Research problem identification through reflective and scientific thinking, research problem selection criteria, research problem statement (topic) including delimiting and rephrasing.

1. RESEARCH PROBLEM
BY SUAD ZUHAIR B. PHARM, M. PHARM. CLIN. PHARMACOL.

2. o PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION
o PROBLEM SELECTION
o PROBLEM STATEMENT
(TOPIC)

3. PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION
The first step in research

4.  Problems lie everywhere around us, starting from ourselves,
our door steps, to planets.
For example:
o Throwing of garbage beside the pin but not inside it.
o The increased percentage of divorce.
o Spread of dengue fever.
o The ozone depletion (ozone hole).
o Cancer
o Resistant bacteria
o People relieved from fever after usage of cinchona bark.
o People are thin and tall in hot areas, but fat and short in cold
areas.
o The spinning of planets around the sun.
o The presence of life in earth unlike other planets.

5. [So we can define problem as: “A question which is to be
solved.” a question with no available answer].
 Identification of problem is governed by reflective
thinking.
Reflective thinking acts in terms of: (a) Problem situation;
i.e. an explanation in simple words of the circumstances in
which a problem occurs. (b) Divergent or creative
thinking; i.e. to generate ideas and develop multiple
solutions to a problem.
Reflective thinking steps: 1) Felt of need or difficult; 2)
Definition of the problem in terms of a problem statement;
3) Suggest explanation or possible solution (hypothesis); 4)
Rationale elaboration of an idea by collection of data or
evidences.

6.  The research process involves Inductive-deductive mode of
thinking which is known as scientific thinking.
Scientific thinking is a reflective thinking that starts with facts
and returns to facts to test and verify its hypotheses. It is based
on empirical evidences and establishes cause and effect
relationship.
Scientific thinking steps:
1. The location and definition of a problem.
2. The survey of past experiences with problem of previous
investigations that are already available. [Literature review]
3. The formulation of hypotheses representing a tentative
solution of the problem. [Hypothesis]
4. Organization of all activities for the verification of the
hypotheses [Methodology]

7. 4. The collection of new data or evidences. [Data collection]
5. The analysis of the data classification and summarization
by quantitative treatment (statistical methods). [Data
analysis/Results]
6. The formulation of generalizations. [Conclusion]
The sources of evidences are:
(a) Customs and traditions
(b) Authority
(c) Personal experiences
(d) Syllogistic reasoning
(e) Experimentation

8. Sources of research problems:
 Personal experiences
 Records of previous researches (literature-research
abstracts, journals, hand-books of research international
abstracts etc.)
 Experts of the field consulting
Evaluating a research problem:
 Do the data exist upon which a solution may be based?
 Is the problem a new one? [Novel, original, no available answer]
 Is the problem significant? [Would the solution make any difference?]

Is the problem feasible? Do I have the necessary competence? Are
pertinent data accessible? Will I have the necessary financial resources? Will I have
enough time to complete the project? Will I have the courage and determination to
pursue the study?

9. PROBLEM SELECTION

10. To choose how we want to deal with the identified
problem according to theses criteria:
1. Novelty and avoidance of
unnecessary duplications. [New]
2. Importance for the field
represented. [Significant: will
make a difference]
3. Interest, intellectual curiosity,
and drive.
4. Training and personal
qualifications.
5. Availability of data and
method.
6. Special equipment and
working conditions
7. Approachability of the
sample.
8. Sponsorship and
administrative cooperation.
9. Hazards, penalties and
handicaps.
10. Cost and returns.
11. Time factor.

11. PROBLEM STATEMENT “TOPIC”
A clear and concise idea of what the researcher wants to do

12. The topic is the definition
of the problem which
delimits or pin points the
task of a researcher.
The criteria for a good problem
statement “topic” is:
1. A problem should be
concerned with relation between
two or more Variables.
2. It should be stated ‘clearly and
unambiguously in question form’.
3. It should be amenable to
empirical testing.
4. It should not represent a moral
or ethical position

13. By delimiting we specify
the scope of the problem,
we will have a feasible
research work and a proper
frame of reference.
First: Problem delimiting:
a. Delimited to certain variables
b. Delimited to the area or level or
category
c. Delimited to size of sample
d. Delimited to the best method
only (one used method)
e. Delimited to the best available
tool for measuring the variable
f. delimitations particular to a
problem
Note: the findings of study also confine to these
delimitations

14. Second: Rephrasing the research
problem [framework]:
(a) Use of technical terms and
words or phrases, with accurate
meanings.
o E.g. to determine, to measure,
to compare
o But not: to study, to investigate…
o And we can use the 5 W’s [what,
where, when, which, and w
(b) Basic assumptions or postulates
(if any) relating to the research
problem should be clearly stated.
o E.g. the efficacy, the potency, the
cure rate, the side effects…
(C) A straight forward statement of
the value of the investigation (i.e.,
The criteria for the selection of the
problem)
(D) time-period and the sources of
data available
(E) the scope of the investigation or
the limits within which the problem is
to be studied. (Study population)

15. o “Why is productivity in japan so much higher than in
india”?
o “What factors were responsible for the higher labour
productivity of japan’s manufacturing Industries
during the decade 1971 to 1980 relative to india’s
manufacturing industries?”
o “To what extent did labour productivity in 1971 to 1980
in japan exceed that of india in Respect of 15 selected
manufacturing industries? What factors were
responsible for the Productivity differentials between
the two countries by industries?”

16. OUR RESEARCH
o THE PROBLEM: ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE
o PROBLEM SELECTION: TO IDENTIFY THE MOST
ANTIBIOTIC THAT IS USED IRRATIONALLY
o RESEARCH STATEMENT OR TOPIC: TO DETERMINE
THE MOST IRRATIONALLY USED ANTIBIOTIC AMONG
FAMILIES OF BATCH 8 PHARMACY STUDENTS AT AL
MOKHTARBIN UNIVERSITY

17. ‫وبحمده‬ ‫الله‬ ‫سبحان‬
‫العظيم‬ ‫الله‬ ‫سبحان‬