy and cost a study will require.
An experienced researcher can easily determine all of these but a novice takes much longer time
to calculate the total cost of a research. Cost reduction can be achieved by being resourceful.

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Reading Assignment:

• Read supplemental books on Research.

• Links: http://www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/probform.php
http://www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/resprob.php
http://www.esc.edu/esconline/across_esc/writerscomplex.nsf/0/f87fd7182f0ff21c
852569c2005a47b7

• e-journals/e-books
ƒ PUP website: infotrac.galegroup.com/itweb/pup
ƒ Password: powersearch

Exercises/Written Assignments:

1. Using the approved proposed concept paper for a thesis that you have submitted, discuss the
following:
1.1 Value of the research project to your field of specialization
1.2 Availability of data (from key informants, primary sources, secondary sources, data-
gathering methods, etc.)
1.3 Your capability to undertake this research
1.4 Recency of issue
1.5 Cost of the research

References/Bibliography:

Best, J.W. and Khan, J.V. (1998). Research in Education, 8th edition, Simon & Schuster, Singapore.

Kumar, Ranjit. (1996). Research Methodology. Busy Book Distributors.

Leedy, P.D. and Ormrod, Jean E. (2005). Practical Research Planning and Design, 8th edition, pp.
1-6, Prentice Hall.

Mentens, Donna. (1998). Research Methods in Education and Psychology, Sage Publications
Inc.

Picciano, Anthony G. (2003). Educational Research Primer. Continuum International.

Publishing House, 2004, Gale Virtual Reference Library.

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Pion, et al. (2003). Encyclopedia of Education, vol. 6. Gale Virtual Reference Library.

Sevilla, C.G. , Ochave, J.A., Punzalan, T.W., Regala, B.P., Uriarte, G.G. (2002). Research
Methods, pp.1-7. Rex Printing Co., Inc.

Weirsma, William. (1995). Research Methods in Education 6th Edition, Allyn and Bacon.

Whitney, F.L. (2006). Elements of Research. Prentice Hall Inc.

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