A
What is a research problem?
A research problem is a question or issue that a researcher wants to investigate
Which of the following is an example of a research problem?
a) I like reading
b) The impact of social media on teenagers’ study habits
c) Summer is hot
d) My favorite color is blue
b) The impact of social media on teenagers’ study habits ✅
Why is it important to identify a research problem before starting a study?
Because it defines the focus, purpose, and direction of the study.
What is the first step in identifying a research problem?
Understand the broad topic or area of interest.
True or False: A research problem should be specific and clear.
True ✅
You want to study online learning. Which of these is a good research problem?
a) Most students use online platforms for learning.
b) How online learning affects student motivation in Moroccan universities.
c) Online learning is more effective than traditional learning.
d) Students sometimes attend online classes late.
b) How online learning affects student motivation in Moroccan universities. ✅
Which of these questions shows a gap in existing knowledge?
a) How does classroom seating arrangement affect student participation, considering that most studies focus only on high school students?
b) Do students like sitting in rows or groups?
c) What color should classroom walls be?
d) How many students are in a classroom on average?
a) How does classroom seating arrangement affect student participation, considering that most studies focus only on high school students?
What is the main purpose of reviewing existing literature when identifying a research problem?
To identify gaps, contradictions, or areas needing more research.
Choose the better research problem:
a) Education
b) How teaching methods affect first-year students’ engagement in Moroccan universities
b) How teaching methods affect first-year students’ engagement in Moroccan universities ✅
True or False: A broad topic is sufficient to be a research problem.
False ✅
Which of the following research problems is too broad and needs narrowing?
a) How technology affects education in Morocco
b) How smartphone apps affect the time management of first-year university students in Casablanca
c) How group study affects science exam scores of high school students in Rabat
d) The impact of classroom seating arrangement on student participation
a) How technology affects education in Morocco ✅
Explain why “Students like online classes” is not a research problem
Because it is a vague opinion, not researchable or specific.
You find conflicting results in studies about how classroom seating arrangements affect student participation. What should you do next to identify a research problem?
Review the literature carefully to identify the gap and formulate a precise research problem.
Identify the gap in this statement: “Many studies on online learning focus on academic performance, but few examine students’ mental health.”
Gap: Few studies examine students’ mental health in online learning. ✅
Convert this broad topic into a research problem: “Student engagement.”
“How does the use of interactive quizzes in high school science classes affect student engagement?"
“A researcher wants to study the effects of group discussions on student learning but finds many studies already exist. How can they identify a unique research problem?”
The researcher should carefully review the existing studies to identify a specific gap that hasn’t been addressed. For example, they could focus on:
A different population (e.g., high school students instead of university students)
A specific subject or topic (e.g., science classes instead of language classes)
A different context or setting (e.g., online group discussions vs. in-person discussions)
Explain why feasibility is important when formulating a research problem
Feasibility ensures the study can be completed with available time, resources, and access.
Which of these research questions is most likely to produce a feasible and manageable study in a classroom setting?
a) How can we redesign education to solve all learning problems worldwide?
b) What factors influence high school students’ participation in science labs in Casablanca?
c) Why do students learn?
d) What is the purpose of education?
b) What factors influence high school students’ participation in science labs in Casablanca?
Rewrite this statement as a proper research problem: “Technology is everywhere, and it affects students.”
Example: “How does the use of smartphones and laptops affect university students’ academic performance?”
A school principal notices that students in different classrooms have very different levels of participation during lessons. She wants to investigate why.
Task: As a researcher, describe two possible research problems she could study that are specific, researchable, and classroom-focused.
How does the use of multimedia presentations in high school history classes affect student participation?”
“What is the effect of assigning classroom roles (e.g., group leader, note-taker, presenter) on student participation in 10th-grade science classes?
A student wants to study online education but only has access to one university. What changes should they make to their research problem?
They should narrow the population to that university and adjust the scope accordingly.
A research problem states: “The impact of technology on student performance.” Identify at least three ways to make it more specific and researchable.
Define population (e.g., high school students).
Specify type of technology (e.g., tablets, online quizzes).
Specify measure of performance (e.g., test scores, engagement).
Example refined problem: “How does the use of tablets in 9th-grade math classes affect student test scores?” ✅
A student finds conflicting results in studies about student engagement. Explain the step they should take to formulate a clear research problem.
Answer: Review the conflicting studies carefully to identify gaps or unresolved questions, then formulate a problem that addresses the gap. ✅
Example: “How does the use of interactive quizzes affect engagement in 10th-grade science students?”
A research problem is stated as:
“The impact of education on student success.”
Critically analyze this problem and describe three ways it could be refined to make it specific, researchable, and feasible.
Weaknesses: Too broad, no population, outcome unclear.
Refinement: Specify population, variable, and outcome.
Example: “How does project-based learning affect test scores of EFL students?"
what is our professeur's first name
abd El Razaq