6th Week Learning Log - Understanding Research Process & Writing A Problem Statement

Weekly learning log was started with the topic "Understanding Research Process" and the lecturer described this broad process simply with 4 steps such as:

(Source: http://thesocialskinny.com/effective-ways-to-use-social-media-for-marketing-research/) 

1. Narrow to a specific problem - Identification of the problem / state hypothesis you may use the fish-bone analysis method to narrow the problematic area. Also requires investigation
2. Develop Approach - Identification of the target sample, select data collection procedures & Design data collection plan (data sampling) - e.g. use of questionnaires 
3. Choose Analysis - Implement research plan and prepare the report
4. Literature Review -  This is an important step indeed to justify all the above steps mentioned, this stage is used to identify previous problem related solutions and get insights from them

Research problems can be categorized into these main sectors:

• Descriptive - Interview subjects, Observe behavior, Measure performance 
• Difference - When a comparison is done between two groups (2 or more in independent variable) than dependent variable
• Relational - When the subject issues are related and dependent on each other 

Selection of the research problem can be done by following below steps:

• Capture and note down spontaneous ideas that pop up while reading or even attending lectures
• Research a subject for a paper, choose areas where comfortable and feasible 
• Look for unresolved questions 
• Challenge commonly accepted beliefs 
• Refer and review masters and doctoral projects/research papers 
• Discuss ideas with other professional/educational advisers or with peers

(Source: http://www.public.asu.edu/~kroel/www500/The%20Research%20Problem.pdf)

Next topic on the board was "Writing a Problem Statement" The term problem statement means a general declaration that depicts a completed plan that will be used to solve problem at hand. When doing a research, problem statement is sure to explore any anticipated tangible or intangible problems that the researcher may encounter in future. 

Once (Hernon & Metoyer-Duran, 1993) discovered 9 attributes that respondents associated with Problem Statement, such as:

1. Clarity & Precision 
2. Identification of what would be studied
3. Identification of overarching question and key factors or variables 
4. Identification of Vital Concepts and terms 
5. Articulation of the study's boundaries or parameters 
6. Some Generalization
7. Conveyance of study's importance, benefits & justification
8. Reduce unnecessary jargon 
9. Conveyance of more than the mere gathering 

After that the lecturer handed over a document to the students that contains tips on writing a problem statement: (Source: http://grammar.yourdictionary.com/for-students-and-parents/tips-on-writing-a-problem-statement.html)

Accordingly after that lecturer distributed another worksheet, which explains in what direction you should write a problem statement. Students were asked to observe a given a given example and then fill out empty boxes according to the given situation. 

Problem statement structure was divided by into parts by these questions in each box:

1. Original problem or focusing question
2. Stakeholders who are most affected by the problem 
3. Type of problem 
4. Suspected cause of the problem 
5. Goal for improvement and long-term impact'
6. Proposal for addressing the problem
7. Final problem statement (concluded version) 

In general IT field A good problem statement should be concise, measurable, specific & must mention what it impacts. In scientific research mode a good problem statement should express relationship between 2 or more variables is stated clearly and unambiguously as a question and that should implies possibilities of empirical testing. Therefore I consider a good problem statement should be one that, clearly and comprehensively depict the issues and concerns addressed by it.    

O'Connor, B. N. (2000) 

And according to (yourdictionary, 2015) benefits of writing a good problem statement can be given as below: 

• Helps to keep focused with your research area
• Able to create a consistent and guided project 
• Make sure the project answer the chosen specific question
• Overall impact in making project qualitative 

Finally from this project I've learned that to understand the big picture you first need to clarify and be confident about the research subject area, then only the result will become efficient and feasible.

Research Process steps and Problem statement sketch is a very useful method which can used to keep your  project in track. This topic gave me a good insight on how to work with my ARMPD assignment as well. 

I hope you enjoyed My 6th Week Learning Log :) Have a nice day, Thank you!!!

Topic Related Videos  :-

References - 

• Hernon, P., & Metoyer-Duran, C. (1993). Problem statements: An exploratory study of their function, significance, and form. Library & Information Science Research, 15, 71−92
• O'Connor, B. N. (2000) Information Technology, Learning and Performance journal, Vol. 18, No. 2.