Frame a Precise Research Problem or Issue

Framing a clear and precise research problem is a foundational step in the research process. It determines the direction, scope, and depth of your entire study. A well-articulated problem statement not only guides your research design but also convinces reviewers, supervisors, or funding bodies of its importance and feasibility.

1

Understand the Context and Background of the Issue

2

Identify the Core Issue or Challenge That Needs Solving

3

Justify Why the Problem is Important and Worth Investigating

4

Narrow Down the Scope and Define Boundaries

5

Articulate the Problem in a Clear, Concise Statement

Example:

Topic: Mental Health

Contextualized Problem: Increasing mental health issues among postdoctoral researchers due to academic pressure and lack of institutional support.

Pro Tip:

Write a short background note (150–200 words) summarizing the issue’s history, current status, and why it matters. This will help you transition naturally into formulating a research problem.

Step 1: Understand the Context and Background of the Issue

Before you define the problem, you need to thoroughly understand the broader context in which the issue exists. This involves exploring the historical background, current trends, and surrounding factors that shape the issue.

Read up on relevant literature, reports, and policy documents. The goal is to move from a vague topic (e.g., “online learning”) to a contextualized concern (e.g., “low engagement levels in online learning among rural college students in India”).

Step 2: Identify the Core Issue or Challenge That Needs Solving

Now that you know the context, pinpoint the exact issue you want to address. Avoid broad or generic statements.

A research problem should describe a specific situation that causes concern, creates doubt, or requires a solution.

To identify the core issue, ask:

What exactly is going wrong?
Who is affected and how?
What evidence supports this?

Example:

Rather than saying “There is limited research on female entrepreneurship,” you could say:

“Despite various schemes, female entrepreneurs in tier-2 Indian cities face difficulty accessing credit, leading to higher business failure rates.”

Pro Tip:

Use the “problem-symptom-impact” model:

Symptom: Low student attendance in virtual classes
Problem: Lack of interaction and engagement tools
Impact: Poor learning outcomes and dissatisfaction

Example:

If your research focuses on the digital divide in higher education, justify it by citing statistics on internet access disparities, the impact on academic performance, and national education goals.

Pro Tip:

Use credible sources—government reports, published papers, or international datasets—to back your justification. A well-justified problem makes your research compelling and credible.

Step 3: Justify Why the Problem is Important and Worth Investigating

Not every problem is worth a research study. You need to explain why your chosen issue matters.

This could be due to:

Its academic significance (filling a gap in the literature)
Its practical implications (impacting policies or practices)
Its social relevance (solving real-world problems)

Step 4: Narrow Down the Scope and Define Boundaries

A common mistake scholars make is trying to solve too much at once. A precise research problem is one that is clearly scoped and well-defined in terms of geography, population, timeframe, and variables.

Questions to help you narrow down:

Who exactly are you studying? (e.g., postgraduate students, nurses, small business owners)
Where? (specific region or institution)
When? (e.g., post-pandemic period)
What specific aspects or variables are involved?

Example:

Too Broad: “Effect of social media on teenagers”

Better: “Impact of Instagram usage on academic performance among 11th-grade students in Delhi’s private schools (2022–2023)”

Pro Tip:

Use delimitations and scope statements in your research problem draft to ensure clarity. This helps your readers know exactly what your study covers—and what it doesn’t.

Example:

"Despite the growing adoption of e-learning platforms in Indian universities, many rural students report low engagement and satisfaction levels. Current literature largely focuses on urban user experiences, leaving a gap in understanding rural perspectives. This study investigates the challenges faced by rural undergraduate students in using e-learning platforms post-COVID-19, with the aim of identifying key barriers and proposing context-sensitive solutions."

Pro Tip:

Use templates like:

“There is a lack of understanding about… among… in the context of…”

“Despite existing research on…, little is known about… in…”

Step 5: Articulate the Problem in a Clear, Concise Statement

Once you’ve gathered the background, pinpointed the issue, justified its importance, and narrowed its scope, it’s time to write the research problem statement.

It should:

Be 3–5 sentences long
Clearly state what the issue is
Highlight who is affected
Include the context and urgency
Mention any gaps or limitations in existing studies

Framing a precise research problem is not a one-time task—it evolves as you engage more with literature, mentors, and your own observations. However, once you’ve clearly defined it, everything else—objectives, research questions, hypotheses—flows naturally.