This document discusses key aspects of identifying and prioritizing research problems, including selecting a research topic and writing a problem statement. It provides criteria for selecting a research topic, such as relevance, avoidance of duplication, and feasibility. A good problem statement identifies a gap in understanding or weakness in existing data, explains the significance of this lack, and describes how the research will contribute new knowledge and why it matters. The problem statement should be concise, around one page, and define the problem without findings or data, proposing a way to systematically research a solution.

1. UNIT – 2
Identification and delimitation of
research problems

2. Contents
• Research topic selection
• Identification and prioritization of research problem
• Writing study background and problem statement

3. Research Process

4. Research Topic
• The first step and one of the most important requirements
of the research process is to delineate the research study
area clearly and state the problem concisely.
• Research on any topic should, ultimately, be directed to
bring changes towards health of the population;

5. Whether a problem situation requires research
depends on three conditions:
1. There should be a perceived difference or discrepancy
between what exists and the ideal or planned situation;
2. The reason(s) for this difference should be unclear (so that it
makes sense to develop research questions); and
3. There should be more than one possible answer to a question
or more than one solution to the problem.

6. Cont …
The sources for generating appropriate research
question/problems may be;
• Personal experiences
• Literature sources
• Existing theories and
• Previous researches.
A good title;
• short, accurate, and concise
• make the central objectives of the study clear to the reader
• specify what population will be investigated, and where it will be
conducted

7. Criteria for selecting a research topic
1. Relevance: What is the magnitude of the problem? Who is
affected? How severe is the problem? Who perceives the problem?
2. Avoidance of duplication: not been investigated before
3. Urgency of data needed: for decision or intervention
4. Feasibility of study: affordability (resources/money), access
5. Applicability of results:
6. Ethical acceptability: consent, cultural sensitivity
7. Political acceptability of study: support authorities

8. Criteria for prioritization and selection of research topic
Rating scale: 1=low, 2=medium, 3=high
*The topic with highest ranking should be selected for the research.

9. Writing the background
• Background should begin with defining a topic and audience.
• It is important that you identify which topic you need to review and what
your audience already knows about the topic.
• It is helpful to use one of the research paper management systems such as
Papers, Mendeley, Evernote, or Sente.
• Be careful when copying quotes verbatim and make sure to put them in
quotation marks and cite the sources.
• Aside from these, your background should be critical, consistent, and
logically structured.
• The background of the study is the key to introduce your audience to your
research topic

10. Problem Statement
• A problem statement is an explanation in research that
describes the issue that is in need of study.
• It is expected to be brief and concise, and should not
include the findings of the research or detailed data.
• The average length of a research statement is generally about one
page.
• It is going to define the problem, which can be thought of as a gap
in the information base.

11. Problem Statement …
• The purpose of the problem statement is to identify the
issue that is a concern and focus it in a way that allows it to
be studied in a systematic way.
• It defines the problem and proposes a way to research a
solution, or
• Demonstrates why further information is needed in order for a
solution to become possible.

12. What is Included in a Problem Statement?
Besides identifying the gap of understanding or the weakness of
necessary data, it is important to explain the significance of this lack.
• How will your research contribute to the existing knowledge base in
your field of study?
• How is it significant?
• Why does it matter?

13. How to write a problem statement in research?
The problem statement should not drag on needlessly. Despite the absence of a
fixed format, a good research problem statement usually consists of three main
parts:
• Context: describes an ideal scenario that could exist in the absence of the
problem. It also includes any past attempts and shortcomings at solving the
problem.
• Significance: This section defines how the problem prevents the ideal
scenario from being achieved,
• Solution: This section describes the aim and objectives of your research, and
your solution to overcome the problem.

14. Thank You