problem definition[1]
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The entire situation where one sees apossible need for research or problemsolving
Examples:◦ Malay students studying additionalmathematics
◦
Problem AreaProblem Area
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Narrow it down to specific issues◦ Malay students have problem studying sometopics in additional mathematics
More specific issue : problem solving skills,
difficulty in grasping concepts
◦ Engineering students are not displaying softskills needed
Narrowing Your ResearchNarrowing Your Research
ore spec c: poor commun ca on s s
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Issues ProblemsResearchQuestions
ResearchProblems
Putting Things in PerspectivePutting Things in Perspective4
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Justifying your choice of the area of research◦ Why is there a need to do this research
Need backing up◦ Government policies
◦ Institutional reports/strategic plans
◦
Background SurveyBackground Survey
◦ Press reports
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Defining a problem◦ Not necessarily something that is seriouslywrong
◦ Can an issue of interest
Find answers to improve existing situation
◦ A situation where a gap exists between actualand desired state
Problem DefinitionProblem Definition6
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Could be◦ An issue/matter you want to understand
◦ Existing educational problems that you areseeking to solve
◦ Situations that you want to improve
◦ Areas where some conceptual clarity is needed
Problem DefinitionProblem Definition7
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Is…◦ A set of condition needing discussion, asolution and information
◦ Implies the possibility of empirical
investigation, i.e. of data collection andanalysis
Is not…
The Research ProblemThe Research Problem
◦ How to do something◦ A vague or too broad propositions
◦ A value question
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Essential to define your research problemvery carefully◦ Ask why you have chosen it, why not anotherproblem
◦ Helps you to choose a suitable method of researching it
◦ Prevent your from reading indiscriminately
Problem DefinitionProblem Definition
You do not know quite what you are looking for Make more notes than you need
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Be as deductive as you can Relate you research problem to a theory
◦ A theory is an expectation of events or phenomenaor behavior
◦ Phenomenon in education – theories from cognitivepsychology, sociology, psycholinguistics,management, art education
Example
Problem DefinitionProblem Definition
◦ Finding out whether providing children withmultimedia presentations explaining scienceconcepts will enhance understanding
◦ Theory?
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Your area of research State whether:
◦ Existing educational problems that you areseeking to solve
◦ Situations that you want to improve
◦ Areas where some conceptual clarity is needed
◦ Situations in which the researcher is tr in to
Your Research ProblemYour Research Problem
answer a research question empirically Why do you choose this problem?
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Distance learnersnot able to learn
effectively
EffectsLearning outcomes
not achievedAnxiety,
frustration
Failure to achievemeaningfulexperience
Withdrawal,deferrement,
dropout
Causes
Epistemologicalproblem
Institutional /administration
problem
Learner problemLearner cannotmanage their
learning activities
Inability to sustainmotivation
Inability tomaintain strong
attention
Lack of self regulation
ExampleExample
Lack of discipline
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A clear, precise and succinct statement of the question/issues that is to beinvestigated
How?◦ No one right way to state one
◦ American vs British
Problem StatementProblem Statement13
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Introduces the reader to the importance of
the problem The reader is oriented to the significance of
the study and the research questions orhypotheses to follow◦ You could relate your problem to the findings of
prior research
Places the problem in a context
Problem StatementProblem Statement
Indicate what is probably necessary toconduct the study and explain how findingswill present this information
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TOPIC• Subject Area
EDUCATIONALISSUES
• A concern
• A problem• Something that needs solution
Flow of Ideas in ProblemFlow of Ideas in ProblemStatementStatement
EVIDENCE FORTHE ISSUE
• Evidence from literature
• Evidence from practical experiences
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DEFICIENCIES INTHE EVIDENCE
• In this body of evidence what is missing• What do we need to know more about
REMEDYING THE
• How will addressing what we need toknow help researchers, educators, policy-
Flow of Ideas in ProblemFlow of Ideas in ProblemStatementStatement
DEFICIENCES. FOR
WHOM? SELECTAUDIENCES
,
study
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