STATEMENT OF

THE PROBLEM
WEEK 2
Reading check

• Learning apps
Activity 1

PART 1: Watch the video and anwer the following questions:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yG30lpit64
PART 2: Answer the following questions
What was the topic?
• What was the problem?
• What did he observe?
• What evidence did he have about the problem?
• What was his proposal?
 TOPIC vs RESEARCH PROBLEM
Topic
Subject area
They come from: observations,
theories, reflections
To narrow the topic: read
articles,brainstorming, formulate
research problems
Research problem
Educational issues,
controversies or
concerns
They guide the need for
conducting a research study
 The broad subject area
Topic

Research The educational issue

or problem within a

problem
p
topic area

ur
p Intent or objective of

os study

e
Writing the Statement of the problem
  Topic Research problem
• Mention the topic •  It is presented in a single sentence or a couple of
short sentences
• Create interest  •   Evidence : situations, behaviors, documents,
•  An initial frame for experiences, surveys, questionnaires, interviews
understanding the • The causes: facts that produce the evidence.
topic • The consequences: effects of the problem

The Audience
• Who will read or benefit from
the study.Example:
participants, practitioners,
policy makers, local context,
national context, institution,
 Justificaton
•  Why is the research relevant?
• Explain significance, pertinence, viability, feasibility.
• Include these:
Deficiencies  Convenience, what is it for? political, legal, pedagogical and
• How have previous personal level.
researchers researched the  Socio-educational relevance: who are the beneficiaries? In what
problem? way? What social projection does it have?
 What is missing in the  Practical or disciplinary implications. Does it solve a practical or
previous research? disciplinary problem?
 Theoretical value contribution to pedagogical or disciplinary
knowledge, generate or support theories.
ACTIVITY 2:  ANALYZING A STATEMENT OF THE
PROBLEM
• 1.Work  in groups of 4
• 2.Read the example of a statement of the problem.
• 3.Identify the five parts of a statement of the problem.
• 4. Check the file "statement of the problem workshop" and answer the
questions for each section
5Create a padlet with the answers in www.padlet.com
• 6.Upload it in the virtual room
 NEXT CLASS: Your problem statement
• Work with your research group
• Check the paper you worked last semester in Research in education
• Create an infography. Include a brief explanation of the following sections the statement of the problem
• Topic: Subject area
• Problem:  a single sentence
•   Evidence : situations, behaviors, documents, experiences, surveys, questionnaires, interviews
• The causes: facts that produce the evidence.
• The consequences: effects of the problem

• Justificaton
•  Why is the research relevant? In terms of: :

 Convenience, what is it for? political, legal, pedagogical and personal level.

 Socio-educational relevance: who are the beneficiaries? In what way? What social projection does it have?
 Practical or disciplinary implications. Does it solve a practical or disciplinary problem?
• Theoretical value contribution to pedagogical or disciplinary knowledge, generate or support theories

• Upload it in the virtual room and be ready to present it

Homework: Ask yourself

• Is the problem/topic significant enough?
• Is it feasible? (practical/possible for me to do it)
• Is it free of unknown hazards/dangers?
• Is it clear (unambigous)?