SOP (statement of the problem) research 1.pptx

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1. PROBLEM STATEMENT OF RESEARCH

2. The Basics of Writing a Statement of the Problem for your Research Proposal 2 Statement of the Problem

3. 3 Introduction Research is a systematic investigative process employed to increase or revise current knowledge by discovering new facts. It can be divided into two general categories: Basic research, which is inquiry aimed at increasing scientific knowledge, and Applied research, which is effort aimed at using basic research for solving problems or developing new processes, products, or techniques.

4. 4 The first and most important step in any research is to identify and delineate the research problem: that is, what the researcher wants to solve and what questions he/she wishes to answer. In other words, Identification of research problem leads in conducting a research.

5. From these general descriptions we can deduce that research is used to: Establish or confirm facts, Reaffirm the results of previous research work, Solve new or existing problems, Support theorems, or develop new theories, Expansion on past work in the field, Test the validity of instruments, procedures, or experiments, and/or, Replicate elements of prior projects, or the projects. 5

6. 6 Definition of Research Problem A research problem may be defined as an area of concern, a gap in the existing knowledge, or a deviation in the norm or standard that points to the need for further understanding and investigation (Bwisa, 2018). Although many problems turn out to have several solutions (the means to close the gap or correct the deviation), difficulties arise where such means are either not obvious or are not immediately available. This then necessitates some research to reach a viable solution.

7. 7 What is a Research Problem? It is the topic we would like to address, investigate, or study, whether descriptively or experimentally. It is the focus or reason for engaging in our research. It is typically a topic, phenomenon, or challenge that we are interested in and with which we are at least somewhat familiar with its applications.

8. 8 Sources of Research Problem Potential sources of research problems include: School library (reading through literature or archival material) Community (consultations or narrations or public participation processes) Own experiences (observations) Classroom lectures (narration and disputation) Class discussions (argumentation)

9. 9 Seminars/workshops/paper presentations (narrations, disputations, argumentation) Internet (narrations or observations) Research reports and term papers (investigations) Theory of one’s own interest Daily problems Technological changes Unexplored areas Discussions with other people

10. 10 Guidelines for Selecting a Research Problem The research problem should be such (or one) in which researcher may be deeply interested. The research problem should be focused in the sense of being related to the researcher’s overall logic. A diffuse and unfocused problem reduces the efficiency of the effort put in a research project. The problem selected should not necessarily be a new one. It may be old problem or one on which work has already been done. The problem should be within meaningful limits, i.e., it should not be too comprehensive.

11. 11 Considerations in Selecting a Research Problem Interest: a research endeavor is usually time consuming, and involves hard work and possibly unforeseen problems. One should select topic of great interest to sustain the required motivation. Magnitude: It is extremely important to select a topic that you can manage within the time and resources at your disposal. Narrow the topic down to something manageable, specific and clear. Level of expertise: Make sure that you have an adequate level of expertise for the task you are proposing since you need to do the work yourself.

12. 12 Relevance: Ensure that your study adds to the existing body of knowledge, bridges current gaps and is useful in policy formulation. This will help you to sustain interest in the study. Availability of data: Before finalizing the topic, make sure that data are available. Ethical issues: How ethical issues can affect the study and how ethical problems can be overcome should be thoroughly examined at the problem formulating stage.

13. 13 Criteria of a Good Research Problem Novelty: It should be original. It should not involve duplication of prior research. Interest: The problem should be interesting for the researcher and their team. Importance: If the research is not worthwhile, if neither adds to knowledge nor leads to any improvements in the current practices then it should not be done. Immediate Application: The investigator should ask himself the question, will my research help in solving an urgent or practical problem. Feasibility or Amenability: Feasibility in research includes the following:

14. 14 Availability of data required for a meaningful research. Potential of cooperation from participants and relevant institutions. Availability of expertise and guidance in the field of research. Availability of requisite research facilitates and instruments. Experience and creativity of the researcher or research team. Coverage or scope of the research and confidence of the researcher in embarking on the research.

15. 15 What is the Statement of the Problem? A statement of the problem is used in research work as a claim that outlines (or points to) the problem addressed by a study. The statement of the problem briefly addresses the question: What is the problem that the research will address?

16. 16 What are the Goals of a Statement of the Problem? The ultimate goal of a statement of the problem is to transform a generalized problem (something that bothers you; a perceived lack) into a targeted, well- defined problem; one that can be resolved through focused research and careful decision- making.

17. 17 Writing a statement of the problem should help you clearly identify the purpose of the research project you will propose. Often, the statement of the problem will also serve as the basis for the introductory section of your final proposal (i.e., research project), directing your reader’s attention quickly to the issues that your proposed project will address and providing the reader with a concise statement of the proposed project itself.

18. 18 A statement of problem need not be long and elaborate: one page is more than enough for a good statement of problem.

19. 19 What are the Key Characteristics of a Statement of the Problem? A good research problem should have the following characteristics: It should address a gap in knowledge. It should be significant enough to contribute to the existing body of research.

20. 20 It should lead to further research. The problem should render itself to investigation through collection of data. It should be of interest to the researcher and suit his/her skills, time, and resources. The approach towards solving the problem should be ethical.

21. 21 What is the Format for Writing a Statement of the Problem? A persuasive statement of problem is usually written in three parts:

22. 22 Part A (The Ideal): Statement 1 It describes a desired goal or ideal situation; It explains how things should be.

23. 23 Part B (The Reality): Statement 2 It describes a condition that prevents the goal, state, or value in Part A from being achieved or realized at this time; It explains how the current situation falls short of the goal or ideal.

24. 24 Part C (The Consequences): Statement 3 It identifies the way you propose to improve the current situation and move it closer to the goal or ideal.

25. EXAMPLES OF STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM 25

26. 26 STATEMENT 1 The Ministry of Youth and Sports is dedicated to allocating funds to both the GFA and NSC. These funds are made available in order to start ventures that create and expand employment. (Provide relevant statistics and quote)

27. 27 STATEMENT 2 One of the main focuses of the ministry is consistency. Unfortunately, consistency in allocating funds to the next generation of recipients requires prior knowledge of previous allocations and established practices. The current continuous disbursement method does not allow for adequate analysis of previous disbursements before a current disbursement is done.

28. 28 STATEMENT 3 Continuing with this current disbursement method prevents consistency and causes decisions to become grossly political, which in turn inhibits the achievement of the goals of the funds. Developing a more informed disbursement system could help better implement the consistency focus of the ministry and at the same time help the ministry better monitor and evaluate its funds.

29. 29 STATEMENT 3 – cont’d This proposed research aspires to explore options for a new funds disbursement system that would focus on consistency. To do this, the researcher will carry out a full stakeholder analysis and use it to propose appropriate policy interventions.

30. 30 OTHER EXAMPLES - 1 Nyame and Biritwum (1997) reported that literate adults in urban population of Ghana are ignorant of the cause of epilepsy. On a recent field survey (October 3, 2016 to November 11, 2016) by the researcher to the Asutifi North District Health Directorate in Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana, it was observed that among the top 10 diseases in the district, epilepsy was not captured. This could partly be due to the fact that epileptic cases are either reported to Saint Elizabeth Hospital, Hwidiem at the Asutifi South District, under reported to the health centres of the health directorate, or there are no community psychiatric nurses in the Asutifi North District to attend to these individuals.

31. 31 Data gathered from the GHS District Health Information Management System (DHIMS) indicated that the Brong Ahafo Region had recorded 17,666 for cases of epilepsy in 2012, with 104 cases of epilepsy for Asutifi South District, but none for the Asutifi North. In 2013, there was a rise in reported cases of the condition up to 1,888, but a slight decline in Asutifi South with reported cases being 100. However, the Asutifi North Health Directorate recorded no figures. In 2014 and 2015, the number of reported cases increased to 3,166 and 3,495 respectively, whilst the Asutifi South recorded 128 and 125 within the same period, but none for the Asutifi North Health Directorate.

32. 32 However, there was a sharp fall in the reported cases of epilepsy in the Region with a figure of 1,377, with the Asutifi North Health Directorate recording 10 cases from January to June, 2016, and in the same duration Asutifi South recorded 33 cases (GHS, 2016). Though efforts to improve care of people living with epilepsy are a major concern, little has been done to identify the extent of the subjective knowledge, attitude and practice among nurses. This research therefore seeks to study the knowledge, the attitude and the practice regarding epilepsy among the nurses in the Asutifi North District.

33. OTHER EXAMPLES - 2 Adolescence is a period of central physical and cognitive development. The U.S. National Library of Medicine states that adolescents are capable of understanding conceptual ideas, establishing relationships by learning to share the confidence, having a sense of purpose in life, and increasing independence (Mannheim, 2011). Adolescents are easily predisposed by external factors that predispose them to engage in risky behaviors because they are searching for a sense of self. In modern societies, the frequency of adolescents using drugs and alcohol is alarmingly high. Adolescents abuse substances as a way to avoid problems, deal with stress and boost their mood and for purposes of socialization (Low et al., 2011) 33

34. 34 Regardless of Ghana’s present strict laws that support severe punishment meted on users of marijuana and prescribed use of opioids such as tramadol in the country, available evidence suggests that drug use is on the ascendency in the country (UNODC, 2017). Tramadol is meant to be used under a doctor’s monitoring and supervision. Nevertheless, attempts to subject the drug to constant use unsteadily leads to addiction which can result in death in some situations. Moreover, the thought of good feeling that leads to abuse and misuse of tramadol can lead to long term adverse consequences such as weakness, sleepiness, insomnia, panic attacks and other symptoms of opioid dependence.

35. 35 In effect overdose of tramadol and abuse of marijuana may lead to difficulty in breathing, mental health issues and mortalities. Tramadol abuse liability is underrated and the evidence of abuse and dependence is fast developing (Bassiony et al., 2015a). Drug operators are found all over the 275 administrative districts in all 16 regions of Ghana, and with this about 35,000 are students from junior/senior high schools and tertiary institutions between ages 12 and 35 while the 15,000 are adults, with 6,000 females and 9,000 being males (Ghana Web, 2015).

36. 36 . It has many detrimental health and social consequences especially among the youth and it is disheartening to know that more than 50,000 Ghanaian youth engage in tramadol abuse and out of this, the five regions or sectors of the North are leading in terms of numbers (Peacefmonline.com, 2014) . This makes the study area culpable with a young population of 48.8 percent aged 19 years or less (Ghana Statistical Service, 2014) and could easily fall prey to drug users and peddlers.

37. 37 However, very little empirical research has investigated the use of some substances such as marijuana and tramadol in the five Northern sectors of Ghana, especially in the Sagnarigu Municipality in the Northern Region. This research, therefore, seeks out to investigate the knowledge and attitudes of junior high school adolescents towards marijuana and tramadol abuse, thus factors that initiate usage of such substances, and their perceptions on the health effects of substance abuse.

38. 38 SUMMARY Research problems are questions that indicate gaps in the scope or the certainty of our knowledge. They point either to problematic phenomena, observed events that are puzzling in terms of our currently accepted ideas, or to problematic theories, current ideas that are challenged by new hypotheses.

39. 39 SUMMARY – cont’d A statement of the problem is used in research work as a claim that outlines the problem addressed by the study. A good research problem should address an existing gap in knowledge in the field and lead to further research. To write a persuasive problem statement, you need to describe The ideal, The reality, and The consequences.

40. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Bwisa, H. (May 15, 2018). The basics of writing a statement of the problem for your research proposal. Available at https://www.editage.com/insights/the- basics-of-writing-a-statement- of- the- problem-for- your-research- proposal . doi: https://doi.org/10.34193/EI-A- 5275 Asare, R. O. (2019). Knowledge, attitude and practice regarding epilepsy among nurses in Asutifi North District . Available at https://www.udsspace.uds.edu.gh/handle/123456789/2277?mode=simple Jomo Kenyatta University. (2016/17). ABP 3101 – Research Methods 1. Kenya: Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. Brickman, Leonard., & Debra J. Roy (Eds). (1998). Handbook of applied social research methods. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. THANK YOU 40