How can you identify a research problem?

Discovering a research problem is not a simple task, yet it's important for successful research. A valuable approach involves reflecting on our daily work, contemplating both wins and challenges. We can identify areas that require improvement and shape them into potential research problems. For instance, consider if educational materials in a school adequately represent the cultural backgrounds of minority students – this becomes a tangible problem to address. From here, we can craft precise research questions: for instance, exploring how integrating culturally relevant storybooks can enhance reading skills for struggling students. By remaining *attuned* to workplace needs, we can organically generate meaningful research inquiries.

Critically read the existing literature. One of the first steps in identifying a problem is establishing what is already known and where there are gaps in that knowledge. If the literature that you are reading engages you, then that research area could be worthwhile for you to further explore. To test if you could develop this into a research problem, try reformulating what you are reading as testable questions. You can use those initial questions in the next steps of evaluating your context and formulating your problem.

Identifying a research problem is extremely crucial in research. One thing I have found useful is to explore topics of interests or that I am passionate about. Reviewing literature on such helps to identify gaps that need to be filled. Also, asking ones self questions in practice or discussing with others can enlighten one to fill gaps.

In the pursuit of honing one's research skills, gravitating towards innate interests serves as a solid foundation. My experience with SeaDeep, a startup at the intersection of technology and marine preservation, underscored this. When passion meets profession, the drive to deep-dive into literature, investigate gaps, and push boundaries becomes organic. Pairing rigorous academic research with hands-on field experience offers a holistic perspective. Engaging with peers, attending conferences, or even just observing real-world scenarios can spark curiosity. Remember, the most impactful research questions often sprout from a blend of personal intrigue and practical challenges. Enhancing research skills is a journey of continuous exploration.

It involves finding an area of interest or a gap in knowledge. Start by choosing a subject area that related to a current issue. Conduct a literature review. Look for gaps, contradictions or areas where further research is needed. Ask questions that seem require further clarification. Think about the practical implications of the research. Narrow down the topic of interest. Make sure your research problem is realistic and can be investigated. Research problem should contribute something new to the existing body of knowledge. Next, formulate a research question or hypothesis. Ensure that your research design and methodology to ethical standards. It is normal for your research problem to evolve as you gather more information and insights.

My perscpective for working professionals 1. Start with your daily work. What are the challenges you face? What problems do you see in your industry? Make a list of these problems and prioritise them based on your interests and expertise. 2. Do a literature review: . This will help you to understand the current state of knowledge and identify any gaps that need to be filled. Gain good understanding and then narrow down your focus. The problem you choose should be relevant, timely, and have impact. And finally, it should be something you are passionate about. 3. Talk to your potential Supervisor. Talk to your potential advisor to get their feedback and advice. They can help you to refine your research question and develop a research plan.

To identify a research problem, conduct a literature review for gaps, consult experts, consider stakeholder perspectives, and address social and ethical aspects. Brainstorm ideas, stay updated on technology, and prioritize clarity, relevance, and feasibility. The process is iterative, requiring constant review and refinement. Personal observations and experiences, along with input from mentors, also play a crucial role in pinpointing meaningful research questions.

In my field most research questions arise from what we see happening in our environment. For example, we know (rationally) what we need to do to (a) reduce climate change impacts, (b) to protect our environment from degradation, etc, and yet we can't get it right. The research questions that arise here relate to the why's (why can't we get it right) and how's (how could one do better). Similarly, research questions can relate to context (what determines climate change adaptation strategies in our country vs other countries). So, in short, for us these questions arise from what we see happening around us.

At this point in the process of identifying a research problem and determining its feasibility, resources are taken into account. Available resources can be divided into allocated time, available funding, and most importantly, expertise. Collaboration between researchers is key in order to fulfil the diverse needs of a research project, networking and collaboration joins the expertise of different people who can tackle together the varying aspects of the research project.

A research problem can be a challenge being faced by a person, group of people, community, country, region, continent and world, and animals, plants and the environment. It can also be a question that is seeking for answers/ solutions e.g in scientific studies in medicine, technology etc

The previously mentioned gap in the literature usually concerns a real world problem. In other words, it is a scientific knowledge gap around an issue that needs to be either addressed or better understood. The lack of doing so, results in a problem with an impact on people and environments, and that is the research problem. While the research gap indicates the rationale for a research question, the problem represents the significance of that project.

Tips Choose a broad area of interest: Start by selecting a general field or an area of interest. It could be a passionate subject area, a problem observed, or a gap in existing knowledge. Literature review:This will help understand what's already known and what areas need further exploration. Narrow focus: Based on the literature review, narrow the focus to a specific aspect or question within the chosen field. Look for gaps, contradictions, or areas where more information is needed. Define the research goals: What questions do you want to answer, or what problem to solve? Additionally, delve deeper into the research, prepare to adjust the problem statement based on new findings or insights. Research is often an iterative process.

It's critically important to write a clear objective that describes the intended outcome of the research. What's the deliverable - a report, a new procedure, a recommended process improvement, etc.? The problem statement author needs to communicate - in one sentence preferably - exactly what will be delivered if resources are assigned to the research project. This objective will help determine the specific tasks required to produce the final product. From this, a reasonable estimate of cost and time needed to complete the work can be developed.

During the early stages of delving into a research project, it is probably best to not start out with a thesis statement. It is probably best to list questions on the subject and then see if adequate answers exist. Or view the questions from the point of view you are interested in and see if those answers remain relevant. Novel research topics or questions and especially the requisite answers are not always apparent at first, which should be considered to be an ok early position to be in. It is these answers that should guide the penultimate thesis statement.

I did my thesis on how recruitment practices impact employee satisfaction. It's crucial to formulate your problem properly. Among other things, I formulated a well-thought-out questionnaire, with both open-ended questions and multiple choices, and got a small group of relevant people to fill that for me. That helped me better narrow down the scope based on their input and suggestions.

While changes tend to happen as we discuss the project with others, and read and learn more about the literature around it, there is a point when the aims and objectives of the project become well defined, and should not change after that subject to a desire for better outcomes once data collection begins. Instead, a researcher should report on the findings of the current line of questioning, especially when they are unfavourable or unexpected outcomes. Then, if the researcher wishes, he/she can develop a new research project with the new aim that developed while working on the first project. Projects that do not work as expected are important because they tell the field about what did not work and guides away from redundancy and wastage.

The most important practical aspect of refining a research problem is minimizing the risk of the research. In this phase the researcher should consider the possibility of collecting the relevant data, analyzing the data within the planned duration and the possibility to proving the hypothesis instead of disproving it. Though those are not related to the core research, those factors are very important as most of the research are bound by time, resources and expertise. These factors would be surely useful at successfully completing the Thesis/Dissertation or the Publication on time, fulfilling the expected level of quality with the available resources.

This is a crucial part of the research enterprise. Especially undergrad students and even grad students as well often embark on research themes too wide or ambiguous, and have trouble refining their topic so that it's researchable within the contours of their project. A few tips on how to review and refine a research problem include: ? Explore the topic deductively, so you know the larger context and then start narrowing down the things you want or need to know that haven't already been discussed or shown by other researchers ? Don't try to rewrite the Bible... think of a small piece of the theme's puzzle and how you can answer that very specific question ? Do an inventory of your means so as to know what you can actually accomplish

If one is doing research, identifying a problem by reading reports, following up on previous research, or talking to people who work in the field or organization where one’s thematic interests are, should be the first point of entry. For example, recently, the international community led by the World Health Organization (WHO) is concerned that noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) kill 41 million people each year, equivalent to 74% of all deaths globally. WHO advises that a vital way to control NCDs is to reduce the risk factors associated with these diseases. A researcher can ask themselves whether or not the communities are aware of the risk factors, thus triggering a research exercise.

An effective way to make strides is by presenting your tentative research problem – or, as my PhD supervisor used to term it, your puzzle. Engage in discussions with peers, seek out a group of individuals willing to lend an ear and collaborate on refining your puzzle. While your puzzle may be clear in your mind, its presentation ensures clarity for others. Finally, reach out to someone outside your field and articulate your puzzle to them. If they comprehend and resonate with your research, despite hailing from a different discipline, that's encouraging. On the other hand, if they struggle to grasp it, their insights could prove invaluable in clarifying and enhancing the appeal of your research problem.

Research isn't a linear process. The more you contemplate the issue and read the literature (if there is literature on the topic), the clearer it will get to your mind. So spend time thinking and self-ruminating your ideas until you can settle on a problem that is specific, delimited, researchable. It will come to you because your mind continues working on the issue in the backdrop. Some times it helps to park the problem for a few days and come back with a fresh mind

Use Statistics. Numbers don’t lie. Interrogate the differentials in the data and Ground them well in theory. Formulate your problem statement using the gaps found in the data.

A common problem faced by researchers is the "Analysis Paralysis". This is when you keep analysing or investigating the problem statement that you fail to take action. Time is that of importance and Action is the medium. So, small consistent efforts create incremental clarity in the research.

In my view, within the context of human progress and community building, identifying a ‘problem to solve’ makes research too wide and hard, if not unachievable. I say this because there is an area i am very interested in , having explored it for over 4 decades and seen the benefits personally and wider ( ie connecting with the ‘heart’ ) - i know that how young people can benefit, particularly in the current state of the issues we face around the world, however, in my view , systems and structures are not open to enable research to develop - considered to abstract etc.

In my experience research is to persevere in the presence of ambiguity without compromising the rights of the research participants.