NFDP-2020

Module 7, Day 2, Reading Boot Camp

The Problem Statement

Purpose: To improve your writing of comprehensive problem statements for your research
proposal.

Description: This is a Group assignment. Work in MS Teams. The problem statement is the
critical entry point for readers of your proposal. In this Reading Boot Camp, you will focus your
attention on the problem statements from three journal articles to help orient you to the key
elements of a problem statement. This will help you prepare to write YOUR research problem
statement for the Letter of Intent (LOI) assignment in the Writing Boot Camp.

Tasks:
1. (5 minutes) As a Group, read the handout and confirm all comprehend the activity.
2. (5 minutes) Watch video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y022M8-9VdI
3. (30 minutes) Individually read the introduction sections (only the introductions) of the
three papers. Each paper presents a concise problem statement. The introductions
serve well as examples of comprehensive problem statements appropriate for a project
outline submittal as part of a research proposal. As you read the problems statements,
take notes to provide the necessary responses noted below.
4. (85 minutes) In your Group, discuss the problem statements and complete the tables.
5. Submission. Team leader uploads the completed tables in a single document to the
assignment on Moodle.

Criterion for Success: Completed tables. The submittal will be evaluated following the
complete/incomplete rubric.
NFDP-2020
Module 7, Day 2, Reading Boot Camp
Imran, U. et al. (2020). “Probabilistic risk assessment of water distribution system in Hyderabad, Pakistan
reveals unacceptable health hazards and areas for rehabilitation.” Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 191,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.110233
Problem Statement Element
Specific, contextual
background of the problem or
the ideal situation or goal (the
compelling ‘hook’ to grab the
reader’s attention)
General background of the
problem or opportunity
Scholarly support of problem or
opportunity
Transition noting the gap,
concern, or opportunity –
establishes the boundaries and
focus of the study
Text from article that represents the element; or insert ‘not
present’ if the element is not part of the paper introduction
 The water supply is intermittent due to load shedding or
power outages (Imran and Amir, 2015) and it is of poor
quality due to inadequate treatment under such
conditions and/or contamination due to infiltration.
 Estimates from poorer districts in Karachi, the other
major city in the Sindh province, suggest that residents
spend 7% of their annual salary (assumed to be $1500
per year) (WorldBank, 2017) for bottled drinking water,
and up to 33% of their salary on non-potable water for
other uses around the house (e.g., washing dishes,
bathing) (Ebrahim, 2018). The time and expense spent on
obtaining water exacerbate multidimensional poverty
impacts on individuals (Mood and
 In fact, rural populations of Hyderabad are among the
poorest in Pakistan with the lowest living standards
(Padda and Hameed, 2018), in part due to low quality
drinking water and lack of adequate sanitation services.
 While some efforts to improve treatment plants are
proposed (Anonymous, 2017; Moore, 2018), there is
some question as to the sustained quality of the water as
it passes through the distribution system post-treatment.
Of particular concern from a human health standpoint, is
the concentration of heavy metals in the water used for
drinking water and household purposes.
 A majority of Hyderabad residents receive drinking
water from the water utility, the water supply is
intermittent due to load shedding or power outages
(Imran and Amir, 2015)
 In fact, rural populations of Hyderabad are among the
poorest in Pakistan with the lowest living standards
(Padda and Hameed, 2018), in part due to low quality
drinking water and lack of adequate sanitation services.
 While some efforts to improve treatment plants are
proposed (Anonymous, 2017; Moore, 2018)
 Herein, we focus on four metals and a metalloid,
previously reported in Sindh province water (Bhowmik
et al., 2015) and having relatively low acceptable limits
in drinking water, namely As, Cd, Cr (VI), Hg, and Pb. T
NFDP-2020
Module 7, Day 2, Reading Boot Camp
Specific project statement
highlighting the significance
and originality of the work
Consequence of not addressing
the specific problem and/or
benefit of addressing the
problem (i.e., the impact)
Syandri et al. (2020). “Effect of stocking density on the performance of juvenile Gurami Sago
(Osphronemus goramy) in the synthetic sheet pond.” Pakistan Journal of Zoology, 52(2), 717-726.
Problem Statement Element
Specific, contextual
background of the problem or
the ideal situation or goal (the
compelling ‘hook’ to grab the
reader’s attention)
General background of the
problem or opportunity
Scholarly support of problem or
opportunity
 The study was proposed to (1) evaluate the efficacy of
metal removal in the water treatment plant of Hyderabad,
Pakistan, (2) evaluate the potential for metals to
contaminate the drinking water during water distribution
and highlight areas for rehabilitation of drinking water
lines, and (3) assess the risk to residents using the water
under two likely scenarios. The water use scenarios
considered herein include first, use of the water for all
household purposes or second, use of the water for all
purposes other than drinking water (i.e., residents use an
alternative drinking water source such as bottled water).
The results of this study can be used to inform better risk
assessment methods for developing nations, highlight
methods to identify sources of failed drinking water
distribution infrastructure and the most appropriate places to
target line replacement.
Text from article that represents the element; or insert ‘not
present’ if the element is not part of the paper introduction
China ranks first (61.5%) in global aquaculture production,
followed by India, Indonesia, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Egypt,
Norway, Chile, Myanmar, and Thailand (FAO, 2018). The giant
gourami, belonging to the local ʺgurami sagoʺ strain has never
been intensively cultured because the ʺgurami sagoʺ is the result of
newly released domestication in 2018. On the other hand, the giant
gourami, belonging to the local ʺtambago and galunggungʺ strain
has been identified as one of the best prospects for a semi-
commercial scale culture (Aryani et al., 2017a; Trans et al., 2017;
Arifin et al., 2019).
Based on its high market value and demand, the gurami sago strain
has not been successfully cultivated intensively in ponds, and
relevant aquaculture studies are completed to date is the effects of
salinity on survival and growth of juveniles. On the other hand, the
giant gourami, belonging to the local ʺtambago and galunggungʺ
strain has been identified as one of the best prospects for a semi-
commercial scale culture.
Many factors affect the growth and survival of fish farming, such
as feeding rate, frequency and time (Du et al., 2006; Sun et al.,
2016; Aryani et al., 2017a), additionally, fish stocking density
NFDP-2020
Module 7, Day 2, Reading Boot Camp
Transition noting the gap,
concern, or opportunity –
establishes the boundaries and
focus of the study
Specific project statement
highlighting the significance
and originality of the work
Consequence of not addressing
the specific problem and/or
benefit of addressing the
problem (i.e., the impact)
plays a role (M’balaka et al., 2012; Gokcek and Akyurt, 2007;
Kareem and Olanrewaju, 2015; Tibile et al., 2016; Bag et al., 2016;
Aryani et al., 2017b; Timalsina et al., 2017). The effects of
stocking density on fish survival, growth performance, feed
efficiency and body composition have been determined for several
species, including the Bata Labeo bata fry and fingerlings in ponds
(Chakraborty and Mirza, 2007), pirarucu Arapaima gigas juvenile
in cages (de Oliveiraet al., 2012), Indian major carps Catla catla,
Labeo rohita and Cirrhinus mrigala fingerlings in a gently sloping
drainage basin (Bag et al., 2016), Discus Symphysodon
aequifasciatus juvenile in glass aquarium tanks (Tibile et al.,
2016), Korean rockfish Sebastes schlegeli, Nile tilapia,
Oreochromis niloticus in cage (Hwang et al., 2014; Gondwe et al.,
2011) and Bonylip barb Osteochilus vittatus larva in synthetic
sheet pond (Aryani et al., 2017b). However, the effects have not
yet been studied in the gurami sago juveniles in synthetic sheet
pond.
Various efforts have been made by scientists to determine
appropriate stocking densities for increased growth and survival
but until now recommended stocking densities vary considerably
for each fish species (de las Heras et al., 2015; Watts et al., 2016;
Timalsina et al., 2017). Meanwhile, each fish species has different
space requirements for growth and fish survival in aquaculture
operations.
Therefore, optimum stocking densities need to be determined for
each species during the production phase to enable efficient
management and maximum production per unit space available,
profitability and with limited land resources.
The main aim of this study was to determine whether stocking
density has any effect on the growth performance, feed efficiency
and biometric indices of the gurami sago in synthetic sheet pond.
NFDP-2020
Module 7, Day 2, Reading Boot Camp
Rana, I.A. et al. (2020). “Characterizing flood risk perception in urban communities of Pakistan.” International
Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 46, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2020.101624.
Problem Statement Element
Specific, contextual
background of the problem or
the ideal situation or goal (the
compelling ‘hook’ to grab the
reader’s attention)
General background of the
problem or opportunity
Scholarly support of problem
or opportunity
Transition noting the gap,
concern, or opportunity –
establishes the boundaries and
focus of the study
Specific project statement
highlighting the significance
and originality of the work
Consequence of not addressing
the specific problem and/or
benefit of addressing the
problem (i.e., the impact)
Text from article that represents the element; or insert ‘not
present’ if the element is not part of the paper introduction
 It predicts the willingness of exposed communities to
undertake precautionary measures against external
threat.
 The frequency and intensity of flood events, especially in
the Global South, have increased over the last few
decades. There were an estimated 539,811 deaths,
361,974 injuries and 2.8 billion people affected by floods
during 1980 and 2009.
The bigger driver for the rise in flood-related damages, is the
increase in population and infrastructure development in
floodplains – urban areas are becoming hotspots of disaster
risks
Socioeconomic factors influencing risk perception have a direct
impact on potential adaptive capacities and disaster
preparedness. This study gives an insight into psychosocial aspect
of multifaceted risk in flood prone urban communities of Punjab,
Pakistan.
Three characteristics of flood risk perception: preparedness, worry
and awareness.
The term risk has become an important parameter in disaster risk
and climate change science. Actual risk is measured by experts
based on hazard, exposure, sensitivities and capacities of
communities.
Understand risk perception so that appropriate disaster risk
reduction strategies can be initiated.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and UN-HABITAT’s New
Urban Agenda calls for making cities safe, resilient and inclusive
 On the other hand, constructivism approach views risk
perception from a sociological perspective. This approach
includes well-known theories such as social
construction/amplification of risk and cultural theory. The social
construction theory argues that risk perception is influenced by
socio-political factors
 Heavy Rains. The simplest explanation for flooding is heavy
rains. ...
 Overflowing Rivers. ...
 Broken Dams. ...
 Urban Drainage Basins. ...
NFDP-2020
Module 7, Day 2, Reading Boot Camp

 Storm Surges and Tsunamis. ...

 Channels with Steep Sides. ...
 A Lack of Vegetation.
 Melting Snow and Ice.