Statement of the Problem,

Significance of the Study, and

the Scope and Delimitations
Research Problem
• A research problem is a statement about an area
of concern, a condition to be improved, a
difficulty to be eliminated, or a troubling question
that exists in scholarly literature, in theory, or in
practice that points to the need for meaningful
understanding and deliberate investigation.
• A well-formulated statement of the problem sets
the stage for the rest of your study, including
how you will address the problem and any
anticipated outcomes or answers.
 Defining the ‘problem’
As you are defining the ‘problem’ that you are
addressing in your research, consider the following
questions: 

• What is the problem?

• Why is it a problem, and why does it need to be
resolved? 
• What are the likely benefits of solving the problem? 
• Besides the central question, what are smaller, specific
questions that need to be asked and answered?
 Sources of Problems
for Investigation
1. Personal Experience – Day-
to-day personal experience
of a researcher may serve as
a good source of idea to
formulate a research
problem.
2. Practical experience –
Experience that multiple
individuals encounter that
are similar but has its own
differences per situation.
3. Critical Appraisal of Literature -  process of carefully and
systematically examining research to judge its trustworthiness, value,
and relevance in a particular context

4. Previous Research – A body of knowledge should be developed on a

sound foundation of research findings. Usually, at the end of a research,
further research problems are suggested, based on the shortcomings of
previous research, which can be investigated.
5. Existing Theories – Research is a process of theory development and
theory testing

6. Consumer Feedback – Research problems may be generated from

the results of products, services, or activities given to a particular
population.

7. Folklores – Common belief of what is right or wrong

• 9. Exposure to field situations – During field exposure, researchers
get variety of experiences which may provide plenty of ideas to
formulate research problems.
Social Issues
How to write the
Statement of the Problem?
1. Describe how things should work - Concisely
describe how the process would function if the
current problem didn't exist before mentioning
the problem, keeping the end-user in mind.
2. Explain the problem and state why it matters –
Why is it a problem and why is it important to
solve it?
3. Backup your claims – Provide date to represent
4. Propose a solution – You should have a solid
grasp on the causes of the problem and be
prepared to propose practical approaches to
understanding and remedying it.
5. Explain the benefits of your proposed solution - Demonstrate why
this solution will work, again focusing on efficiency and the financial
impact of your solution.

6. Conclude by summarizing the problem and solution - This should

consist of the problem, why it needs to be fixed and a summarized
argument of why your solution is the best answer to the problem.
 1. Complicated Language
What not to 2. Don’t refer to other
include? similar problems
3. Don’t get too technical
What makes a good Statement of
the Problem?

1.Compelling topic
2.Supports multiple perspectives
3.Researchable
 • The significance of the study is
basically a written statement
that explains why your
research was important.
The • When writing this section of
your paper, first reflect on
Significance of what contribution your
the Study research is making to your
field.
• A study’s significance
should spark the interest of
the reader.
 How to write the Significance of the Study?

1 2 3
Think of the gaps your Look at your research Once you have these
study is setting out to from general and points ready, start
address. specific angles in terms writing
of its them, connecting them
(potential) contribution. to your study as a whole.
 • The particular significance of this study lies in
the… 
• We argue that this study moves the field
Here are some forward because…
opening lines • This study makes some important contributions
to…
to build on: • Our findings deepen the current understanding
about…
Scope and Delimitations

• The scope of a study explains

the extent to which the
research area will be explored
in the work and specifies the
parameters within the study
will be operating.
• Be careful when you define
your scope or area of focus.
Questions to follow

What? Why? Where?

When? Who? How?

What can you limit?

research objectives

research questions

research variables

target populations
You’re done with Chapter 1!