What is a research problem?

 A research problem is a statement about an area of concern, a condition to be improved, a

difficulty to be eliminated, or a troubling question that exists in scholarly literature, in theory, or
in practice that points to the need for meaningful understanding and deliberate investigation. In
some social science disciplines the research problem is typically posed in the form of a question.
A research problem does not state how to do something, offer a vague or broad proposition, or
present a value question.
 research problem is a general statement of an issue meriting research. Its nature will suggest
appropriate forms for its investigation.

The purpose/importance of a problem statement is to:

 Introduce the reader to the importance of the topic being studied.

 The reader is oriented to the significance or the study and the research questions or
hypotheses to follow.
 the problem into a particular context that defines the parameters of what is to be investigated.
 the framework for reporting the results and indicates what is probably necessary to conduct the
study and explain how the findings will present this information.
 research problem helps you formulate that sequence. Research problem also helps you avoid
unnecessary steps during the research.
 Research problem helps you understand the research procedure in a better manner.
 To determine the objective and intention of the research
 A research problem can help you identify each and every step of the research process: the study
design, sampling strategy, research instrument and research analysis.
 These questions influence most of the rest of the steps taken to conduct the research.

REFERENCES:

Research Guides: Organizing Academic Research Papers: The Research Problem/Question. (n.d.).
Retrieved January 15, 2020, from https://library.sacredheart.edu/c.php?g=29803&p=185918.

Wallimam, N. (2006). Defining the Research Problem. Retrieved January 15, 2020, from
https://methods.sagepub.com/book/social-research-methods/n6.xml.
Research Problem, Meaning, Definition & Identification. (2013, June 9). Retrieved January 15, 2020, from
http://studylecturenotes.com/research-problem-meaning-definition-identification/.

The Importance of Formulating a Research Problem. (2014). Retrieved January 15, 2020, from
https://www.google.com/amp/readingcraze.com/index.php/importance-formulating-research-
problem/amp/.

University Libraries. (n.d.). The Purpose of Research Questions. Retrieved January 15, 2020, from
https://ohiostate.pressbooks.pub/choosingsources/chapter/purpose-of-research-questions/.