The document discusses selecting a real problem for research and provides guidance on writing an effective problem statement. It emphasizes that the problem statement is the most important part of a research proposal or dissertation, as it convinces the reader of the importance and necessity of the study. A good problem statement clearly describes the problem, why it needs to be addressed, and how the researcher plans to approach solving it. Examples of conceptual, action, and value problems are provided to illustrate different types of research problems. Guiding questions are also included to help frame an effective problem statement.
Utilizing information that is currently in the news, presentation will explore project-based/ problem-based learning by focus on the renewable energy questions, along with the recent coal ash problem facing our communities, which are impactful and relevant to our students and our future. We will investigate this topic through live interactive technology integration, discussion, writing, and hand-on exploration via group collaboration and individual learning.
Learning Analytics – Ethical questions and dilemmasTore Hoel
Workshop presentation using the Potter Box model of ethical reasoning to discuss concerns and dilemmas of Learning analytics - Open Discovery Space and Learning Analytics Community Exchange projects #laceproject #ods_eu
Utilizing information that is currently in the news, presentation will explore project-based/ problem-based learning by focus on the renewable energy questions, along with the recent coal ash problem facing our communities, which are impactful and relevant to our students and our future. We will investigate this topic through live interactive technology integration, discussion, writing, and hand-on exploration via group collaboration and individual learning.
Learning Analytics – Ethical questions and dilemmasTore Hoel
Workshop presentation using the Potter Box model of ethical reasoning to discuss concerns and dilemmas of Learning analytics - Open Discovery Space and Learning Analytics Community Exchange projects #laceproject #ods_eu
A primary goal of mental health education is to increase awareness. This involves teaching children what mental health means, and how to maintain positive mental health. It is vital that youth understand the concept of self-care and that they are responsible for their own mental health.
This document is quoted from Academic Writing Skill, IFL, Cambodia. It's for students in year three not only at IFL but also other universities in Cambodia.
Dr. Michael Gutter presented this 2 hour webinar on behalf of the Military Families Learning Network on bias, decision making and the influences that impact our financial decisions.
Dr. Michael Gutter discusses the effects of bias in this 2 hour webinar on heuristics, anchoring and narrowing choice presented on behalf of the Military Families Learning Network's Personal Finance Team.
This presentation presents for the following purposes
1: It covers the chapter of Research Problem formulation in the subject Research methodology
2: Defining the research problem
3: Significance of the research problem
4: Necessity of the research problem
5: How to find out the research problem
6: Why research problem is very important
7: How a bad formulation of the research problem affects the project or research study
Systemic Learning Analytics Symposium, October 10th 2013Adam Cooper
Slides for the talk "Barriers and Pitfalls to Systemic Learning Analytics" by Adam Cooper, Cetis, for the online Systemic Learning Analytics Symposium, organised by George Siements and held on October 10th 2013.
Related blog post at: http://blogs.cetis.ac.uk/adam/2013/10/31/policy-and-strategy-for-systemic-deployment-of-learning-analytics-barriers-and-potential-pitfalls/
See http://blogs.cetis.ac.uk/adam/2013/10/31/policy-and-strategy-for-systemic-deployment-of-learning-analytics-barriers-and-potential-pitfalls/ for an extended blog post on the subject.
"Assessing Emerging Technology and Futures Capacity for Your OrganizationBryan Alexander
Materials for my 2016 Campus Technology workshop.
From the conference description:
"How can a campus information services organization best approach and strategize emerging technologies? Mr. Alexander will present futuring methods currently used in academia, non-profits, governments and businesses. You will learn how to use environmental scanning to identify major trends in the present which are likely to shape the medium-term future. Additionally, you will discuss with other attendees how to expand your institution’s capacity for assessing emerging technologies and other drivers that will reshape higher education."
Everyone knows the power of stories, but when asked to come up with them, we struggle. Either we second guess ourselves as to the story's relevance, or we just come up blank and can't think of any. Unlocking Everyday Narratives: The Power of Storytelling in Marketing will teach you how to recognize stories in the moment and to recall forgotten moments that your audience needs to hear.
Key Takeaways:
Understand Why Personal Stories Connect Better
How To Remember Forgotten Stories
How To Use Customer Experiences As Stories For Your Brand
A primary goal of mental health education is to increase awareness. This involves teaching children what mental health means, and how to maintain positive mental health. It is vital that youth understand the concept of self-care and that they are responsible for their own mental health.
This document is quoted from Academic Writing Skill, IFL, Cambodia. It's for students in year three not only at IFL but also other universities in Cambodia.
Dr. Michael Gutter presented this 2 hour webinar on behalf of the Military Families Learning Network on bias, decision making and the influences that impact our financial decisions.
Dr. Michael Gutter discusses the effects of bias in this 2 hour webinar on heuristics, anchoring and narrowing choice presented on behalf of the Military Families Learning Network's Personal Finance Team.
This presentation presents for the following purposes
1: It covers the chapter of Research Problem formulation in the subject Research methodology
2: Defining the research problem
3: Significance of the research problem
4: Necessity of the research problem
5: How to find out the research problem
6: Why research problem is very important
7: How a bad formulation of the research problem affects the project or research study
Systemic Learning Analytics Symposium, October 10th 2013Adam Cooper
Slides for the talk "Barriers and Pitfalls to Systemic Learning Analytics" by Adam Cooper, Cetis, for the online Systemic Learning Analytics Symposium, organised by George Siements and held on October 10th 2013.
Related blog post at: http://blogs.cetis.ac.uk/adam/2013/10/31/policy-and-strategy-for-systemic-deployment-of-learning-analytics-barriers-and-potential-pitfalls/
See http://blogs.cetis.ac.uk/adam/2013/10/31/policy-and-strategy-for-systemic-deployment-of-learning-analytics-barriers-and-potential-pitfalls/ for an extended blog post on the subject.
"Assessing Emerging Technology and Futures Capacity for Your OrganizationBryan Alexander
Materials for my 2016 Campus Technology workshop.
From the conference description:
"How can a campus information services organization best approach and strategize emerging technologies? Mr. Alexander will present futuring methods currently used in academia, non-profits, governments and businesses. You will learn how to use environmental scanning to identify major trends in the present which are likely to shape the medium-term future. Additionally, you will discuss with other attendees how to expand your institution’s capacity for assessing emerging technologies and other drivers that will reshape higher education."
Everyone knows the power of stories, but when asked to come up with them, we struggle. Either we second guess ourselves as to the story's relevance, or we just come up blank and can't think of any. Unlocking Everyday Narratives: The Power of Storytelling in Marketing will teach you how to recognize stories in the moment and to recall forgotten moments that your audience needs to hear.
Key Takeaways:
Understand Why Personal Stories Connect Better
How To Remember Forgotten Stories
How To Use Customer Experiences As Stories For Your Brand
When most people in the industry talk about online or digital reputation management, what they're really saying is Google search and PPC. And it's usually reactive, left dealing with the aftermath of negative information published somewhere online. That's outdated. It leaves executives, organizations and other high-profile individuals at a high risk of a digital reputation attack that spans channels and tactics. But the tools needed to safeguard against an attack are more cybersecurity-oriented than most marketing and communications professionals can manage. Business leaders Leaders grasp the importance; 83% of executives place reputation in their top five areas of risk, yet only 23% are confident in their ability to address it. To succeed in 2024 and beyond, you need to turn online reputation on its axis and think like an attacker.\
Key Takeaways:
- New framework for examining and safeguarding an online reputation
- Tools and techniques to keep you a step ahead
- Practical examples that demonstrate when to act, how to act and how to recover
Mastering Multi-Touchpoint Content Strategy: Navigate Fragmented User JourneysSearch Engine Journal
Digital platforms are constantly multiplying, and with that, user engagement is becoming more intricate and fragmented.
So how do you effectively navigate distributing and tailoring your content across these various touchpoints?
Watch this webinar as we dive into the evolving landscape of content strategy tailored for today's fragmented user journeys. Understanding how to deliver your content to your users is more crucial than ever, and we’ll provide actionable tips for navigating these intricate challenges.
You’ll learn:
- How today’s users engage with content across various channels and devices.
- The latest methodologies for identifying and addressing content gaps to keep your content strategy proactive and relevant.
- What digital shelf space is and how your content strategy needs to pivot.
With Wayne Cichanski, we’ll explore innovative strategies to map out and meet the diverse needs of your audience, ensuring every piece of content resonates and connects, regardless of where or how it is consumed.
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In this session, Demandbase’s Stephanie Quinn, Sr. Director of Integrated and Digital Marketing, Devin Rosenberg, Director of Sales, and Kevin Rooney, Senior Director of Sales Development will share how sales and marketing shapes their day-to-day and what key areas are needed for true alignment.
How to Run Landing Page Tests On and Off Paid Social PlatformsVWO
Join us for an exclusive webinar featuring Mariate, Alexandra and Nima where we will unveil a comprehensive blueprint for crafting a successful paid media strategy focused on landing page testing.With escalating costs in paid advertising, understanding how to maximize each visitor’s experience is crucial for retention and conversion.
This session will dive into the methodologies for executing and analyzing landing page tests within paid social channels, offering a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical insights.
The Pearmill team will guide you through the nuances of setting up and managing landing page experiments on paid social platforms. You will learn about the critical rules to follow, the structure of effective tests, optimal conversion duration and budget allocation.
The session will also cover data analysis techniques and criteria for graduating landing pages.
In the second part of the webinar, Pearmill will explore the use of A/B testing platforms. Discover common pitfalls to avoid in A/B testing and gain insights into analyzing A/B tests results effectively.
Core Web Vitals SEO Workshop - improve your performance [pdf]Peter Mead
Core Web Vitals to improve your website performance for better SEO results with CWV.
CWV Topics include:
- Understanding the latest Core Web Vitals including the significance of LCP, INP and CLS + their impact on SEO
- Optimisation techniques from our experts on how to improve your CWV on platforms like WordPress and WP Engine
- The impact of user experience and SEO
5 big bets to drive growth in 2024 without one additional marketing dollar AND how to adapt to the biggest shifting eCommerce trend- AI.
1) Romance Your Customers - Retention
2) ‘Alternative’ Lead Gen - Advocacy
3) The Beautiful Basics - Conversion Rate Optimization
4) Land that Bottom Line - Profitability
5) Roll the Dice - New Business Models
The session includes a brief history of the evolution of search before diving into the roles technology, content, and links play in developing a powerful SEO strategy in a world of Generative AI and social search. Discover how to optimize for TikTok searches, Google's Gemini, and Search Generative Experience while developing a powerful arsenal of tools and templates to help maximize the effectiveness of your SEO initiatives.
Key Takeaways:
Understand how search engines work
Be able to find out where your users search
Know what is required for each discipline of SEO
Feel confident creating an SEO Plan
Confidently measure SEO performance
SEO as the Backbone of Digital MarketingFelipe Bazon
In this talk Felipe Bazon will share how him and his team at Hedgehog Digital share our journey of making C-Levels alike, specially CMOS realize that SEO is the backbone of digital marketing by showing how SEO can contribute to brand awareness, reputation and authority and above all how to use SEO to create more robust global marketing strategies.
In this presentation, Danny Leibrandt explains the impact of AI on SEO and what Google has been doing about it. Learn how to take your SEO game to the next level and win over Google with his new strategy anyone can use. Get actionable steps to rank your name, your business, and your clients on Google - the right way.
Key Takeaways:
1. Real content is king
2. Find ways to show EEAT
3. Repurpose across all platforms
A.I. (artificial intelligence) platforms are popping up all the time, and many of them can and should be used to help grow your brand, increase your sales and decrease your marketing costs.In this presentation:We will review some of the best AI platforms that are available for you to use.We will interact with some of the platforms in real-time, so attendees can see how they work.We will also look at some current brands that are using AI to help them create marketing messages, saving them time and money in the process. Lastly, we will discuss the pros and cons of using AI in marketing & branding and have a lively conversation that includes comments from the audience.
Key Takeaways:
Attendees will learn about LLM platforms, like ChatGPT, and how they work, with preset examples and real time interactions with the platform. Attendees will learn about other AI platforms that are creating graphic design elements at the push of a button...pre-set examples and real-time interactions.Attendees will discuss the pros & cons of AI in marketing + branding and share their perspectives with one another. Attendees will learn about the cost savings and the time savings associated with using AI, should they choose to.
Most small businesses struggle to see marketing results. In this session, we will eliminate any confusion about what to do next, solving your marketing problems so your business can thrive. You’ll learn how to create a foundational marketing OS (operating system) based on neuroscience and backed by real-world results. You’ll be taught how to develop deep customer connections, and how to have your CRM dynamically segment and sell at any stage in the customer’s journey. By the end of the session, you’ll remove confusion and chaos and replace it with clarity and confidence for long-term marketing success.
Key Takeaways:
• Uncover the power of a foundational marketing system that dynamically communicates with prospects and customers on autopilot.
• Harness neuroscience and Tribal Alignment to transform your communication strategies, turning potential clients into fans and those fans into loyal customers.
• Discover the art of automated segmentation, pinpointing your most lucrative customers and identifying the optimal moments for successful conversions.
• Streamline your business with a content production plan that eliminates guesswork, wasted time, and money.
Mastering Local SEO for Service Businesses in the AI Era is tailored specifically for local service providers like plumbers, dentists, and others seeking to dominate their local search landscape. This session delves into leveraging AI advancements to enhance your online visibility and search rankings through the Content Factory model, designed for creating high-impact, SEO-driven content. Discover the Dollar-a-Day advertising strategy, a cost-effective approach to boost your local SEO efforts and attract more customers with minimal investment. Gain practical insights on optimizing your online presence to meet the specific needs of local service seekers, ensuring your business not only appears but stands out in local searches. This concise, action-oriented workshop is your roadmap to navigating the complexities of digital marketing in the AI age, driving more leads, conversions, and ultimately, success for your local service business.
Key Takeaways:
Embrace AI for Local SEO: Learn to harness the power of AI technologies to optimize your website and content for local search. Understand the pivotal role AI plays in analyzing search trends and consumer behavior, enabling you to tailor your SEO strategies to meet the specific demands of your target local audience. Leverage the Content Factory Model: Discover the step-by-step process of creating SEO-optimized content at scale. This approach ensures a steady stream of high-quality content that engages local customers and boosts your search rankings. Get an action guide on implementing this model, complete with templates and scheduling strategies to maintain a consistent online presence. Maximize ROI with Dollar-a-Day Advertising: Dive into the cost-effective Dollar-a-Day advertising strategy that amplifies your visibility in local searches without breaking the bank. Learn how to strategically allocate your budget across platforms to target potential local customers effectively. The session includes an action guide on setting up, monitoring, and optimizing your ad campaigns to ensure maximum impact with minimal investment.
2. The Heart of a Dissertation
• The heart of a doctoral dissertation
– PROBLEM STATEMENT.
– This is the place where most examiners go first to
understand and assess the merits of a proposal or a
dissertation.
• After reading the problem statement, the reader
will know why you are doing this study and be
convinced of its importance.
2
3. Selecting a Real Problem
• That which is not worth doing is not
worth doing well – Abraham Maslow
• Simple curiosity is not a good enough
reason to do research, i.e. research for
research sake.
• The fact that it has NOT been done before
might tell you something.
3
4. Selecting a Real Problem
• You must know thoroughly the body of
research and the techniques related to the
chosen methodology.
• Naivety might be a source of joy in an artistic
field but is not the case in valued research
efforts.
• You must know:
What you are doing +
Why you are doing it!
4
5. Bias aside – truth is what we seek
• “Consider this, you who are engaged in
investigation: If you choose to seek truth, cast
aside: passion, accepted thought, and the
inclination toward what you used to esteem,
and you shall not be led into error.” Just the
facts.
Moses Maimonides; 12th Century scholar,
philosopher, and physician.
5
6. According Mikijanis and Thomas:
http://kancrn.kckps.k12.ks.us/guide/question.html>
1. Do not use a problem in research as a ruse for
achieving self-enlightenment.
2. Do not look at a problem whose sole purpose is to
compare two sets of data.
3. Finding a coefficient of correlation between two sets of
data to show a relationship between those data sets is
not acceptable as a problem for research
6
7. According Mikijanis and Thomas:
http://kancrn.kckps.k12.ks.us/guide/question.html>
4. A problem that leads to a question that can be
answered with “yes” or “no” is not suitable for formal,
scholarly research.
5. “Determining if stock options are beneficial for
employee morale,” is not a problem (actually it is a
proposed solution) and is not appropriate for research,
since this statement leads to a binary conclusion
(either it is beneficial or not). 7
8. Your Problem Statement
• What is the overriding problem?
– Retention; inability to adapt to change; poor working
conditions; inequities; lack of evaluation of a program;
conflict in: ethics, values, morals…
• Where is the problem found?
– Manufacturing; education; health administration;
government; society; agriculture supply chain…
• What needs to be done to solve the problem?
– Survey; interview; create a new model; determine what
experts believe; evaluate; meta-analyze, conduct
experiment; benchmark…
8
9. Problem Statement
• In 200 words or less (about 1-2 paragraphs) you
need to convince the reader that this study MUST
be done!
• Society, or one of its institutions has some pressing
problem that needs closer attention. You will
provide evidence that this problem is serious and in
need of investigation.
• You will convince the reader that the problem can
be solved.
9
10. Problem Statement
• The researcher (you) will solve some part of this
serious problem in a unique and clever way.
• You will explain what specific methodology will be
used to solve the problem.
• The reader will know that it is important that this
study be done!
10
11. Problem Statement
• The problem statement will also hint as to the nature
of the study: correlation; empirical; Delphi; evaluative;
historical; create a model; experimental, etc.
• You will be judged on the degree to which you find the
answer to the problem you pose and thus, achieve
your purpose.
• Many (most?) Researchers have difficulty formulating a
concise problem statement.
11
12. Some Basic Questions
1. What is the overriding problem (in one sentence)?
2. What is the population and sample that are affected by this
problem?
3. What type of study will this be?
4. Will this study be qualitative or quantitative?
5. What type of methodology will be used?
6. What type of data will be collected?
7. What possible outcomes are expected?
12
13. Examples : Some Inequities in society
• Gap between rich and poor increases
• Women - unequal access to employment and
rates of pay
• unequal access to education and health care
• Geographical isolation (Rural, regional, remote)-
limited access to health care
13
15. 1. Conceptual problem
• Two elements that are conceptually or
theoretically inconsistent.
• This is the way it should be– this is the way it is.
• Example: Short-term economic and political
interests can limit the vision of a corporation and
inhibit the achievement of long term improvement.
• Example: We would like the top undergrad
students to be teachers but the entry salary is not
commensurate with the salaries these students
could earn.
15
16. Example: Concept Problem
• The Iowa State Park system’s first mission is to protect
and preserve the State Parks for their natural beauty
and delicate ecosystems. The second mission is to
provide an outdoor recreational resource for
the general public. Foot traffic, vehicle traffic, tents,
fires, boats, and facilities for the public contribute to
the degradation of the protected natural elements of
the State Parks. Both missions are necessary but a
balance based on science and public interests
demands is sometimes hard to negotiate.
16
17. – arises when a conflict offers no clear choice of
alternative course of action. Undesirable outcome
due to apparent lack of choices.
• E.g. Hazardous Material Responders at UPS
are required to wear personal protective
equipment when responding to a spill, but
the gear is not always available at the places
where the spills are located.
17
2. Action problem
18. 3. Value problem
– A value problem arises when there is a
conflict about what people consider
ethical, moral, worthwhile, and/or
desirable .
–For example employees who believe
their dress is a matter of freedom of
choice and companies requiring a
dress code.
18
19. To Frame Your Problem Statement (PS)
• What is wrong with society, or one of its
institutions?
– Employees are quitting
– Overcrowding
– Inequity
– Inadequate productivity
• What has failed in society?
– An unfulfilled promise?
– Under-representation?
19
20. Framing Your PS (Con’t)
• What is missing in society?
• What historical event is in need of re-
examination?
• What program is in need of study or
evaluation?
• What program needs to be developed?
• What need is there to analyze a current theory
based on new events?
20
21. Problem Statement A
(52 Words)
• The Department of Justice (DOJ) found that minority
applicants are disproportionately denied business
loans (Boyd, 2002). It is important to investigate
how the required monitoring data, reported by
decision (accept/deny) and geography (Census
tract,) and the means of obtaining the loan (face-to-
face/electronic) could be used to develop strategies
to correct unfair lending practices.
21
22. Problem Statement B
• Anxiety, frustration, pressure and stress cause many
doctoral degree seeking learners to abandon
doctoral programs. Brown and Rudenstine (1992)
found that over 40% of those who begin the process
never graduate. Long, Convey, and Chwalek (1985)
pointed out that selecting and developing a
dissertation topic is one of the of important yet
difficult steps in completing a doctoral degree. This
becomes even more difficult in a nontraditional,
distance learning doctoral program where f2f
meetings between mentors and mentees are
infrequent.
22
23. Problem Statement B (con’t)
• In order to offer appropriate assistance to
nontraditional distance doctoral students it is
imperative that a rigorous study be conducted
to determine how successful graduates of
non-traditional doctoral programs selected
their topics, and what type of support could
be offered to those who are struggling.
23
24. Problem Statement C
• Emotional intelligence includes the ability to
be aware and in control of one’s own
emotions, to be empathic with others, to
motivate oneself, and to be effective in
intrapersonal and interpersonal relationships
(Cooper & Sawaf, 1997; Gardner 1993, 1999;
Goleman 1995, 1998; Mayer & Salovey 1997;
Stein & Book, 2000; Weisinger 1998). When
human communication is involved, emotional
intelligence is involved (Rivera, 2000a, 2000b).
24
25. Problem Statement C
• Attrition appears to be a serious problem in
online learning, as the dropout rate is more
than twice that of traditional forms of learning
(Flood, 2002; Lynch, 2001). Learning more
about the relationship between emotional
intelligence and online learning might help
offer an explanation for the unacceptably high
attrition rate of learners in online programs.
25
26. Problem Statement D
• Bullying has been one of the most critical issues
facing our schools today. Beane ( 1999), found that
one in seven children is subjected to bullying
behavior and that it affects about five million
elementary and junior high students. Bullies who
once cornered their victims on the playground are
now tormenting them online (Blaire, 2003). E-mail
messages and Web sites have increasingly become
vehicles to threaten, tease, and humiliate other
students.
26
27. Statement D…
• Yet, to date, there has been little, if any, formal
evaluation of online bullying, referred to by many as
“cyberbullying”. Incidents of online bullying can be
just as hurtful as face to face bullying, yet are less
likely to be detected or prevented by adults. In order
to be able to understand the complexities of online
bullying, it is important that a case study be
conducted to determine the ill effects of online
bullying and examine a case where online bullying
was detected and dealt with.
27
28. Problem Statement E
• African American female ministers are not emerging as
pastors in the traditional church setting at the same rate as
their male peers. Despite the opportunities that have arisen
for African American female ministers, only 5% have
ascended to executive pastorate positions (Smith, 2004).
This problem has negatively impacted society & religious
organizations because they are not benefiting from
untapped leadership potential within the religious
community.
28
29. Problem Statement E..
• Some African American female pastors have been successful
despite past barriers & obstacles. Emotional intelligence has
been noted as a key to successful leadership (Goleman,
2001)This study will use a quantitative descriptive research
design to determine the degree to which emotional
intelligence is associated with the success of African
American female pastors in the United States
29
30. Problem Statement F
• Alternative education programs offer an option for disaffected
and disenfranchised students who would otherwise dropout
or be pushed out of school. For the past 30 years, a growing
number of alternative education programs across the United
States have helped at-risk students achieve academic success
(Duke & Griesdorn, 1999; Freeman, 2000; Meyers, 2001).
There has been extensive inquiry into a variety of alternative
education programs describing alternative education
programs by approach (i.e., type I, transformative; type II,
punitive; and, type III, therapeutic) (Kellmayer, 1995; Lehr &
Lange, 2000, 2003; Raywid, 1994).
30
31. Problem Statement F..
• There, however, has been little formal inquiry into the leadership and
managerial practices that advance transitioning an alternative
education program from a marginally effective type III to a more
effective type I approach as presented by Raywid’s (1994) alternative
school typology. To confirm, challenge, or extend this typology in a
natural and unique setting, and provide a holistic understanding
of this cultural system of action to leaders involved in alternative
education programs and policy it is important that a case study be
conducted
31
32. Problem Statement F…
• Leaders need a comprehensive understanding of
economic theory and its’ application to help foster
positive economic outcomes. Davis and Wessel
(1998) found that leaders who lack a profound
understanding of economics see only the results and
cannot critically analyze economic problems.
However, well-informed leaders make better
decisions that can enhance resource allocation and
contribute to efficiency, productivity, and living
standards.
32
33. Problem Statement F….
• Case and Fair (1999) recommend that economics be taught in a way that
simulates real world events and situations. Economic textbooks have a
reputation for being dull and abstract. Therefore, many educators have
relied on supplemental materials, including interactive simulated case
studies. One of the more promising of the genre is Aplia. However, there is
a lack of empirical evidence to determine how effective such applications
are with respect to improving the ability of students to solve economic
problems and make sound economic decisions. A quantitative quasi-
experimental designed study, using control and experimental groups,
could help elucidate the efficacy of integrating technology into the
economic curricula. Participants of this study will utilize Aplia software
(the experimental group) and a comparison will be made between the
knowledge gained in using this software and that gained from more
traditional teaching methods (the control group).
33
34. A Problem Statement Must Pass ROC Test.
Show the Study Is:
• Researchable –
– the problem can be answered by collecting and analyzing
data. (Doable)
• Original.
– Can be a repetitive study with new population/passage
of time.
• Contributory.
– Make a difference in profession.
– In society.
34
35. A Problem Statement Must Elucidate:
• Importance- needs to have theoretical or practical
importance.
• What type of research will be employed?
• What population will be investigated? - Why was
this population chosen?
• Specify the variables- how are the variables related
and how they will be measured?
• And it must be: clear, concise, and lucid.
35
36. There is a problem in ___________(societal
organization). Despite _________________ (something
that should be happening) ___________ is occurring.
This problem has negatively impacted
____________(victims of problem) because
_________________. A possible cause of this problem
is ___________ Perhaps a study which investigates
___________ by ________(method) could remedy the
situation.
"I hear and I forget, I see and I remember, I do and I understand"
John Dewey on Experiential Learning.
36
37. Check Point
• What do you now know about a PS that you
did not know last week?
• What did you KNOW last week about a PS that
you now KNOW is false?
• What will you need to DO to get you closer to
forming a “perfect” problem statement?
37
38. Academic Review check list:
Problem Statement
100 – 250 words
The Problem Statement concisely states what will be studied by describing at least
two factors and a conjectured relationship among them that leads to an
identified problem.
1. General Problem identifying the need for the study. The problem is ______
2. Specific “Problem” proposed for research. (use citation & usually a number
to make it clear to the reader, i.e., 3 out of 5 Superintendents are overweight
and at risk for heart attack
3. Introductory words describing Methodological approach (i.e. Research
Design) are given and are appropriate to the specific proposal “problem”, i.e,
This qualitative case study will examine …
4. General population group of proposed study is identified. Principals from
the Northeast will be surveyed to determine …..
38
39. Your Turn
• Complete a problem statement.
• Exchange problem statements with a partner.
• See if it passes the ROC bottom test.
• See if you can answer all the questions about
the PS.
• Present to small group.
• Present to whole class.
39
40. Can You Figure Out:
1. What is the overriding problem?
2. What type of problem is this?
2. What is the population and sample that are affected
by this problem?
3. What type of study will this be?
4. Will this study be qualitative or quantitative?
5. What type of methodology will be used?
6. What type of data will be collected?
7. What possible outcomes are expected?
40