COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING &

ARCHITECTURE

ARC 029 RESEARCH METHODS IN ARCHITECTURE

UP-FC1-BSAR4-02
W/F 9:00 – 10:30am

RSW NO. 2
The Research Problems and Not Research Problems
Date Due: January 20, 2023

CARLEN M. ZARCILLA
STUDENT

AR. ALLAN FERDINAND M. AQUINO

INSTRUCTOR
Research Problem
The first and most important step of a research is formulation of research problems. It is like the
foundation of a building to be constructed. To solve a problem someone has to know about the
problem. So, the problem identification and formulation is very crucial for the researcher before
conducting a research, and this is perhaps one of the most difficult aspects of any research
undertaking. The “problem” is stated in the opening passages of a study and, in effect, provides a
reader the rationale for why the study is important and why it is necessary to read.

Research, in a very general term, is a systematic way for finding things you and other people did
not know, which are called as research problems. research is a process consisting of the
identifying and defining research problem, formulating and testing the hypothesis through data
collection, organization and analysis, making deductions and reaching of conclusion from the
test results of the hypotheses, and reporting and evaluating the research. Viewing its
process, research is essentially a problem driven activity. Since research is problem driven,
the first thing to deal in undertaking a study is to identify and determine the problem to
study. Identifying a research problem is important because, as the issue or concern in a
particular setting that motivates and guides the need for conducting a study, it lays the foundation
for an entire project.

What is a Research Problem?

A research problem is a statement that addresses a gap in knowledge, a challenge or a

contradiction in a particular field. Scientists use research problems to identify and define the aim
of their study and analysis. You may decide to conduct research based on a problem if you're
interested in contributing to social or scientific change or supplying additional knowledge to an
existing topic. A research problem may also help identify key concepts and terms, overarching
questions and variables associated with a study.

The identification of the research problem is the first step in the research process. It is similar to
the identification of the destination before a journey. It works as the foundation for the whole
research process. In the field of social sciences, a research problem is presented in the form of a
question. It helps in narrowing down the issue to something reasonable for conducting a study.
Defining a research problem serves three main purposes:

 It presents the importance of the research topic.

 It helps the researcher place the problem in a specific context to properly define the
parameters of the investigation.
 It provides a framework that can help in presenting the results in the future.
In absolute terms, a research problem can be defined as a statement regarding the area of
concern, a condition that needs to be improved, an unresolved question that exists in the
literature, a difficulty that needs to be eliminated or any point that needs some meaningful
investigation.

A. Descriptive Research Problems

Descriptive research problems focus on questions like „what is ?‟, with its main aim to describe
the situation, state or the existence of certain specific phenomena. They seek to depict what
already exists in a group or population. For such studies, surveys and opinion polls are best
suitable because they require systematic observation of social issues.

These problems use two different ways to collect data- cross-sectional studies and longitudinal
studies. Cross-sectional studies provide a snapshot of data at a certain moment in time. On the
other hand, longitudinal studies involve a fixed and stable sample that is measured repeatedly
over time. However, in both cases, methods that can be used to collect data include mail, online
or offline surveys, and interviews. When a researcher is dealing with a descriptive research
problem, there can be no manipulation in the variables and hypotheses as they are usually non-
directional.

Examples:

1. Sleeping habits of students.

2. Qualities of a good manager.
3. Characteristics of a schizophrenic.

A. Causal Research Problems

Causal research problems focus on identifying the extent and nature of cause-and-effect
relationships. Such research problems help in assessing the impact of some changes on existing
norms and processes. They thus identify patterns of relationships between different elements.

In such cases, experiments are the most popular way of collecting primary data. Here, the
hypothesis is usually directional, i.e. explaining how one factor affects the behaviour of another
one. Such studies give the researcher the freedom to manipulate the variables as desired. Data for
causal research can be collected in two ways:

 laboratory experiments and,

 field experiments.
Laboratory experiments are generally conducted in an artificial environment which allows the
researcher to carefully manipulate the variables. On the other hand, field experiments are much
more realistic. It is sometimes not possible to control the variables. This makes it difficult for the
researcher to predict with confidence what produced a given outcome.

Examples:

1. Personality traits and success in studies.

2. Difference in lifestyle between the above and below 16 year olds.
3. The difference in academic results in teenagers spending more than 5 hours in
social media.

B. Relational Research Problems

This research problem states that some sort of relationship between two variables needs to be
investigated. The aim is to investigate the qualities or characteristics that are connected in some
way.

Thus, this sort of research problem requires more than one variable that describes the
relationship between them.

Examples:

1. The relationship between reading and writing.

2. The relationship between alcohol readings and severity of accidents.
3. The relationship between the hours spent on social media and academic results.

What is Not a Research Problem?

Not all problems can be researchable. Some problems are researchable while others are non-
researchable. Since research must result in data, one must evaluate beforehand whether such data
can be found through a research exercise.

A non-researchable research question is, therefore, one that is not formulated to enable a testable
hypothesis to be generated. This does not mean that the topic is not capable of sustaining
research. Often it is a matter of recasting the question so that specific testable hypotheses can be
formulated.

Non-researchable questions could be too broad or vague, or they could be questions for which
answers are easily obtainable.
Non Researchable Problems

 Not all problems of interest to nurses are researchable

 Value questions or questions that involve choosing a moral course of action are not
researchable
 Policy questions may not be directly researchable although research findings may inform
or shape policy

In short Researchable problems imply the possibility of empirical investigation. Non-

researchable problems include explanations of how to do something, vague propositions, and
value-based concerns.

Examples:

Researchable vs. Non-researchable

Researchable

1. Should I put my youngster in preschool?

2. What is the best way to learn to read?
3. Are some people born bad?

Not Researchable

1. Do children enrolled in preschool develop better social skills than children not
enrolled?
2. At which age is it better to introduce phonics to children- age 5, age 6 or age 7?
3. Who commits more crimes- poor people or rich people?