How do you identify a research problem for your PhD dissertation?

A research problem is a specific issue or gap in existing knowledge that you intend to fill via your study. You might seek for practical difficulties that contribute to change or theoretical questions that improve understanding.

Some research will perform both of these tasks, but the research challenge will generally focus on one or the other. The sort of research problem you select is determined by your broad area of interest and the style of study you believe would be most beneficial.

Check our study guide to know more about “How to Write a Statement of the problem for a PhD Dissertation "

Identification of research problems for your PhD dissertation is crucial in the problem identification process. Here are some steps to help you in this process:

1. Explore your field: Familiarize yourself with the existing literature in your field of study. Read relevant academic papers, books, and review articles to understand the current knowledge and ongoing debates. This will give you a foundation to identify gaps or unanswered questions.
2. Identify your interests: Reflect on your own interests and passions within your field of study. Think about the topics or areas that excite you the most. Your enthusiasm for the subject matter will be crucial in sustaining your motivation throughout the identification of the research proposal.
3. Discuss with experts: Seek guidance from your advisor, mentors, or experts in your field. Discuss your interests and identification of problem areas and potential research areas with them. They can provide valuable insights, suggest relevant research questions, and help you narrow down your focus.
4. Brainstorm potential research questions: Engage in brainstorming sessions where you generate a list of potential research questions based on the gaps you identified in the literature review, your interests, and expert input. Consider both the theoretical and practical implications of the research questions.
5. Evaluate feasibility and relevance: Assess the feasibility and relevance of each potential research question. Consider factors such as available resources, access to data, time constraints, and potential impact of the research. You want to ensure that your research problem is realistic and contributes meaningfully to your field.
6. Refine and prioritize: Review the list of potential research questions and narrow it down to a few that align with your interests, feasibility, and relevance. Look for questions that are unique, significant, and have the potential to make a valuable contribution to knowledge.
7. Conduct a preliminary literature review: Conduct a focused literature review on the remaining potential research questions to ensure that they have not been extensively studied. This will help you confirm that your research problem is novel and has not been fully addressed in the existing literature.
8. Write a research problem statement: Based on your evaluation and literature review, craft a clear and concise research problem statement. This statement should articulate the gap in knowledge that you aim to address and the specific research question you will investigate.

Check our insights, To get guidance on identifying the research problem for a dissertation.

Remember that identifying a research problem is an iterative process. It may require multiple rounds of refinement and discussion with your advisor or peers. The research problem will serve as the foundation for your PhD dissertation, so it is important to choose wisely and ensure it aligns with your interests and academic goals.