A research problem statement is an enigmatic stage for an emerging scholar. This presentation will help to brush up your skills when you state a good research question.

1. ??? RESEARCH
PROBLEM/QUESTION ???

2. Introduction
Studies begin, much like an EBP effort, with a
problem that need to be solved or a question
that needs to be answered. A research
problem is an enigmatic or troubling
condition. Researchers identify a research
problem within a topic of interest.
A research problem is a question that
researcher wants to answer or a problem
that a researcher wants to solve.
2Mrs. Babitha K Devu, Assistant Professor

3. Introduction
Identification & formulation of a research
problem is the first step of the research
process. Selection of research problem
depends on several factors such as
researcher’s knowledge, skills, interest,
expertise, motivation & creativity with respect
to the subject of inquiry.
It is believed that most of the good research
studies need lots of time for selection of a
research problem.
3Mrs. Babitha K Devu, Assistant Professor

4. Definition
According to Kerlinger, ‘A problem is an
interrogative sentence or statement that asks
what relation exists between two or more
variable. The answer to question will provide
what is having sought in the research.
R.S. Woodworth defines problem as ‘a situation
for which we have no ready & successful
response by instinct or by previous acquired
habit. We must find out what to do’, i.e. the
solution can be found out only after an
investigation.
4Mrs. Babitha K Devu, Assistant Professor

5. Definition
In other words, ‘a research problem is an
area of concern where there is a gap in the
knowledge base needed for professional
practices.
Research Questions are the specific queries
researchers want to answer in addressing
the problem.
5Mrs. Babitha K Devu, Assistant Professor

6. IDENTIFICATION OF
RESEARCH PROBLEM
Identification of a research problem is the first
& most important step in research process.
Generally, a broad area is selected & then a
broad topic is delimited or narrowed down to
a specific one-sentence statement of the
problem.
This step of the research process is
considered as the most difficult &
challenging, & needs lots of time.
Mrs. Babitha K Devu, Assistant Professor 6

7. IDENTIFICATION OF
RESEARCH PROBLEM
Sources of Research Problem: Where do
ideas for research problems come from? At
a basic level, research topics originate with
researchers interests. Research report
rarely indicate the source of researcher’s
inspiration, but a research problem may
come from several sources:
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8. IDENTIFICATION OF
RESEARCH PROBLEM
Sources of Research Problem:
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9. IDENTIFICATION OF
RESEARCH PROBLEM
Sources of Research Problem:
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10. IDENTIFICATION OF
RESEARCH PROBLEM
Sources of Research Problem:
Mrs. Babitha K Devu, Assistant Professor 10

11. IDENTIFICATION OF
RESEARCH PROBLEM
Sources of Research Problem:
Day-to-day
personal experience of a research
may serve as good source of
ideas to formulate a research
problem.
For example, a researcher observed
the quality of life lead by a
working mothers. This helps in
identifying many research problem
Mrs. Babitha K Devu, Assistant Professor 11

12. IDENTIFICATION OF
RESEARCH PROBLEM
Nurses every day clinical
experience is a rich source
of ideas for research topics.
For Eg: a nurse observed
that child is more
cooperative in a different
environment than routine
child care units.
Mrs. Babitha K Devu, Assistant Professor 12
Sources of Research Problem:

13. IDENTIFICATION OF
RESEARCH PROBLEM
Sources of Research Problem:
Important
research questions emerge in the context of
findings from quality improvement studies.
Personal involvement on a quality improvement
team can sometimes lead to ideas for a study.
An eg: is a team to reduce HAI may find the need
of proper hand hygiene among the staff nurses.
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14. IDENTIFICATION OF
RESEARCH PROBLEM
Sources of Research Problem:
Ideas for studies often
come from reading the nursing literature.
Research articles may suggest problems
indirectly by stimulating the reader’s curiosity &
directly by noting needed research.
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15. IDENTIFICATION OF
RESEARCH PROBLEM
Sources of Research Problem:
Topics are sometimes suggested
by more global social or political issues of
relevance to the health care community.
For example, the feminist movement raised
questions about such topics as gender equity in
health care, need of fare pay for nursing
professionals has led to research on health
care access and culturally sensitive
interventions.
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16. IDENTIFICATION OF
RESEARCH PROBLEM
Sources of Research Problem:
Theories from nursing and other
disciplines sometimes suggest a research
problem. Researchers ask, “ If this theory is
correct, what would I predict about people’s
behaviours, states, or feelings? The
predictions can then be tested through
research.
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17. IDENTIFICATION OF
RESEARCH PROBLEM
Sources of Research Problem:
External
sources and direct suggestions can sometimes
provide the impetus for a research idea.
A body of knowledge
should be developed on a sound foundation of
research findings.
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18. IDENTIFICATION OF
RESEARCH PROBLEM
Sources of Research Problem:
An intensified discussion among
interested people of the profession is conducted to
find more ideas to formulate a good research
problem.
It is believed that reflective mind is good
sources of ideas, which may be used to formulate a
good research problem.
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19. Criteria For Selecting Good
Research Problem
When selecting a research problem/ topic
there are a number of consideration that has
to be kept in mind. These helps to ensure
that our study will be manageable and that
we will remain motivated throughout the
process of doing research.
These considerations are as follows:-
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20. Criteria For Selecting Good
Research Problem
Significance to nursing
profession
Select a topic that is of relevance
to us as well as to the society
and profession.
Ensure that our study adds to the
existing body of knowledge,
bridges current gaps or is useful
in policy formulation. This will
help us in sustain interest in the
study.
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21. Criteria For Selecting Good
Research Problem
Original
It is fundamentally considered that
every research problem should
be new & unique in itself.
Therefore, it is the key
responsibility of a researcher
that an innovative knowledge is
used for selecting a research
problem, so as to extend the
growth of existing body of
knowledge on a profession.
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22. Criteria For Selecting Good
Research Problem
Feasible
Regardless of how significant or researchable a
problem may be, the feasibility of research problem
in reference to time, availability to subjects,
facilities, equipment & money, & ethical
considerations should be checked.
It will help the researcher to decide whether selected
problem is appropriate or inappropriate & study can
be actually carried out
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23. Criteria For Selecting Good
Research Problem
Feasible
Time:
Cost:
Equipment & supplies:
Administrative support:
Peer support:
Availability of subjects:
Researcher’s competence/Magnitude:
Ethical considerations:
Availability of Data/Subjects
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24. Criteria For Selecting Good
Research Problem
Solvable/researchable
Problem selected is considered good only if it is
solvable so that chances of insolvability of problem
should be minimized. It will enhance relevant
results.
Current
A good research problem must be based on the
current problems & needs of a profession, so that
results generated will be of more use.
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25. Criteria For Selecting Good
Research Problem
Interest
Interest should be the most important consideration
in selecting a research problem. A research
Endeavour is usually time consuming, and involves
hard work and possibly unforeseen problems. If we
choose a problem which does not greatly interest
us, it could became extremely difficult to sustain
the required motivation , and hence its completion
as well as the amount of time taken could be
affected.
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26. Criteria For Selecting Good
Research Problem
FINER criteria for a good research question:
Hulley and colleagues have suggested the use of
the FINER criteria in the development of a good
research question. The FINER criteria highlight
useful points that may increase the chances of
developing a successful research project.
F Feasible • Adequate number of subjects
• Adequate technical expertise
• Affordable in time and money
• Manageable in scope
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27. Criteria For Selecting Good
Research Problem
FINER criteria for a good research question
I Interesting • Getting the answer intrigues
investigator, peers and community
N Novel • Confirms, refutes or extends previous
findings
E Ethical • Amenable to a study that institutional
review board will approve
R Relevant • To scientific knowledge
• To clinical and health policy
• To future research
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28. Formulation of
Research Problem
The formulation of research problem is rarely a
smooth and orderly one; there are likely to be false
starts, inspirations and setbacks.
It is a complex and long process, which includes
following steps:-
1) Selection of a research areas
2) Reviewing the literature & theories
3) Delimiting the research topic
4) Evaluating the research problem
5) Formulating final statement of research problem
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29. Formulation of
Research Problem
1) Selection of a research areas:
Formulate of a research problem begins with
selection of a broad research topic from
personal experience, literature, previous
research, & theories in which researcher is
interested & has significance for nursing
profession.
Example: A researcher got interested in
Intravenous infusion
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30. Formulation of
Research Problem
2) Reviewing the literature & theories
After getting a broad idea for research, he or she
needs to review the nursing literature &
theories. Literature is reviewed to know what
has already been done in this selected areas of
research.
Review of nursing theories provides an
opportunity for nurses researcher to plan a
research problem to contribute towards either
testing or development of a theory/conceptual
model.
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31. Formulation of
Research Problem
3) Delimiting the research topic
In this step, researcher proceeds from a general area
of interest to more specific topic of research to
conduct a study.
As per the previous example IV infusion is a very broad
area, so in this step we have to narrow down the
topic from general to some specific ideas.
• What are the complications of IV infusion
• Is phlebitis the common complication
• Does nurses took any intervention to sort this
complication
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32. Formulation of
Research Problem
4) Evaluating the research problem
Once researcher is clear about the specific research
problem, next the research problem must be
carefully evaluated for its significance,
researchability, & feasibility.
Feasibility of the research problem should be
evaluated for time, cost, availability of subjects &
resources, administrative & peer support, ethical
consideration, & researcher’s competence &
interest.
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33. Formulation of
Research Problem
5) Formulating final statement of research
problem
After establishing the significance,
researchability, & feasibility, then researcher
finally formulates a final statement of a
research problem.
A statement of research problem could be in
declarative or interrogative format.
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34. Formulation of
Research Problem
5) Formulating final statement of research problem
a. Declarative format:
In this format, a research problem is stated in
declarative statement or sentence.
For example: A STUDY TO COMPARE THE
EFFECTIVENESS OF SELECTED NURSING
INTERVENTIONS ON PATIENTS WITH PHLEBITIS
RELATED TO PERIPHERAL INTRAVENOUS
INFUSION IN SELECTED HOSPITALS AT J&K.
Mrs. Babitha K Devu, Assistant Professor 34

35. Formulation of
Research Problem
5) Formulating final statement of research problem
b. Interrogative format:
In interrogative format, a research problem is stated
in question form.
For example: WHAT IS THE INFLUENCE OF
SELECTED NURSING INTERVENTIONS ON
PATIENTS WITH PHLEBITIS RELATED TO
PERIPHERAL INTRAVENOUS INFUSION IN
SELECTED HOSPITALS AT J&K.
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36. Formulation of
Research Problem
 Characteristics of a Good Problem
o Research problem is clearly, precisely articulated.
o It clearly states the variables, population, &
research setting under study.
o Variable are expressed in measurable terms.
o The type of study also may be included in the
statement of research problem.
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37. Formulation of
Research Problem
Example:
A survey to examine the opinion of
teachers of J&K on women and men
taking up nursing as career during the
year 2018-2019.
This can be stated in a better way like
Title: “Opinion about women and men
taking up Nursing”
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38. Formulation of
Research Problem
 Guidelines for critiquing the problem
statement
 Is the problem statement clear?
 Is the problem statement written in a single
declarative or interrogatory sentence
 Are the following elements vivid in the
problem statement?
–Research design
–Variables of the study and relationship
between variables
Mrs. Babitha K Devu, Assistant Professor 38

39. Formulation of
Research Problem
 Guidelines for critiquing the problem
statement
 Are the following elements vivid in the
problem statement?
–Population
–Setting
–Time
–Direction of the study
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40. Formulation of
Research Problem
 Guidelines for critiquing the problem
statement
 Is the feasibility of the study apparent when
reading the problem statement?
 Is the significance of the study to nursing
apparent in the problem statement.
 Does the problem have any ethical issues
 Has the researcher appropriately delimited
the scope of the problem and checked the
feasibility
Mrs. Babitha K Devu, Assistant Professor 40

41. Formulation of
Research Problem
The FINER criteria outline the important
aspects of the question in general. A useful
format to use in the development of a specific
research question is the PICO format.
P Population (patients) • What specific patient
population are you interested in?
I Intervention (for intervention studies only)
• What is your investigational intervention?
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42. Formulation of
Research Problem
C Comparison group • What is the main
alternative to compare with the intervention?
O Outcome of interest • What do you intend to
accomplish, measure, improve or affect?
Often T (Time) is added to it which means
T Time • What is the appropriate follow-up
time to assess outcome
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43. Research Objectives
Research is an organized investigation of a
problem in which there is an attempt to gain
solution to a problem.
To get right solution of a right problem, clearly
defined objectives are very important.
Clearly defined objectives enlighten the way in
which the researcher has to proceed.
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44. Research Objectives
MEANING
‘A research objective is a clear, concise,
declarative statement, which provides
direction to investigate the variables.’
Generally research objective focus on the ways
to measure the variables , such as to identify
or describe them.
Sometime objectives are directed towards
identifying the relationship or difference
between two variables.
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45. Research Objectives
Research objective are the results sought by
the researcher at the end of the research
process, i.e. what the researcher will be able
to achieve at the end of the research study.
The objectives of a research project
summarize what is to be achieved by the
study.
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46. Research Objectives
CHARACTERISTICS OF RESEARCH
OBJECTIVES
Research objectives is a concrete statement
describing what the research is trying to
achieve. A well-worded objective will be
SMART, i.e.
Specific, Measurable, Attainable,
Realistic, & Time-bound
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47. Research Objectives
CHARACTERISTICS OF RESEARCH
OBJECTIVES
Research objective should be Relevant, Feasible,
Logical, Observable, Unequivocal & Measurable.
Objective is a purpose that can be reasonably
achieved within the expected timeframe & with the
available resources.
The objective include obtaining answers to research
questions or testing the research hypothesis.
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48. Research Objectives
NEED OF RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
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• Will concentrate on the ways
to achieve the result.
Focus
• Can avoid collation of
unwanted information.
Avoid
• Helps to organize the study in
clearly defined parts or phases.Organize
• Helps to orient the various
steps in study.
Directions

49. Research Objectives
TYPES OF RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
General objective
General objectives are broad goals to be achieved.
The general objectives of the study state what the
researcher expects to achieve by the study in
general terms.
General objectives are usually less in number.
Eg: To determine the factors associated with
increased number of diarrheal cases among under
fives at X village.
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50. Research Objectives
TYPES OF RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
Specific objective
Specific objectives are short term & narrow in
focus. It describes the variables that are
measured by the study. there will be mostly
more than one specific objective for a study.
Eg: To find out methods used for excreta
disposal
To determine the feeding habits of under fives
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51. Research Objectives
TYPES OF RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
EXAMPLES
Research statement: “Effectiveness of planned
teaching on the knowledge of staff nurses working
in psychiatric unit regarding Physical Restraints for
psychiatric patient in selected hospital of X region”.
General objective: To asses the knowledge of
staff nurses working in psychiatric unit regarding
physical restraint.
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52. Research Objectives
TYPES OF RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
EXAMPLES
Specific objective:
To assess the knowledge regarding Physical
Restraints among nurses working in psychiatric
unit.
To evaluate the effect of planned teaching on
Physical Restraints among nurses.
To associate the knowledge with selected
demographic variables.
Mrs. Babitha K Devu, Assistant Professor 52

53. Research Objectives
METHODS OF STATING OBJECTIVES
While stating objectives of the study, the following
guidelines must be taken care of:
The objectives should be presented briefly &
concisely.
They cover the different aspects of the problem &
its contributing factors in a coherent way & in a
logical sequence.
The objectives are clearly phrased in operational
terms, specifying exactly what researcher is going
to do, where, & for what purpose.
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54. Research Objectives
METHODS OF STATING OBJECTIVES
They are realistic considering local
conditions.
Use action verbs that are specify enough to
be evaluated.
Examples of action verbs are: Action Verbs for
Objectives.pdf
Mrs. Babitha K Devu, Assistant Professor 54

55. Conclusion
A research problem is a perplexing situation
that a researcher wants to address through
disciplined inquiry. Researchers usually
identifies a broad topic, narrow the problems
scope, and identify questions.
A research question is the specific query
researchers want to answer in addressing
the research problem.
55Mrs. Babitha K Devu, Assistant Professor

56. Mrs. Babitha K Devu, Assistant Professor 56