Research Problem
Researchers begin a study by identifying a research problem that they need to address. They
write about this “problem” in the opening passages of their study and, in effect, give you as a
reader the rationale for why the study is important and why you need to read their study. One
of the most challenging aspects of conducting research is to clearly identify the “problem” that
leads to a need for your study. Individuals do not seem to give enough attention to why they are
conducting their studies. Research problems are the issues, controversies, or concerns that guide
the need for conducting a study.
Just because a problem exists and an author can clearly identify the issue does not mean that the
researcher can or should investigate it. You can research a problem if you have access to
participants and research sites as well as time, resources, and skills needed to study the issue.
You should research a problem if the study of it potentially contributes to educational knowledge
or adds to the effectiveness of practice.
The research problem needs to stand on its own and be recognized as a distinct step because it
represents the problem addressed in the study. In the brief definitions that follow, consider the
differences among these parts of research:
• A research topic is the broad subject matter addressed by the study. For example, weapon
possession by students in schools.
• A research problem is a general issue, concern, or controversy addressed in research that
narrows the topic. For example, escalating violence in schools due, in part, to students
possessing weapons.
• A purpose is the major intent or objective of the study used to address the problem. For
example, “The purpose of this study will be to identify factors that influence the extent to
which students carry weapons in high schools.”
• Research questions narrow the purpose into specific questions that the researcher would like
answered or addressed in the study. For example, “Do peers influence students to carry
weapons?”
Explaining or predicting relations among variables is an important characteristic of quantitative
research.
Exploring a problem is a characteristic of qualitative research.
These two factors—explanation and exploration—provide a standard you can use to determine
whether your research problem is better suited for either a quantitative or qualitative study.
Here are some additional factors to consider:
Tend to use quantitative research if your research problem requires you to:
➢ Measure variables
➢ Assess the impact of these variables on an outcome
➢ Test theories or broad explanations
➢ Apply results to a large number of people
Tend to use qualitative research if your research problem requires you to:
➢ Learn about the views of individuals
➢ Assess a process over time
➢ Generate theories based on participant perspectives
➢ Obtain detailed information about a few people or research sites.
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