UNIVERSITY OF GONDAR

INSTITUTE of TECHNOLOGY (IOT)

GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING STREAM
COURSE TITLE- SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH METHODS HWRE (7042)
PRESENTATION
ON
PROBLEM STATEMENT; OBJECTIVE FORMULATION; RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS
AND WRITING LITERATURE REVIEW OF A STUDY
TO
DR. ABEBE WORKU
BY:
BEZAWIT TEKOLA
ANIMUT ESUBALEW
ESTIFANOS ARAGIE
23 GONDAR, ETHIOPIA
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THE PRESENTATION OUTLINE INCLUDE:-
 PROBLEM STATEMENT
 OBJECTIVE FORMULATION
 RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS
 WRITING LITERATURE REVIEW OF A STUDY

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PROBLEM STATEMENT
 A problem statement is an explanation in research that describes the
issue that is in need of study. What problem is the research
attempting to address? Having a Problem Statement allows the
reader to quickly understand the purpose and intent of the research.
 A problem clearly stated is a problem half solved.
 Defining a problem before trying to solve it is really
important if you want to actually solve it and if you want to
be efficient.

 A problem to be investigated must be defined in order to

discriminate relevant data from irrelevant.
 Ill-defined problem may create hurdle
 Ill-defined problems come out as ambiguous, provoke several
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interpretations and it is not obvious when a solution has been
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 CON’T…….
A problem statement is a formulation of an issue which is
usually a 'gap' within your area. A research gap is an
unanswered question, an issue, controversy, or untested
hypothesis that has not yet been addressed.
Research Problem Can be:
an area of concern
 a condition to be improved
 a difficulty to be eliminated
 a gap in knowledge
a troubling question that exists in scholarly
literature, in theory, or in practice that points to the
need for meaningful understanding and deliberate
investigation
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 SOURCES OF PROBLEMS TO RESEARCH
 Interviews
 Consultation
 Personal Experiences
 Brainstorming
 Deductions from Theory. ...
 Research
 Interdisciplinary Perspective. .
 Relevant Literature.  Intuition

 Reading  New Innovation

 Academic Experience  Observe critically

 Exposure to field situation

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 CON’T…….
Defining Research problem
Defining a research problem is prerequisite for any study
 It is number one step
 Formulation a problem is often more essential than its
solution
 It is only through carefully detailing research problem,
that we can work out the research design.
 It is crucial part of a research
 when the problem is clearly defined ,answer for the
following and the like questions will be found.
 What data are to be collected?
 What relations are to be explored?
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 What techniques are to be used? etc
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 Techniques in defining a problem(steps)
1. Pilot survey,
2. Understanding the nature of the problem,
3. Surveying the available literature,
4. Experience survey
5. Rephrasing the research problem

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 CON’T…….
1.Statement of the problem in a general way
 It should be stated in broad general way
 The research must be immerse himself thoroughly
in the subject matter
 May be relation between two variables,(?)
 Carryout preliminary survey (pilot study).
 To resolve ambiguities the researcher need cool
thinking and rethinking over the problem

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 CON’T…….
2. Understanding the nature of the problem
 This step is defining the problem is that the investigator should be
aware of the cause and character of the problem in clear terms via
discussions and study of the environment within which problem is
to be solved.
3.Surveying the available literature
Knowing what data are available.
To narrow
 the problem
 the technique used
 Instruments
 related problems and
 their solutions

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4. Developing idea through discussion:
 People who have understanding or have rich experience in the
area of research have turned out to be excellent sounding board
for an investigator

5.Rephrasing the research problem

 Quite often, a problem redefinition takes place
when the steps mentioned above are carried out.
Researcher often redefines the problem in a
fashion that is more practical and logical for the
conduct of the research in hand. This effort will
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also help with defining hypothesis.
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CRITERIA FOR PROBLEM SELECTION
 Research ability
 Topic of research selected should be within the
range your resources and time
 Data should be accessible
 importance and urgency
 Usefulness &social relevance
 It should meet publication standards
 The solution to the research problem should be
practicable

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 CON’T…….
 Research methodology should be manageable and
understandable
 The research problem should have enough variables
 The researcher should have interest in the problem area
 The selected topic should be within the researchers
knowledge and skills
 The selected problem should be of theoretical
importance and fill gaps in literature

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What is the importance of delimitation?
Delimitations refer to the boundaries of the research study, based
on the researcher's decision of what to include and what to
exclude. They narrow your study to make it more manageable and
relevant to what you are trying to prove. Limitations relate to the
validity and reliability of the study.
Delimiting a Problem
 Geographical delimitation
 Delimitation of population
 Delimitation of time
 Delimit the area or level
 Delimit size of sample
 Delimit method of research
 Delimit measuring instruments
 Delimit techniques of research
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WRITING THE STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Problem statement – a specific, definitive statement

that specifies the question or issue to be investigated in
a research study (Baumgartner & Hensley, 2006)
A "Problem Statement" is a description of a difficulty
 
or lack that  needs to be solved or at least researched to
see whether  a solution can be found.
 
 It can also
  be described as either a gap between the
real and   the desired or a contradiction between
 
principle and practice.
The problem statement should be a single sentence that
describes the problem (with several paragraphs of
elaboration)
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 What is the goal of a statement of problem?
 The ultimate goal of a problem statement is to
transform a generalized problem (something that
bothers you; a perceived lack) into a targeted, well-
defined problem, one that can be resolved through
focused research.
 Writing a Problem Statement should help you clearly
identify the purpose of the project you will propose.
 It will also serve as the basis for the introductory
section of your final proposal, directing your readers
attention quickly to the issues that your proposed
project will address and providing the reader with a
concise statement of the proposed project itself.

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key characteristics of a statement of problem
A good research problem should at minimum:
 be interesting to the researcher and suit his/her skills,
time and resources
 It should address a gap in knowledge.
 It should be significant enough to contribute to the
existing body of research.
 It should lead to further research.
 The problem should render itself to investigation
through collection of data.
 A statement problem need not be long and windy.
 One page is more than enough for a good statement of
problem
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 CON’T…….
WHAT IS THE FORMAT (PARTS OF A PROBLEM STATEMENT)
 write a persuasive problem statement, you need to describe
the ideal, the reality and the consequences.
1. Part A- the ideal: Describes a desired goal or ideal
situation; explains how things should be.
2. Part B -the reality: Describes a condition that prevents
the goal, state, or value in Part A from being achieved or
realized at this time; explains how the current situation falls
short of the goal or ideal.
3. Part C-the consequences: Identifies the way you propose
to improve the current situation and move it closer to the
goal or idea

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 CON’T…….
Simple four steps to write a statement problem
Step 1 (statement 1): Construct statement 1 by describing
a goal or desired state of a given situation, phenomenon
etc. This will build the ideal situation (what should be,
what is expected, desired )
Step 2 (statement 2): Describe a condition that prevents
the goal, state, or value discussed in step 1 from being
achieved or realized at the present time. This will build the
reality, the situation as it is and establish a gap between
what ought to be and what is
Step 3: Connect steps 1 and 2 using a term such as "but,"
"however,“ "Unfortunately," or "in spite of“;
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 CON’T…….
 Step 4 (statement 3): Using specific details show
how the situation in step 2 contains little promise of
improvement unless something is done. Then
emphasize the benefits of research by projecting the
consequences of possible solutions as well.
 who does it affect / does not affect.
 what does it effect / does not affect.

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 CON’T…….
Example
STEP 1 (statement 1)
 The Ministry of Youth is dedicated to allocating enterprise
development funds to both the youth and women. These funds are
made available in order to start entrepreneurial ventures that
create and expand employment. (Provide relevant statistics and
quote)
Step 2 and 3 (STATEMENT 2)
 One of the main focuses of the ministry is consistency.
Unfortunately, consistency in allocating funds to the next
generation of recipients requires prior knowledge of previous
allocations and established practices. The current continuous
disbursement method does not allow for adequate analysis.

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 CON’T…….

STATEMENT 3
 Continuing with this current disbursement method
prevents consistency and causes decisions to become
grossly political, which in turn inhibits the achievement
of the goals of the funds. Developing a more informed
disbursement system could help better implement the
consistency focus of the ministry and at the same time
help the ministry better monitor and evaluate its funds.

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 CON’T…….

Literature review
 Literature review is an organized critical account of information
that has been published on a specific topic.
 a comprehensive investigation of reports and articles that has
been written about the topic.
 A Literature review is a thorough analysis of research articles on
a particular topic.
 Functions of Literature review
 to provide a foundation or to situate research in reference to the
larger body of work that has been done in the field;
 to ensure the research ability of the topic by knowing how it is
different from what has been done before.

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 CON’T…….
 to identify gaps in theory, methodology or results which
may be notable;
 to demonstrate a high level of scholarship by analyzing
the strengths and weaknesses of a topic.
 The best way to learn this genre, like all writing, is to
practice.
 Fortunately, graduate students are given ample
opportunity to practice because many classes require
students to write them.
 The research, synthesis, and writing parts take lots of
time.
 Your literature review is not a mere summary of
publications by other authors.
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 CON’T…….

Five helpful tips for writing a literature review

1. Prepare a statement of the topic.
2. Conduct the literature search.
3. Developing a Literature screening and review tool.
4. Write the literature Review.

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 CON’T…….
1.prepare a statement of the topic
The statement can include the following:-
what will be included and excluded in the review,
Keywords used for searching,
Time range of the studies or reports,
Population included,
Type of study included

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 CON’T…….

2.Conduct the literature search

A Literature search requires a comprehensive search of ;
 Published academic,
 Peer reviewed,
 Professional literature using a variety of data basis,
 Journal articles,
 Conference proceedings,
 Books,
 Dissertations, and
 Technical papers.

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 CON’T…….

3..Developing a Literature screening and

review tool
Set standards for screening the literature and consider the
following:
 How recent is the article?
 Is the study setting appropriate for literature review?
 What measurement tools are used in the study?
 How applicable is the study to your topic?

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 CON’T…….
Determine if the:-
 The authors provide evidence the study was carried out as
intended,
 Research design, methods or measurement instruments are
relevant for your topic,
 Study has outcome measures that fit your are of interest,
 Study appears in a peer-reviewed journal or books,
 Publishers are credible,

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 CON’T…….

4. Write the literature Review

 When writing the literature review, remember to:-
Create outline,
Structure your literature review
Always include references at the end of the review,

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 CON’T…….

key points: to start writing your literature review

 In your literature review, you compare how relevant the work
of previous authors was.
 You also talk about the agreement and disagreement of
different authors.
 You need to mention the relationship of your work with the
previous work, relevant to your area of study.
 You talk about the gaps in current research and also
recommend where further research is needed.

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 CON’T…….
The aim of a literature review
 The aim of a literature review is to show your reader (your tutor)
that you have read, and have a good grasp of, the main
published work concerning a particular topic or question in
your field.
 In the latter cases in particular, the review will be guided by
your research objective or by the issue or thesis you are arguing
and will provide the framework for your further work.
 It is very important to note that your review should not be
simply a description of what others have published in the form
of a set of summaries,
 It should be a synthesis and analysis of the relevant published
work, linked at all times to your own purpose and rationale
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 CON’T…….
The purposes of the review are:-
 to define and limit the problem you are working on
 to place your study in an historical perspective
 to avoid unnecessary duplication
 to evaluate promising research methods
 to relate your findings to previous knowledge and suggest
further research
 A good literature review, therefore, is critical of what has
been written, identifies areas of controversy, raises questions
and identifies areas which need further research.

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 CON’T…….

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 CON’T…….
Body
The body of your literature review is the centre of your work.
This is where you'll present, analyze, evaluate and synthesis' the
existing research.
The body of the review contains your review of the literature
relevant to your research question or aim.
Conclusion
Your conclusion should give a summary of:-
  The main agreements and disagreements in the literature.
 Any gaps or areas for further research. 
 Your overall perspective on the topic

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 CON’T…….

The literature review conclusion should includes :-

summarize the important aspects of the existing body of
literature;
evaluate the current state of the literature reviewed;
identify significant flaws or gaps in existing knowledge;
outline areas for future study;
link your research to existing knowledge.

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 CON’T…….
A good literature survey ensure that
Assessing strengths and weaknesses (of individual
studies as well the existing research as a whole).
Identifying potential gaps in knowledge.
 Establishing a need for current /future research
projects.
The problem statement can be made with precision
and clarity.

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 CON’T…….
Final checklist of good literature review
1.Selection of Sources
Are the parameters of the review reasonable?
Which years did you exclude?
Have you emphasized recent developments?
Have you focused on primary sources with only
selective use of secondary sources?
Is the literature you have selected relevant?
Is your bibliographic data complete?

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 2.Critical Evaluation of the Literature
 Have you organized your material according to
issues?
Does the amount of detail included on an issue
relate to its importance?
Have you been sufficiently critical of design and
methodological issues?
Have you indicated when results were conflicting
and discussed possible reasons?
Have you indicated the relevance of each
reference to your research?
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 3.Interpretation
 Your summary of the current literature
contributed to the reader's understanding of the
problems?
The design of your research reflect the
methodological implications of the literature
review?

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Objectives of Research
 Objectives should be closely related to the statement of
the problem.
Objective of research can be defined as research that is:-
(a) Unbiased or impartial,
(b) Value-free,
(c) Reliable or trustworthy,
(d) Factual or real.
 The two types of research objectives are;
1. General Objective.
2. Specific Objectives.

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 CON’T…
1. General objective
 A general objective is a statement that communicates the
overall goal of a research in a single sentence. 
 It should derive directly from the research problem statement.

2. Specific Objectives
They should specify what you will do in your study, where
and for what purpose.
Specific Objectives are statements that describe:
The results in terms of knowledge,
 Attitude,
 Skill and
 Behavior. 

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 CON’T…
How should you state your objectives?
Take care that the objectives of your study:
Cover the different aspects of the problem
 To contributing factors in a coherent way and in a logical
sequence;
Are clearly identify in operational terms, specifying exactly
what you are going to do, where, and for what purpose;
Use action verbs that are specific enough to be evaluated. Like
this ones:-
To determine,
To compare,
To verify,
To calculate,
To describe,
To02establish.
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 CON’T…

Avoid the use of vague non-action verbs such as

To appreciate,
To understand,
 To study.
Keep in mind that when the project is evaluated, the
results will be compared to the objectives.
If the objectives have not been spelled out clearly, the
project cannot be evaluated.

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Title of the study CON’T…

The title should be in line with your general objective.

Now you can finalize the title of your study.
 Make sure that it is specific enough to tell the reader what
your study is about and where it will be calculated.
 Elements of a Research Title?
The “Title” should be descriptive, direct, accurate,
appropriate, interesting, concise, precise, unique, and should
not be misleading

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 THANK YOU VERY MUCH
FOR
YOUR ATTENTION

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