{"id":299,"count":10,"description":"
>>Read more about narrowing down a research topic<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n >>Read more about defining a research problem<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\nStep 2: Identify a problem<\/h2>\r\nSo you\u2019ve settled on a topic and found a niche\u2014but what exactly will your research investigate, and why does it matter? To give your project focus and purpose, you have to define a research problem<\/a>.\r\n\r\nThe problem might be a practical issue\u2014for example, a process or practice that isn\u2019t working well, an area of concern in an organization\u2019s performance, or a difficulty faced by a specific group of people in society.\r\n\r\nAlternatively, you might choose to investigate a theoretical problem\u2014for example, an underexplored phenomenon or relationship, a contradiction between different models or theories, or an unresolved debate among scholars.\r\n\r\nTo put the problem in context and set your objectives, you can write a problem statement<\/a>. This describes who the problem affects, why research is needed, and how your research project will contribute to solving it.\r\n
Step 3: Formulate research questions<\/h2>\r\nNext, based on the problem statement, you need to write one or more research questions<\/a>. These target exactly what you want to find out. They might focus on describing, comparing, evaluating, or explaining the research problem.\r\n\r\nA strong research question<\/a> should be specific enough that you can answer it thoroughly using appropriate qualitative or quantitative research methods. It should also be complex enough to require in-depth investigation, analysis, and argument. Questions that can be answered with \u201cyes\/no\u201d or with easily available facts are not complex enough for a thesis or dissertation.\r\n\r\nIn some types of research, at this stage you might also have to develop a conceptual framework<\/a> and testable hypotheses<\/a>.\r\n<\/a>\r\n\r\n>>See research question examples<\/a>\r\n