The Research Problem

A research problem may not be a ‘problem’

at all. An issue is researchable and so is a
state of affairs.
Characteristics of a Research Problem:
- Researchable
- Problem can be studied empirically
- Manageable (within time period)
- Free of value judgments
- Data must be accessible to answer the question or test
the hypothesis
Stages in Conducting Research
• Identification and definition of the problem
• Formulation of the research process
-write the problem statement, the statement of the
problem and research questions
• Sourcing and evaluating existing literature (in order to
write the review of related literature)
• Data collection
• Data presentation
• Data analysis
• Conclusion and recommendation
 Delimiting the Problem
This means that there are boundaries set
beyond which the study is not concerned.
The study is to be limited to a specific
group or issue and be concerned with one
or two variables.
The Problem Statement
The process of identifying a problem to investigate involves
thinking, discarding and re-formulating the problem so
that it meets the criteria necessary for a researchable
problem. In research jargon this is called the problem
statement.
Example: “The effects of pollution on the fishing grounds
near Seatons, Antigua”.
The problem could also be written in the form of a question:
Example: “What are the effects of pollution on the fishing
grounds near Seatons, Antigua”?
The problem statement is further elaborated and extended
through the statement of the problem. This is a
further statement about the problem that includes the
variables, relationships and specific aspects one wishes
to study as well as the need for the study.
N.B.
The statement of the problem guides both the researcher
and the reader in their understandings about what is
included in the investigation and what is not.
From the statement of the problem the researcher
formulates some research questions that the
investigation seeks to answer.
 The Literature Review
Purpose:
 To demonstrate that the researcher has read widely on
the problem and has adequate knowledge of the context
and background to the problem;
 To highlight studies that are similar to the researcher’s to
show that others feel that the problem is also a
significant one
 To show that a body of findings exist to compare to the
researcher’s
 To compare the methodologies used by other
researchers to investigate the issue with the one the
researcher intends to use
 To provide an opportunity to see one’s research as part of a larger
body of work
 To glean insights about issues and methods from previous
researchers
 To help the researcher to fine tune and focus on the specific issue
or aspect of the problem s/he intends to investigate

Features of a well written literature review

 Summaries of research studies which investigated the same or
related issues to the one the researcher is investigating
 A definite sense that the researcher is trying to integrate aspects of
his/her study with the summaries being presented – both content
and methods
 A focus on the aspects of the problem that are outlined in the
statement of the problem – otherwise the review would not be a
logical development from the statement of the problem and the
research questions
 A mix of research efforts from both industrialized countries and the
Caribbean
 Identification of the ‘gaps’ that occur in the body of literature
especially if they pertain to what the researcher is investigating
 A mode of presenting that closely resembles a discussion. The
discussion is what largely exists in terms of information or findings
and a comparison of the methodologies used by researchers with
the current research
• Important Terms
Variable – a characteristic of individuals, groups or
societies that vary from one case to another. A variable
can change or fluctuate over time or appear in different
amounts or frequencies. The aim of the research
process is to find the relationship between two or more
variables.
Types of variables:
Dependent – the thing that is caused or that needs to be
explained. The factor that is observed and measured to
determine the effect of the independent variable.
Independent variable – is the factor which causes or determines
the dependent variable.
Examples of variables: height, social class, academic achievement.

Hypothesis – a statement that makes a prediction about the

outcome of the study. Can be tested statistically. The findings of the
study will either support or refute the hypothesis.

Research Proposal – a map or guide to what the researcher

intends to do.