Writing the

Introduction

Shiela Marie D. Bahia

 Things to consider:
•You have decided on a research problem that needs solving.
•Thru the development of an argument, a problem statement will be
developed that will articulate the problem.
•A statement of purpose (summary of overall goal) is sometimes
presented.
•Research questions are posed (queries to be answered).
•Hypotheses are stated for testing.
 The following are the components
of a problem statement:

1.Problem identification (What is wrong with the current situation).

2.Background (what is the nature of the problem that readers need
to understand).
3.Scope of the problem (How big is the problem; # of persons
affected).
4.Consequences of the problem (what is the cost of not fixing it).
5.Knowledge gaps (what info is lacking).
6.Proposed solution (how will this new study contribute to solving
the problem).
State the problem in the opening paragraph
(i.e., something that needs a solution)
•Identify an issue
–Research-based research problems
–Practical problems
•Reference the problem using the literature
•Common pitfall: defining the problem based
on the solution
 Effective problem
statement answers the
question “Why does the
research need to be
conducted”.