formulating problem statements

8/9/2019 Formulating Problem Statements

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Formulating Problem Statements:

Using Audience Awareness toContextualize Your ResearchGoals

A persuasive problem statement consists of three parts: 1) theideal, 2) the reality, and 3) the consequences for the reader of thefeasibility report. Well constructed problem statements will convinceyour audience that the problem is real and worth havin youinvestiate. !our stratey is one of contrast: by situatin the idealscenario ne"t to the situation as it e"ists, you can not only persuadethe reader that a problem e"ists, but then o on to emphasi#e theconsequences of inorin or addressin the problem.

$emember, your problem statement is the bac%bone of theproposal and the feasibility report. &y ivin careful considerationto how you construct it now 'for the proposal), you can use it whendoin your research and writin for the proposal as well as theproress and the feasibility report.

STATEMENT 1 '(*+$-/0 / (A *+0A$/)

(escribe the oals, desired state, or the values that youraudienceconsiders importantand that are relevant to theproblem.

(BUT

+onnect statements 1 and 2 usin a term such as 4but,4 4however,4

45nfortunately,4 or 4in spite of46

STATEMENT !' $A! / *5A/0)

(escribe a condition that prevents the oal, state, or value

discussed in statement

1 from bein achieved or reali#ed at the present time.

STATEMENT "' +/0*750+* /$ A5(0+)


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5sin speci8c details, show how the situation in statement 2contains little promise of improvement unless somethin isdone. hen emphasi#e the bene8ts of research by pro9ectin theconsequences of possible solutions as well.

#ESEA#$%'!/5$ -$/-/*( $*A$+ / 0*;A -/**&! /> how will you research the problem? What sourcesof information, types of research 'primary or secondary),or tools willyou use to help you 8nd solutions and ma%e recommendations toresolve the clash?

P#&B'EM STATEMENT EAMP'ES

E)ample *1

STATEMENT 1

n order to provide e"cellent patient care at a minimal cost,


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A new dianostic technique, nuclear manetic resonance '0


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Without an eEective mediation proram to help Alfred Academyachieve its educational oals, violence will continue to escalate. Anew, interactive approach to non>violent problem solvin is needed.A lon>term mediation>trainin proram may help the administrationto '1) reinstate the schoolFs paci8st values, '2) prevent aressivebehavior from escalatin, and '3) promote peaceful interactions inthe school. +urrent mediation prorams are both abundant anddiverse in nature.

#ESEA#$%

propose to e"amine the advantaes and disadvantaes of thevarious current mediation>trainin prorams to determine whichadequately suits AlfredFs present and future needs.

E)ample *"

AU+,EN$E:

am writin to


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optional wee%ly meetins send the messae that it is optional todeal with the loss, when in fact the students must learn about theirloss and how to live with it.

STATEMENT "

&y not feelin comfortable or safe in the proram, students are notable to fully learn, understand, deal with, or move on from their loss.

#ESEA#$%

would li%e to investiate diEerent strateies such as familyinvolvement, individual meetins, more awareness of the proram,and mandatory involvement and see if they maybe miht help astudent to recover from their loss. would also li%e to loo% into the

probability of the implementation of these strateies.

E)ample *-

STATEMENT 1

deally, the mission of the 5niversity -ar% Allocation +ommittee isdedicated to allocatin both 5niversity ;eneral unds money as wellas a portion of the *tudent Activity ee income. hese funds aremade available in order to enhance student life and the out>of>class

e"perience or improve the educational climate at 5niversity -ar%.

STATEMENT !

/ne of the main focuses of the committee is consistency.5nfortunately, consistency in allocatin funds to studentorani#ations requires prior %nowlede of previous allocations andestablished practices. he current internal rotation system allowscommittee members the ability to e"perience all four sub>committees, but in an e"tremely quic% and arbitrary manner.

STATEMENT "

+ontinuin with this current rotation system prevents consistencyand causes decisions to become rossly political, which in turninhibits the committee of fully enhancin the out>of>class e"perienceof the students at 5niversity -ar%. (evelopin a more informed


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rotation system could allow the committee to still ful8ll the missionstatement of the committee.

#ESEA#$%

would li%e to e"plore options for a new internal rotation system thatwould focus on consistency. o do this, will consult withrepresentatives from two other bi>ten universities to loo% at howstudents are involved in the allocations decisions. will also surveye"istin members of -*5Fs committee to 8nd out preferences as wellas how lon it would ta%e for each member to familiari#e themselveswith student orani#ations.

&ac% toAssinment J1

formulating problem statements

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