The “Statement of the Problem” is an imperative part of the proposal, for research to be conducted, one must notice a problem in the existing literature that has not been previously addressed. For this section, the following questions should be answered:
Why does this research study need to be conducted?
What specific issues does this study raise that have not been observed in other literature pertaining to the topic?
Purpose of the Study
It is appropriate include a sentence saying “The purpose of this study is…” under this section. Clearly identify the goal of the study in one precise sentence. For example, the sentence could look like this: “the purpose of this study is to determine whether the decision of first semester male students to live with or reject living with their roommates is related to whether their roommates affirm their self-views or not.”
Why is this an important area of study?
Answer this question under this section. Also, identify the unit of analysis or specific inquiry used. Examples of different units of analysis include self-report surveys, observational studies, etc. This is based on your topic, for example, black women in leadership, you have three units, women, black women, and leadership.
Research Question/Hypothesis
Research questions ask what relationships exist between the different variables in the study, while the hypothesis predicts the relationship between variables. List all the research questions in the study, and then include the researcher’s hypothesis for the study. Format this section as seen below.
For the purpose of this study, the following question were addressed:
List the research question here. For example, based on self-verification theory, will a college student’s preference to stay with his roommate increase or decrease depending on whether his roommate sees him as he sees himself?
As part of this study, investigation included one research hypothesis:
List the study’s hypothesis here: The more invested college students are in their self-views, the more they will express a desire to verify these self-views by preferring roommates who see them as they see themselves.
Your research questions must be:
A. Specific
B. Narrow
C. Include your concepts
D. Feasible
E. Complex but simple
F. Original
