Chapter 3: Statements of the Problem

1) PURPOSE of the problem statement:

a. Generate interest in the study
b. Articulate the importance of the study
c. Argue for the need of the study
d. Suggest why the study has significance
e. Help readers decide if the study is of interest to them

2) IDENTIFYING problem statement:

a. Found in INTRODUCTION SECTION
b. HEADINGS where it CAN APPEAR: (Introduction, Statement of the Problem, The
Research Problem, or have no heading)

3) TOPIC vs PROBLEM vs PURPOSE:

a. TOPIC is general, showing what is the study about
b. PROBLEM falls under the general topic, addressing the issue, concern, or
controversy
c. PURPOSE follows from the problem, SPECIFIC, what author intends to do

4) WHY RESEARCHERS STUDY RESEARCH PROBLEMS?

a. To fill a gap in the existing literature

b. To replicate past results by examining different participants/sites
c. To extend past results
d. To examine the problem more thoroughly
e. To learn from people whose voices have not been heard
f. To improve current practices

5) Research problems in QUANTITATIVE vs QUALITATIVE study

a. QUANTITATIVE (The effect of a treatment, the extent that groups differ, the
trends in a large group)
b. QUALITATIVE (How a process unfolds, the meaning of a phenomenon, the
complexity of a case, the stories of individuals’ lives)
6) ELEMENTS of problem statement
a. Topic
b. Research problem
c. Evidence for the importance of the problem
d. Knowledge about the problem that is missing
e. Audiences that may benefit from the new knowledge
f.
7) HOW TO FIND TOPIC
a. It’s in the FIRST SENTENCES of introduction
b. BROAD SUBJECT matter of study
 c. Answering the question “What is the study about”
d. Generating interest including: Statistical data, Provocative question, Clear need
for research, Powerful quote, Key definition

8) HOW TO FIND PROBLEM

a. In the first or second paragraph of an article
b. STRONG SENSE of IMPORTANCE
c. An issue, controversy or problem that needs to be solved (A major concern,
Affects the lives of many individuals, has serious consequences, A current issue
for practitioners, A problem about what is known about a topic, Conflicting
evidence in the literature)

9) Recognizing JUSTIFICATION for the PROBLEM

a. Scholarly evidence previously reported in the literature
b. Justification based on the impact on professional settings*
c. Personal experiences which support the importance

10) Recognizing KNOWLEDGE about THE PROBLEM that is MISSING

a. A gap/deficiency in knowledge that needs to be filled
b. Past results which need to be replicated
c. Previous results which need to be extended
d. The voices of marginalized people need to be heard
e. Practice needs to be improved

11) Identifying the AUDIENCES that will BENEFIT from the study
a. Usually near the end of the Introduction section
b. Mentions individuals and/or groups who will potentially benefit
c. May mention how the specific audiences will be able to use the new knowledge

12) EVALUATION of PROBLEM STATEMENT