How to Formulate a Humanities Research Problem in Coaching—in Both Methodology and Industry—and Then Define a Research Objective: A Brief Guide
Quick Guide
To formulate a humanities research problem and objective, describe the ideal state (what should be), the actual tension or gap (what is currently problematic), and the implications (why it matters). Then distill this into a specific research objective, such as "To develop / To identify / To substantiate..." with a focus on relevance, significance, and originality.
Stages for Formulating a Humanities Research Problem and Objective (Theoretical and Applied)
IDEAL STATE: Describe the desired, normative condition within the field of humanities knowledge (e.g., "Ideally, social institutions effectively integrate migrants").
CURRENT REALITY: Describe the present situation that falls short of the ideal (e.g., "However, in practice, social exclusion and conflict persist").
CONSEQUENCES IF UNADDRESSED: Explain why this matters and what will happen if the problem remains unsolved (e.g., "This leads to increased social tension and diminished cultural capital within society").
POTENTIAL: What becomes possible if the problem is resolved? (e.g., "Addressing this issue would foster growth and development of cultural capital in society").
TENSION/GAP: Express this as a scholarly question or conceptual tension, for example: "The contradiction between the necessity of integration and the existing barriers to achieving it constitutes the core problem".
RESEARCH OBJECTIVE: What needs to be done—and by whom—(created, developed, clarified, changed, etc.) to resolve the tension, realize the ideal, and fulfill the potential.
Example
Research Problem (Humanities): "There exists a tension between contemporary society's demand for the development of critical thinking skills among youth and the insufficient development of effective pedagogical approaches for cultivating such skills within the context of digital education."
Research Objective: "To develop a comprehensive methodology for fostering critical thinking among secondary school students using interactive online platforms, to pilot this methodology, and to substantiate its effectiveness in enhancing their media literacy."
IDEAL STATE: Describe the desired, normative condition within the field of humanities knowledge (e.g., "Ideally, social institutions effectively integrate migrants").
CURRENT REALITY: Describe the present situation that falls short of the ideal (e.g., "However, in practice, social exclusion and conflict persist").
CONSEQUENCES IF UNADDRESSED: Explain why this matters and what will happen if the problem remains unsolved (e.g., "This leads to increased social tension and diminished cultural capital within society").
POTENTIAL: What becomes possible if the problem is resolved? (e.g., "Addressing this issue would foster growth and development of cultural capital in society").
TENSION/GAP: Express this as a scholarly question or conceptual tension, for example: "The contradiction between the necessity of integration and the existing barriers to achieving it constitutes the core problem".
RESEARCH OBJECTIVE: What needs to be done—and by whom—(created, developed, clarified, changed, etc.) to resolve the tension, realize the ideal, and fulfill the potential.
Example
Research Problem (Humanities): "There exists a tension between contemporary society's demand for the development of critical thinking skills among youth and the insufficient development of effective pedagogical approaches for cultivating such skills within the context of digital education."
Research Objective: "To develop a comprehensive methodology for fostering critical thinking among secondary school students using interactive online platforms, to pilot this methodology, and to substantiate its effectiveness in enhancing their media literacy."