chapter

3

Presenting the Problem

Chapter Outline

• Choosing the title• Writing the introduction• Stating the research problem• Presenting the research hypothesis• Operationally defining your terms• Basic assumptions, delimitations, and limitations• Justifying the significance of the study• The difference between the thesis and the research

article

Writing the Introduction

• How to write a good introduction– Demonstrate the point of the study.– Omit technical jargon.– Know who you are writing for.– Write introduction after the problem and hypotheses.

Key Point

If your introduction does not catch the reader’s attention, your thesis won’t be read!

Presenting the Problem

In groups of 3 to 5, refer to the abstract on the handout, and perform these tasks:

• Develop a title.• Develop a problem statement.• Identify variables: independent, dependent, control.• Develop two research hypotheses.• Develop two operational definitions.• What are two assumptions?• What are two limitations?

Learning activity from Instructor’s Guide

Considerations When Choosing the Title

• Written last, not first• Purpose of the title

– Conveys focus of the study

• Problems with titles– Too long or too short– Useless words

Key Point

Think about who will read your title.

Writing the Title

• Develop a title for the abstract.• Enter your group’s title on the next slide.

Write Your Title

Enter your group’s title:• Group 1:• Group 2:• Group 3:• Group 4:• Group 5:

Writing the Statementof the Problem

• The problem statement should be a single sentence that describes the problem.

• In each group develop a statement of the problem.

• Put your group’s problem statement on the next slide.

Your Problem Statement

Write your statement of the problem:• Group 1:• Group 2:• Group 3:• Group 4:• Group 5:

Key Point

The introduction should make the problem statement obvious!

Identifying Variables

• Define independent, categorical (moderator), dependent, control, and extraneous variables.

• Identify the following variables and enter them on next slide.– Independent variables; also categorical or moderator

variables– Dependent variables– Control variables

The Variables You Identified

• Group 1– Independent variables(s) =– Dependent variables(s) =– Control variable(s) =

• Group 2– Independent variables(s) =– Dependent variables(s) =– Control variable(s) =

(continued)

The Variables YouIdentified (continued)

• Group 3– Independent variables(s) =– Dependent variables(s) =– Control variable(s) =

• Group 4– Independent variables(s) =– Dependent variables(s) =– Control variable(s) =

(continued)

The Variables You Identified (continued)

• Group 5– Independent variables(s) =– Dependent variables(s) =– Control variable(s) =

Developing the Research Hypotheses

• Research hypotheses– Expected results based on theory or experience– Stated as outcomes

• Null hypotheses– No significant differences or relationships

• Write a research hypothesis and enter it on the next slide.

Write Your Research Hypothesis

• Group 1:• Group 2:• Group 3:• Group 4:• Group 5:

Making Your Problemand Hypotheses Clear

• Operational definitions– Key terms with specific meaning

• Limitations– Possible shortcomings

• Delimitations– Characteristics imposed by the researcher

• Significance of the study– Basic and applied research– Seeking gaps in the research

Clarifying Your Problem

• Develop two operational definitions.• What are two assumptions?• What are two limitations?• Enter one of your operational definitions on

the next slide.

Write Your Operational Definition

• Group 1:• Group 2:• Group 3:• Group 4:• Group 5: