Problem Definition[1]

8/7/2019 Problem Definition[1]

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EDU702



The entire situation where one sees apossible need for research or problemsolving

Examples:◦ Malay students studying additionalmathematics

◦

Problem AreaProblem Area

2



Narrow it down to specific issues◦ Malay students have problem studying sometopics in additional mathematics

More specific issue : problem solving skills,

difficulty in grasping concepts

◦ Engineering students are not displaying softskills needed

Narrowing Your ResearchNarrowing Your Research

ore spec c: poor commun ca on s s

3



Issues ProblemsResearchQuestions

ResearchProblems

Putting Things in PerspectivePutting Things in Perspective4



Justifying your choice of the area of research◦ Why is there a need to do this research

Need backing up◦ Government policies

◦ Institutional reports/strategic plans

◦

Background SurveyBackground Survey

◦ Press reports

5



Defining a problem◦ Not necessarily something that is seriouslywrong

◦ Can an issue of interest

Find answers to improve existing situation

◦ A situation where a gap exists between actualand desired state

Problem DefinitionProblem Definition6



Could be◦ An issue/matter you want to understand

◦ Existing educational problems that you areseeking to solve

◦ Situations that you want to improve

◦ Areas where some conceptual clarity is needed

Problem DefinitionProblem Definition7



Is…◦ A set of condition needing discussion, asolution and information

◦ Implies the possibility of empirical

investigation, i.e. of data collection andanalysis

Is not…

The Research ProblemThe Research Problem

◦ How to do something◦ A vague or too broad propositions

◦ A value question

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Essential to define your research problemvery carefully◦ Ask why you have chosen it, why not anotherproblem

◦ Helps you to choose a suitable method of researching it

◦ Prevent your from reading indiscriminately

Problem DefinitionProblem Definition

You do not know quite what you are looking for Make more notes than you need

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Be as deductive as you can Relate you research problem to a theory

◦ A theory is an expectation of events or phenomenaor behavior

◦ Phenomenon in education – theories from cognitivepsychology, sociology, psycholinguistics,management, art education

Example

Problem DefinitionProblem Definition

◦ Finding out whether providing children withmultimedia presentations explaining scienceconcepts will enhance understanding

◦ Theory?

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Your area of research State whether:

◦ Existing educational problems that you areseeking to solve

◦ Situations that you want to improve

◦ Areas where some conceptual clarity is needed

◦ Situations in which the researcher is tr in to

Your Research ProblemYour Research Problem

answer a research question empirically Why do you choose this problem?

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Distance learnersnot able to learn

effectively

EffectsLearning outcomes

not achievedAnxiety,

frustration

Failure to achievemeaningfulexperience

Withdrawal,deferrement,

dropout

Causes

Epistemologicalproblem

Institutional /administration

problem

Learner problemLearner cannotmanage their

learning activities

Inability to sustainmotivation

Inability tomaintain strong

attention

Lack of self regulation

ExampleExample

Lack of discipline

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A clear, precise and succinct statement of the question/issues that is to beinvestigated

How?◦ No one right way to state one

◦ American vs British

Problem StatementProblem Statement13



Introduces the reader to the importance of

the problem The reader is oriented to the significance of

the study and the research questions orhypotheses to follow◦ You could relate your problem to the findings of

prior research

Places the problem in a context

Problem StatementProblem Statement

Indicate what is probably necessary toconduct the study and explain how findingswill present this information

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TOPIC• Subject Area

EDUCATIONALISSUES

• A concern

• A problem• Something that needs solution

Flow of Ideas in ProblemFlow of Ideas in ProblemStatementStatement

EVIDENCE FORTHE ISSUE

• Evidence from literature

• Evidence from practical experiences

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DEFICIENCIES INTHE EVIDENCE

• In this body of evidence what is missing• What do we need to know more about

REMEDYING THE

• How will addressing what we need toknow help researchers, educators, policy-

Flow of Ideas in ProblemFlow of Ideas in ProblemStatementStatement

DEFICIENCES. FOR

WHOM? SELECTAUDIENCES

,

study

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Problem Definition[1]