The document discusses formulating a research problem and outlines several key points: 1) A research problem should create a knowledge gap, have potential solutions that are untested or have contradictory explanations, and require further explanation of a phenomenon. 2) Sources of research problems can come from personal experience, theories, past research, practical problems, journals, and more. 3) A good research problem should be of interest to the researcher, relevant to others, novel, well-defined, measurable, time-bound, and contribute to concepts without ethical issues.

1. Formulating
Research Problem
Irving John Seduco, SGF
Instructor 1
University of Antique – Hamtic Campus

2. Research Problem
• Fisher et al. (1991)
• A perceived difficulty, … a discrepancy between what should be and what is
• Leedy (1980)
• No problem, no research.
• Selltiz (1959)
• The formulation of a problem is often more essential than its solution.
• Alli (2009)
• The axis which the whole research revolves around.

3. Characteristics of Researchable Problems
• No known answer or solution creating a knowledge gap
• Untested effectiveness of possible solutions
• Answers may seem or actually contradictory
• Several possible and plausible explanation to an undesirable
condition
• A phenomenon that requires explanation

4. Sources of Research Problems
• Personal Experience
• Common sense
• Theories
• Past researches
• Practical Problems
• Journals, books,
theses, dissertation
• Technological changes
• Friends
• Colleagues
• Professors
• Consultants
• Conferences
• Symposia
• Dialogues
• Ordinary meetings

5. A good research problem should…
• be of great interest to the
researcher
• be relevant and useful to a
specific group of people
• be novel
• be well-defined and specific
• be measurable
• be time-bound
• not cause ethical or moral
violation
• contribute to refinement of
certain important concepts,
research instruments,
analytics
• permit generalizations
• be manageable

6. Checklist for feasibility of research problem
• Is the problem of current interest? Will the research results have
ecological, social, educational or scientific value?
• Will it be possible to apply the results in practice?
• Does the research contribute to the science of forestry?
• Will the research opt new problems and lead to further research?
• Is the research problem important? Will you be proud of the result?
• Is there enough scope left within the area of research (field of
research)?

7. Checklist for feasibility of research problem
• Can you find an answer to the problem through research? Will you
be able to handle the research problem?
• Will it be practically possible to undertake the research?
• Will it be possible for another researcher to repeat the research?
• Is the research free of any ethical problems and limitations?
• Will it have any value?
• Do you have the necessary knowledge and skills to do the research?
Are you qualified to undertake the research?

8. Checklist for feasibility of research problem
• Is the problem important to you and are you motivated to undertake
the research?
• Is the research viable in your situation? Do you have enough time
and energy to complete the project?
• Do you have the necessary funds for the research?
• Will you be able to complete the project within the time available?
• Do you have access to the administrative, statistic and computer
facilities the research necessitates?