Unfortunately where I come from lack of true research opportunities are far and few. Just because I have not been exposed to research methods so far does not mean I cannot develop the necessary skills, when given the chance. Agreed, to some people research is natural and effortless. This however should not mean the less gifted ones among us give up without attempting.
My problem is this - when given a question I can give a solution. It is finding the question in the first place that is proving to be a challenge.
> Just because I have not been exposed to research methods so far does not mean I cannot develop the necessary skills, .... This however should not mean the less gifted ones among us give up without attempting.
Certainly. I wasn't questioning your ability, but your interest.
> Unfortunately where I come from lack of true research opportunities are far and few.
I must disagree. Any 8-year-old with a pencil and paper can do research in mathematics and the theory of algorithms. Give him a piece of glass, and he can get into optics. Send him outdoors and he can work on biology, chemistry, etc.
Of course, this won't be groundbreaking research. But the point is that people who like doing research are probably already doing it. They just need help getting to the front lines of a field, so that they can make significant, truly original contributions. That is part of what a PhD program is for.
I can't tell much about you from a couple of paragraphs--and you don't need to justify yourself to me, anyway. But some of what you said earlier raised a "red flag" in my mind. As a PhD student, you have, no doubt, been exposed to some of the important and/or difficult problems in your field. Have you tried solving any of them; if not, have you spent much time thinking about how you might go about solving them? More generally, do you enjoy problem solving? Do you work on problems when you are not obligated to? Do you talk about them with your friends (or wish you had friends that liked talking about them with you)?
If so, then, great, figure out how to overcome your current obstacle, finish your degree, and have a fun life being paid to do what you love.
But if not, then you might be investing a huge amount of time & effort preparing for a career that you'll hate. And that is hardly an outcome to be desired.
My problem is this - when given a question I can give a solution. It is finding the question in the first place that is proving to be a challenge.