Assignment:
Respond to at least two (2) of your peers. Provide feedback on their social or research problem, including how to translate the social problem into a research problem or any other issues you see that are related to researching the problem.
1-The first peer is: Muideen Olawoyin
Reply from Muideen Olawoyin
Social problems and research problems are related but serve distinct purposes in scholarly inquiry. A social problem is a broad issue that affects a population or community, often involving systemic challenges such as inequality, lack of access to services, or social injustice. These problems are typically complex and observed in real-world settings. In contrast, a research problem is a focused, specific issue derived from the social problem that can be examined through systematic, empirical investigation. A research problem is grounded in existing scholarly literature, identifies a clear gap in knowledge or practice, and is framed in a way that allows for objective analysis. While a social problem highlights what is happening in society, a research problem identifies what is not yet fully understood and requires further study (Walden University, 2020).
The social problem I am interested in is the presence of system-level barriers to accessing community-based mental health services and how these barriers influence housing stability among adults experiencing homelessness in Sacramento County, California. Individuals experiencing homelessness often face significant obstacles such as fragmented service systems, limited availability of providers, transportation issues, and stigma associated with seeking mental health care. These barriers can prevent individuals from receiving consistent and effective treatment, which is critical for maintaining stable housing. Research has shown that mental health challenges and housing instability are closely linked, with untreated mental health conditions contributing to prolonged homelessness and difficulty securing housing (Kerman et al., 2018). Additionally, system-level inefficiencies, such as lack of coordination between service providers, further limit access to essential resources (Warren et al., 2025).
To translate this social problem into a research problem, it is necessary to narrow the focus and identify a gap in the literature. Although existing research has explored homelessness and mental health, there is limited understanding of how system-level barriers specifically impact housing stability outcomes within a localized context. Therefore, the research problem can be stated as follows: There is insufficient understanding of how system-level barriers to accessing community-based mental health services affect housing stability among adults experiencing homelessness in Sacramento County, California. This research problem is specific, researchable, and grounded in existing literature, making it appropriate for doctoral-level study.
By refining the broader social issue into a focused research problem, the study can contribute meaningful insights to the field of human services. This process supports the development of targeted research questions and evidence-based strategies aimed at improving access to mental health services and promoting housing stability for vulnerable populations. Need Assignment Help?
2-The second peer is " Liana Pachot
Reply from Liana Pachot
Explain the difference between social problems and research problems.
When comparing social and research problems, the primary distinction appears to be the amount of research required to identify the problem. A social problem is identified as an undesired situation in the community. Additionally, the research is simplified. The example used in the presentation concerns the water supply, and the direct solution was to implement a water ban. The research problem is identified as a topic that requires further understanding. The research also looks for resolutions and gaps in the literature. The example the presentation uses is studying teachers' turnover rates and analyzing the data to identify barriers and solutions. Looking at the examples, they show that there is more analysis and layers to research when examining a research problem than a social problem.
Describe a social problem you are interested in and how you can translate that social problem into research problem.
The research problem that I am interested in is the impact of racial discrimination. This has been a topic that I have been looking into research as well as completed training for since my undergraduate studies. Racial discrimination has an impact on social, emotional, mental, and financial considerations. When looking at racial discrimination as a social problem, the solution could be simplified to training and educational resources. Additionally, when looking at racial discrimination as a social problem, it may be a more focused problem, due to it being an undesirable situation in a specific community. Translating this to a research problem, we can look at racial discrimination as more of a systemic problem to be solved rather than a community one. When looking at racial discrimination as systemic, it creates more research opportunities specifically around laws, barriers such as redlining, and how past barriers impact multiple communities impacted by racial discrimination.