Problem 1: Define your research puzzle. It should be something that you are curious about to explore.
Problem 2: Define the research question based on the research puzzle.
Problem 3: Come up with a solid work hypothesis that would give a provisional explanation(s) of the phenomena you are interested in. The following could be one of the work hypotheses in the model scenario above,"
Problem 4: Pick a theory that would provide tentative frameworks of reference for the operationalization of your project