Develop the Problem Statement

Lets discuss the first step in designing and aligning your proposal,
developing your Problem Statement. The expectation is that your
dissertation arises from a specific problem within your field that you will
explore through research.

Problem Statement Highlighted

Alignment of the proposed study begins with the identification of a
problem worthy of doctoral research. The problem statement conveys the
issues and provides the context that gave rise to the study. A research
problem arises from a problem within your field that needs a solution.

Common sources of research problems might include:

1. Personal experiences and interests

2. Various theories within your discipline
3. Related literature and literature gaps within your discipline
4. A follow-up to existing studies based on recommendations by the
author(s) of existing studies.

The Problem Statement:

The problem statement is the heart of your entire study. You should ask yourself
the following two questions: What is the problem? and Why is this problem worthy
of my valuable time and efforts? Most often, you will begin with a general problem
and then derive a specific problem from your general problem. Think of a funnel thats
wide at top and gradually narrows. The problem statement often exposes and points to
a gap in the current peer-reviewed literature concerning your topic. The Problem
Statement naturally leads to the Purpose of the Study, which will explain what you, as a
researcher, intend to do to study the problem.
Write an Effective Problem Statement:

A problem statement is a brief piece of writing in your proposal that explains the
general and specific problem or issue your research is addressing. A problem statement
needs to indicate and explain why it is a problem grounded in the research literature.
Problem statements can be written as declarations or as questions. Declarative formats
are the most popular type of problem statements.

The Funnel
In developing a Problem Statement, first acquaint the reader with what your topic
is all about. Introduce key concepts, what has already been studied, and why your
problem is an important one to be addressed, that is, why anyone should care about it.
Lets take a closer look at how to assemble the Problem Statement. In crafting the
research problem, you move from general topic, curiosity, or doubt about a situation to a
specific statement of the research problem.

One way to conceptualize this process is to think of a funnel. In the funnel

depicted in this slide notice that at the top of the funnel you start with what you might
think of as the Hook, move down to the Anchor, introduce the General Problem, move to
the Specific Problem, and then establish the Gap in the literature.

This section of your dissertation proposal should conclude with a narrowly

focused, manageable, and researchable statement of the problem. Therefore, the last
sentence in the section is typically the researchable problem statementa sentence
that will align to the purpose statement and research questions. Your researchable
Problem Statement should clearly indicate the narrowly focused problem, issue, or
condition you intend to research. Typically, your researchable problem reflects a gap in
the knowledge base, one which is impacting practitioners in your discipline or
profession, and one that you will attempt to begin to fill (i.e., the problem reflects what is
unknown or what is missing from the literature).

The Hook
Lets take a closer look at each piece of the Problem Statement. Well start with
the hook. The Hook creates interest in your general topic and offers research citations
for support.
The Anchor
First you capture interest in your topicthe Hook. Then you establish the need
for the studythe Anchor. The Anchor grounds the reader in the need for the study, as
shown in the example.

The General Problem

The General Problem shown in this example grows out of our clients Hook and
Anchor. Here too, you are expected to cite supporting research.

There are few studies that accurately assess the extent and reasons for this
persistent gap, particularly with respect to students with disabilities. States have
struggled to meet achievement goals for students with disabilities. Federal and state
agencies do not understand the extent of and reasons for the disparity, nor can they
identify practices to reduce the disparity.

The Specific Problem

The Specific Problem is a narrowly focused, manageable, and researchable
piece of the general problem. Look closely at how our client narrowed down her
problem by specifying a particular grade level and time frame.

Align the Purpose of the Study

Developing and aligning the purpose of the study is the next step in a proposal
that will receive your committees blessings. If it helps, consider the purpose
comparable to a solution. How will you solve your proposed problem?

The Purpose of the Study

The purpose of your study goes beyond the concise one sentence purpose
statement. If the problem is the heart of your study then the purpose is the brains of
your study. The study purpose describes the intent of the study. It explains the primary
goal of your study. It describes the setting and the population under investigation.
Ultimately, the purpose of study answers the question, How will you address your
research problem?

Write an Effective Purpose Statement

Answer these questions about your proposed study:

What?
Where?
Who?
How?

Identify the Problem. An effective purpose statement will relate back to the
specific problem identified in the problem statement.

Identify the Setting. Explain where the problem takes place by clearly identifying
the setting.

Identify the Population. The specific population the researcher intends to study
should be clear in the purpose statement. The population reflects the individuals who
are affected by the problem to be studied.

Identify the Research Method. The purpose statement should clearly indicate the
research method to be used in the study. The researcher should identify whether the
method will be quantitative or qualitative. Quantitative research uses numerical data.
Qualitative research uses descriptive or narrative data.