Research problem

1. IDENTIFICATION OF RESEARCH
PROBLEM

2. INTRODUCTION
 A research problem is a question that a researcher wants
to answer or a problem that a researcher wants to solve.
 Identification and formulation of a research problem is
the first step of research process. It is the most
challenging and difficult phases of any research project.
 Good research studies need lots of time for selection of a
research problem.

3. DEFINITION
 “A problem is an interrogative sentence or
statement that asks what relation exists between
two or more variables. The answer to questions
will provide what is having sought in the research”.
-Kerlinger
 In other words, ‘A research problem is an area
of concern where there is a gap in the
knowledge base needed for professional
practices’.

4. COMPONENTS OF RESEARCH
STATEMENT

5. • Relevance of the study
• Title of the study
• Operational definition of the
variables
• Objectives of the study
• Delimitations of the study
• Scope and limitation of the
study
A research
problem has
six
components.

6. IDENTIFICATION OF RESEARCH
PROBLEM
 Identification of a research problem is the first and
most important step in the research process.
Generally, a broad area is selected and then a broad
topic is delimited or narrowed down to a specific
one-sentence statement of the problem.
 This step of the research process is considered as the
most difficult and challenging, and needs lots of
time.

7. SOURCES OF RESEARCH
PROBLEM

8. 1. Personal
experience
2.
Practical
experience
3.
Critical
appraisal of
literature
4.
Previous
research
5.
Existing
theories
6.
Consumer
feedback
7. Performance
improvement
activities
8.
Social
issues
9.
Brainstorming
10.
Intuition
11.
Folklores
12.
Exposure to
field
situations
13.
Consultations
with experts

9. 1.Personal experiences:
Day-to-day personal experience of a
researcher may serve as good source of
ideas to formulate a research problem.
For example, a researcher observed
domestic violence suffered by wives of
alcoholic husbands. This experience may
provide ideas to identify several research
problem related to domestic violence
against women.
2.Practical experience:
Nurses get plenty of ideas to formulate
research problem from their clinical
experiences. For example, a nurse finds
that unrestricted visiting hours in surgical
wards reduced the analgesic demand
among postoperative patients.
Such clinical experiences could be rich
sources of ideas to identify a significant
research problem.

10. 3. Critical appraisal of literature: When we critically study books
and articles relating to the subject of our interest, including
research reports, opinion articles, and summaries if clinical issues,
pertinent questions may arise in our mind. These may strike the
reader’s mind indirectly by stimulating imagination and directly by
stating what additional research is needed.
 For example, a nurse reads an article on the prevalence of pin
site infection among patients with external fixators. While
reading these articles, she learns that there is lack of consensus
about pin site care. This information may serve as a basis to
formulate a research problem.

11. 4. Previous research: A body of
knowledge should be developed on a
sound foundation of research findings.
Usually, at the end of a research, further
research problems are suggested, based
on the shortcomings of previous research,
which can be investigated.
5. Existing theories: Research is a
process of theory development and theory
testing. 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.

12. 6. Consumer feedback: Research problems may be generated
from the results of activities aimed to solicit patient feedback.
For example, at the time of discharge of patient after angiography,
a nurse obtained a feedback from the patient. The patient
verbalized that it was a wonderful experience except for the
discomfort during removal of pressure dressing at the femoral
puncture site.
This feedback provided a concept for nurse to research on efficacy
of available alternative means of dressing at puncture site to
minimize the discomfort among patient undergoing angiography.

13. 7. Performance improvement activities:
The performance improvement activities, also known
as quality improvement activities, are used to improve
processes and outcomes to meet regulatory
requirements. In the process of performance activities,
several issues immerge that require answers through
research. Thus performance improvement activities
also serve as an important source of research
problems.

14. 8. Social issues: Sometimes, topics are suggested
by more global contemporary social or political issues
of relevance to the health care community.
For example, HIV/ AIDS, female feticide, sexual
harassment, domestic violence, and gender equality
in health care and in research are some of the current
social and political issues of concern for health care
professionals.

15. 9.Brainstorming:
Brainstorming sessions are good techniques to find new
questions, where an intensified discussion among interested
people of the profession is conducted to find more ideas to
formulate a good research problem.
For example, ideas for studies may emerge from reviewing
research priorities by having brainstorming sessions with
other nurses, researchers, or nursing faculty.

16. 10.Intuition:
Traditionally, intuitions are considered good sources of
knowledge as well as sources to find new research
problems.
11.Folklores:
Common beliefs could be right or wrong. For example, it
is generally believed that studying just before a 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.

17. 12. 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.

18. 13. Consultations with experts:
Experts are believed to have sound experience in
their respective field; they 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

19. CRITERIA FOR SELECTING A GOOD
RESEARCH PROBLEM

20. Criteria of
good
research
problem
Feasible
Interesting
Novel
Ethical
Relevant

21. 1. Significance to nursing profession:
 A problem that a researcher is selecting should have
significance to nursing profession or it will not serve
any purpose.
 A research problem could be considered significant
for nursing profession if it fulfills the following criteria:
 Benefits nursing profession and patients, nurses, and
health care fraternity through the study.
 Improves clinical nursing practices through the
results.
 Promotes nursing theory development or testing.
 Provides solutions of current nursing practice needs.
 Generates information to get practical implications for
nursing profession.

22. 2. Original:
It is fundamentally considered that every research
problem should be new and unique in itself. Therefore,
it is key responsibility of a researcher that an innovative
knowledge is used for selecting a research problem, so
as to extend the growth of existing body of knowledge
in a profession.

23. 3. Feasible: Feasibility is an essential consideration
of any research project. It will help the researcher to
decide whether selected problem is appropriate or
inappropriate and study can be actually carried out or
not.
 Time
 Cost
 Equipment & supplies
 Administrative support
 Peer support
 Availability of subjects
 Researcher’s competence
 Ethical consideration

24. 4. Solvable/ researchable:
 Problem selected is considered good only if it is solvable
so that chances of insolvability of problem should be
minimized. This will enhance relevant results. For
examples, a researcher selects a research problem to
know the existence of God in this universe. These sorts
of problems are ambiguous and impossible to solve.
Therefore, the researcher must ensure that a research
problem selected for study is solvable.
5. Current:
 A good research problem must be based on the current
problems and needs of a profession, so that results
generated will be of more use. Furthermore, more
professionals will be interested in research conducted on
the current issues of their profession.

25. 6. Interesting:
 A research problem can only be considered good if
it is in accordance with researcher’s field of interest.
A research problem must be as per the motivation
of the researcher and should be fascinating to the
researcher, so that research is conducted with full
enthusiasm and not merely for its accomplishment.