How to formulate a research problem

The methodological apparatus of any research includes the nomination and formulation of its problems. And in the course student work, and in the final qualification, and in the analytical study of the teacher, and in the doctor’s doctoral dissertation, the research problem is stated as the rationale and necessity of the study as a whole.

You will need

Research work in which a topic has already been formulated that requires the identification and identification of a problem; knowledge of the methodological foundations of theoretical or practical research.

Instruction manual

one

The research problem - there is a logical conclusion to the description of the relevance of the research topic, where the author indicates that his theme cannot or could not be realized without solving the problem. The problem always appears at the junction of old and new knowledge: when one knowledge is already outdated, and new has not yet appeared. Or the problem may already be solved in science, but not implemented in practice.

2

The correct formulation of the problem determines the research strategy: how scientific knowledge can be implemented in practice, or how new knowledge can be formed as a result of the study. To formulate a problem means to separate the main thing from the secondary, to find out what is already known and what is still unknown about the subject of the study.

3

Defining the research problem, the author answers the question: "What needs to be learned from what has not been previously studied." The problem is an important and complex issue. To justify the problem, it is necessary to argue for the reality of the problem; find value and meaningful connections with other problems.

4

To assess the problem, it is necessary to identify all the conditions necessary for its solution, including methods, means, techniques; to find among the already solved problems similar to the one being solved, which will significantly narrow the scope of the study.

5

To construct the problem, it is necessary to narrow the field of study of the subject of research in accordance with the needs of the study and the capabilities of the researcher. If a researcher manages to show where the line between knowledge and ignorance, known and unknown on the topic of study, lies, the essence of the problem of research is easily and quickly determined.

note

The problem in the methodological unit for conducting research can be posed after substantiating the relevance of the topic, or may precede relevance. Relevance can be defined as the result of studying the research problem. In this case, the content of relevance is the answer to the question: "Why is it necessary to study this problem at present?"

Useful advice

The more complex and relevant the study, the more difficult the problem is formulated.

In a student's term paper, the research problem can be formulated as a question.

In a scientific study of a dissertation, the research problem can be formulated as a conclusion from a contradiction, a theoretical or practical problem, a problem situation.