Formulating a

Research Problem

AESHA UPADHYAY
SHIVIKA MEHROTRA
(M. ARCH 1 ST YEAR, 1 ST SEMESTER)
FACULTY OF ARCHITECTURE, LUCKNOW
MEANING OF RESEARCH
Research refers to a search for knowledge.
We can also define research as a scientific and systematic search for
information on a specific topic.
In fact, research is an art of scientific investigation.
What is research problem?
Any question that you want answered and any assumption or assertion
that you want to challenge or investigate.
However,
o not all questions can be transformed into research problems.
o the process of formulating them in a meaningful way is not at all an easy task.
o It requires considerable knowledge of both the subject area and research
methodology
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
The importance of formulating a
research problem
The formulation of research problem is the first and most important
step of the research process. It is like the identification of destination
before undertaking a journey. As in the absence of a destination, it is
impossible to identify the shortest-or indeed any-route, in the absence
of a clear research problem, a clear and economical plan is impossible.
A research problem is like the foundation of a building.
The research problem serve as the foundation of research study.
The Importance of formulating
a research problem
The ways you formulate a problem determines the following steps:

The type of study design that can be used

The type of sampling strategy that can be employed
The research instrument that can be used or developed
The type of analysis that can be undertaken
 Considerations in selecting a
research problem
When selecting a research problem/topic there are a number of considerations
to keep in mind. There are seven main points such as:
Interest: should be the most important consideration in selecting a
research problem.

Magnitude: should have sufficient knowledge about the research process

to be able to visualize the work involved in completing the proposed
study.

Measurement of concepts : if you are using a concept in your study, make

sure you are clear about its indicators and their measurement. For
example: if you plan to measure the effectiveness of a health promotion
program, you must be clear as to what determines effectiveness and how it
will be measured. Do not use concept in your research problem that you
are not sure how to measure.
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 Considerations in selecting a
research problem (contd.)
Level of expertise : Make sure you have an adequate level of expertise for
the task you are proposing.

Relevance : select a topic that is of relevance to you as a professional.

Ensure that you study adds to the existing body of knowledge, bridges
current gaps or useful in policy formulation.

Availability of data : if you topic entails collection of information from

secondary sources(office record, client , records, census or other already-
polished reports, ect..) before finalizing your topic make sure that these
data are available and in the format you want.

Ethical issues : other important consideration in formulating a research

problem is the ethical issues involved.

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Steps in the formulation of a
research problem
If you dont know what specific research topic, idea or issue you want to
research first go through the following steps:
Step1: identify a broad field or subject area of interest to you.
Step2: dissect the broad area into subareas.
Step3: select what is most interest to you.
Step4: raise research questions.
Step5: formulate objective.
Step6: assess your objective.
Step7: double check
The formulation of objectives
Objective are the goals you set out to attain in your study. Since these
objectives inform a reader of what you want to achieve through the
study, it is extremely important to your to word them clearly and
specifically.
Objective should be listed under two headings.
Main objectives: the main objective is an overall statement of the
thrust of your study.
If your study bi primarily descriptive, your main objective should clearly
describe the major focus of your study, even mentioning the organization
and its location unless these are to be kept confidential.
Sub objectives: the sub objectives are the specific aspects of the topic
that you want to investigate within the main framework of your study.
Establishing operational definitions
The main aim of formulating a research problem is to clearly and
precisely define the research problem.
In defining the problem you may use certain words or items that are
difficult to measure and /or the understanding of which may vary from
respondent to respondent.
In research study it is important to develop, define or establish a set of
rules, indicators or yardsticks in order to clearly establish the meaning
of such words/items.
On the other hand, also important to define clearly the study
population from which you need to obtain the required information.
THANK YOU