The parts of a research problem statement, particularly when aiming for a persuasive statement, include describing the ideal, the reality, and the consequences. This structure helps in clearly articulating the research gap and its significance.
According to a reference from May 15, 2018, to write a persuasive problem statement, researchers need to describe:
- (a) The ideal: What the desired state or standard is.
- (b) The reality: What the current situation or actual state is, which deviates from the ideal.
- (c) The consequences: The problems or negative outcomes resulting from the gap between the ideal and the reality.
Let's break down these components:
Components of a Problem Statement
A well-structured problem statement guides the research by highlighting what is known, what is not known, and why it is important to find out. Using the Ideal-Reality-Consequences framework helps make the problem clear and compelling.
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The Ideal
- What it is: This part describes the way things should be. It outlines the desired state, the goal, the standard practice, or the theoretical ideal scenario in your field of study.
- Purpose: It sets the benchmark or the target against which the current situation (reality) is measured. It establishes the context and the potential benefits if the problem were solved.
- Example: In education, the ideal might be "all students achieving proficiency in reading by the end of third grade."
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The Reality
- What it is: This section details the current situation or the actual state of affairs. It presents evidence-based facts, observations, or existing data that show a deviation from the ideal. This is where the "gap" in knowledge or practice becomes evident.
- Purpose: It highlights the existence of a problem by presenting the current undesirable situation. It grounds the problem in actual circumstances.
- Example: "However, current data shows that only 60% of students in urban schools achieve reading proficiency by the end of third grade."
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The Consequences
- What it is: This part describes the negative outcomes, problems, or impacts that arise because the reality does not match the ideal. It explains why the gap matters and who is affected.
- Purpose: It emphasizes the significance and urgency of addressing the problem. It explains the cost (financial, social, academic, etc.) of inaction and justifies the need for the research. This makes the problem persuasive.
- Example: "This lack of proficiency leads to increased dropout rates in later years, limited opportunities for higher education, and significant long-term economic disadvantages for individuals and society."
By clearly articulating these three parts – the standard we aim for (Ideal), the current situation that falls short (Reality), and the negative impacts of this shortfall (Consequences) – a research problem statement effectively communicates the problem's existence, nature, and importance, laying a strong foundation for the research that follows.
