How to Formulate Research Problem

Most students taking thesis/dissertation/research usually takes their concern from what they have observed rather than what was the real cause of it. These mistakes often make the paper loses its value from the scientific community. These mistakes often create temporary remedy rather than a long-lasting solution.

A good example is when you smell stinky garbage, most people would say:

"The cause is the garbage"

"The cause is the people throwing their garbage improperly"

"The cause is the garbage truck not collecting the trash"

That is maybe right but have you questioned your self this?

"Why did people just throw their garbages here? or anywhere?"

"Why did the garbage truck not able to collect this garbages?"

Those questions can even create more questions

"What did the local government does with waste collection management?"

"Are the people here knows ho to segregate?"

"Is there any law about throwing garbage in this city?"

By simply creating a solution for these primary causes identified will not solve the problem.

"The cause is the garbage"

"The cause is the people throwing their garbage improperly"

"The cause is the garbage truck not collecting the trash"

But maybe if you develop a strategy or solution for these questions

"What did the local government does with waste collection management?"

"Are the people here knows ho to segregate?"

"Is there any law about throwing garbage in this city?"

By converting them into these questions

"What can I do to help the local government with their waste collection management?"

"What could I do to inform the people living in this city about the harmful effects of not properly disposing of their garbage and or segregating them correctly?"

"How can I strengthen the law of this city with regards to the clean and safe environment?"

This can also be done using an inverted tree as Problem Analysis tool to formulate your research problem.

In an Inverted Tree, the upper part represent the Cause while the lower part represent the Effect

Example:

This is Problem Tree #1 which the root problem in color green anchored to the Sustainable Development Goals of the (United Nations Development Plan) UNDP #6 or the Clean Water and Sanitation. Out of this problem tree, we are going to take the cause Waste Collection Mismanagement, the one with a red mark and create another problem tree analysis for that.

Note: Your first problem tree analysis should be based on facts and observation.

This is your Problem Tree #2 which uses the marked box in PT #1 as the root problem. You can now select at least one box from PT #2 and create a solution for that identified problem or root cause. Selection of a problem is not limited in the upper part, you may also find a solution on the identified effects in the lower part for this will also solve the main root problem in the PT #1 analysis. In this case we have selected Ineffective Planning Matrix on Waste Collection as our main problem to solve in our research.

Note: In your PT #2 you can now apply your guess and hypothesis about how the root problem occur.

How to Write a Research Problem

A research paper could not stand alone without the research problem. A research problem is the question/s you want to answer in your research study. In writing the research problem you have to identify your research objectives.

The general objectives or the main objective of your research problem will be the final outcome of your research while the specific objectives are the objectives taken from the general objectives. These specific objectives will answer the question how will you be able to produce the main objective of the study, in these specific objectives, you will formulate your research questions.

In writing your research problem, you may begin with writing a few introductory sentences or a paragraph in relation to your Introduction before putting the main question on your research.

There are different ways of putting your research problems or objectives:

Hypothesis

Example

1. Automating the garbage bin to identify the biodegradable  and non-biodegradable will decrease the waste management problems.

Research Question

Example

1. How to solve the waste management problem?

Example of a Research Problem

How to write a Thesis Introduction

In scientific community, a research paper is the way how people communicate with each other, sharing ideas and useful information throughout the history of humankind. This method of communication is the most common yet long lasting form of trade for centuries which keeps the knowledge and technology to advance further.

A good research paper may starts with a title but it is the less of concern in writing your manuscript. When you have done with your theory and conceptualization, a good introduction will let your findings into the mind of the readers, it must open a portal to a new knowledge with interest from the readers. These are pointers in writing a Good Thesis Introduction

Set your audience

Before you write your introduction, do not forget to identify your readers, who might they be, what are their level of educational attainment perhaps. Failure to capture your readers or include the type of readers you may have will ruin your introduction or your whole research paper. A strong point will catch the attention of your readers but without exaggeration. Be formal on your words and the keep an active voice in the introduction. This will makes it more interesting and gives your readers the idea that you are really determine to prove something in your research paper. You have to catch their attention not half but full.

          

State your subject matter

Do not blind your readers to what is what, keep them connected to your research, give them pointers on your research topic, hook their interest on your subject matter. Be clear on your thoughts and meanings and the purpose of your research paper.

Review relevant background

Related literature may be found on your Chapter II but it is a good practice to include relevant topics and research findings in your introduction to make it more realistic. Most readers in the scientific community will look on where you have gotten your points, your ideas regarding on the problems identified in your research. This will also prove how reliable your research paper compare to other research out there.

Connect your introduction to your Research Problem

Lastly, do not let the fire burnt out, always make sure that your readers will continue to read your problem statement. Create a strong connection between your Introduction and Research Problem. Like movies you have to create a cliff hanger.