problem-finding

The nature of science is intertwined with research and the research is based on the problem. Problem is the basic pillar of science and in this field of knowledge, problem finding is the most important activity. These propositions are the assumptions on which the present article is based. This article is a discussion of theoretical considerations and therefore, it lacks empirical evidence and observations derived from it. In this research, an attempt has been made to study the status of the problem in social science research and the knowledge requirements of problem finding based on the teaching of philosophy of science. Hence, the nature of the problem and its importance have been considered in social research. That problems are the beginning and the end of the search for scientific truth, and in the cognitive realm, problem finding takes precedence over problem solving. On the other hand, the extent and complexity of social problems and the context of their occurrence, their historical nature and the instability of cognition and its reasons have been discussed. In the following, some of the cognitive considerations and necessities of doing social research have been introduced in a reasoned manner, which are necessary to move in the direction of living and dynamic knowledge. Among these considerations, epistemological, ontological and methodological assumptions have a special status, because they determine the logic and position of the researcher towards the research reasoning system.

This article aims to investigate the concerns of today’s Iranians’ sociology regarding two theoretic attitudes: dissertation writing and local theory-building. There are deficiencies and shortages in both of these co-related fields requiring investigation. One of them is problem-finding- which this article focuses on. Problem-finding is somehow recognized simultaneously as the art and experience of researcher. The deeper and more meticulous the article is performed, the stronger both innovation and organization of the research are reinforced and Problem-finding, as the basic block of science, serves as a basis on which theorybuilding and researching could be formed and honored. On the one hand, what and how the problem is built and found, and on the other hand, why problem is building -as an ontological-methodological basis- ignored is important? In this paper, while reviewing the nature and paradigmatic importance of problem-finding in different paradigms and identifying the methodological position of problem and problem-finding based on available yet related literature, the author presents theory and deals with scrutinizing the subject of problem-finding.