This document provides guidance on developing an effective statement of a research problem. It explains that a problem statement should clearly describe an issue that needs to be addressed in order to provide context and generate research questions. The statement may be in a declarative or question form and should indicate the variables and specific relationship being investigated. An example format is provided that includes three parts: (1) the ideal situation, (2) the current reality that prevents the ideal, and (3) proposed consequences to improve the situation. Overall, the document outlines best practices for writing a problem statement that defines a clear research topic.

1. Mr. BJ R. AMBAT

2. • Solvable/Researchabl
e
• Current
• Interesting
• clear & unambiguous
• Empirical &
Verifiable
• Relevant
• Systematic
• Significance to the discipline
• Originality
• Feasibility
• Administrative support
• Peer support
• Availability of subjects
• Researcher’s competency
• Ethical considerations

3. a research problem is significant for a
discipline when it is directed to
develop or refine the body of
professional knowledge.

4. Every research should be new and unique in
itself. Therefore, it is the responsibility of
the
researcher that innovative knowledge is used
for selecting a research problem so as to
extend the growth of existing body of
knowledge in a profession.

5. A research should be feasible in
terms of time, availability of
subjects, facilities, equipment &
money and ethical considerations.

6. Financial & psychological support
from the administrations is
essential to conduct research.

7. A climate of shared interest among
the professional members promote
research activities smoothly

8. Sometimes the potential subjects may
not meet the study criteria or may be
unwilling to participate in the study or may
be already participating in another studies.
Therefore, the availability of the subjects
should be well ensured in advance.

9. A research problem can only be feasible
if it is in accordance with the
researcher’s competence. A researcher
should be capable to handle a given
research problem.

10. Sometimes the potential subjects may not
meet the study criteria or may be unwilling
to participate in the study or may be
already participating in another studies.
Therefore, the availability of the subjects
should be well ensured in advance.

11. the research problem selected should be
cleared by the ethical committee without
undue hurdles. A very important topic of
research cannot be considered feasible until &
unless it is in accordance with the ethical
guidelines.

12. -only a research problem that is solvable is
considered to be good. A researcher should
minimize the chances of insolvability
-this aspect of the problem may pose
ambiguity and hence a researcher should
ensure the solvability of the problem that
is selected.

13. A good research problem must be based on the
current problems and needs of the profession.
Thus the result generated will be of more use.
Furthermore, more number of the professionals
will be interested in the research conducted on
the current issues of their profession.

14. a research problem must be as per the
motivation of the researcher and it should
be fascinating to the researcher. Thus a
research will be conducted with full
enthusiasm and not merely for its
accomplishment.

15. the research problem selected should be clear in
its ability to reflect or give clues regarding the
various aspects of methodology.

16. the research problem selected to be
researched should amenable to
scientific inquiry. The research should
be verifiable by scientific calculations.

17. the research problem chosen to be
researched should be relevant to the
profession, time, need the competency
of the researcher.

18. the research problem should be systematic-
in the sense the researcher should have
arrived at the problem statement following
relevant selection parameters or criteria.

19. THE RESEARCH
OBJECTIVES

20. THE RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
 is a clear, concise, declarative statement, which
provides direction to investigate the variables
under the study
 the objectives of a research project summarize
what is to be achieved by the study
 without a clear objective a researcher is aimless
and directionless in conducting the study.

21. THE RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
 without focused objectives, no replicable
scientific findings can be expected.
 is a purpose that can be reasonably
achieved within the expected timeframe and
with the available resources

22. Focus
Avoid Unnecessary Data
Organization
Gives Direction
need of research objective

23. TYPES of research objectives
 General Objective
-statement of the long-term or overall goal of the
study
- the general objectives of the study states what
the researcher expects to achieve by the study in
general terms.
 Specific Objectives
– specific statements or questions derived from the
general objective which are to be answered by
the study.

24. EXAMPLE
Research Idea: Vandalism
Research Problem: Why is vandalism common among
university students?
General Objective: To explain why university students
engage in
vandalistic acts in school
Specific Objectives:
1. To determine the prevalence of students who
admitted
that hey have committed some vandalistic
acts at least

25. EXAMPLE
Research Idea: Poverty and Education
Research Problem: What are effects of poverty on
education among selected barangays in
Dagupan City
General Objective: To identify the effects of poverty on
education among selected barangays in Dagupan
City
Specific Objectives:
1. To assess the effects of poverty…
2. To determine the prevalence of poverty
among…

26. Methods of stating objective
 should be presented briefly and concisely
 should cover the different aspects of the problem
and its contributing factors in a coherent way and in
a logical sequence.
 should be clearly phrased in operational terms,
specifying exactly what the researcher is going to do,
where and for what purpose
 realistic considering the local conditions.
 use action verbs that are specific enough to be
evaluated

27. KNOWLEDGE DOMAIN
Count Match
Recognize
Define Name
Record
Describe Outline State
Draw Point out Select
Identify Quote
Reproduce

28. Comprehension
Associate Compute Convert
Defend Discuss
Distinguish Estimate Explain
Extend Extrapolate
Generalize Give example Infer
Paraphrase Predict Rewrite
Summarize

29. SYNTHESIS DOMAIN
Categorize Combine Compile
Compose Create Drive
Design Devise Explain
Generate Integrate Modify
Order Organize Plan
Prescribe Propose Rearrange
Reconstruct Revise
Summarize Specify

30. ANALYSIS DOMAIN
Analyze Arrange Breakdown
Combine Design Detect
Develop Diagram Differentiate
Discriminate Illustrate Infer
Outline Relate Select
Separate Subdivide Utilize

31. APPLICATION DOMAIN
Add Apply Calculate
Change Complete Compute
Demonstrate Discover Examine
Graph Interpolate
Manipulate
Operate Prepare Produce
Show Subtract Translate
Use Solve Classify
Divide Modify

32. EVALUATION DOMAIN
Appraise Assess Compare
Conclude Contrast Criticize
Critique Determine Grade
Interpret Judge Justify
Measure Rank Support
Test

33. EXAMPLE
Research Idea: Poverty and Education
Research Problem: What are effects of poverty on
education among selected barangays in
Dagupan City
General Objective: To identify the effects of poverty on
education among selected barangays in Dagupan
City
Specific Objectives:
1. To assess the effects of poverty…
2. To determine the prevalence of poverty
among…

34. Statement of
Research
Problem

35. A problem statement is the
description of an issue currently
existing which needs to be addressed
It provides the context for the
research study and generates the
questions which the research aims to
answer
The statement of the problem is the
Problem Statement

36. The statement of the problem should
clearly indicate what is to be
investigated
The actual statement may be in a
declarative or in a question form.
The statement should indicate the
variables of interest and the specific
relationship between the variables that
Criteria of Research Problem Statements

37. • Part A (The ideal): Describes a desired goal or ideal
situation; explains how things should be.
• Part B (The reality): Describes a condition that
prevents the goal, state, or value in Part A from
being achieved or realized at this time; explains
how the current situation falls short of the goal
or ideal.
Part C (The consequences): Identifies the way you
propose to improve the current situation and move
it closer to the goal or ideal.
Format for Writing a Statement of
the Problem

38. •Part A (THE IDEAL)
According to the XY university mission
statement, the university seeks to provide
students with a safe, healthy learning environment.
Dormitories are one important aspect of that
learning environment, since 55% of XY students
live in campus dorms and most of these students
spend a significant amount of time working in their
dorm rooms. However,
EXAMPLE

39. Part B (THE REALITY)
Students living in dorms A B C, and D
currently do not have air conditioning units, and
during the hot seasons, it is common for room
temperatures to exceed 80 degrees F. Many
students report that they are unable to do
homework in their dorm rooms. Others report
having problems sleeping because of the humidity
and temperature. The rooms are not only
unhealthy, but they inhibit student productivity
and academic achievement.
EXAMPLE

40. Part C (THE CONSEQUENCE)
In response to this problem, our study proposes
to investigate several options for making the
dorms more hospitable. We plan to carry out an
all-inclusive participatory investigation into options
for purchasing air conditioners (university-funded;
student-subsidized) and different types of air
conditioning systems. We will also consider less
expensive ways to mitigate some or all of the
problems noted above (such as creating climate-
controlled dorm lounges and equipping them with
EXAMPLE

41. Thank You
and
God Bless!