Writing a research problem is not at all difficult, only if you know how to critically evaluate scholarly pieces of information. You must have a strong grip on literature search and reading to understand which problem will you want to address through a detailed research process. Defining a problem for research must be the first step in academic as well as commercial-level research. It suggests a suitable method of collection, analysis, and interpretation of data to reach a logical conclusion. Thus, this article aims to highlight the process of defining research problems along with some tips and examples to excel.

What is a research problem?

It is the statement that specifies researchers’ concerns about solving a particular issue, suggesting an idea to improve the existing situation, and telling people about something new. Additionally, in many cases, this problem statement also aims to close the knowledge gap in the existing body of literature. In research, a problem statement introduces readers to the exact nature and significance of the study. It primarily focuses on the research topic to put the context in accordance with the main aims and objectives. All in all, it provides researchers with a framework to collect, analyse, and draw a conclusion to report results highlighting the main discovery. 

What Is The Process Of Defining A Research Problem?

Creating a research problem is indeed compulsory to make your project manageable and purposeful. It must have several characteristics, and understanding these characteristics will help you decide the right one for your research. First, it must reflect on an issue or knowledge required to draft it. Second, it must rely on evidence and concrete assertions. Lastly, it must be practical and manageable to get useful consequences within the suggested time. 

Once you understand the characteristics of a good problem statement, you must follow the following steps to draft a perfect one for you as well. The following are five simple steps to follow for writing a research problem: 

1. Identify the general area of interest:
2. Conduct a literature search for a better understanding of the area of interest:
3. Review the contexts of the information:
4. Determine the possible relationship between the variables involved:
5. Select best words to draft a final problem statement: 

Tips to effectively define the research problem:

Writing a research problem statement is critical but not technical. You must focus on a few things while selecting and defining it. The above five steps are sufficient enough to guide you about its formulation from scratch. The responsibility of drafting a good statement increases many folds when it comes to the research process for a PhD dissertation. However, in case you get confused or puzzled between two or more statements, you must seek PhD dissertation help from your supervisors and other field experts. They will give good advice to easily get through all doctorate research problem defining phases.

1. Start enjoying the company of the research fellows currently working on your campus. It will help you get information about ongoing research projects. Discussing the pros, cons, methods, and techniques to accomplish research projects of varying natures with different fellows will help you define your own research interest.
2. After making a rough idea about the area of interest, you can start conducting your own literature search. Remember, literature is the backbone of research. Thus, you must develop a strong grip on literature search. It will also help you find the literature gaps or questions to be addressed in a study.
3.  Developing strong critical reading and thinking habits are essential throughout the research process. It will help you synthesise and evaluate information to define a particular problem for research. 
4. You must not finalise a problem for your research without searching for an appropriate solution to it. Searching for a solution before finalising a problem is a tip to confirm whether a situation can be sorted in a local setup in light of available resources.
5. Use simple and concise words in problem statements. Even someone from out of your field can also understand its meaning. The use of subject-specific terms is good if you are conducting research for a reputed Journal in your own field.

Examples of some good research problems include:

1.  The employee turnover rate is so high, and the majority leaves due to a lack of growth opportunities in private firms.
2. Peripheral nerve injuries cause abnormality in normal motor sensory and functional abilities that must be cured by using an inexpensive treatment like oral intake of plants having therapeutic potential.  

Final Thoughts:

Defining a research problem is a bit tricky for novice researchers, but it becomes easy after practice. Students having even basic level knowledge about the research or searching tools can easily find and define a problem for research. However, to make a perfect one, you must try to hypothetically solve a problem even before finalising it.