This document discusses identifying and formulating a research problem. It explains that properly selecting a research problem is the most challenging phase of research. The researcher must draw on their knowledge, skills, interests, and experience to identify a problem within their subject area that is relevant, has clear objectives and scope, and is significant. Sources for identifying research problems include personal experience, reviewing literature, examining previous research findings, considering existing theories, analyzing social issues, brainstorming discussions, intuition, folklores, and exposure to real-world situations. Consulting experts can also help the researcher identify a worthwhile problem to study.

1. RESEARCH PROBLEM
Imran Latif Saifi
Lecturer & PhD Scholar
imransaifirphd@gmail.com (+923017730613)

3. INTRODUCTION
Question that a Researcher
Wants to Answer
Problem that a Researcher
Wants to Solve

4. IDENTIFICATION OF
RESEARCH PROBLEM
Broad Area is
Selected
Delimited or
Narrowed
Down
Specific One
Sentence
Statement

5. 1st Step
Identification and Formulation of a
Research Problem
The Most Challenging &
Difficult Phase

6. Depends
• Researcher’s knowledge
• Skills
• Interests
• Expertise/Experience
• Motivation
• Creativity with respect to:
Subject chosen

7. Researcher will face difficulty
In
Identifying,
Selecting and Formulating a
research problem

8. Needs
Lots of Time to Select Research
Problem

9. COMPONENTS OF A RESEARCH PROBLEM
Relevance Title
Operational
Definitions
of
Variables
Objectives Delimitations
Significance
or
Scope

10. Consultation with Experts
Exposure to Field Situation
Folklores
Intuition
Brainstorming
Social Issues
Existing Theories
Previous Research
Judgment of Literature
Personal Experience
SOURCES OF RESEARCH PROBLEM

11. PERSONAL EXPERIENCE
Experience of the Researchers while
Serving in Their Fields

12. JUDGMENT OF LITERATURE
Critically Consulting the Books, Articles,
Summaries Relating to the Subject of Interest

13. PREVIOUS RESEARCH
Read Abstract
Consult Research Finding
Consult Suggestions based on deficiency
of the previous researches

14. EXISTING THEORIES
Research is a process of theory development & theory testing
Existing theory is used in developing a researchable problem
A specific statement from the theory can be used
Generally a part or parts can be tested in a specific situation
Testing can serve as a good source of research problem

15. SOCIAL ISUES
Global Challenges
Political Issues of your Interest
Social Concerns
Controversial Social Issues

16. BRAINSTORMING
Detailed Discussions Among Interested People of the
Profession to Find More Ideas or to Formulate a
Good Research Problem
Good Technique for Research Questions or to Find
Research Problem

17. INTUITION
Ability to Know Something Directly
Without Analytic Reasoning
Good Sources of Knowledge
Source to Find New Research Problems

18. Traditional Beliefs, Customs, and Stories of a
Community, Passed Through the Generations,
Could be Right or Wrong
As Studying Just Before Examination Decrease
the Score
A researcher can conduct a study to test this
FOLKLORES

19. EXPOSURE TO FIELD SITUATIONS
Researchers Get a Variety of experiences
Provide Plenty of Ideas to formulate research
problems.

20. CONSULTATIONS WITH EXPERTS
Have Sound Experience of the Field
May Suggest a Significant Problem
Can Help to Find current problem