Research problem: definition and selection
A research problem is the specific question a study sets out to answer. Choose one that is interesting, feasible and useful, then narrow it down.
What a research problem is
A research problem is a question or difficulty that a researcher wants to answer through a study. It is the first and most important step: a vague problem leads to a vague study. 'Nutrition of students' is only a broad area. It becomes a research problem when it is narrowed and stated clearly, for example: 'What is the prevalence of anaemia among first-year hostel students in a Chennai college, and is it linked with their iron intake?'
Considerations in selecting a problem (Ranjit Kumar)
| Consideration | Ask yourself | Nutrition example |
|---|---|---|
| Interest | Will it keep me interested for months? | A student who loves sports picks the diets of college athletes |
| Magnitude | Can I finish it in the time I have? | Study one college, not all of Tamil Nadu |
| Measurement of concepts | Can I measure the key terms? | Define anaemia as haemoglobin below 12 g/dL |
| Level of expertise | Do I have the skills? | Use a 24-hour recall, not a lab test you cannot do |
| Relevance | Will the results be useful? | Findings help plan a better hostel menu |
| Availability of data | Can I get the data? | The school agrees to let you weigh the children |
| Ethical issues | Is it safe and fair to the subjects? | Take written consent; take parents' consent for minors |
Formulating a research problem (Ranjit Kumar's seven steps)
Example: nutrition → adolescent nutrition → anaemia → 'Is anaemia linked to diet among college girls?' → objectives on prevalence and dietary causes.
Topics to avoid (Kothari)
- A topic already studied many times, unless you add something new.
- A topic too broad ('diets of Indians') or so narrow that the results are of little use.
- A controversial topic, when you are a beginner.
- A topic that needs costly lab tests or equipment you cannot get.
- A topic whose data you cannot reach, such as hospital records without permission.
A good nutrition problem names the group, place and variable: 'Prevalence of anaemia and its dietary causes among adolescent girls in a Chennai government school'. Plan for ethics from the start: consent, privacy, and referring anaemic girls for treatment.
2 marks: “What is a research problem?” A research problem is a specific question or difficulty that a researcher wants to answer through systematic study. It is the first step of research.
5 marks: “What criteria will you consider while selecting a research problem?” Write Ranjit Kumar's seven considerations (interest, magnitude, measurement of concepts, expertise, relevance, availability of data, ethics) with one line each.
10 marks: “Define a research problem. Explain how you would select and formulate a research problem.” Definition, sources, the seven considerations, the seven steps of formulation as a flow chart, topics to avoid, and a nutrition example.
A good research question is FINER: Feasible, Interesting, Novel, Ethical, Relevant (a checklist from Hulley's clinical research book).