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Developing a Phd Dissertation Research Problem: A Guide for Doctoral

Students

Dr. Nancy Agens, Head,

Technical Operations, Phdassistance

info@phdassistance.com

In Brief

One of the important goals of any problem

statement is to define the problem being

addressed in a way that's clear and precise.

It aims to focus on the process

improvement team's activities and steer the

scope of the project. PhD Dissertation

Problem Statement Helps to identify a

clear, definite statement of the area of

concern or investigation and is backed by

evidence. Thesis problem Identification is

the key thing that drives the research

process and produces a framework.

I. INTRODUCTION

A Research Problem is the Statement in

the research writing about an area of

concern, a condition to be improved or

difficulty eliminated, or a troubling

question that exist in the scholarly article.

In academic writing, a problem statement

can help readers to contextualize and

understand the significance of the research

problem stated. The research problem may

be a paragraph or in a few lines that states

the whole thesis. The problem statement

will vary depending on whether you're

dealing with a practical, real-world

problem or a theoretical scientific issue.

But all problem statements have a similar

process.

II. THE RESEARCH PROBLEM

PhD Thesis Problem Statement is the

driving force of the research. Generally,

Researchers find a Gap in the scholarly

article and then pick the area of study to

make the study more practical and

manageable. Since it is the driving force

having a well-conceived problem

statement is an essential component of all

these activities. So, the problem statement

serves as the foundation role that formally

communicates with the readers.

The main function of the problem

statement is to justify useful information

that might help investigate the problem.

PhD Dissertation Problem Identification might be helpful to form a solution to the

problem. The evaluation might determine

the extent to which the solution addressed.

The problem statement represents the

purpose of the present study to address the

trouble. This process is carried out to

check whether the presence of the same

study or the same information by different

researchers may propose the same of

different problems and identify the

different goals for the Research.

III. DERIVING PROBLEM

STATEMENTS

A problem statement should be in the form

that describes an undesirable gap between

current state performance and the desired

future performance. A problem statement

should include relative measures of the

problem that quantify the gap, but should

not include possible cause or solution.

IV. KEY ELEMENTS OF A

SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM

STATEMENT INCLUDE

● Identify the current gap.

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● Mention the time frame, location

and trend: Describe when and

where the problem was first

observed and what type of trend

following.

● Impact: Quantify the gap in cost,

time, quality, environmental.

● Importance: Developing a

Dissertation Research Problem to

the organization, the individual, to

the betterment of the environment

or society.

V. STEPS TO DEVELOP THE

RESEARCH PROBLEM

1. Choosing the area for research:

The most important step in any PhD

Problem Identification is to identify the

problem area before stating the research

problem. Select the unexplored broad area

topic. Broad area topic will be helpful to

find the gap easily. The ultimate aim is to

find gaps in your work. Always look for a

broad area of research then make the study

area narrowing down to choose an

appropriate scholarly journal to carry out

the research.

2. Understanding the Research

Problem:

After choosing the area to conduct the

research, make sure you understand the

problem statement before picking it to

your work. If it is understood clearly, then

it is used in the research to frame a proper

question that is related to your research

work. In this step, the researcher has the

responsibility to understand completely

what the research is to address the findings

of the research.

3. Observe and identify:

Observing and identifying the right

research based on the subject chosen is

important. Dissertation Identifying a

Research Problem assist in observing the

research problem that will help you find

the relevant statement to the research you

are engaged. It is essential to identify the

novel work that is new in the research area

you choose if you find the research

problem statement.

4. Review the key factors involved:

Review the key terms in the research that

help you to find the relevant article to your

search. To do this, you have to note the

factors that will affect the research project

and begin formulating a different kind of

methods to control them. Make a note of

key terms that drive your research and put

a list of words to review the factors. It is

best to consider the relationships between

factors and the degree of control you have

to do over them. It will help you to define

whether the findings of your project will

produce enough information that worth the

cost.

You need to determine,

● Which causes can be controlled

and used for the research purpose,

and to what extent.

● The functional relationships

between the factors

● Determine the key term that drives

the solution to the research

problem.

● Which factors directly affect the

solution to the research problem.

5. Give priority:

Give priority based on your area of

research. Collect a list of article and align

according to the need or according to the

relevance of the paper. This step is a

critical step to carry out because it takes

time and needs expert help to complete

this challenging task. It has a more chance

to select the article that is not at all similar

to the research work you are going to carry

out. PhD Thesis Problem Statement

Help you in choosing the research paper

that is relevant to your field of study.

VI. CONCLUSION

Once found the potential research

problem, there is a need to evaluate them

to ensure the selected statement is relevant

to the appropriate research. PhD Thesis

Problem Identification assists in finding

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Stronger research problems that are more

likely to succeed in publication,

presentation, and application. So, PhD

Dissertation Research problem

Identification help you to find a strong,

manageable research question to your

dissertation.

REFERENCE

1. Jacobs, R. L. (2013). Developing a dissertation

research problem: A guide for doctoral students in

human resource development and adult education.

New Horizons in Adult Education and Human

Resource Development, 25(3), 103-117.

2. Osanloo, A., & Grant, C. (2016). Understanding,

selecting, and integrating a theoretical framework in

dissertation research: Creating the blueprint for your

"house". Administrative issues journal: connecting

education, practice, and research, 4(2), 7.

3. Fernando, D. M., & Hulse‐Killacky, D. (2006).

Getting to the point: Using research meetings and

the inverted triangle visual to develop a dissertation

research question. Counselor Education and

Supervision, 46(2), 103-115.