How to generate a research problem statement from any topic

The process of generating a research problem statement begins with asking the right question. But how can we formulate this question? As a passionate robotics researcher, Miguel Díaz-Rodríguez has explored this process and would like to share some insights. 

To begin, you should have a genuine passion for the topic. As a mechanical engineer, early in my career, I wanted to develop robots. Thus, I immersed myself in learning the fundamentals of robotics. Gradually, I narrowed my focus to the dynamic modeling of robots. During this process, I studied the literature to understand the current state of knowledge and identify any gaps. After extensively studying the dynamic modeling of parallel manipulators, I found a gap worth exploring. I then drafted a preliminary research problem statement accordingly. In particular, existing approaches to identifying the dynamic parameters of robots overlooked feasibility and statistical significance. This led to the question of whether an approach considering both factors existed and how it can be brought to fruition. 

Once the research question is drafted, evaluating feasibility becomes crucial. This entails assessing available resources, data, and methods to ensure a practical and achievable research endeavor. For example, to answer my research question, I required a real robot to conduct experiments to verify the proposed solution. 

Finally, refining the research problem statement and seeking feedback from a supervisor or mentor is vital. Thus, I shared my insights with my supervisor and improved the statement to align it with the research goals. After generating a well-defined research problem statement, I embarked on my research journey with passion, a deep understanding of the literature, and a clear objective. This systematic approach enables researchers to generate problem statements that contribute to knowledge and address gaps in their fields. 

In conclusion, generating a research problem statement involves passion, narrowing the focus, familiarizing oneself with the literature, identifying gaps, evaluating feasibility, and refining the statement. Carefully following this process, researchers can formulate meaningful questions and make valuable contributions to their fields.