RESEARCH PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION AND FORMULATION

A good problem statement for research possesses several key characteristics that ensure its effectiveness and clarity:

•   Clear and Specific: A strong problem statement for research clearly articulates the specific issue or gap in knowledge that the study aims to address.
•   Relevance and Significance: A good problem statement for research highlights the relevance and importance of the problem statement. It demonstrates why the worth investigating and the potential impact it can have on the field or society.
•   Researchable and Feasible: An effective statement for research should be researchable within the given resources and constraints. It should be feasible to gather data, analyze information, and draw meaningful conclusions based on the problem statement.
•   Grounded in Existing Literature: A well-crafted problem statement for research demonstrates an understanding of the existing body of knowledge in the field. It shows that the researcher has conducted a thorough review of relevant literature and identifies a literature gap or a specific aspect that needs further investigation.
•   Specific Contribution: A problem statement for research serves as the foundation for establishing clear contribution. It should align with the study goals and provide a framework for designing the study and formulating specific literature questions or hypotheses.
•   Measurable and Observable: A good statement for research should allow for the measurement and observation of variables or phenomena. It should enable the researcher to collect data that can be analyzed objectively to answer research questions or test hypotheses.
•   Contextual Understanding: An effective statement for research demonstrates a deep understanding of the context. It considers the broader social, economic, or environmental factors that contribute and provides a comprehensive perspective.
•   Engaging and Motivating: A well-crafted problem statement for research should capture the interest and motivation of the researcher and potential readers. It should evoke a sense of curiosity and enthusiasm, inspiring further exploration and study.
•   Practical Implications: A good problem statement for research acknowledges the practical implications of the research. It highlights how the study results can be applied in real-world scenarios, contributing to practical solutions, policy development, or improving existing practices.
•   Ethical Considerations: An effective statement for research acknowledges and addresses any ethical considerations related to the research. It demonstrates a commitment to conducting the study in an ethical manner, ensuring the well-being and rights of participants and stakeholders.

By incorporating these elements into a problem statement for research, researchers can lay a solid foundation for their studies, effectively communicate your goals, and contribute to the advancement of knowledge in their respective fields.

•   Define the scope: Clearly define the boundaries of your study by identifying the specific area or field you intend to explore for your PhD study.
•   Review existing literature: Conduct a thorough review of existing literature and scholarly works related to your chosen topic, paying special attention to studies that address research problem identification or similar concepts.
•   Identify gaps:Analyze the existing literature to identify any gaps, inconsistencies, or unresolved issues within the field of study pertaining to research problem identification.
•   Formulate study questions: Based on the identified gaps, formulate clear and concise study questions that address the research problem identification. These questions should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART).
•   Consult with experts: Seek guidance from experienced researchers or advisors in your field to discuss your study questions and gather valuable insights. Their expertise can help refine and enhance your understanding of the research problem identification and offer valuable suggestions.
•   Consider feasibility: Evaluate the feasibility of your research questions in terms of available resources, time constraints, and ethical considerations. Ensure that your research problem identification is realistic and can be effectively addressed within the scope of your PhD study.
•   Refine and revise: Continuously refine and revise your research problem identification as you progress in your PhD journey. Incorporate feedback from your advisors, peers, and other researchers to strengthen the clarity and significance of your research problem identification.
•   Justify the significance: Clearly articulate the significance and relevance of your research problem identification within the broader academic and practical contexts. Explain how addressing the contribute to existing knowledge, fill gaps in the literature, and potentially have real-world implications.
•   Develop a conceptual framework: Build a conceptual framework that outlines the theoretical foundations and key concepts related to your research problem identification.
•   Validation study: Consider conducting validation study to validate the viability of your research problem identification. This will help ensure that your approach is appropriate and that you can effectively address the confines of your proposed design.

Stay open to feedback and be willing to adapt your research problem identification as you gain more insights and understanding throughout your PhD journey.

Research problem identification is a crucial step in writing a PhD dissertation. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can effectively identify a research problem that is significant, relevant, and aligned with your interests. If you need assistance with research problem identification or any other aspect of your PhD journey, contact our Zonduo service. Our team of professionals is dedicated to helping you succeed in your research.

Certainly! Here are the challenges faced by PhD scholars specifically in the context of research problem identification:

•   Narrowing down a broad area for research problem identification: Choosing a specific study within a broader field of study can be challenging during the research problem identification phase.
•   Lack of clarity or specificity in research problem identification: Identifying a study requires clarity and specificity. Scholars may struggle to define their research problem in a concise and focused manner during the problem identification stage, leading to ambiguity or a lack of clear objectives.
•   Identifying a novel or significant research problem: A key objective of PhD research is to address literature gaps or identify novel issues. Scholars need to conduct an extensive review of the literature, engage in discussions with their advisors or peers, and critically analyze existing knowledge to identify unique literature gap.
•   Balancing personal interest and feasibility in research problem identification: PhD scholars should work on a study problem they are passionate about, but they also need to consider the feasibility and practicality of conducting study on the identified problem.
•   Dealing with evolving research landscapes during problem identification:PhD scholars may encounter challenges in keeping up with the latest developments and identifying research problems that align with current trends.
•   Overcoming biases or preconceived notions in research problem identification: Scholars may have preconceived notions or biases that can influence their research problem identification process.
•   Balancing practical significance and academic rigor in research problem identification:PhD study should contribute to both theoretical knowledge and practical applications. Striking a balance between addressing a practical significance and maintaining academic rigor can be challenging during the problem identification phase.

To overcome these challenges in research problem identification, PhD scholars should seek guidance from our service, engage in discussions with our experts and peers, and remain open to feedback and suggestions.