Analysis and Statement of the Problem

Session 9: Analysis and Statement of the Problem

Total Session Time: 120 minutes

Prerequisites

 None

Learning Tasks

By the end of this session students are expected to be able to:

 Identify factors contributed to the problem.

 Clarify the relationship between the problem and contributing factors.

 Decide on the scope and focus of the research

 Formulate the problem statement

Resources Needed

 Flip charts, marker pens, and masking tape

 Black/white board and chalk/whiteboard markers

 Computer and LCD Projector

 Handout 9.1: Formulating the Problem Statement

 Handout 9.2: Sample Problem Analysis Diagram

SESSION OVERVIEW

Activity/

Step Time Content

Method

1 05 minutes Presentation Introduction, Learning Tasks

Presentation Factors Contributed to the Problem.

2 30 minutes

Group discussion

Presentation Relationship Between the Problem and

3 15 minutes Contributing Factors.

Brainstorming

4 10 minutes Presentation The Scope and Focus of the Research

45minutes Presentation Formulation of the Problem Statement

5

Group discussion

6 05 minutes Presentation Key Points

7 05 minutes Presentation Evaluation

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8 05 minutes Presentation Assignment

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SESSION CONTENTS

STEP1: Presentation of Session Title and Learning Tasks (5 minutes)

READ or ASK students to read the learning tasks and clarify

ASK students if they have any questions before continuing

STEP 2: Factors Contributed to the Problem (30 minutes)

Activity: Small Group Discussion (20 minutes)

DIVIDE students into small manageable groups

ASK students to discuss on the following question

 ‘What are the factors contributed to the problem you have selected?

ALLOW students to discuss for 10 minutes

ALLOW few groups to present and the rest to add points not mentioned

CLARIFY and SUMMARIZE by using the contents below

Analyzing the problem is a very crucial step in designing the research because it:

 Enables those concerned to pool their knowledge of the problem

 Clarifies the problem and the possible factors that may be contributing to it

 Facilitates decisions concerning the focus and scope of the research

 The factors contributed to the problem

o You have to specify and describe the core problem you selected after prioritization

 Quantify the selected problem. After identifying the core problem, you should:

o Identify factors that may have contributed to the problem.

o Clarify the relationship between the problem and contributing factors

o It is helpful to visualize these inter relationships in the form of a diagram.

o The basic principles of constructing such a diagram are illustrated below

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 Identify further contributing factors.

o Extend the problem analysis diagram further by identifying additional factors that

could have contributed to or aggravated the problem.

o It may be possible to identify several ‗generations‘ of predisposing factors, by asking

‗but why‘

 Organise related factors together into larger categories and develop final draft diagram.

For example

o Many researchers group contributing factors into four main categories:

 Socio-cultural factors

 Economic factors

 Service-related factors

 Disease-related factors

STEP 3: Relationship Between the Problem and Contributing Factors

(15 minutes)

Activity: Buzzing (5 minutes)

ASK students to pair up and buzz on the following question for 2 minutes

 What is the relationship between the problem and contributing factors?

ALLOW few pairs to respond and let other pairs to add on points not mentioned

WRITE their response on the flip chart/board

CLARIFY and SUMMARIZE by using the content below

 The relationships between contributing factors and the problem can be indicated by

arrows

o One-way arrow (for cause-effect relationships) or

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o Two-way arrows (for mutual relationships)

 The core problem can be identified by drawing a double line around it

STEP 4: The Scope and Focus of the Research (10 minutes)

 Scoping is figuring out what, exactly, to explore for a study

 Decide on the focus and scope of the research

 Not necessary to research on all factors if too many

STEP 5: Formulation of the Problem Statement (45 minutes)

Activity: Small Group Discussion (25 minutes)

DIVIDE students into small manageable groups

ASK students to formulate statement of the problem they have selected from prioritization

ALLOW them to discuss for 15 minutes

ALLOW few groups to present and the rest to add points not mentioned

CLARIFY and SUMMARIZE by using the contents below

What information should be included in the statement of the problem?

status and the health-care system in the country/district in as far as these are relevant to the

problem. Include a few illustrative statistics, if available, to help describe the context in

which the problem occurs.

what should be) and of the size, distribution and severity of the problem (who is affected,

where, since when, and what are the consequences for those affected and for the services).

For a descriptive study you will elaborate the different components of the problem.

certain factors need more investigation if the problem is to be fully understood.

well they have worked, and why further research is needed (justification for your study).

information will be used to help solve the problem.

problem.

Writing the statement of the problem

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necessary, before preparing the written text for the problem statement.

not have. Part of the literature review, if not all, may be included in the statement of the

problem.

country and/or district in which the study takes place can be best done at the end, after a

thorough description of the problem, to avoid irrelevant background data. It will be placed

at the beginning of the problem statement.

STEP 6: Key Points (5 minutes)

economic factors, service-related factors and disease-related factors

report, literature and other relevant information available.

STEP 7: Evaluation (5 minutes)

 What is the relationship between the problem and contributing factors?

 What information do you need to include in the statement of problem?

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STEP 8: Assignment (5 minutes)

Activity: Take Home Individual Assignment (5 minutes)

ASK each student to work on the following Assignment

ALLOCATE time for students to do the assignments and submit

REFER students to recommended reference

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References

Hardon A, Boonmongkon P, and Streefland P. et al (editors)(2001). Applied Health research,

Anthropology of health and health care (3rd Ed.): Amsterdam, The Netherlands: Het

Spinhuis Publishers,

Kothari C.R (1985). Research Methodology – Methods and techniques, (2nd ed): New Delhi,

India: Wiley Eastern Limited

Varkevisser, C. M, Pathmanathan, I and Brownlee, A (1991). Designing and Conducting

Health Systems Research Projects, Vol. 2 Part I.:Ottawa, Canada: IDRC

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Handout 9.1 Formulating the problem Statement

 Importance of a Well-Defined Problem

o A poorly defined research problem leads to confusion.

o A well-defined research problem statement leads to:

 Statement of research objectives

 Hypotheses

 Definition of key variables

 Selection of a methodology for measuring the variables

 Foundation for the further development of the research proposal

 Ease in finding find information and reports of similar studies from which your

own study design can benefit

 Systematic justification for undertaking the proposed research, and what the

 researcher he/she hope to achieve with the study results

 This is important to highlight when you present your project to community

members, health staff, relevant ministries and donor agencies who need to support

your study or give their consent.

 Statement of the Problem Includes:

o Identification, definition, and justification of the research problem

o One of the most important first tasks of research is to identify and clearly define the

problem you wish to study.

o If you are uncertain about the research problem or if you are not clear in your own

mind about what you want to study, others who read your proposal will also be

uncertain.

o Problem Identification and definition

o While it is always possible to guess why a problem exists, guesses are often wrong

and usually do not provide a firm basis for designing a research study.

o A far better way to define a problem situation is to review relevant literature, examine

current service statistics, seek educated opinions from persons concerned about the

problem, and obtain probable reasons for the problem from social, economic, or

health theory.

o Follow this general procedure when identifying and defining a problem situation:

 Start with a simple statement of the problem situation.

 Add details as you review the literature, review theoretical concepts, and

investigate the problem in greater depth.

 Simplify the focus by identifying the most important aspects of the problem that

are researchable.

 Make a first attempt at identifying the problem situation by using the following format:

o Problem Situation: Write a small, simple paragraph that identifies the problem.

o Discrepancy: State the discrepancy between what is and what should be.

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o Problem Question: Write down the central problem question.

o Possible Answers: Write two or more plausible answers to the problem question.

 From the available research literature, health and behavioral theory, current service

 statistics, educated opinions and other sources of information, try to add details to the

problem situation you have just identified. Look for theoretical concepts and operational

variables that you may have missed. List these concepts and variables on a piece of paper

as you come across them. Try to answer

 the following questions:

o What are the incidence and prevalence of the problem?

o Which geographic areas are affected by the problem? Which population groups are

affected by the problem?

o What are the findings of other research studies?

o What has been done to overcome the problem in the past?

o How successful were past efforts to overcome the problem?

o What seem to be major unanswered questions about the problem?

 With the information you have collected from a literature review and other sources,

rewrite your statement identifying and defining the problem. Use the format described

above:

o Problem Situation, Discrepancy, Problem Question, and Possible Answers

o Add details that help to define the problem but organize the information. Try to

establish the boundaries of the problem.

o Focus your attention on the most important, researchable aspects of the problem.

 Have one or more colleagues read your final statement identifying and defining the

problem situation. If they are unclear about the problem situation or cannot describe the

discrepancy between what is and what should be, then go back to the beginning and start

all over again.

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Handout 9.2: Sample Problem Diagram

Figure below shows the initial problem diagram on Irrational drug use

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