The Definition of a Problem Statement
The first step in the research process is to choose a problem to investigate. The researcher begins with a general topic and then narrows it to a specific problem statement, which is a detailed description of the problem and its importance.
Features
A problem statement describes the research problem and identifies potential causes or solutions. A problem statement also conveys the reason the problem is important and who is affected by the problem.
Types
There are two general types of problem statements: quantitative and qualitative. The problem statement in a quantitative research study names the variables and population to be studied, and asks a question about the relationship between the variables. A qualitative study, on the other hand, also begins with a problem statement, but it is stated much more broadly than in a quantitative study. In other words, it states the general purpose of the study, but the focus may change as the study progresses.
Characteristics
According to "Introduction to Research in Education," a good research problem has five basic characteristics. The problem must be significant enough to contribute to the existing body of research; the problem must be one that will lead to more research; it must be possible to investigate the problem through the collection of data; the problem must be interesting to the researcher and suit his skills, time and resources and the problem is ethical and will not harm others.
References
- Dept. of Justice: Center for Program Evaluation and Performance Measurement
- "Introduction to Research in Education"; Donald Ary, et. al; 2010
Writer Bio
Based in Houston, Jennifer Neel has been writing education-related articles since 2010. She is a Texas-certified mathematics teacher. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in finance and marketing from the University of Houston and is pursuing a Master of Education in instructional leadership from American Public University.
