How to Write a Research Problem Statement

Dissertation by Design

9 Mar 202104:33

Summary

TLDRThe video script emphasizes the importance of the problem statement in a dissertation proposal, likening it to a 'true north' guiding the research journey. It clarifies that a problem statement is distinct from a mere question or interest, requiring specificity and relevance to a theoretical or practical issue. The script outlines the three key components of a problem statement: context, knowledge gap, and significance. It advises researchers to use an early draft of the problem statement as a guide during literature review and to continually refine it as they gain deeper insights into their topic. The ultimate goal is to develop a compelling argument that justifies the necessity of the research.

Takeaways

🧭 The problem statement is the 'true north' of a dissertation proposal, guiding the entire research process.
🔍 It is typically the first section written and serves as a clear identification of the problem to be investigated.
🤔 A research problem is distinguished from a mere question or interest by being well-defined, specific, and outlining an issue that needs addressing.
📚 The problem statement is situated within the introductory chapter and is crucial for guiding the literature search and proposal writing.
🏢 The context component of the problem statement describes the current situation and what is wrong or needs changing.
🔍 The knowledge gap is defined by the context and significance, setting the boundaries for the study and preventing it from straying off-topic.
📈 The significance of the problem should convey a sense of urgency and importance, often supported by statistics to highlight the scope and consequences.
📝 The initial draft of the problem statement is a working tool for the researcher, meant to guide literature review and does not need to be perfect.
🔄 The problem statement should evolve as the researcher learns more about the topic, with continuous reading and refinement.
🧐 It's important to refer back to the problem statement when stuck to ensure that all research activities are clearly related to the problem at hand.
💡 As the literature review is developed, the researcher accumulates knowledge, bringing them closer to becoming an expert on the topic.

Q & A

Why is the problem statement considered the 'true north' of a dissertation proposal?
-The problem statement is the 'true north' of a dissertation proposal because it serves as a compass guiding the entire research process, from literature search to the writing of the proposal.
In what chapter of the dissertation is the problem statement typically located?
-The problem statement is typically located within the introductory chapter of the dissertation.
What is the primary role of the problem statement in a research proposal?
-The primary role of the problem statement is to clearly identify the problem the researcher intends to investigate and to outline an issue that needs to be addressed or changed.
Why is it important to articulate the problem statement effectively?
-Articulating the problem statement effectively is important because it helps the reader understand and care about the research, and it guides the researcher in their investigation and contribution to solving the problem or expanding knowledge.
What are the three components of a problem statement?
-The three components of a problem statement are context, knowledge gap, and significance.
What does the context component of the problem statement communicate?
-The context component communicates the current situation and what is wrong with it or what needs to change, focusing on the present rather than detailing the history.
How is the knowledge gap in a problem statement framed?
-The knowledge gap is framed by the context and significance, which sets the terms of the study and helps to keep the research focused and on track.
What is the purpose of stating the significance of the problem in the problem statement?
-The purpose of stating the significance of the problem is to convey a sense of urgency to the reader, making them care about the research and understand the scope and consequences of the issue being studied.
Why is it suggested to keep the initial draft of the problem statement for personal use only?
-The initial draft of the problem statement is suggested for personal use only because it is meant to guide the researcher during the literature search and development of the literature review, and it does not need to be perfect at this stage.
How should a researcher use the problem statement as they progress through their research?
-A researcher should use the problem statement as a reference point, reading and re-reading it to keep their research focused, and allowing it to evolve as they learn more about their topic.
What is the relationship between the problem-posing mentality and a researcher's identity?
-The problem-posing mentality is a cornerstone of a researcher's identity because it involves formulating questions, learning, discovering errors, and contributing to solving relevant problems, which are all integral to the research process.
How will the lessons following the script help in developing a problem statement?
-The lessons will guide the researcher through the process of developing an early draft of the problem statement, revising it as they learn more about their topic, and thinking through each component to ensure a well-reasoned and credible argument for the need of their study.

Outlines

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📚 The Importance of the Problem Statement

The paragraph emphasizes the significance of the problem statement in a dissertation proposal. It is described as the 'true north', guiding the researcher through literature search and proposal writing. The problem statement is a well-defined, specific issue that is theoretical or practical, indicating something that is wrong or needs to be changed. It is situated in the introductory chapter and is the first section to identify the research problem. The paragraph also explains that a research problem is not merely a question or interest but an issue that the research aims to solve or knowledge to expand. The importance of articulating the problem to engage the reader is highlighted.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Problem Statement

The problem statement is defined as the core issue that a research proposal aims to address. It acts as the 'true north' or guiding principle for the entire research process, from literature search to proposal writing. In the script, it is emphasized that the problem statement is the first section read and should clearly identify the research problem, setting the stage for the rest of the proposal. It is crucial for guiding the researcher's efforts and ensuring that the study remains focused and relevant.

💡Research Problem

A research problem is a well-defined, specific issue that is either theoretical or practical in nature. It outlines something that is wrong or needs to change. The script clarifies that a mere question or research interest does not constitute a problem; rather, it must be articulated in a way that it contributes to solving a problem or expanding knowledge. The problem statement should help the reader understand and care about the research, which is central to the video's theme of effective research proposal writing.

💡Context

Context refers to the current situation or environment within which a problem exists. In the script, it is mentioned that the context is part of the problem statement and should describe what is wrong with the current situation or what needs to change. It provides the backdrop against which the research problem is understood, helping to frame the significance and relevance of the study.

💡Knowledge Gap

The knowledge gap is a concept that highlights areas where existing research or understanding is incomplete or insufficient. In the video script, it is framed by the context and significance, setting the terms for the study and preventing it from straying off course. The knowledge gap is essential for identifying what the research aims to contribute to the existing body of knowledge, which is a key component of the research problem.

💡Significance

Significance in a research proposal refers to the importance or impact of the research problem. The script suggests that stating the significance should convey a sense of urgency to the reader, making them care about the research. It is used to highlight the scope and consequences of the problem, thereby justifying the need for the study.

💡Literature Search

Literature search is the process of identifying, locating, and reviewing existing literature relevant to the research topic. The script emphasizes that the early draft of the problem statement is meant to guide the researcher during the literature search, helping to focus their efforts and keep the research on track.

💡Literature Review

A literature review is a written section of a research proposal that summarizes and synthesizes existing research on a topic. In the script, it is mentioned that by the time the researcher writes the literature review, they will have accumulated a wealth of information, bringing them closer to becoming an expert on their topic. The literature review is integral to understanding the research problem and situating the study within the existing scholarly discourse.

💡Theoretical

The term 'theoretical' in the context of the script refers to a type of research problem that is based on abstract concepts or principles. It contrasts with 'practical' problems, which are more directly related to real-world applications or issues. Theoretical problems are important for expanding knowledge and understanding in a field, which is a key aspect of the research process discussed in the video.

💡Practical

Practical, in the script, refers to research problems that are directly applicable to real-world situations or have immediate, tangible implications. It is one of the two types of research problems mentioned, the other being theoretical. Practical problems are those that aim to solve specific issues or improve upon current practices, which is a central theme in the video's discussion on the importance of well-defined research problems.

💡Scholarly Discourse

Scholarly discourse refers to the academic conversation or debate within a particular field of study. In the script, it is mentioned that to write the knowledge gap, one needs to be well versed in the scholarly discourse on the topic. This implies engaging with and understanding the existing academic discussions that form the basis for identifying gaps and framing research problems.

💡Researcher's Identity

The researcher's identity, as discussed in the script, encompasses the mindset and approach that a researcher adopts throughout their work. It includes the problem-posing mentality, which is a cornerstone of being a researcher. This involves formulating questions, learning, discovering, and correcting understanding in the pursuit of solving relevant problems, which is a central message of the video.

Highlights

The problem statement is the 'true north' of a dissertation proposal, guiding the entire research process.

It is crucial to start with the problem statement as it sets the direction for literature search and proposal writing.

The problem statement is typically found in the introductory chapter and is the first section to identify the research problem.

A research problem is distinct from a question or interest; it is well-defined, specific, and outlines an issue requiring change or solution.

The research aims to solve the problem or expand knowledge, necessitating a clear articulation of the problem statement.

The problem statement consists of three components: context, knowledge gap, and significance.

Context provides the current situation and what is wrong or needs changing.

Knowledge gap is framed by the context and significance, defining the study's scope and preventing deviation.

Significance conveys a sense of urgency and importance, making the reader care about the research.

An early draft of the problem statement guides literature search and development of the literature review.

The problem statement should be revisited and revised as new information is learned and analyzed.

Reading the problem statement repeatedly helps in keeping the research focused and evolving with new insights.

By the time of writing the literature review, one should have a wealth of information and be closer to becoming an expert on the topic.

The problem-posing mentality is fundamental to a researcher's identity, involving positing, learning, and correcting for solving relevant problems.

The lessons will guide the development of an early draft of the problem statement to focus literature search and writing.

Revising the problem statement is an iterative process that occurs as more is learned about the research topic.

Understanding and articulating the three components of the problem statement is key to presenting a credible argument for the study's necessity.