Formulating Research Problem

University of Relizane
Faculty of Letters and Languages
Department of English
2nd year students
Module: Research Methodology
S3 (2024-2025)
Lesson 1: Formulating research problem

Objectives:
 Describe the important sources for the selection or identification of research problems,
 Explain what is meant by the ‘definition’ of the problem,
 Follow the steps involved in formulating a research problem
 Describe the criteria which are helpful in the evaluation of a research problem,
Entry system
Pre-requisite questions:
1. What do you think the purpose of research is?
2. What have we learnt about research problem in our lesson about the research process?
3. What do you think a research problem is?
Learning system
1. Introduction
The first step in the research process is the selection of a suitable problem from the field chosen by the
researcher. In each field or area of education, several problems exist which may have reference to
pure, applied, or action research. The choice and formulation of a suitable problem is one of the most
difficult tasks for a researcher, especially if he/she is a beginner. There are many sources to which a
researcher may go for a suitable research problem, or from which he/she may develop a sense of
problem awareness.
2. Sources of identifying a research problem:
a. Professional experience:
Professional experience of a researcher is one of the most fruitful resources which could suggest
research problems. For example, if you are a classroom teacher, or academic counselor or working
in any distance learning institute, you must be confronted with a number of problems in your day-
to-day academic activities. In the classroom, there is a dynamic interaction between you as the
teacher and your learners, between learners themselves, and between learners and learning
materials. Such interaction provides you with a variety of problems to be solved through research.
b. Professional literature:
The study of professional literature will not only expose you to pressing research problems but will
also suggest the way in which research is conducted. Research reports, bibliographies of books and
articles, periodicals, research abstracts, yearbooks, dictionaries, research guides etc.
3. Evaluation of the problem:
You, as a researcher, should evaluate a proposed problem in the light of your competence and
professional experience, possible difficulties in the availability of data, the financial and field
constraints, and limitations of time. After evaluating broad research problem, you have to narrow it
down to a highly specific research problem. You formulate the problem by stating specific questions for
which you would seek answers through the application of scientific method. It is worthwhile for you to
ask yourself a series of questions before you undertake the research. The questions should be helpful
in the evaluation of the problem on various criteria. All such questions must be answered affirmatively
before the study is undertaken. What are the questions that we should ask?
a. Is the problem researchable?
There are certain problems that cannot be effectively solved through the process of research. A
researchable problem is always concerned with the relationship existing between two or more
variables that can be defined and measured. The problem should be capable of being stated in the
form of workable research questions that can be answered empirically.
b. Is the problem new?
There is no use in studying a problem which has already been adequately investigated by other
researchers. To avoid such duplication, it is essential to examine very carefully the literature available
in the field concerned. The problem should be selected only when you are convinced that it is really a
new problem which has never before been investigated successfully. However, it must be noted that a
researcher may repeat a study when he/she wants to verify its conclusions or to extend the validity of
its findings in a situation entirely different from the previous one.
c. Is the problem significant?
The problem should be such that it is likely to fill in the gaps in the existing knowledge, to help to solve
some of the inconsistencies in the previous research, or to help in the interpretation of the known
facts. The results or findings of a study should either become a basis for a theory, generalisations or
principles. Besides, they should lead to new problems for further research or have some useful
practical applications.
d. Is the problem feasible for the particular researcher?
1. Research competencies:
2. Interest and enthusiasm:
3. Financial considerations and feasibility:
4. Administrative considerations:
5. Time:
Exit system

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University of Relizane

Faculty of Letters and Languages

2nd year students

Module: Research Methodology

Lesson 1: Formulating research problem

2. Sources of identifying a research problem:

3. Evaluation of the problem:

a. Is the problem researchable?

b. Is the problem new?

c. Is the problem significant?

d. Is the problem feasible for the particular researcher?

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