The Problem

Learning Objectives:
At the end of the topic the students should be able to:
• Discuss the introduction;
• Discuss the statement of the problem;
• Discuss the significance of the study; and
• Discuss the scope and limitations of the study.
 The Introduction
General Format in Writing the Introduction
• Discussion at once follows after the chapter title, No
introduction of the chapter.
• Discussions are in paragraph form starting from macro to micro
development that gives an overview of the research.
• It includes the legal bases of the study and the personal
justifications of the researcher.
• It may also include concepts and ideas from other sources.
Acknowledgement of sources is done in journal form.

An introduction is the first paragraph of a written research paper,

or the first thing you say in an oral presentation, or the first thing
people see, hear, or experience about your project.
Another tips for writing an introduction
(https://www.scribendi.com/advice/how_to_write_an_introduction.en.html)
1. Start with a bang!
• If you really want to draw readers in, you have to start your introduction with
something attention grabbing. This can be a startling fact, an interesting
anecdote, or a relevant quote from an expert.
2. Be general before you're specific.
• You must provide your readers with a little background or basic information about
the topic you are covering. Start with the broader subject and lead your readers
to your specific topic. This is especially important when writing a book report.
Show them how your topic relates to the bigger picture.
3. Lay it on 'em.
• After providing your readers with some background, use your essay introduction
to outline what you are going to discuss. Lay out your main points and
arguments, preferably in the order in which you are going to discuss them.
4. What's your point?
• The most important thing to include when writing an introduction is your thesis! A thesis
statement is the main point of your paper; it is narrow, focused, and specific. A thesis can
be something you are arguing for or it can be something you are arguing against.
Whatever the case, be sure to include it. The thesis can come before your outline or at the
very end of your essay introduction.
5. Length matters.
• There is no rule for exactly how long an introduction should be. You must consider the
length of your overall paper when writing your introduction. An appropriate length for a
five-page essay is about half a page, but if you are writing a 40-page paper, your
introduction will span several pages and multiple paragraphs.
Check out our example introduction to an essay to get a better understanding of how to best
lay out your first paragraph. One final tip: write the introduction when it's easiest for you.
Some writers find introductions extremely hard to write. It may be easier for them to write
the introduction last (and maybe even write the conclusion and back matter first). Other
writers find introductions help them find the direction of their paper and write them very early
in the writing process. If you are struggling with your essay introduction, put it aside for a
while and continue with the body of the paper.
 The Statement of the Problem
• General Format in Writing the Statement of the Problem
1. The section should have an introductory statement.
2. It should enlist the specific questions answered by the research.
• A problem statement is a brief overview of the issues or problems existing
in the concerned area selected for the research. It is an explanation of the
issues prevalent in particular sectors which drives the researcher to take
interest in that sector for in-depth study and analysis, so as to understands
and solve them (Saunders et al. 2009)
• “The problem statement describes the context for the study and it also
identifies the general analysis approach” (Wiersma, 1995, p. 404).

• “A problem might be defined as the issue that exists in the literature,

theory, or practice that leads to a need for the study” (Creswell, 1994, p.
50).
• It is important in a proposal that the problem stand out—that the reader
can easily recognize it. Sometimes, obscure and poorly formulated
problems are masked in an extended discussion. In such cases, reviewers
and/or committee members will have difficulty recognizing the problem.

• A problem statement should be presented within a context, and that

context should be provided and briefly explained, including a discussion of
the conceptual or theoretical framework in which it is embedded. Clearly
and succinctly identify and explain the problem within the framework of the
theory or line of inquiry that undergirds the study. This is of major
importance in nearly all proposals and requires careful attention. It is a key
element that associations such as AERA and APA look for in proposals. It
is essential in all quantitative research and much qualitative research.
• State the problem in terms intelligible to someone who is generally
sophisticated but who is relatively uninformed in the area of your
investigation.

• Effective problem statements answer the question “Why does this

research need to be conducted.” If a researcher is unable to answer this
question clearly and succinctly, and without resorting to hyper speaking
(i.e., focusing on problems of macro or global proportions that certainly will
not be informed or alleviated by the study), then the statement of the
problem will come off as ambiguous and diffuse.
 The Significance of the Study
• General Format in Writing the Significance of the Study
1. The discussion of the problem situation as observed and
experienced by the researcher.
2. Concepts and ideas related to the problem
• Discussion of existing or present conditions and what is aimed to be in the
future or the gap to filled – in by the research.
•
• Essentially, the section on significance of the study provides information to
the reader on how the study will contribute. It must be specifically stated,
however, what the study will contribute and who will benefit from it.
• You can figure out several important contributions of your research paper if
you let your mind flow. But I find the following tips helpful in writing the
significance of the study. (http://simplyeducate.me/2015/02/09/two-tips-on-
how-to-write-the-significance-of-the-study/
 Tips in Writing the Significance of the Study
1. Refer to the statement of the problem
• Your problem statement can guide you in identifying the specific contribution
of your study. You can do this by observing a one-to-one correspondence
between the statement of the problem and the significance of the study.
• For example, if you ask the question “Is there a significant relationship
between the teacher’s teaching style and the students’ long quiz scores in
Mathematics?” then the contribution of your research would probably be a
teaching style or styles (among say, three teaching styles you evaluated) that
can help students perform better in Mathematics. Your research will
demonstrate that that teaching style really works. That could be a ground
breaking approach that will change the way teachers teach Mathematics
which many students abhor.
2. Write from general to specific contribution
• I learned this technique from a former professor while in pursuing my
master’s degree. It works this way:
• Write the significance of the study by looking into the general contribution
of your study, such as its importance to society as a whole, then proceed
downwards—towards its contribution to individuals and that may include
yourself as a researcher. You start off broadly then taper off gradually to a
specific group or person.