This document discusses the process of problematization in formulating research problems and questions. Problematization challenges the underlying assumptions of existing theories rather than just building upon or reinforcing them. It identifies inconsistencies or issues with current knowledge to disrupt established literature and develop more influential theories. The key steps in problematization include identifying the domain of literature to investigate, articulating the assumptions underlying it, evaluating and developing alternative assumptions, and considering how the alternative assumptions may generate an interesting new theory for the target audience. Problematization changes patterns of thinking by bringing unheard voices and perspectives into the discourse. It is an important part of developing a meaningful research problem.

1. PROBLEMATISATION
Formulation of research problem

2. “Problematisation is first and foremost an
endeavour to know how and to what extent it
might be possible to think differently instead of
what is already known”
——Micheal Foucault

3. GENERATING RESEARCH QUESTIONS
Analysing existing theories and literatures
Gap spotting and problematisation- two distinctive ways of problem
formulation
Gap spotting- try to identify or create gaps in existing literature that need to
be filled- for the most part it remains unchallenged in the formulation of
research questions
Criticise for being inadequate, inconclusive, underdeveloped- they rarely
challenge the literature’s underlying assumption
Gap spotting tends to under-problematize existing literature- just reinforcing
already influential theories or they build on existing literature to formulate
research questions

4. PROBLEMATISATION
Process of making sense about information
Developed in 1980-90’s as a way in composing theory- how does this relate
and how does that relate in order to get a fuller idea and you are looking for
inconsistencies- that’s where the problem comes in
Disrupt rather than build upon and extend an established body of literature
As a way to highlight what is wrong with existing knowledge
Problematisation identifies and challenges assumptions that underlie
existing theories and generate research questions- that lead to the
development more interesting and influential theories

5. Ordinary held assumptions are scrutinised and reconsidered in
the process of constructing novel research questions
Without understanding the assumptions that underlie existing
theories, it is not possible to problematise them and based on
that to construct research questions that may lead to
development of more influential theories
Critically thinking about the context of a particular problem and
then understanding what the problem is instead of just reporting
information- things don’t have meaning until you make meaning

6. Two key questions need to be answered- what types of
assumptions are relevant to consider?
How can these assumptions be identified, articulated and
challenged in a way that is likely to lead to the development of
an interesting theory?
What is the problem exactly? Who’s involved? How and when
does it occur and most importantly why is it occurring?
Eg. How Paulo Freire problematises learning in the context of
social relations or class struggle.

7. PROCESS OF PROBLEMATISATION
1. Identifying a domain of literature for assumption-
challenging investigations- what main bodies of
literature and key texts make up the domain?
2. Identifying and articulating assumptions underlying the
chosen domain of literature- what major assumptions
underlie the literature within the identified domain?
3. Evaluating articulated assumptions- are the identified
assumptions worthy to be challenged?

8. 4. Developing an alternative assumption- what alternative
assumptions can be developed?
5. Considering assumptions in relation to the audience-
what major audiences hold the challenged assumptions?
6. Evaluating the alternative assumption ground- are the
alternative assumptions like to generate a theory that
will be regarded as interesting by the audience targeted?

9. RELEVANCE
If we don’t practice problematisation we will be following the same patterns of
thinking or the same official ways of thinking and acting and the same points of
view that lead to the very problematic issues where voices left unheard.
Images will be left unshorn, invisible perspectives will be left out of the picture
Problematising changes the way we think
has a chance to change the discourse, the way something is thought (WCC
movement)
Impacts limited ways in which things are understood or the wrongful practices
of things

10. DEVELOPING A RESEARCH WORTHY PROBLEM
The Mose difficult and important part of the whole research
process
“I keep six honest serving-men,
they taught me all I knew,
Their names are what and why
and when and how and where and who”
(Kipling, 1902)