Problem Formulation
CRJS430 Unit 1 Discussion Board
January 9, 2013 There are many ways to define research, and each is unique. Research is an organized process in which an individual is able to educate themselves by searching and obtaining information on a specific subject matter. Research consists of numerous steps, from problem formulation to a presentation of findings to a tentative conclusion. In order to successfully obtain as much accurate information as possible, you must ask yourself questions throughout your researching process. Three of these questions are vital: What are the issues that are present, or what events were occurring at the time? What is the relationship between 2 or more variables that may have created the problem? What measures determine whether one or more variables created the problem? By answering each of these questions, you will be able to widen your perspective on the topic, which allows you to use resources that you may not have originally considered. Problem formulation can be simply described as the steps prior to forming a hypothesis. It is a plan for collecting and utilizing data in order to gain the information that is needed to reach any amount of knowledge being sought regarding the subject. Problem formulation is important for numerous reasons, the vital being that the problem is the ‘foundation’ of a research study. When the problem is formulated well, you can expect to have a good study (Problem formulation, 2006). Problem formulation is subjective, in that it is formed based upon the individual’s intuition or feelings rather than facts. It derives from the observer, rather than the observations. Problem formulation of a specific topic will vary between each person, but the conclusions that are drawn will contain very similar information. Conceptualization in research is important as it determines the type of