How to Define a Research Problem | Ideas & Examples

Researchers whether writing a thesis, planning a research paper or writing something on simple topic everything includes research problems in research methodology. This is the foundation of the entire study. The research problem makes the study more conclusive, authentic and less vague.In this blog post we will guide you how to find the research problem, types of research problems, importance of research problem with the help of different research problem examples. In this post you will also go through how to define a research problem step-by-step—using simple practical guides, language, and practical tips.

What Is a Research Problem? A Simple Definition

Research problem definition: A research problem is a concise and clear statement that points issues and gaps in knowledge that are the part of main research findings. It sets a boundary and gives a direction for study that helps in focusing throughout the research. Following is the criteria for selecting a research problem in the research methodology.

1. Identifying Research problems.
2. Research problem formulation
3. Research questions
4. Investigations
5. Results of research

In simple terms Research problem statement is a research problem formulation, which is the actual question that your research answers deeply.

Why Is Defining a Research Problem Important?

Defining a research problem statement gives the idea of the whole research study and main findings of the research. Here’s importance of research problems:

1. It provides clarity of work and authentication of study.

2. It helps in knowing the study more effectively.

3. It ensures the findings of research problem statement are relevant and focused

4. It allows the readers to access and understand the research study for further changes.

5. It helps in formulation of research questions and hypotheses.

Key Characteristics of a Good Research Problem

Before knowing the steps of the research statement, let’s look at what makes a good research problem.

1. Researchable: Research problem statement is reachable as it can be explored using observations, data and experiments.
2. Clear and specific: The research problem formulations are specific and clear which are not vague and too broad.
3. Ethical: How to find a research problem vs research question includes a friendly step that doesn’t harm any participants and avoids violation.
4. Relevant: Research problem statements are tied to real life cases and worked on real world issues that ensure authentication and validity throughout.

Different Types of Research Problems Explained

Below are types of research problem in research methodology:

1. Theoretical research problem: These are the types of research problems and research problem statement examples based on some gaps in existing theory or need some improvement. These are common in education and political science.

2. Practical research problems: These are the types of research problems that deal with real world issues that need to be solved. They are grounded in everyday issues of the personal and professional. These are common in public health services, business, and education.

3. Relational research problem: These are the types of research problems that investigate the relationship between multiple variables and tests are done to check the correlation and connection. These are common in economics and marketing areas.

4. Descriptive research problem statement: These are the types of research problems that focus on describing a group, situation or event. These are common research problems in research methodology in market research and sociology.

How to Write a Research Problem Statement

Following are the steps for writing how to write a research problem statement:

Step 1: Start with the broad topic: Begin your research problem statement journey with a general idea of the topic area. For example, online education has become a major part of the learning environment after Covid 19 pandemic.

Step 2: Identify the specific problem: Work on specific issue, exact gap and challenge in broader sense for clear understanding. For example: Many students struggle to stay engaged during virtual classes.”

Step 3: Show why it is important: Explain the importance of research problems and its consequences. For example: Low engagements can result in poor academic performance.

Step 4: Highlight the knowledge gap: Try to show the problem not being fully solved and justify your research. For example: The study shows how introverted students shy during online learning and study.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Defining a Research Problem

1. Avoid writing research problem statement with vague terms
2. Don’t ignore ethical considerations
3. Don’t avoid to do enough background research
4. Don’t choose the topics that are too broad
5. Don’t ask impossible questions in the research problem statement and research problem in research methodology

Steps to Identify a Strong Research Problem

The following is criteria for selecting the research problem and research problem vs research question

Choose a broad topic area: Start with something new and interesting which is based on your field of study, career goals, and also look out for personal issues.Research problem examples: social media communication, mental health in youngsters, climate changes and online education level. This is one of the crucial criteria for selecting a research problem.

After that do preliminary research: Now explore your research problem statement that you have already studied. Try to read books, websites and articles. How to write a research problem statement: Ask yourself the following questions:What are the debates about? Which areas are still under-researched?Research problem examples: research problem statement example: Online education Outcomes: There’s a lot on academic performance, but less on student engagement in offline mode of study.

Identify the gap or problem of the study: After exploring the topics, look for the gaps, areas and contradictions that require further investigation for research problems. Here the question that comes into the mind is what is missing? What issues are people facing? What problems are still not solved?

Write a problem statement: This is the main step of the research problem statement where you clarify the research problem and tell about what you are actually studying and why?

It includes: The specific issues, importance, context and background.

Turn it into the research questions: From the all the steps you made a research problem statement and now in the last step you have to form a main research questions:

Research problem examples: What strategies do brave and topper students use to engage in virtual classrooms? How does online learning affect the participation of shy students?

Examples of Research Problems Across Different Fields

Here are some of the simple research problem statement examples across disciplines to spark new strategies and processes for research problem identification.

1. Psychology: Topic: Smart Mobile phones and mental health
2. Problem Statement: While using smartphones is often linked to depression, the specific effects of photo-sharing platforms on self-esteem in teenagers are under-researched.
3. Research Question: What is the impact of social media apps use on self-esteem among teenagers?
4. Education: Topic: Digital Technology
5. Problem Statement: Despite the increased use of digital platforms in schools, their impact on students’ handwriting skills remains unclear.
6. Research Question: How does the use of online studies affect handwriting development in elementary students?
7. Business: Topic: Remote work
8. Problem Statement: The shift to remote work has changed communication patterns, but its effect on team productivity is not well understood. Here the Research Question will be like this: How does remote communication affect productivity in middle teams?
9. Environmental science: Topic: toxic pollution
10. Problem Statement: Although toxic waste dumping has been implemented in many cities, there’s limited data on their long-term effectiveness.
11. Research Question: What are the short-term effects of toxic waste?

Tips for Refining and Improving Your Research Problem

1. Always stay focused and don’t try to include in research problem statements too much content.
2. Be specific in what you are doing and maintain the importance of research problems.
3. Try to avoid the vague terms such as good and bad in research problem statement and define everything in simple and short manner
4. Check the feasibility of the research problem statement as it shows the importance of the research problem.
5. Make sure to use the recent data based on current trends for research problem formulation.

Conclusion

How to find a research problem is actually a complex task and it is not just first steps but an actual crucial step for the research process. A clear research problem definition makes everything fall in a single place. At last it is advised to start a research problem statement with a broad topic, do background study for research problem formulation, identify research problems gap and issue, write a clear statement that highlights the importance of the research problem statement and at last create focused research problems in the research methodology. And remember-good research problem definition doesn’t begin with solutions and answers. It begins with good research problems in methodology.