Define problem statement, develop research objectives, research questions, hypothesis and conceptual frameworks.

After gathering preliminary information, you are in a position to narrow down the problem from its original broad base and define the issues of concern more clearly. 

It is critical that the problem statement is unambiguous, specific, and focused, and that the problem is addressed from a specific academic perspective. No amount of good research can find solutions to the situation if the critical issue or the problem to be studied is not clearly pinpointed.                  

A good problem statement leads (aligned) to the research objective(s) and the research question(s).

There are three key criteria to assess the quality of a problem statement: 
1. It should be relevant, feasible, and interesting.
2. A good problem statement includes both a statement of the research objective(s) and the research question(s).
3. The research objectives and the research questions are strongly related.