Research problems or topics are crucial in the field of research for several reasons:
Guiding Inquiry: A well-defined research problem provides a clear direction for the study, helping researchers focus their efforts on specific questions or issues.
Relevance and Contribution: Identifying significant research problems ensures that the work addresses gaps in existing knowledge, contributing to the advancement of the field and potentially impacting society.
Framework for Methodology: The nature of the research problem often dictates the methodology and approach to be used, influencing how data is collected, analyzed, and interpreted.
Establishing Scope: A clearly defined topic helps delineate the scope of the research, ensuring that it remains manageable and focused.
Funding and Support: Research proposals centered around compelling problems are more likely to attract funding and institutional support, as they demonstrate potential for meaningful outcomes.
Engaging the Audience: A relevant and intriguing research problem can engage other scholars, practitioners, and the public, fostering interest and collaboration.
Driving Innovation: Addressing pressing research problems can lead to innovative solutions and advancements in technology, policy, and practice.
In summary, research problems and topics are foundational elements that shape the entire
has given a good overview and I really recommend checking her answer. I would like to add on one point if I may. Defining good research questions can also help you to write your paper after you have conducted the study.
As she mentioned, the research questions will guide the study, but they can also guide your paper. Your introduction and literature review should be set up to naturally lead to your research questions. You methodology section should be written such that it explains how exactly you will answer those research questions. You results section should be written to answer exactly those research questions. Your discussion / conclusion should be talking about the results in terms of those research questions. They are very short words, but they are the entire foundation of not only your study, but also your research paper (if you write it well).