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
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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 and begin formulating a different kind of
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
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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
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.

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