This document outlines the steps for formulating a research problem: 1. Select a broad research area from literature and personal experience. 2. Review literature and theories to understand what has been done and how the research could expand knowledge or test theories. 3. Delimit the topic to a more specific research problem. 4. Evaluate the problem for significance, researchability, and feasibility considering factors like time, cost, and ethics. 5. Formulate a final statement of the research problem that is clear, concise, and measurable.

1. FORMULATION OF
RESEARCH PROBLEM
DR. MAHESWARI JAIKUMAR
maheswarijaikumar2103@gmail.com

2. WHAT IS PROBLEM
FORMULATION
PROBLEM
IDENTIFICATION
PROBLEM
SELECTION
PROBLEM
DEFINITION
CRITERIA FOR PROBLEM
SELECTION
PROBLEM FORMULATION

4. • Formulation of a research
problem is a complex process.
• It includes the following steps.

5. 1. SELECTION OF A RESEARCH AREA.
2. REVIEWING LITERATURE &
THEORIES.
3. DELIMITING THE RESEARCH TOPIC.
4. EVALUATING THE RESEARCH
PROBLEM.
5. FORMULATING THE FINAL
STATEMENT OF RESEARCH PROBLEM.

6. SELECTION OF RESEARCH
TOPIC
ROL / THEORIES
DELIMITING THE
RESEASRCH TOPIC
EVALUATING THE RESEARCH
PROBLEM
FORMULATING THE FINAL
STATEMENT

7. SELECTING A RESEARCH
AREA
• Formulation of a research
problem begins with selection of
a broad research topic from
personal experience, literature,
previous research & theories.

8. REVIEWING / THEORIES
• After obtaining a broad idea for
research, the researcher needs
to review the nursing literature
and theories.

9. • Literature is reviewed to know
what has already been done in
this selected area of research.
• Therefore, a researcher can plan
a research topic to further
expand the existing body of
knowledge.

10. • Reviewing the theories provides
an opportunity for the
researcher to plan a research
problem to contribute towards
either testing or development of
a theory conceptual model.

11. DELIMITING THE RESEARCH
TOPIC
• Here the researcher proceeds
from a general research area of
interest to more specific topic of
research while conducting the
study.

12. EVALUATING THE RESEARCH
PROBLEM
• Once the researcher is clear
about the research problem, the
research problem must be
carefully evaluated for its
significance, researchability and
feasibility.

13. • Feasibility refers to feasibility in
terms of time, cost availability of
subjects, resources,
administrative & peer support,
ethical consideration,
researcher’s competence of the
researcher and interest.

14. • The research problem may be
evaluated using guidelines for
evaluation.

15. GUIDELINES FOR
EVALUATING
RESEARCH PROBLEM

16. SUBSTANTIATIVE ISSUES
• 1. Does the problem have
significance to the profession.
• 2. Does the problem spell out
the purpose of conducting the
study.

17. • 3. Does the problem have any
relationship with existing
theories & models.
• 4. Does the problem flow from
prior scientific information /
experience in topic area.

18. METHODOLOGICAL
ISSUES
• Does the problem statement
clearly identify the research
variables in measurable terms.
• 2. Does the problem identify the
nature of population which is to be
studied.

19. • 3. Does the problem clearly
define about type or design of
study.
• 4. Does the problem describe the
research setting, place and time.

20. • 5. Does the problem comprise
appropriate phrases.

21. STYLISTIC ISSUES
• 1.Is the problem statement
complete, concise, clear in
declarative form clearly suggesting
answers to be questioned.
• 2. Was the problem statement
introduced promptly.

22. ETHICAL ISSUES
• 1. Does the research problem
require the use of human
subject.
• 2. Does the problem imply
potential risks for those subjects.

23. PRACTICAL ISSUES
• Has the researcher appropriately
delimited the scope of the
problem, or is the problem too
big or complex foe a single
investigation.

24. • 2. Is the researcher able to
manage man, money, material,
& appropriate permissions from
authorities.

25. FORMULATING FINAL
STATEMENT OF RESEARCH
PROBLEM
• Following the establishment of
of the significance,
researchability and feasibility
the researcher finally formulates
the final problem statement.

26. • A statement of problem could be
in declarative or interrogative
format.

27. DECLARATIVE FORMAT
• 1. A descriptive study on
prevalence of malaria among rural
residents in chennai.
• 2. An explorative study on
contributing factors of social
problems in selected communities
of Tamil Nadu.

28. INTERROGATIVE FORMAT
• In interrogative format the
research problem is stated in
question form.
• 1. What is the influence of mass
media in promoting the sales of
a selected commodities ?

29. • The choice of either of the
format depends on the
researcher’s preference and
institutional policies.
• However declarative format is
much popular.

30. PREFERED CRITERIA ….
• 1. Clear, Precise, Concise.
• 2. States variables, population &
research setting.

31. • 3. Variables are expressed in
measurable terms.
• 4. The statement expresses the
type of study.

32. EXAMPLE
• “ A descriptive study on the
prevalence of anemia among
women in a selected rural area
(Name to be specified), Tamil
Nadu, India”.
• It is an example of declarative form
of statement.

33. 1. RESEARCH STUDY TYPE :
Descriptive.
2. VARIABLE : Prevalence of
anemia.
3. POPULATION : Rural women.
4. RESEARCH SETTING : Selected
rural area.

34. THANK YOU