College of nursing

RIMS, Imphal

Academic year 2024- 2025

NURSING RESEARCH

Topic: Presentation on Formulation of

problem statement and research objectives

Submitted to: Submitted by:

Reene Waikhom
1st year MSc. Nursing

Submitted on:
 FORMULATION OF PROBLEM STATEMENT AND RESEARCH
OBJECTIVES

RESEARCH PROBLEM:
A research problem is a question that a researcher wants to answer or a problem that a
researcher wants to solve. Identification and formulation of a research problem is the first
step of the research process.
Selection of a research problem depends on several factors, such as researcher’s knowledge,
skills, interest, expertise, motivation and creativity with respect to the subject of inquiry. The
research problem should be feasible, testable and solvable research problem.
DEFINITION OF RESEARCH PROBLEM
According to Kerlinger, A problem is an interrogative sentence or statement that asks what
relation exists between two or more variable. The answer to question will provide what is
having sought in the research.
R.S. Woodworth defines problem as a situation for which we have no ready and successful
response by instincts or by previous acquired habit. We must find out what to do, that is, the
solution can be found out only after an investigation.
In other words, a research problem is an area of concern where there is a gap in the
knowledge base needed for professional practices.
COMPONENTS OF FORMULATION
Formulation means translating and transforming the selected research problem/topic into a
scientifically researchable question. It is concerned with specifying exactly what the research
problem is and why it is studied.
Merton identifies three principles components in the progressive formulation of a problem for
research which are as follows:
 The originating questions (what one wants to know)
 The rationale (why aspects)
 The specifying question (possible answers to the originating questions)
Originating Question
Originating question indicts what the problem is. It may be of different kinds. It may call for
discovering new and more decisive facts relating to the subject matter of study. It may put to
question the adequacy of certain concepts may be related to empirical validity or it may be
related to the structure of an organization.
Rationale of the Question
Rationale is the statement of reasons, why a particular question is posed. It states, how the
answer to the question will contribute to theory and/or practice. The rationale helps to make
discrimination between scientifically important and trivia question. In short, it states the case
for the question in the court of scientific opinion.
Specifying Question
The originating question decodes into several specific questions in order to identify the
observations/data that will provide answer to them. These specific questions should be
simple, pointed, clear and empirically verifiable. These are known as 'investigative questions.
It is only such specific questions, which when synthesized can afford the solution to the
problem selected for research. This solution has implications for theory/systematic
knowledge and/or for practice.

FORMULATION OF RESEARCH PROBLEM

‘A problem well put is half solved.’ This saying highlights the importance of proper
formulation of the selected problem. The primary task at research is collection of relevant
data and the analysis of data for finding answers to the research questions. The proper
performance of this task depends upon the identification of exact data and information
requited for the study. The formulation serves this purpose. The clear and accurate statement
of the problem the development of the conceptual model, the defining of the objectives of the
study, the setting of investigative questions, the formulation of hypotheses to be tested and
the delimitation of the study determine the exact data needs for the study. Once the exact data
requitement is known, the researcher plan and execute the other steps without any waste of
time and energy. Thus, the Formulation gives a direction and specific focus to the research
effort.
Researchers, who do not define and formulate their research problems, read and collect vast
data and built-up massive files without knowing, which is relevant and which is not relevant
and are thus, lost in an aimless empirical wandering. Even after spending several months and
sometimes even years, they do not get a s specific direction. No wonder, such researcher
invariably gets frustrated and discontinue their research work. Research guides have a great
responsibility in helping then research scholars in making a clear-cut formulation of their
research problems and same they form such frustration.
STEPS FOR FORMULATION OF RESEARCH PROBLEM

Selection of a
research topic

Reviewing the
literature and theories
 Delimiting the research
Evaluating thetopic
research problem

Formulating the final statement of a

research problem

Formulation of research problem is a complex and long process, which includes following
steps:
1. Selection of a research area: Formulation of a research problem begins with selection of a
broad research topic from personal experience, literature, previous research, and theories in
which researcher is interested and has significance for nursing profession. For example, a
researcher gets an idea to conduct a study on the female feticide. Therefore, he or she initially
begins with a broad research topic.
2. Reviewing literature and theories: After getting a broad idea for research, he or she
needs to review the nursing literature and theories. Literature is reviewed to know what has
already been done in this selected area of research. Therefore, a researcher can plan a
research topic to further expand the existing body of knowledge in respective area of
research. Review of nursing theories provides an opportunity for nurse researcher to plan a
research problem to contribute towards either testing or development of a theory/conceptual
model.
3. Delimiting the research topic: In this step, researcher proceeds from a general research
area of interest to more specific topic of research to conduct a study. For example, initially a
researcher decides to conduct a study on female feticide; later, in this stage, the researcher
limits it to a specific research topic: A study on perception of women about causes and
prevention of female feticide in selected rural communities of district Shimoga, Karnataka. In
this stage, the researcher clearly identifies variables, population, and setting of research.
Research should take a close view of the implication and dimensions of the selected problem
and keep the scope of its study within manageable limits that is within the ability of the mind
to grasp the implication and the amount of time and other resources available.
The various aspects that may be delimited are:
o The objectives of the study that is the number and extent of questions to be
investigated.
o The geographical area to be covered by the study, say, a state, a district, a city or a
village.
o The magnitude of the study, the types of sample unit to be studied and the sample
size.
The consideration of all these factors is to bring down the scope and dimensions of the study
to a manageable level and yet to make it useful and meaningful.
4. Evaluating the research problem: Once researcher is clear about the specific research
problem, next the research problem must be carefully evaluated for its significance, re-
searchability, and feasibility. Feasibility of the research problem should be evaluated for time,
cost, availability of subjects and resources, administrative and peer support, ethical
consideration, and researcher's competence and interest.
5. Formulating the final statement of the research problem:
After establishing the significance, re-searchability, and feasibility, the researcher finally
formulates a final statement of the research problem.
After the research problem has been selected, it must be definitely formulated and stated. The
selected problem should be stated formally in writing before proceeding to the design of the
study. A good statement of the problem will serve as a guide throughout the study.
A problem may be written in declarative form or in interrogative form. Both are acceptable
form.
DECLARATIVE FORMATE:
 In this format, a research problem is stated in declarative statement.
 For example,
 A descriptive study on prevalence of bedsores among unconscious patients admitted
in intensive care units of PGIMER, Chandigarh.
 An exploratory study on contributing factors of maternal mortality in selected rural
communities of district Ludhiana, Punjab.
INTERROGATIVE FORMATE:
 In interrogative format, a research problem is stated in question form.
 For example:
 What is the influence of the level of hemoglobin on pin site infection among patients
with external skeletal fixators admitted in orthopedic wards of AIIMS, New Delhi?
 What is the effect of ginger on morning sickness symptoms on pregnant women in
selected urban communities of district Hissar, Haryana?
The choice of either of these two types of formats for formulation of research problem
depends on the researcher’s preference and institutional policies.
A good research problem statement exhibits the following four characteristics:
 It clearly and unambiguously identifies the variables under consideration.
 It clearly expresses the variables relationship to each other.
 It specifies the nature of the population being studied.
 It implies the possibility of empirical testing.
These variables, population and testability are the crucial elements to the formation of a
satisfactory problem statement.
 For ex: 'A Descriptive study on the prevalence of nosocomial infections among patients
admitted in ICU of selected Hospitals of Pune'
It is an example of declarative form of the statement of problem, where it is concisely
stated of the required components of a research statemen. Some of these components are:
 Research study type: Descriptive
 Variables: prevalence of nosocomial infection'
 Population: Patients admitted in ICU
 Research setting: ICU of selected hospitals of Pune.
PROBLEM STATEMENT:
A problem statement is not merely a research problem or purpose of the study, but it is a well-
structured formulation of what actually the problem is, what is not well understood, and what
is lacking, what is to be discovered to solve the problem.
Statement of the disparity between what is known and what needs to ne known and address
by the research. Problem statements, explicitly stated or inferred, are usually located at the
beginning of a research report, in the introduction and/or review of literature, and may be
repeated throughout the written report. The idea of a single problem statement is misleading;
problem statements may resemble problem paragraphs; they may often be several sentences
long. Problem statements are written as questions or statements, and well-written ones
contain clear, concise, and well-defined components.
Problem statement has six components:
 Relevance of the study.
 Title of the study
 Operational definitions of the variables
 Delimitation of the study
 Scope and limitation of the study
The problem statement actually articulates the problem to be addressed and indicates the need
for the study through the development of an argument. In other words, the problem statement
presents the topic under study, provider a rationale for the choice of topic, represents a
synthetic of facts and theory, and directs the selection of design.
A good statement of a problem must clarify exactly what is to be determined or solved. In
stating a problem, the researcher should see that it is neither stated in so general terms as to
become vague, with no clear indications of the direction of the study is to take, nor specified
so narrowly as to become insignificant and trivial. The problem should be stated in such a
way that it indicates a relationship between two or more variables. It should neither involve
philosophical issue, nor values, or judgmental questions that cannot be answered by scientific
investigation.

RESEARCH PURPOSE STATEMENT

Purpose statements indicate the general goal of the study and often describe the direction of
inquiry. The purpose of the research should be clearly stated. Purpose statements are written
as declarative, objective statements. They are easily identified in reports because of words
such as aim, goal, intent, objective, or purpose. They contain clear, concise, and well-defined
components including key variables to be studied, their possible interrelationships, and the
nature of the population of interest.

Examples of purpose statement:

o The purpose of this research was to describe and analyze the relationships among
health promoting behavior, perceived current health status, and life satisfaction in
older black adults.
o The aim of the present study was to evaluate quantitatively the effect of heart
transplantation on psychosocial functioning by comparing post-transplantation with
pretransplantation functioning.
o The purpose of this study was to evaluate three subcutaneous injection sites for low-
dose heparin therapy.
DIFFERENTIATINF RESEARCH PROBLEM STATEMENT AND RESEARCH
PURPOSE STATEMENT
Research problem statements are declarations of disparity (why) and research purpose
statements are declarations of intent (what). Although problem statements and purpose
statements clarify and support each other, they represent different levels of the deductive
process, the process of moving from a general focus or interest to the development of a
specific research question. As researchers identify problems, explore disparities or gaps, and
develop problem and purpose statements, the focus of the research narrows, increasing
feasibility.
GUIDELINES FOR CRITIQUING PROBLEM STATEMENTS
A critique of the research problem involves multiple dimensions. The first dimension is of a
substantive or theoretical nature. That is, the reviewer must consider, whether the substance
of the problem has merit for a research investigation. The research statement should flow
from a firm knowledge base (that is from an understanding of previous research or from
nursing experience) or from a theory relevant to nursing. The study’s relevance to the
advancement of nursing knowledge, practice and theory also needs to be carefully evaluated.
The second-dimension concerns methodological issues. Here, the critique must focus on
whether the problem statement has been proudly stated, whether the key terms have been
adequately defined and whether the problem is researchable. Other dimensions that need to
be considered for ethical, stylistic and practical issues. Guidelines for critiquing all of these
terms of the research problem are listed below:
Substantive Theoretical Issue
1 Does the problem have significance in the nursing profession and does the researcher
describe, what that significance is?
2. Has the researcher explained the purpose in conducting the research? What does the
researcher hope to accomplish?
3. Does the problem have an appropriate theoretical or conceptual basis?
4 Does the problem flow from prior scientific information and/or experience in the topic
area?
Methodological Issues
1.Does the problem statement clearly identify the research variables?
2. Does the problem statement identify of the population being studied?
3. Can the research problem be addressed through the collection of empirical data or is it one
that is more suitable to a debate?
4 Are the research variables adequately defined, and are they measurable?
Stylistic Issues
1. Is the problem statement clearly and concisely articulated? If it is worded in the declarative
form, does it clearly suggest the question to be answered?
2. Was the problem statement introduced promptly?
Ethical Issues
1. Does the research problem require the use of human subject? Dos the problem imply
potential risks for those subjects?
Practical Issues
1. Has the researcher appropriately delimited the scope of the problem, or is the problem too
big or complex for a single investigation?
2. Did the researcher appear to give appropriate consideration to such practical time,
facilities, resources and securing appropriate permissions?

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
INTRODUCTION
Research is an organized investigation of a problem in which there is an attempt to gain a
solution to a problem. To get the right solution of a right problem, clearly defined objectives
are very important. Clearly defined objectives enlighten the way in which the researcher has
to proceed.
Therefore, clearly defined objectives are an important features of a good research study
without which the researcher is aimless and directionless in conducting the study, resulting in
wastage of resources.
Research objectives describe concisely what the research is trying to achieve. They
summarize the accomplishments a researcher wishes to achieve through the project and
provides direction to the study.
1. Research is an organized investigation of a problem in which there is an attempt to gain
solution to a problem.
2. To get right solution of a right problem, clearly defined objectives are very important.
3. Clearly defined objectives enlighten the way in which the researcher has to proceed.
MEANING OF RESEARCH OBJECTIVES:
1. A research objective is a clear, concise, declarative statement, which provides direction to
investigate the variables
2. Generally, research objective focus on the ways to measure the variables, such as to
identify or describe them.
3. Sometime objectives are directed towards identifying the relationship or difference
between two variables.
4. Research objective are the results sought by the researcher at the end of the research
process, i.e. what the researcher will be able to achieve at the end of the research study.
5. The objectives of a research project summarize what is to be achieved by the study.
6. Objective should be closely related to the statement of the problem.
CHARACTERISTICS OF RESEARCH OBJECTIVES:
1. Research objectives is a concrete statement describing what the research is trying to
achieve. A well-worded objective will be SMART, i.e. Specific, Measurable, Attainable,
Realistic, & Time- bound.
2. Research objective should be Relevant, Feasible, Logical, Observable, Unequivocal and
Measurable.
3. Objective is a purpose that can be reasonably achieved within the expected timeframe &
with the available resources.
4. The objective or research project summarizes what is to be achieved by the study.
5. The research objectives are the specific accomplishment the researchers hope to achieve by
the study.
6. The objective includes obtaining answers to research questions or testing the research
hypothesis.
NEED OF RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
The formulation of research objectives helps the researcher to:
1. With clearly defined objectives, the researchers can focus on the study. If they know what
they have to achieve ultimately, they will concentrate on the ways to achieve it. The
formulation of the research objectives helps in narrowing down the study to its essentials.
2. The formulation of research objectives will help researcher to avoid the collection of data
which are not strictly necessary for understanding & solving problem that he or she has
defined.
3. The formulation of the objectives organizes the study in clearly defined parts or phases.
For example, if a researcher is conducting a research study on the effects of ginger on
morning sickness among the pregnant women, the objectives are formulated as (i) to assess
the prevalence of morning sickness among pregnant women and (ii) to identify the effect of
ginger on morning sickness symptoms among pregnant women. These objectives help
organize the study results in two main parts: the first one focuses on the prevalence of
morning sickness, the second part will focus on the effect of ginger on morning sickness.
3. Properly formulated, specific objectives will facilitate the development of research
methodology & will help to orient the collection, analysis, interpretation, &utilization of data.
TYPES OF RESEARCH OBJECTIVES:
1. General objective
o General objectives are broad goals to be achieved.
o The general objectives of the study state what the researcher expects to achieve by the
study in general terms.
o General objectives are usually less in number.

2. Specific objective
o Specific objectives are short term & narrow in focus.
o General objectives can broken into small logically connected parts to form specific
objectives.
o General objective is met through accomplishing all the specific objective,
o The specific objectives are more in number & they systematically address various
aspects of problem as defined under 'the statement. of problem' & key factor that is
assumed to influence or causes the problem.
o They should specify what the researcher will do in the study, where, & for what
purpose.
EXAMPLES OF GENERAL AND SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
Research statement: "Effectiveness of planned teaching on the knowledge of staff nurses
working in psychiatric unit regarding Physical Restraints for psychiatric patient in selected
hospital of Vidharbha region".
General objectives:
To assess the knowledge of staff nurses working in psychiatric unit regarding physical
restraint.
Specific objective:
1. To assess the knowledge regarding Physical Restraints among nurses working in
psychiatric unit.
2. To evaluate the effect of planned teaching on Physical Restraints among nurses.
3. To associate the knowledge with selected demographic variables.
METHODS OF STATING OBJECTIVES
 While stating objectives of the study, the following guidelines must be taken care of:
o The objectives should be presented briefly & concisely.
o They cover the different aspects of the problem & its contributing factors in a
coherent way & in a logical sequence.
o The objectives are clearly phrased in operational terms, specifying exactly what
researcher going to do, where, & for what purpose.
o They are realistic considering local conditions.
o Use action verbs that are specify enough to be evaluated.
 Examples of action verbs are: to assess, to identify, to find out, to determine, to compare,
to find, to verify, to calculate, to describe, to analyze, to establish, etc.
 A researcher should always keep in mind that when the project is evaluated, the results
will be compared to the objectives. If the objectives have not been answered clearly and
completely, the project cannot be considered complete.
 CONCLUSION
A problem is an interrogative sentence or statement that asks, what relation exists between
two or more variables. The answer to questions will provide what is having sought in the
research. Research problem is an area of concern, where is gap in the knowledge base needed
for professional practice. There are many sources for problems of previous research, popular
conceptions, empirical interest, practical needs. Priorities in political concerns, daily
experience, untested theories, etc. Problems can be selected by considering many factors and
formulated properly for further sheds.
 BILBIOGRAPHY
 BT Basavanthappa, Nursing research and statistics, 3rd edition, Jaypee Brothers
Medical Publishers (P) LTD, New Delhi, page no. 143-165
 BT Basavanthappa, Nursing research and statistics, 2 nd edition, Jaypee Brothers
Medical Publishers (P) LTD, New Delhi, page no. 135-147.
 Jones and Bartlett, Nursing Research reading, using, and creating evidence, 1 st edition,
Jones and Bartlett Publisher LLC, New Delhi, page no. 109-117.
 Suresh K. Sharma, Nursing Research and Statistics, 3 rd edition, Elsevier, Relx India
Pvt. Ltd, New Delhi, page no. 72-93.
 https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/formulation-of-research-problem-
108090664/108090664
 https://www.slideshare.net/SyedSajjadKabir/problem-formulation-and-objectives