Writing and Supporting a Problem Statement Abraham S. Fischler College of Education & School of Criminal Justice Summer Institute 2019 Gabriela Mendez, PhD Associate Professor & Katrina Pann, PhD Dissertation Services Associate

General Information The Problem Statement and associated sections make up the beginning of Chapter 1 of the Prospectus. This section should follow the Format Guide for the Applied Dissertation and the sixth edition of the APA manual.

What is a “Problem”? Social or educational concern Current, relevant, and significant to your discipline A gap in the current research—something we do not know enough about (according to experts in the field)

Why is the “Problem” Important? Establishes significance of the study (answers the “so what” question) Creates reader interest Focuses attention on how study will contribute to the literature and to practice Foundation on which all other components of the study are built

Where to Find a Problem Journals, books, dissertations Conferences, workshops, presentations Recommendations about future research Workplace Expert consultations Online library services (e.g., ProQuest) Developing a research idea means investing time and energy on some ideas that you do not further pursue. Do not think of this as wasted time. Quite the opposite. it is often through investigating a bad idea that you then develop a good one. “There is nothing more dangerous than an idea, when it is the only one you have.” – Roger von Oech

How to Narrow Down the Problem Bounce ideas off a colleague Talk with your chair Are you interested enough in the topic to work on it over a period of months, years?

Considering Feasibility Can the study be done? Do you have access to the research site? Do you have the time, resources, and skills to carry out the research? Is it within your range of influence?

How the Problem Differs From Other Components of the Study A research problem is a social or educational concern that we do not know enough about and prompts the need for conducting the study. A 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. They must be specific and measurable.

Differences Among the Topic, Problem, Purpose, and Questions General Topic Post secondary student attrition Research Problem High level of attrition at a local community college To discover the perceptions of students at a local community college regarding retention Purpose Statement What are some of the reasons students describe for not completing their studies at a local community college? Research Question Specific

More Examples The problem to be examined/investigated (quantitative) or explored (qualitative) in the proposed study is… Adolescents at a competitive college preparatory high school are experiencing high levels of stress and anxiety. Only half of patients who complete substance abuse treatment in the facility under study remain abstinent after treatment. Students in a separate alternative special education program are not transitioning successfully back to their Least Restrictive Environment (LRE).

Components of the Problem Statement Chapter 1: Introduction Statement of the Problem The topic. Brief description of the proposed area of study. The research problem. Significant social/educational concern that we do not know enough about and/or has not been sufficiently addressed. “The problem to be addressed by the proposed study is . . . .” Background and justification. Concise summary of what is currently known about the problem, both from literature and specific setting (background) and its relevance (justification). Deficiencies in the evidence. Brief discussion that details the area of need in relation to the problem and the deficiency or lack of evidence in the literature. Hint: This is where your study fits! Audience. Discussion of who is affected and who benefits.

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