Transforming a Problem Statement into a Research Question

Transforming a Problem Statement into a Research Question:

Topic to Problem Statement Example ► Broad 2016 issue of online role playing games potentially affecting male body image. ► Use the template to distill down what you want to study about this problem in a focused way.

Problem Statements Can Lead to Effective Research Questions 2016 There is a problem in or with ________. ► Despite _______(something that should be happening), _________ is occurring (provide supporting evidence after this statement). ► This problem has negatively impacted_______ (victims of problem) because _____. ► A possible cause of this problem is _______. Perhaps a study which investigates _______ by a _____ (method) could remedy this situation. ►

Problem Statements Can Lead to Effective Research Questions ► ► 2016 There is a problem in or with the effects of online role playing games on high school aged male body images Despite appropriate physical and health education at the high school level, 14 -18 year old males are developing unhealthy body images and engaging in unhealthy efforts to achieve such images (see Made -up-name, 2015). This problem has negatively impacted 14 -18 year old males who engage in online role playing games because such games portray the male image in only one way (the high achieving, muscle-building athlete). A possible cause of this problem is our lack of understanding of how 14 -18 year old males (who regularly play role playing games) internalize the male image presented to them in such games. Perhaps a study which investigates the high school-aged male perceptions and attitudes of the male image presented to them by role playing games by a qualitative method using interviews could remedy this situation.

Problem Statement Format for History ► ► 2016 There is a problem in or with understanding the end of “empires” Despite the belief that political empires ceased to exist at the end of the Cold War (something that is general accepted in current scholarship) post-Cold War military interventions (something that refutes accepted thinking) suggest that empires did not end after the Cold War but were transformed as part of a new international system. This problem has negatively affected our ability to understand globalization because standard definitions of empires are not useful in the study of contemporary history. A possible cause of the problem is the meaning of “empire” in modern politics. Perhaps a study which investigates how politicians use the term “empire” to achieve political objectives through historical case study research could remedy this problem.

Problem Statement Format for the Humanities 2016 There is a problem in or with determining the root cause of the Salem Witch Trials in the late 17 th century. ► Despite the pervading theory that mass hysteria came out of an overzealous religious faith fueled by superstition and belief in a spiritual realm inhabited by demons and angels (a commonly accepted explanation), the notion that rye mold containing hallucinogenic chemicals might have invoked strange behavior or psychological distress has been offered as an explanation. ► This problem has negatively impacted the cultural view of women in colonial America (something influenced by theory) because they have been labeled as weak, more susceptible to influence, and possessing of a nature that is inherently evil in literature and art. ► A possible cause of this problem is that medical and psychological knowledge was rudimentary at the time, and the majority of members of the medical community were male. Perhaps a study which investigates the symptoms of known accepted and known medical and psychological conditions during the same time period by descriptive, historical research (method) could remedy this problem. ►

From Problem Statement to Research Question 2016 ► Focused Topic: A clear element of the problem or topic of inquiry (cyberbullying, male body image, recurring themes of flowers) ► Purpose: to explore, explain, or create ► Variables/components: components of focused topic to be identified, counted, measured, etc. (punitive measures taken, text used to describe women as flowers, time spent playing video games) ► Context: population, place, time, genre (middle school males, Emily Dickinson poetry from 18501865)

From Problem Statement to Research Question ► Value 2016 (the “So what”? ): A statement of importance, significance, or relevance to the body of knowledge of the discipline or society at large. ► Feasibility: A statement of how this topic of inquiry can be investigated using time and resources available to the researcher.

Transforming Topics/Problems into Research Questions Practice ► After 2016 some preliminary research in the field of cyber bullying a research develops the following problem statement.

Cyberbullying Problem Statement ► ► 2016 There is a problem in or with middle school education. Despite efforts to educate middle schoolers on appropriate, safe, and effective uses of technology for learning, cyberbullying is occurring which affects about ten million middle school students each year (Beane, 2008). This problem has negatively impacted 28% of middle school students because many schools decline to discipline off campus behavior. A possible cause of this problem is how to effectively address the ill effects of cyberbullying are complex or unknown. Perhaps a study which investigates the ill effects of cyberbullying and how they were addressed by a mixed method, case study could remedy this situation.

Cyberbullying Research Question ► ► ► 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 2016 From the problem statement the researcher develops the following research question: What are the causes of cyberbullying by middle schoolers from 2010 to 2015? Evaluate and revise this question to adhere to to criteria for effective research questions. Focused topic: Purpose: Context/Scope: Variables: Value: Feasibility:

From Problem Statement to Research Question: Possible Example ► What 2016 are the Ill-effects of Cyberbullying and Associated Punitive Measures Implemented by Four Middle Schools in District XYZ: A Case Study • Focus-Cyberbullying • Context-4 middle schools in District XYZ • Variables-Ill-effects of cyberbullying and punitive measures • Purpose-explore

Variables (measurable, observable) Context (time, place, population) Purpose (explore, explain, create) Research Question Value (why significant, who cares) Feasibility (can the study be done with your resources)

e l b i s e l a fe luab va er focus p o r p Context Variables Purpose

Key feasible valuable Context Variables Purpose focused First Attempt: What are the causes of cyberbullying by middle schoolers from 2010 -2015? Second Attempt: What were the ill-effects of cyberbullying and the punitive measures taken to address cyberbullying at XYZ Middle School from 2010 -2015?