A framework for writing the Statement of the Problem in Ph.D theses

1. Construction of the ‘Statement of
the Problem’ in PhD theses
Dr. OMER MAHFOODH
omer197435@gmail.com
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaQIgtVVx3z3Wzqb3mpO
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2. •The Statement of the Problem is the most
important section in the Introduction Chapter
because it leads the arguments and the
messages conveyed in other sections/Chapters.
•Modifications in the content of Statement of the
Problem most probably involves changes in
other sections in the whole thesis.
•It should reflect why you are doing the study.
•Based on the arguments you make in the
Statement of the Problem, supervisors,
assessors, and examiners can evaluate the
depth and quality of your Ph.D research.
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3. 3
Types of Statement
of the Problem
Problem-based
statement
Gap-based
statement

4. •Problem-based statement is a statement of
the problem that centres around an
established/documented problem that
deserves research to present solutions or
suggestions to address this problem.
•Gap-based statement is a statement that
centres around a gap that is skilfully created
by the writer who has to effectively express
his/her intention to address this gap in a
scientific way.
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5. Framework for writing
Statement of the Problem
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6. AREA
REVIEW
GAP
PURPOSE
A
R
G
P
AREA
REVIEW
PROBLEM
PURPOSE
P
Gap-based
research
Problem-based
research
ARGP Framework for writing the statement of
the problem (4 compulsory parts)
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7. AREA
•In the AREA part, you should describe
the specific area of your research and the
importance of this specific area of
research.
•For example, in pragmatic studies,
specific areas can be interlanguage
pragmatics, socio-pragmatics, or request
strategies.
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8. REVIEW
•In the REVIEW part, you should give an
overview of the previous studies. You
must provide an overview of what has
been studied in the specific area of your
study.
•This overview of what has been
addressed in previous studies allows you
to show the problem or gap in previous
studies.
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9. GAP/PROBLEM
•In the GAP/PROBLEM part, you have to
either present the problem that your study
intends to find solutions to or to highlight
the gaps that have not been addressed in
previous studies.
•You can raise the issues that need further
investigation or research
•Do not state the purpose of your study
here.
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10. PURPOSE
•In the PURPOSE part, you have to
present the purpose statement of your
study.
•State clearly in one/two sentences the
main purpose of your Ph.D study.
•What does your study intend to achieve?
•Do not list the research
objectives/questions of your research
here.
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11. THANK YOU
https://youtu.be/EW2TtRL96pE
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