Research problems guide the need for conducting studies and can be found in educational settings. Good research problems examine issues like disruptions caused by at-risk students, violence on college campuses, or lack of parental involvement. To research a problem, investigators need access to relevant sites and people as well as sufficient time, resources, and skills. Research problems can be qualitative, focusing on experiences and meanings, or quantitative, seeking to measure trends. The statement of the problem section introduces the research study by outlining the topic, problem, importance of studying the problem, and gaps in existing knowledge about the problem.
2. What is Research
Problems?
Research problems are the educational issues,
controversies, or concerns that guide the need for
conducting a study.
One of the most challenging aspects of conducting
research is to clearly identify the problem that
leads to a need for your study.
3. Good research problems can be found in our educational
settings, such as:
- The disruptions caused by at-risk students in classrooms.
- The increase in violence on college campuses.
- The lack of parental involvement in schools for students with
challenging behaviours.
4. Should the
Problem Be
Researched?
- If the study can fill a gap in the existing literature.
- If the study replicates a past study but examines
different participants and different research sites.
- If the study extends past research.
- If the study gives voice to people silenced, not
heard, or rejected in society.
5. ACCESS, TIME,
RESOURCE &
SKILL
- To research a problem, investigators need to gain
permission to enter a site and to involve people at the
location of the study.
- If one can gain access to the people and sites
needed for his study, his ability to research the
problem also depends on time, resources, and your
research skills.
6. Qualitative vs
Quantitative
Qualitative Research Problem
Often focus on understanding the experiences,
perspectives, meanings, and social contexts
surrounding a particular phenomenon.
Example of quantitative research problem
includes the factors influencing students’ decision
to drop out of a particular college
Quantitative Research Problem
Typically seeks to measure, quantify, and analyse
trends or patterns.
Example of quantitative research problem
includes studying the correlation between hours
of study and exam scores.
7. Statement of the
Problem
After one has identified his research problem, determined that it can and should be
researched, and specified either the quantitative or qualitative approach, it is time to begin
writing about the statement of the problem section that introduces the research study.
The statement of the problem section includes the actual research problem as well as 4
other aspects: the topic, the research problem, a justification of the importance of the
problem and the deficiencies in our existing knowledge about the problem.
