· For example, if you propose the following, "The problem in this community is that there is no hospital," this only leads to a research problem where: The need is for a hospital The objective is to create a hospitalAuthor: Robert V. Labaree Writing Problem Statement for Research Topic | Example · An example of statement of the problem in research paper may look like this: “The current staffing model in a major bookstore does not allow for financial profit and sustainability. Managers are not using staff efficiently or effectively enough to stay in business beyond the foreseeable future.”
How to Write Statement of a Problem in Research - Research Prospect
A research problem is a definite or clear expression [statement] about an area of concern, a condition to be improved upon, a difficulty to be eliminated, or a troubling question that exists in scholarly literature, in theory, or within existing practice that points to a need for meaningful understanding and deliberate investigation.
A research problem does not state how to do something, offer a vague or broad proposition, or present a value question. Bryman, Alan. Norman K. Denzin and Yvonna S. Lincoln, editors. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage,pp. The purpose of a problem statement is to:. So What! In the social sciences, the research problem establishes the means by which you must answer the "So What? This question refers to a research problem surviving the relevancy test [the quality of a measurement procedure that provides repeatability and accuracy].
Note that answering the "So What? To survive the "So What" question, problem statements should possess the following attributes:. Critical Writing and Thinking. The Writing Center. Dean of the College, example of statement of the problem in research paper. Brown University; Ellis, Timothy J. and Yair Levy Nova. Writing Center.
University of Wisconsin, Madison; Thesis Statements. University of North Carolina; Tips and Examples for Writing Thesis Statements. The Writing Lab and The OWL. Purdue University; Selwyn, Neil. Types and Content.
There are four general conceptualizations of a research problem in the social sciences:. A problem statement in the social sciences should contain :.
NOTE : Example of statement of the problem in research paper statement describing the research problem of your paper should not be viewed as a thesis statement that you may be familiar with from high school.
Given the content listed above, a description of the research problem is usually a short paragraph in length. Sources of Problems for Investigation. The identification of a problem to study can be challenging, not because there's a lack of issues that could be investigated, but due to the challenge of formulating an academically relevant and researchable problem which is unique and does not simply duplicate the work of others.
To facilitate how you might select a problem from which to build a research study, consider these sources of inspiration:. Deductions from Theory This relates to deductions made from example of statement of the problem in research paper philosophy or generalizations embodied in life and in society that the researcher is familiar with.
These deductions from human behavior are then placed within an empirical frame of reference through research. From a theory, the researcher can formulate a research problem or hypothesis stating the expected findings in certain empirical situations. Interdisciplinary Perspectives Identifying a problem that forms the basis for a research study can come from academic movements and scholarship originating in disciplines outside of your primary area of study.
This can be an intellectually stimulating exercise. A review of pertinent literature should include examining research from related disciplines that can reveal new avenues of exploration and analysis. An interdisciplinary approach to selecting a research problem offers an opportunity to construct a more comprehensive understanding of a very complex issue that any single discipline may be able to provide.
Interviewing Practitioners The identification of research problems about particular topics can arise from formal interviews or informal discussions with practitioners who provide insight into new directions for future research and how to make research findings more relevant to practice.
Discussions with experts in the field, such as, teachers, social workers, health care providers, lawyers, business leaders, example of statement of the problem in research paper, etc. This approach also provides some practical knowledge which may help in the process of designing and conducting your study. Personal Experience Don't undervalue your everyday experiences or encounters as worthwhile problems for investigation.
This can be derived, for example, from deliberate observations of certain relationships for which there is no clear explanation or witnessing an event that appears harmful to a person or group or that is out of the ordinary.
Relevant Literature The selection of a research problem can be derived from a thorough review of pertinent research associated with your overall area of interest. This may reveal where gaps exist in understanding a topic or where an issue has been understudied.
Research may be conducted to: 1 fill such gaps in knowledge; 2 evaluate if the methodologies employed in prior studies can be adapted to solve other problems; or, 3 determine if a similar study could be conducted in a different subject area or applied in a different context or to different study sample [i. Also, authors frequently conclude their studies by noting implications for further research; read the conclusion of pertinent studies because statements about further research can be a valuable source for identifying new problems to investigate.
The fact that a researcher has identified a topic worthy of further exploration validates the fact it is worth pursuing. What Makes a Good Research Statement? A good problem statement begins by introducing the broad area in which your research is centered, gradually leading the reader to the more example of statement of the problem in research paper issues you are investigating. The statement need not be lengthy, but a good research problem should incorporate the following features:.
Compelling Topic The problem chosen should be one that motivates you to address it but simple curiosity is not a good enough reason to pursue a research study because this does not indicate significance. Supports Multiple Perspectives The problem must be phrased in a way that avoids dichotomies and instead supports the generation and exploration of multiple perspectives. A general rule of thumb in the social sciences is that a good research problem is one that would generate a variety of viewpoints from a composite audience made up of reasonable people.
Researchability This isn't a real word but it represents an important aspect of creating a good research statement.
It seems a bit obvious, but you don't want to find yourself in the midst of investigating a complex research project and realize that you don't have enough prior research to draw from for your analysis. There's nothing inherently wrong with original research, but you must choose research problems that can be supported, in some way, by the resources available to you. If you are not sure if something is researchable, don't assume that it isn't if you don't find information right away--seek help from a librarian!
NOTE: Do not confuse a research problem with a research topic. A topic is something to read and obtain information about, whereas a problem is something to be solved or framed as a question raised for inquiry, consideration, or solution, or explained as a source of perplexity, distress, or vexation.
In short, a research topic is something to be understood; a research problem is something that needs to be investigated. Asking Analytical Questions about the Research Problem. Research problems in the social and behavioral sciences are often analyzed around critical questions that must be investigated. These questions can be explicitly listed in the introduction [i. Explicitly listing your research questions at the end of your introduction can help in designing a clear roadmap of what you plan to address in your study, whereas, implicitly integrating them into the text of the introduction allows you to create a more compelling narrative around the key issues under investigation.
Either approach is appropriate. The number of questions you attempt to address should be based on the complexity of the problem you are investigating and what areas of inquiry you find most critical to study.
Practical considerations, such as, the length of the paper you are writing or the availability of resources to analyze the issue can also factor in how many questions to ask. In general, however, there should be no more than four research questions underpinning a single research problem. Given this, well-developed analytical questions can focus on any of the following:.
NOTE: Questions of how and why concerning a research problem often require more analysis than questions about who, what, where, and when.
You should still ask yourself these latter questions, however. Thinking introspectively about the who, what, where, example of statement of the problem in research paper, and when of a research problem can help ensure that you have thoroughly considered all aspects of the problem under investigation and helps define the scope of the study in relation to the problem. Mistakes to Avoid, example of statement of the problem in research paper. Beware of circular reasoning! Do not state that the research problem as simply the absence of the thing you are suggesting.
For example, if you propose the following, "The problem in this community is that there is no hospital," this only leads to a research problem where:.
This is an example of a research problem that fails the "So What? In this example, the problem does not reveal the relevance of why you are investigating the fact there is no hospital in the community [e. Alvesson, Mats and Jörgen Sandberg. Writing CSU. Colorado State University; D'Souza, Victor S. George Mason University; Invention: Developing a Thesis Statement. Hunter College; Problem Statements PowerPoint Presentation. Purdue University; Procter, Margaret. Using Thesis Statements.
University College Writing Centre. University of Toronto; Trochim, William M. Problem Formulation. Research Methods Knowledge Base.
Purdue University; Walk, Kerry. Asking an Analytical Question. Princeton University; White, Patrick. Developing Research Questions: A Guide for Social Scientists, example of statement of the problem in research paper. New York: Palgrave McMillan, Search this Guide Search. Organizing Your Social Sciences Research Paper Offers detailed guidance on how to develop, organize, and write a college-level research paper in the social and behavioral sciences.
Purpose of Guide Types of Research Designs Design Flaws to Avoid Independent and Dependent Variables Glossary of Research Terms 1.
Choosing a Research Problem Reading Research Effectively Narrowing a Topic Idea Broadening a Topic Idea Extending the Timeliness of a Topic Idea 2.
How to Write the Statement of the Problem
, time: 13:11Problem Statement Examples & Samples - Research Examples Templates
· For example, if you propose the following, "The problem in this community is that there is no hospital," this only leads to a research problem where: The need is for a hospital The objective is to create a hospitalAuthor: Robert V. Labaree · Example of Practical Research Problem Statement. The production of a company is low for the months of July and August every year. Initial research has been conducted by the company which revealed that poor production in the months of July and August is due to the unavailability of local raw blogger.comted Reading Time: 11 mins Example of the Flow of Ideas in the Problem Statement Topic Research Problem Justification for Research Problem Deficiencies in the Evidence Relating the Discussion to Audiences Subject area •Concern or issue •A problem •Something that needs a solution •Evidence from the literature •Evidence from practical experience •In this body of evidence what is
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