Research is a venture towards discovery. Before discovery takes place, however, a researcher needs to identify the research problems to begin a study. Figuring out the research problem takes considerable time and effort. What are surefire ways to generate research problems?
The following article describes three sources of research problems that researchers may consider. These are problems that arise from the workplace, needs analysis, and research agenda. Examples for each source are given. An organization is not without problems. In the course of meeting the stated goals and objectives of the organization, problems arise.
Areas for improvement always come into the attention of managers and decision-makers. The researcher needs to sharpen his or her senses to detect or identify problems that research, as a tool for effective management, may be put into good use. Three levels of organizational management may be explored, namely, strategic, executory, and operational.
The strategic level pertains to problems encountered by top-level managers such as looking into the possibility of merging with another company. Research can provide the information needed to objectively examine the pros and cons of such endeavor. Problems of execution through middle-level managers can serve as the focus of the study.
For instance, if the performance of duties is below par, the effect of specific incentives such as generous overtime pay to supervisors may be explored. This can be derived, for example, from deliberate observations of certain relationships for which there is no clear explanation or witnessing an event that appears harmful to a person or group or that is out of the ordinary.
Relevant Literature The selection of a research problem can often be derived from an extensive and thorough review of pertinent research associated with your overall area of interest.
This may reveal where gaps remain in our understanding of a topic. Research may be conducted to: 1 fill such gaps in knowledge; 2 evaluate if the methodologies employed in prior studies can be adapted to solve other problems; or, 3 determine if a similar study could be conducted in a different subject area or applied to different study sample [i.
Also, authors frequently conclude their studies by noting implications for further research; this can also be a valuable source of problems to investigate.
What Makes a Good Research Statement? A good problem statement begins by introducing the broad area in which your research is centered and then gradually leads the reader to the more narrow questions you are posing. The statement need not be lengthy but a good research problem should incorporate the following features:. Compelling topic Simple curiosity is not a good enough reason to pursue a research study.
The problem that you choose to explore must be important to you and to a larger community you share. The problem chosen must be one that motivates you to address it. Supports multiple perspectives The problem most be phrased in a way that avoids dichotomies and instead supports the generation and exploration of multiple perspectives.
A general rule of thumb is that a good research problem is one that would generate a variety of viewpoints from a composite audience made up of reasonable people. Researchable It seems a bit obvious, but you don't want to find yourself in the midst of investigating a complex research project and realize that you don't have much to draw on for your research. Choose research problems that can be supported by the resources available to you. Not sure? Seek out help from a librarian!
NOTE: Do not confuse a research problem with a research topic. A topic is something to read and obtain information about whereas a problem is something to solve or framed as a question that must be answered. Mistakes to Avoid. Beware of circular reasoning.
For example, if you propose, "The problem in this community is that it has no hospital. This only leads to a research problem where:. This is an example of a research problem that fails the "so what?
Choosing and Refining Topics. Writing CSU. Purdue University; Procter, Margaret. Using Thesis Statements. In nursing profession, not much research has been yet done; therefore, this profession needs researchers who are willing to replicate or repeat other studies on different samples and settings where all the essential elements of the original study are held intact. Further refinements may be made in the experimental treatments, or more appropriate outcome measures may be identified.
Nurses use many theories from other disciplines in their practices. If an existing theory is used in developing a researchable problem, a specific statement from the theory must be isolated.
Generally, a part or parts of the theory are subjected to testing in the clinical situation. The testing of an existing theory is definitely needed in nursing; therefore, they serve as good sources of research problems. Patient verbalized that it was a wonderful experience except discomfort during removal of pressure dressing at the oral puncture site. This feedback provided a concept for nurse to research on efficacy available alternative means of dressing at puncture site to minimize the discomfort g patient undergoing angiography.
In the process of performance activities, several issues merge that require answers through research. Thus performance improvement activities also serve as an important source of research problem. An idea for a study may stem from a familiarity with social concerns or controversial social issues.
It is believed that the reflective mind is a good source of ideas, which may be used to formulate a good research problem Folklores: Common beliefs could be right or wrong. For example, it is generally believed that studying just before the test decreases the score. We believe we should not study just before test to relax our mind. Researchers can conduct a research study on whether one should study before the test or not.
Exposure to field situations: During field exposure, researchers get variety of experiences, which may provide plenty of ideas to formulate research problems. For example, while working in field, a researcher observed a specific traditional practice for cure of a disease condition, which can be used as research problem to investigate its efficacy Consultations with experts: Experts are believed to have sound experience of their respective field, which may suggest a significant problem to be studied.
In addition, experts may help in finding a current problem of discipline to be solved, which may serve as basis for formulation of research problem. Total views , On Slideshare 0. From embeds 0. Number of embeds Downloads Shares 0.
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