Research Problem

A research problem is a specific issue, difficulty, or gap in knowledge that a

researcher aims to address or investigate through their study. It forms the
foundation of a research project, guiding the direction, scope, and objectives of
the research.

A well-defined research problem typically:

 Identifies a gap in current knowledge: Something that has not been

studied or is inadequately understood.
 Defines the scope of inquiry: Narrowing down what will be
investigated.
 Is researchable: The problem can be addressed using appropriate
methods and techniques.
 Is significant: Solving or understanding the problem contributes value to
a field or discipline.

For example, a research problem could be: "What factors contribute to the low
adoption of renewable energy technologies in rural areas?

What are the bases of research problem?

The basis of a research problem refers to the foundational elements that shape
and justify the problem being studied. These elements ensure that the research
problem is relevant, meaningful, and researchable. The key bases for a research
problem include:

1. Existing Knowledge or Literature Gap

A thorough review of existing studies helps identify areas that are under-
researched, contradictory, or need further exploration. The research problem
often arises from missing information, unresolved questions, or limitations in
previous research.

2. Practical Issues or Real-World Problems

The problem may be based on real-world challenges, such as societal, economic,

environmental, or technological issues that require solutions or deeper
understanding.

3. Theoretical Framework

The problem may arise from gaps or inconsistencies in existing theories. A new or
modified theoretical perspective might be needed to explain a phenomenon. The
research problem may be based on ambiguities or limitations in current
theoretical concepts that need clarification or revision.

4. Policy Needs

The need for research may stem from gaps or inadequacies in current policies or
regulations, where evidence-based research can inform better decision-making.
New or changing societal needs (e.g., climate change, digital transformation) can
prompt the need for policy-oriented research.

5. Societal Trends and Emerging Issues

Rapid changes in technology, culture, or global conditions can create new issues
that need exploration. Topics such as artificial intelligence, climate change, or
social media might prompt the formulation of new research problems due to their
recent emergence.

7. Interest of the Research Community

The research problem may stem from ongoing debates or unresolved issues in a
specific academic or scientific field. Scholars often pursue problems that push the
boundaries of understanding in their discipline, seeking answers to questions that
are academically significant.
7. Feasibility and Scope

The problem must be suitable for investigation, meaning it can be researched

through empirical methods, data collection, and analysis. The problem must also
be ethically viable, where the research can be conducted without causing harm to
participants or stakeholders.

What are the points to be observed by a researcher in selecting a research

Problem?

The research problem undertaken for study must be carefully selected. The task is
a difficult one, although it may not appear to be so. Help may be taken from a
research guide in this connection. Thus, a research guide can at the most only
help a researcher choose a subject. However, the following points may be
observed by a researcher in selecting a research problem or a subject for
research:

 Subject which is overdone should not be normally chosen, for it will be a

difficult task to throw any new light in such a case.
 Controversial subject should not become the choice of an average
researcher.
 Too narrow or too vague problems should be avoided.
 The subject selected for research should be familiar and feasible so that the
related research material or sources of research are within one’s reach.
 The importance of the subject, the qualifications and the training of a
researcher, the costs involved, and the time factor are few other criteria
that must also be considered in selecting a problem.
 The selection of a problem must be preceded by a preliminary study. This
may not be necessary when the problem requires the conduct of a research
closely similar to one that has already been done.
TECHNIQUES/ELEMENTS INVOLVED IN DEFINING A RESEARCH PROBLEM
STATEMENT.

 Statement of the problem in a general way

 Understanding the nature of the problem
 Surveying the available literature
 Developing the ideas through discussions
 Rephrasing the research problem.

What is literature review?

A literature review in research is a comprehensive evaluation and

synthesis of existing scholarly works related to a particular research
topic or problem. It serves multiple purposes in a research project and
plays a crucial role in building a strong foundation for the study.

Key Purposes of a Literature Review:

Contextualize the Research: It provides background information and

context for the research by summarizing what is already known in the
field.

Identify Gaps in Knowledge: By reviewing existing studies, the

researcher can highlight gaps, contradictions, or unexplored areas that
their research can address.
Avoid Duplication: A literature review ensures that the research does
not simply repeat existing studies, but instead contributes something
new to the field.

Support the Research Problem: It justifies the need for the research by
showing why the selected problem is important, relevant, and timely.

Develop a Theoretical Framework: The literature review helps identify

relevant theories or models that can serve as a framework for analyzing
the research problem.

Guide Methodology: Reviewing other studies can provide insights into

methodologies, data collection techniques, and analysis strategies that
may be applicable to the current research.

Establish Credibility: A thorough literature review demonstrates that

the researcher is knowledgeable about the field and understands the
complexities of the topic.

Types of Literature Reviews:

Narrative Review: Provides a descriptive overview and summary of

existing literature without a strict methodological framework.

Systematic Review: Involves a structured, methodical approach to

searching, selecting, and critically evaluating all relevant studies on a
specific research question.
Theoretical Review: Focuses on theories, models, and conceptual
frameworks in the literature, identifying how they have evolved and
what gaps still exist.

Meta-Analysis: A statistical analysis that combines the results of

multiple studies to draw broader conclusions about a specific research
question.

Sources in a Literature Review:

Books: Provide comprehensive coverage of a topic.

Peer-reviewed journal articles: Offer up-to-date research findings.

Conference papers: Present new research developments.

Theses and dissertations: Provide in-depth analysis on specific topics.

Reports: Offer practical insights from organizations or government

agencies.

What are the methods of searching research literature?

Searching for research literature is a critical step in conducting a

literature review. There are various methods to efficiently find relevant
and credible sources. Here are the primary methods:
Academic Databases: These platforms house a vast collection of peer-
reviewed journal articles, books, conference papers, and other
academic works. Popular databases include:

Google Scholar

PubMed (for life sciences and medical research)

JSTOR (for humanities and social sciences)

Scopus (for scientific, technical, medical, and social sciences)

Web of Science (multidisciplinary)

ERIC (for education research)

Use keywords, Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT), filters, and specific
fields (title, abstract, keywords) to narrow or expand your search
results.

Libraries: Libraries offer access to physical and digital collections,

including books, journal articles, theses, and more. Many academic
libraries subscribe to paid databases, providing free access to students
and researchers.

Cited References: Review the reference lists of relevant articles to find

additional sources. This "backward searching" technique can uncover
foundational studies and key sources that may not appear in initial
searches.

Unpublished Work: Grey literature includes theses, dissertations,

government reports, technical reports, white papers, and conference
proceedings. These sources can provide valuable information that
might not be included in traditional journals.
Academic Societies: Professional organizations often have their own
databases, conference proceedings, and publications, which can be
useful for finding cutting-edge research in a particular field.

Academic Social Networks: Platforms like ResearchGate,

Academia.edu, and Mendeley allow researchers to share their
publications, engage in discussions, and follow research trends in
specific fields.

What is plagiarism in research?

Plagiarism in research is the unethical act of using someone else’s work,

ideas, or intellectual property without proper acknowledgment or
giving credit. It involves presenting someone else's words, data,
findings, or ideas as your own, intentionally or unintentionally. In the
academic and research community, plagiarism is considered a serious
violation of academic integrity and can result in penalties ranging from
loss of credibility to legal consequences.

Consequences of Plagiarism in Research:

Academic Penalties: Students and researchers may face academic

sanctions, such as retraction of published work, failure of courses, or
even expulsion from academic institutions.

Legal Consequences: Copyright infringement, a form of plagiarism, may

lead to legal actions or lawsuits, especially if it involves intellectual
property like research findings, data, or patented work.
Reputation Damage: Plagiarism can severely harm a researcher’s
credibility, resulting in loss of respect from peers, damage to one’s
career, and exclusion from future publishing opportunities.

Retraction of Work: Journals or conferences may retract papers that

are found to contain plagiarized content, leading to loss of recognition
for the work.

How to Avoid Plagiarism:

Proper Citation: Always provide full citations for any sources you
reference, whether you are using direct quotes, paraphrasing, or
borrowing ideas. Follow the citation style (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.)
required by your field.

Use Quotation Marks: When using someone else’s exact words, place
the text in quotation marks and include a proper citation.

Paraphrase Correctly: When paraphrasing, ensure that you rewrite the

ideas in your own words and still cite the original source. Simply
changing a few words is not enough.

Cite Data and Findings: Even if you do not quote text, always provide
proper credit for any data, research findings, or ideas that are not your
own.

Use Plagiarism Detection Tools: Tools like Turnitin or Grammarly’s

plagiarism checker can help detect unintentional plagiarism before
submitting your research.
Acknowledge All Contributions: If multiple researchers contributed to
a study, ensure all are properly credited, and their work is
acknowledged where applicable.

Keep Track of Sources: Maintain clear records of all the sources you
consult during your research to ensure proper citations are included
later.