Identifying a Research Problem Text Chapters 2 Identifying a Research Problem John W. Creswell Educational Research: Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Quantitative and Qualitative Research, third edition

By the end of this powerpoint, you should be able to: Distinguish between a research problem, the topic, the purpose, and the research questions Describe the five elements that compromise a “statement of the problem” section Identify strategies useful in writing a “statement of the problem” section John W. Creswell Educational Research: Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Quantitative and Qualitative Research, third edition

What Is a Research Problem? A research problem is an educational issue or concern that an investigator presents and justifies in a research study. John W. Creswell Educational Research: Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Quantitative and Qualitative Research, third edition

Why the Research Problem Is Important It establishes the importance of the topic. It creates reader interest. It focuses the reader’s attention on how the study will add to the literature. John W. Creswell Educational Research: Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Quantitative and Qualitative Research, third edition

How the Problem Differs From Other Parts of Research A research problem is an educational issue or problem in the study. A research topic is the broad subject matter being addressed in a study. A purpose is the major intent or objective of the study. Research questions are those that the researcher would like answered or addressed in the study. John W. Creswell Educational Research: Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Quantitative and Qualitative Research, third edition

Differences among the Topic, Problem, Purpose, and Questions General Topic Distance learning Research Problem Lack of students in distance classes To study why students do not attend distance education classes at a community college Purpose Statement Does the use of Web site technology in the classroom deter students from enrolling in a distance education class? Research Question Specific John W. Creswell Educational Research: Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Quantitative and Qualitative Research, third edition

Research Problems in Quantitative Research Use quantitative research to: Measure variables Assess the impact of these variables on an outcome Test theories or broad explanations Apply results to a large number of people John W. Creswell Educational Research: Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Quantitative and Qualitative Research, third edition

Five Elements of a “Problem Statement” FLOW OF IDEAS What Remedying the Deficiencies Will Do for Select Audiences Deficiencies in the Evidence Educational Issue Evidence for the Issue Topic Subject area A concern A problem Something that needs a solution Evidence from the literature practical experiences In this body of evidence, what is missing? What do we need to know more about? How will addressing what we need to know help: researchers educators policy makers individuals such as those in the study John W. Creswell Educational Research: Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Quantitative and Qualitative Research, third edition

Advancing the Topic The topic is introduced in the first paragraphs. The topic includes the general subject matter. The topic must be introduced so that the reader can relate to it. John W. Creswell Educational Research: Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Quantitative and Qualitative Research, third edition

The Narrative Hook The narrative hook should be the first sentence of the study. Functions of the narrative hook Causes the reader to pay attention Elicits an emotional or attitudinal response from the reader Causes the reader to continue reading Information that can be included in the narrative hook Statistics A provocative question Need for research Intent of the study John W. Creswell Educational Research: Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Quantitative and Qualitative Research, third edition

Stating the Research Problem State the problem in the opening paragraph Identify an issue Research-based research problems Practical problems Use content from your popular media and trade journals Reference the problem using your research journal (and other research that you will add later on). John W. Creswell Educational Research: Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Quantitative and Qualitative Research, third edition

Justifying the Importance of the Research Problem Justify your study based on what other researchers have found Justification based on personal or workplace experiences Justification based on the experiences others have had in the workplace John W. Creswell Educational Research: Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Quantitative and Qualitative Research, third edition

Identifying Deficiencies in the Evidence What do we still need to know? What else do we need to know to improve practice? What is missing from what other researchers have found? John W. Creswell Educational Research: Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Quantitative and Qualitative Research, third edition

Identify the Audience Ask the following question: “Who will profit (benefit) from reading your study?” Other researchers Practitioners Policy makers Special populations (e.g., parents) John W. Creswell Educational Research: Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Quantitative and Qualitative Research, third edition

Writing the Statement of the Problem Section Include one paragraph for each of the five elements Heavily reference this section to the literature Provide statistics to support trends Use quotes from participants (in moderation) John W. Creswell Educational Research: Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Quantitative and Qualitative Research, third edition

Example of the Flow of Ideas in the Problem Statement Justification for Research Problem Relating the Discussion to Audiences Topic Research Problem Deficiencies in the Evidence Subject area Concern or issue A problem Something that needs a solution Evidence from the literature Evidence from practical experience In this body of evidence what is missing or what do we need to know more about? How will addressing what we need to know help researchers, educators, policy makers, and other individuals? An Example Ethical issues in colleges Ethical violations among football recruiters Gap in the literature Reports of violations Description identifying and characterizing violations Assessing violations Helps recruiters develop better ethical standards Helps athletes understand ethical issues John W. Creswell Educational Research: Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Quantitative and Qualitative Research, third edition

Quantitative Purpose Statements and Research Questions Probable cause/effect (“Why did it happen?”) Use of theories (“Why did it happen in view of an explanation or theory?”) Assess differences and magnitude (“How much happened?”) (“How many times did it happen?”) (“What were the differences among groups in what happened?”) John W. Creswell Educational Research: Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Quantitative and Qualitative Research, third edition

Explaining or Predicting Variables Quantitative Explaining or Predicting Variables The independent variable (X) influences a dependent variable (Y) X Y John W. Creswell Educational Research: Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Quantitative and Qualitative Research, third edition