PR 2.docx

P R O B L E MS TAT E M E N T O FRESEARCH Research is a systematic investigative process employed to increase or revise current knowledge by discovering new facts. It can be divided into two general categories: 1\) Basic research, which is inquiry aimed at increasing scientific knowledge, and 2\)...

P R O B L E MS TAT E M E N T O FRESEARCH Research is a systematic investigative process employed to increase or revise current knowledge by discovering new facts. It can be divided into two general categories: 1\) Basic research, which is inquiry aimed at increasing scientific knowledge, and 2\) Applied research, which is effort aimed at using basic research for solving problems or developing new processes, products, or techniques. The first and most important step in any research is to identify and delineate the research problem: that is, what the researcher wants to solve and what questions he/she wishes to answer. In other words, Identification of research problem leads in conducting a research. From these general descriptions we can deduce that research is used to: 1\) Establish or confirm facts, 2\) Reaffirm the results of previous research work, 3\) Solve new or existing problems, 4\) Support theorems, or develop new theories, 5\) Expansion on past work in the field, 6\) Test the validity of instruments, procedures, or experiments, and/or, 7\) Replicate elements of prior projects, or the p r o j e c t s. Definition of Research Problem A research problem may be defined as an area of concern, a gap in the existing knowledge, or a deviation in the norm or standard that points to the need for further understanding and investigation (Bwisa, 2018). Although many problems turn out to have several solutions (the means to close the gap or correct the deviation), difficulties arise where such means are either not obvious or are not immediately available. This then necessitates some research to reach a viable solution. What is a Research Problem? It is the topic we would like to address, investigate, or study, whether descriptively or experimentally. It is the focus or reason for engaging in our research. It is typically atopic, phenomenon, or challenge that we are interested in and with which we are at least somewhat familiar with its applications. Sources of Research Problem Potential sources of research problems include: School library (reading through literature or archival material) Community (consultations or narrations or public participation processes) Own experiences (observations) Classroom lectures (narration and disputation) Class discussions (argumentation) Seminars/workshops/paper presentations (narrations, disputations, argumentation) Internet (narrations or observations) Research reports and term papers (investigations) Theory of one\'s own interest Daily problems Technological changes Unexplored areas Discussions with other people Guidelines for Selecting a Research Problem The research problem should be such (or one) in which researcher may be deeply interested. The research problem should be focused in the sense of being related to the researcher\'s overall logic. A diffuse and unfocused problem reduces the efficiency of the effort put in a research project. 3\) The problem selected should not necessarily be a new one. It may be old problem or one on which work has already been done. 4\) The problem should be within meaningful limits, i.e., it should not be too comprehensive. Considerations in Selecting a Research Problem 1\. Interest: a research endeavor is usually time consuming, and involves hard work and possibly unforeseen problems. One should select topic of great interest to sustain the required motivation. 2\. Magnitude: It is extremely important to select a topic that you can manage within the time and resources at your disposal. Narrow the topic down to something manageable, specific and clear. 3\. Level of expertise: Make sure that you have an adequate level of expertise for the task you are proposing since you need to do the work yourself. 4\. Relevance: Ensure that your study adds to the existing body of knowledge, bridges current gaps and is useful in policy formulation. This will help you to sustain interest in the study. 5\. Availability of data: Before finalizing the topic, make sure that data are available. 6\. Ethical issues: How ethical issues can affect the study and how ethical problems can be overcome should be thoroughly examined at the problem formulating stage. Criteria of a Good Research Problem 1\) Novelty: It should be original. It should not involve duplication of prior research. 2\) Interest: The problem should be interesting for the researcher and their team. 3\) Importance: fI the research is not worthwhile, fi neither adds to knowledge nor leads to any improvements in the current practices then it should not be done. 4\) Immediate Application: The investigator should ask himself the question, wil my research help in solving an urgent or practical problem. 5\) Feasibility or Amenability: Feasibility in research includes the following: What is the Statement of the Problem? A statement of the problem is used in research work as a claim that outlines (or points to) the problem addressed by a study. The statement of the problem briefly addresses the question: What is the problem that the research will address? What are the Key Characteristics of a Statement of the Problem? Agood research problem should have the following characteristics: 1.It should address a gap in knowledge. 2.It should be significant enough to contribute to the existing body of research. 3\. It should lead to further research. 4\. The problem should render itself to investigation through collection of data. 5\. It should be of interest to the researcher and suit his/her skills, time, and resources. 6\. The approach towards solving the problem should be ethical.