Unlocking the Power of Problem Statement and Approach: A Research Guide - Essay Sample

Introduction

The premise is comprised of two key components: problem statement and approach for the study. It is important to understand what each constituent of the premise means. According to Burns, Grove, and Gray (2015), problem statement shows the gap in the knowledge required for practice. A research problem can also be described as a clear statement or expression regarding a topic of concern, a challenge to be solved, or a troubling question found in empirical studies, current practice, or theory. It can also be defined as an issue or a problem that culminates in a research study (Ivankova, 2014). There are many reasons why a problem is a necessity when drafting the premise. First, it establishes the need to conduct the study. That is, it is the basis for the entire study and provides a justification for why the issue being explored in the study is worth-undertaking. Secondly, a problem statement is crucial because it succinctly outlines what a researcher or a practitioner wants to change or to improve. Consequently, it connects a concept to concrete action.

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A problem statement is also important because it explains why the topic being explored by a researcher is worthwhile or significant (Labaree, 2019). It also anchors other components of the study, e.g., research questions, research hypotheses, and assumptions (Labaree, 2019). Additionally, it places the study in a particular context, defined by specific parameters associated with what is being explored. Moreover, it provides a framework that guides how the findings are reported (Labaree, 2019).

It is also crucial to understand how to write a good research problem. Terrell (2015) noted that a good research problem should be concisely and written. This ensures that the reader understands the problem that the study seeks to solve or explore. The research problem must also meet specific criteria. First, the research problem should be interesting, and that s/he should have adequate resources needed to undertake the study. When a researcher does not have an interest in what s/he is undertaking, there is a lower likelihood that s/he will complete the study. Also, it lacks adequate resources (e.g., time and finances), s/he has a low chance of completing the study. Overall, if the researcher has little or no interest in the research problem, why does s/he want to explore the problem? (Terrell, 2015).

Secondly, a functional research problem is one that can be analyzed by collecting and analyzing the data and whose investigation has practical importance (Terrell, 2015). For quantitative research problem, numerical data should be collected and analyzed to address the research problem. For qualitative studies, non-numerical data is used to address the research problem. Practical importance implies that the findings of a research study should have clinical importance or be used to address patients' problems. Third, the scope of the problem should be manageable. That is, the problem statement should not be broad but narrowly focused (Kumar, 2019; Smith, 2016).

An approach for the study or research approach refers to the choice of research method, analysis, and interpretation. Based on the nature of research variables (qualitative or quantitative), a research method qualitative or quantitative (Oflazoglu, 2017). Additionally, research methods include research philosophy, sample and sampling design, and data collection instruments (Ahmed, Opoku, & Aziz, 2016; Akahome et al., 2016).

The Prospectus

The prospectus is comprised of the following parts or sections: problem statement, purpose, significance, background, conceptual or theoretical framework, research questions and hypotheses, nature of the study, possible types and sources of data, and limitations, challenges, and barriers. The term research purpose refers to why a study is being carried out or conducted or the goal of the study (Godshall, 2015). On the other hand, significance explains the importance of the study, while the background describes past studies related to the study. Conceptual or theoretical frameworks shows how the variables related to the study are connected. Next, the nature of the study refers to whether the study is qualitative or quantitative, while types of data describe whether the data is numerical or non-numerical. Lastly, data sources can be primary or secondary (Zhang, 2016).

The Proposal

The proposal is the first three chapters of a dissertation (Walden University, 2018). That is, it is comprised of an introduction to the study, literature review, and research method. The proposal is aimed at justifying the need for the study through a critical review and analysis of past empirical studies related to the topic. It also describes the research design and methodology that will be utilized for the study.

The Premise, Prospectus, and Proposal

The premise leads to the prospectus because the problem statement (found in the premise) justifies the need to conduct the study. Following the development of a problem statement, a researcher moves to other components of the prospectus. Lastly, after developing the prospectus, a researcher writes the proposal comprised of an introduction to the study, literature review, and research method. The prospectus is related to the proposal because both contain the background or brief literature review related to the topic and conceptual or theoretical framework. However, in the proposal, the literature review is more in-depth.

References

Ahmed, V., Opoku, A., & Aziz, Z. (2016). Research methodology in the built environment: A selection of case studies. Abingdon, UK: Routledge Publishers.

Akahome, J. E., Twum-Darko, M., Ogbokor, C., Zonke, N. M., Sethibe, T., Steyn, R., ... Afolayan, A. (2016). Proceedings of the international conference on business and management dynamics 2016: Sustainable economies in the information economy. AOSIS.

Burns, N., Grove, S. K., & Gray, J. (2015). Understanding nursing research: Building an evidence-based practice (6th edition). St. Louis, Missouri: Elsevier.

Godshall, M. (2015). Fast facts for evidence-based practice in nursing, second edition: Implementing EBP in a nutshell. New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company.

Ivankova, N. V. (2014). Mixed methods applications in action research. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publishing.

Kumar, R. (2019). Research methodology: A step-by-step guide for beginners. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

Labaree, R. V. (2019). Research guides: Organizing your social sciences research paper: the research problem/question [Research Guide]. Retrieved from https://libguides.usc.edu/writingguide/introduction/researchproblem

Oflazoglu, S. (2017). Qualitative versus quantitative research. Norderstedt, Germany: BoD - Books on Demand.

Smith, K. G. (2016). Writing and research: A guide for theological students. Carlisle, UK: Langham Global Library.

Terrell, S. R. (2015). Writing a proposal for your dissertation: Guidelines and examples. New York, NY: Guilford Publications.

Walden University. (2018). Dissertation Guidebook. Retrieved from https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/ld.php?content_id=42353287

Zhang, J. (2016). Tableau 10.0 Best Practices. Birmingham, UK: Packt Publishing Ltd.