It is necessary to determine the problem very well. If well-defined it is worth more than its solution (Einstein).

It is necessary to determine the problem very well. If well-defined it is worth more than its solution (Einstein).

The most difficult part is to get funding to do research!

Of course, nowadays yes!

Abdellah

Interesting question. I think everything related to research is always difficult whether we like it or not.

Research is a cyclical process of steps that typically begins with identifying the problem or issue of the study. It then consists of reviewing the literature, specifying a purpose for the study, collecting the information, analyzing the data, and forming an interpretation of the information. This process culminates in a report disseminated to the audience that is evaluated and used in the scientific community. Problems occur at different stages of research depending upon the type of problem.

For example if you are embarking on a brand new topic there may not be much literature to scan, so you may have to go through unexplored paths. On the other hand if highly researched topic, there may be too much of literature to scan to identify the gaps in research.

Interpretaion of results is the most difficult and critical thing

Project Leaders are vital to project teams as they are required to manage them, and directly interface with clients. .Successcful implementation project depends on project leader.A Project Leader is responsible for project planning, project execution, team management and client management. More specifically, he/she is expected to play the role of an expert and guide in areas of research, quantitative analysis and interviewing, create work plans, ensure adherence to timelines, ‘manage’ clients, conceptualize strategic solutions, update superiors on project progress, and guide and manage his/her team of Associates.The problems faced are the Project Doesn’t Start On Time,the Client Doesn’t Like What You Created and Too Much Time is Spent Solving Problems After Projects Are "Live".

Recalling what it was all about six months later when facing referees' report. :)

Dear Abedallah

The purpose of a research will make an innovative contribution to science, being necessary to answer a question of interest to the scientific community , that was not yet previously answered and relevant to the social interest.

The hardest part is: formulate the right question!

Not give up, "keep walking" despite of all the partial results being positive OR NOT .... that would be for me the most difficult part, to persevere ...

Regarding the importance of defining the problem, it would be interesting if it became standard for review articles had at least a section that was more forward looking outlining where the current unknowns are and potential experiments that could be used to address these unknowns. This is not that unusual in physics but is uncommon in the life sciences, possibly due to a bias against speculation.

I think, building the rapport in the field of the research isn't easiest, as well as dealing with gate keepers.

To have a constant flow of original ideas and to identify an area or areas where research can be sustained for years are most challenging.

I believe that identifying and formulating the research problem is the most important and difficult part of research.

Writing may be?

To separate the best ideas from the good ones

Every stage/ step of any research has its one charm and challenge. But as already opined above, by some fellow researchers, understanding the (research) 'problem/ issue' properly is critical. Then proper 'operationalization' (appropriate methodology) will make the rest part of research-process smooth (comprehensible).

Thanks, Rabi

Every Subject which a researcher chooses to do research is similar to a sequence which has been developed during a long time from the first sparkles and brain storms to the current position. As every branch of science has been developed like an ocean these days, there is a pool of sequences. Therefore, in my opinion, in any field of research, the hardest part is to choose the right sequence and to enter the right position of the chosen sequence in order to start and carry out the concept.

Just a small comment: revision of papers should be either completely anonymous (neither the reviewer knows the author, nor the author knows the reviewer), or completely named (both reviewers and authors know who are each other).

I think that would make the process fairer.

Other than that, the main problem, at least in Brazil, is to get a fair budget for the proposed research.

There is no point in measuring "quality" of researcher by "quantity" of papers (as they do here).

Asking the right questions

In the scientific research process two stages are the most and equally difficult:

a. the statement of the problem

b. the proof of the (or a) solution

One would have added creativity, originality, the breadth of scope and many more, however, all these become meaningless without (a) and (b). The above two parts express the core of the concept of scientific research and they give also a measure of the quality of the results.

It's all about getting fund to do research!

Define the problem and find out a proper solution.

Constantly maintaining enthuse and attitude in research with lot of patience, hard work ,smart work, determination and completing the solution as it is endless process and finally health and god blessing.

First of All, what is the problem needed to solve, that is my target as a researcher. Then what are the required tools, and the intellectual capability to reach the goal.

Although,I am just starting this journey! I think, clearly defining the problem, the problem may be the most Challenging part. Whethet it is the most difficult, I am not so sure.

(( Lieber Juma,

Vielen Dank fuer Deine Meinungsmitteilung. ))

Thank you very much for sharing your thoughts on that issue; I just remember when I first began my career. I was like you now trying to search for possibilities and enlarge my horizon.

One more thing my friend, I did begin my journey also in Dortmund.

I wish you the best and hope to hear good news about your works in the near future.

Abedallah Rababah

Thanks Abedallah Rababah! I hope so! I am doing Ph D in Building Information Modeling!

Dear Juma,

The beginning is the most beautiful part of research. So, have fun.

Dear Professor Abedallah M Rababah,

Its the formulation of the problem in an identified field and in agreement with supervisor to that formulation.

Thank you dear Professor Ahmad for the feedback; formulation of the problem is a fundamental issue; in Mathematics, beside this, it is very important to tackle the problem using the proper method and approach.

I think that the research of the problem is the most diifficile step in the search

The most difficult part in the work of the research is to identify the problem and make appropriate recommendations.

I think that the most difficult part is finding the good idea to start.

I also think  that the most difficult things in the research is to get the hardware.

Dear Professor Rababah

In my line of research there is no one single most difficult part of doing research but three!-Three difficulties at three stages

1-In the beginning -what to research-there are so many research projects to choose from!

2-Half way- at times I have a very difficult task to give physical explanation/interpretation to resulting mathematical equations and their solutions!

3-Finally, writing up!

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be frank and humble!

Dear @Mohamed Dallel, I do think that it is a challenging issue in many fields including Mathematics to find the open research problem before even thinking about any possible approach of solving the problem..

Dear Professor @Issam Sinjab, I also thank you for your careful answers; It is true that every stage brings with it many challenging issues.

Dears Professors @Nada and @Norah, your comments and feedback are highly appreciated. 

Dear Dr. Abedallah, from my point view the most difficult part occurs at the beginning when estimating and weighting the importance of the selected topic...this is by reviewing a solid literature. Then, easing the reset of the scientific research's process. Yours,  

In educational research, I found out that the most difficult part is to prevent the personal opinion from intervening every now & then and to try to interpret the outcome even if it is contradicting one's views. In worthy chemical research, the most difficult part is the experimental which needs enormous patience & accurate observations. Once the results are obtained, the following work becomes relatively easier.

Documenting the research process should be meticulously followed.  Caution should be exercised not to allow

• Over confidence
• Laziness
• Data storage - duplicity
• Errors in Overwrite protections and updated versions
• Missing Activity Trail and followups

Dear Professor Rababah

I am not a professor! It is enough to call me by my first name. Thank you

Dear @Issam, thank you for the kind words and answers; likewise, I do prefer to be called by my first name.

Dear Professor Abedallah M Rababah,

The most difficult part is validation of results analytically.

Problem solving process can be difficult. But it's fun. Especially when you manage to find a solution. This, in my opinion, is the main incentive for studies in mathematics. However, when the solution is obtained, is not so intereting to write a corresponding article. This, in my opinion, is the most difficult part of the research.

I fully agree with Prof. Babenko.

Yes indeed dears Professors @Afag and @Vladislav,  solving and analyzing the problem is a challenging part; writing the results should not be difficult dear Professor Babenko, it comes as a consequence and an easy part.

Dear Professor Abedallah M Rababah, I don't agree with the statement "writing the results should not be difficult dear Professor Babenko, it comes as a consequence and an easy part." I think that it depends on motives owing to which the person studies mathematics.

Well dear Professor @Vladislav Babenko, I would say that writing the results is not as challenging issue as solving the problem.

Thanks for dear @Mohd Sabri for sharing with me his opinion: "For me, the most difficult part in research is to find the gap between the previous research and current ."

Dear Professor Abedallah M Rababah,

To judge that the research is a real search or not.

Yes dear Professor @Ahmad, finding the open problem is a challenging issue, especially in fields like Mathematics and science in general.

Generally, how to find a new idea, and, from what, we must start. Is the bibliography is well done,or restricted?

collecting the evidences  

I think that  a most difficult is the new idea  to find in the study 

Complex interventions are widely used in the health service, in public health practice, and in areas of social policy such as education, transport and housing that have important health consequences. Conventionally defined as interventions with several interacting components, they present a number of special problems for evaluators, in addition to the practical and methodological difficulties that any successful evaluation must overcome.

https://www.mrc.ac.uk/documents/pdf/complex-interventions-guidance/

For me, it is to fall into love with science and devote every second of my life to it. I want, but I just can't, which depresses me sometimes.

Getting access of reliable data..

funding is the most difficult part. find out the appropriate research problem also a problem, indeed.