A good research problem is not simply an interesting topic. It is a precise, researchable statement that:
Methodology scholars consistently emphasize that the quality of a study is directly proportional to the clarity of its research problem.
The characteristics discussed below are derived from:
These characteristics apply across undergraduate, Master’s, and PhD research.
| Characteristic | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Clarity | Ensures focus and direction |
| Specificity | Avoids overly broad investigations |
| Researchability | Allows systematic investigation |
| Feasibility | Fits time, data, and resources |
| Significance | Justifies academic effort |
| Originality | Contributes new insight |
A good research problem must be clearly articulated.
Why it matters
Ambiguous problems lead to unfocused objectives, weak methods, and confused conclusions.
Weak example
“Social media affects students.”
Improved research problem
“The impact of daily social media use on academic concentration among undergraduate students in urban universities remains unclear.”
Case context
Journal reviewers frequently reject manuscripts where the research problem is implied rather than explicitly stated.
A strong research problem is narrow enough to be manageable.
Why it matters
Overly broad problems cannot be adequately addressed within a single study.
Weak example
“Climate change is harmful.”
Improved research problem
“The effectiveness of urban rooftop solar policies in reducing residential carbon emissions in Indian metropolitan cities is insufficiently evaluated.”
A good research problem must be empirically or theoretically investigable.
Why it matters
Questions that rely on opinion, belief, or speculation cannot be studied systematically.
Non-researchable
“Is technology good or bad?”
Researchable
“How does long-term online learning affect student motivation in low-bandwidth rural settings?”
A research problem must be realistic within available constraints.
Key feasibility dimensions
Case example
A PhD proposal on “global AI regulation across all countries” is often rejected, whereas a comparative study of two regulatory frameworks is feasible.
A good research problem must matter academically or socially.
Why it matters
Research consumes resources and effort; insignificant problems rarely justify either.
Example
Investigating minor UI color preferences may lack significance, whereas
Studying algorithmic bias in hiring platforms has legal and ethical implications.
A good research problem addresses a gap, contradiction, or limitation in existing literature.
How originality is established
Case context
Replication studies are valuable, but must justify why replication is necessary.
Minor refinements are acceptable, but significant changes indicate a weak initial formulation.
Originality can mean a new context or population, not necessarily a new theory.
Ideally, all. Weakness in one often undermines the entire study.
Supervisors, ethics committees, and peer reviewers.
Understanding the characteristics of a good research problem enables researchers to design studies that are focused, feasible, and impactful.
A strong research problem acts as the intellectual anchor of a study, ensuring coherence between objectives, methodology, and outcomes.
By prioritizing clarity, specificity, researchability, feasibility, significance, and originality, researchers dramatically improve their chances of academic success—whether at the undergraduate, Master’s, or PhD level.
