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Research Problem
RESEARCH PROBLEM

 Identification and formulation of a research problem is the first step of the research
process.
 A/C to Kerlinger- A problem is an interrogative sentence or statement that asks
what relation exists between two or more variables.
 A/C to R.S. Woodworth- Research problem as “a situation for which we have no
ready and successful response by instinct or by previous acquired habits.”

Problem Statement

 Problem statement always should be clear, concise and can be easily understandable.
 The problem statement mainly presents the idea, issue or situation that the researcher
intends to study.
 Problem statement is capable to provide direction in the research designing.
 Problem statement helpful to determine the gap between the current problem and
desired goal of a process.
 Problem statement include the several “Components” that is essential to develop
research problem.

1. Identify the what wrong with the current situation.

2. Knowledge gap.
3. Scope of problem.
4. Nature and history of problem.
5. Consequences of the problem.
6. Possible solution of the problems.
7. Other components are- objectives of the study, title of the study, relevance of
the study, delimitations of the study, scope and limitation of the study.

Sources of Research Problem

 Personal Experience- In the formulation of research problem, personal experience

helps to serve as good source of ideas.
 Practical experience- Nurses get a lot of ideas from their clinical experience to
design a research problem.
 Critical appraisal of literature- Critical evaluation of literature provide a new
direction to research and also greatly helps in identifying research problems.
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 Previous research- previous research is also very helpful in observing current

problems.
 Existing theories- research is the process of theory development and theory testing.
 Consumer feedback – the level of the problem is also assessing by the feedback
from consumers.
 Social issues- sometimes, research problem chosen by social and political issues.
 Brain storming- a brainstorming session is a good technique for finding new
questions, where in depth discussions are held between those seeking a professional
to find more ideas to formulate a research problem.
 Intuition- the traditional institution is considered as a good source of knowledge and
skill and is also a good medium for finding a new research problem.
 Folklores- common beliefs could be right or wrong.
 Exposure to field situation- During field exposure, A researcher gain the wide
variety of experiences that is responsible to provide a lot of ideas for formulating the
research problem.
 Consultations with experts- Experts always provide a great advice for choosing the
right research problem.

Criteria for Selecting a Good Research Problems

 Significance to nursing professions-



 A problem that a researcher is selecting should have a significance for the nursing
profession.
 A researcher problem is important to the nursing profession when it is directed at
developing or reading a body of professional knowledge.
 Original-
 Every researcher problem considered they should be new and unique in itself.
 It is the responsibility of a good researcher to use the new knowledge in the selection
of research problem.
 Feasible-
 Feasibility is an important to consideration of any research project.
 This will help the researcher to decide whether the chosen problem is justified or
inappropriate and study can actually be done.
 Equipment and supplies-
 Before making the final decision to conduct the research study, and precise
determination of the necessary equipment and supplies must be ensured.
 Administrative support-
 The nurse researcher identify very difficult to conduct research independently.
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 Psychological assistance from financial as well as administrative is very helpful.

 Peer Support-
 Many research ideas were failed and never developed because the researchers did not
get the support of their peers.
 Availability of subjects-
 The researcher feel that many subjects become available for study but this is not
case, many subjects are not available, like potential subject.


 Researchable-
 The selected problem is considered good only when, it is solvable so that the
probability of ignorance of the problem is minimized.
 Current-
 Basically a good research problem based on the need of the profession and current
problem, so that the result generated is of greater use.
 Interesting-
 A good research problem based on the researcher’s field of interest.

Formulation of Research Problem

 Selection of research topic

 Reviewing of literature and theories
 Delimiting the research topics
 Evaluation the research problem
 Formulating the final statement of research problem’

Selection of Research Topic

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 Before formulation of research problem, solution of research topic is very important.
 Research topic is choose based on personal experience, researcher’s interest, review
of literature and previous research etc.

Review of literature and theories



 Review literature is an account of what is already known about a particular
phenomenon.

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 After getting a comprehensive idea for the research, she needs to review nursing
literature and theories.

Delimiting the research topics

 In this phase, researchers move from a general area of research to a more specific
topic of research.

Evaluating the research problem

 Once the researcher is clear about the specific research problem, the neat research
problem should be evaluated carefully for its critical research potential and
feasibility.

Formulation of final statement of the research problem

 After establishing the instance, repetition and feasibility, then the researchers finally
prepare the final details of the research problem.