This lecture discusses defining and formulating a research problem. It begins by explaining the importance of scientific thinking in identifying a research problem. A research problem is defined as a difficulty a researcher experiences theoretically or practically and wants to solve. When selecting a problem, researchers must consider both external criteria like importance and internal criteria like interest. Problems can come from personal experience, literature reviews, or innovations in the field. Defining the problem clearly sets the direction and reveals the methodology. Key steps in defining a problem are using clear words and formulating it as a question. Criteria for a good research problem include novelty, logic, and clarifying relationships to past research.

1. Prof. Dr. Hadeel N. Abdullah
University of Technology
Department of Electrical Engineering
Ph. D. Electronic & Communication Course
Research Methodology
LECTURE 2
The Research
Problem

2. I. Objective
At the end of the theme, you should be able to:
 Knowing the concept of the research problem and
the importance of defining it
 Describe how the research problem was selected;
What are the considerations that must be taken
into consideration?
 Discussing criteria and steps for formulating and
evaluating the research problem.
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3. II. Content
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4. 1. Scientific Thinking
 In Engineering sciences, a research work is often oriented towards the
solution of a problem or to seek an answer of a question. The first step of
this process is to identify a problem. To do this, a researcher is required to
use scientific thinking. But, what is scientific thinking?
 The concept of scientific thinking refers to thinking about the content of
science and the set of logical processes that permeate it. Such as deduction,
experimental design, causal inference, conceptualization, hypothesis testing,
and other processes that seek to find a solution to a specific problem, and
scientific thinking involves a set of successive processes based on mental
practices that the individual undertakes in order to reach a solution, where
these steps begin with awareness. With the existence of the problem, then
seeking to find ways to solve it through observation, measurement and other
scientific processes, taking into account accuracy, objectivity and relying on
facts in interpreting data and formulating information, ending with finding an
innovative solution to the problem.
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5. 2. What is a Research Problem?
 A research problem, in general, refers to some difficulty which a
researcher experiences in the context of either a theoretical or
practical situation and wants to obtain a solution for the same.
Thus, a research problem is one that requires a researcher to
find out the best solution by which cause of action the objective
can be attained optimally in the context of a given environment.
This stage requires an enquiring mind, an imagination, and an
eye for inconsistencies and inadequacies in the current
measures
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6. 3. Selecting a Research Problem
 The research problem undertaken for the study must be carefully selected. A
problem must spring from the researcher’s mind. The factors which need to be
considered in the selection of the research problem are both external and
internal criteria. The criteria for the selection of the problem include matters,
such as:
 Unusual and cancel unnecessary duplication.
 Interest, intellectual curiosity, and drive.
 Training and personal qualifications.
 Importance for the field.
 Special working conditions.
 Approachability of the sample.
 Cost.
 Administrative cooperation (the process of working together to the same end).
 Time factor.
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7. 4. Sources of the Problem
To select a research problem, a researcher can
consider some sources. Examples of these are:
 Personal experience of the researcher in the field.
 Literature review on a research topic.
 New innovations, changes, and developments in a
given research area.
 Research contacts with experts in a given
research area.
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8. 5. Defining a Problem
 According to a number of research methodologies, a problem clearly stated is a
problem half-solved. This means that there is a need for defining a research
problem as an initial step in a research process. Besides, it is usually
recommended by research methodologists that the investigated problem must
be defined clearly to distinguish the relevant data from irrelevant data. A proper
definition of a research problem will enable the researcher to be on the right
track; whereas, an ill-defined problem may create hurdles.
 The definition of a problem sets the direction of the study.
 The definition reveals the methodology or procedure of the study.
 The definition helps the researcher to control subjectivity.
 The definition of the problem suggests and specifies the variables to be taken up
into the investigation through a problem involved in so many variables.
 The definition makes the research work practical.
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9. The following steps are to be followed in defining
a problem
 Novelty and innovation are the most important aspects of a scientific
research problem.
 The problem of scientific research must contribute to providing new
information that develops and pushes scientific research forward.
 The researcher to succeed in formulating a scientific research problem,
must have extensive access to scientific research and be fully aware of all
the details related to scientific research.
 The researcher must choose the research problem on the basis of reality,
and he must also make sure that the research problem is logical.
 The researcher will not be able to innovate in solving the problem of
scientific research unless he loves the field in which he is studying.
 In order for a scientific research problem to be correct, the researcher must
clarify the relationship between this problem and previous scientific
research, and he must identify points of agreement and disagreement.
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10. 6. Criteria for Formulating a Scientific
Research Problem
 The researcher must use very clear words while formulating a
scientific research problem, in order for the reader to
understand the problem presented by the researcher in his
scientific research, which he seeks to solve.
 Formulating a research problem in the form of a question is
one of the most important criteria for formulating a scientific
research problem.
 The researcher must clarify the meanings of all the terms
contained in the scientific research problem, by providing
definitions for this problem.
 The many sources and references that are related to the
problem of scientific research should be available.
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11. 7. Step to Formulate a Scientific Research
Problem
 Determine the problem of scientific research.
 Access to research and studies related to the
problem of scientific research.
 Formulating the scientific research problem
clearly.
 Susceptibility of the problem of scientific
research to be solved.
 Clarify the gap existing in the previous studies.
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12. Questions
1) How do you define a research problem? Give three
examples to illustrate your answer.
2) What is the necessity of defining a research
problem? Explain.
3) Write short notes on:
a. Components of a research problem;
b. Rephrasing the research problem.
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