What is Problem Purpose Statement & Questions or PPS&Q?
Research in humanities deals with a lot of abstraction and hence often goes directionless. Therefore to deal with this problem certain framework needs to be set. To conceptualize research effectively, we can use tools such as the Problem Purpose Statement & Questions (PPS&Q). These elements should be written in a specific format, not exceeding one page. The problem statement should address the key issue you are investigating, and you will explore these issues further in other parts of your research paper.
To write a compelling research paper, start by having a clear focus for your study. This involves proper conceptualization, which includes identifying a researchable problem relevant to your audience, selecting an appropriate research design (paradigm, data collection methods, data analysis strategy, sampling, etc.), and using an appropriate conceptual framework.
Problem Statement:
The problem statement represents a concise and well-structured paragraph that articulates the issue your research aims to address. Every research study is built upon the foundation of a problem. In instances of poorly conceptualized research, the absence of a clear problem is often the case. When facing difficulties in understanding your research study, focus on identifying the central problem at hand.
Example of problem statement:
- Inadequate waste management practices contribute to environmental pollution and health hazards in urban areas.
- Despite efforts to implement renewable energy sources, the adoption rate of solar panels in residential areas remains low.
- Obesity rates among children in urban communities have been steadily increasing.
- Small businesses in the retail sector are facing declining sales and struggling to compete with e-commerce giants.
Knowledge Gap
Identifying the knowledge gap is a crucial aspect of academic research. It involves examining the existing body of research to understand where your study fits in the larger context. Your research should either align with, challenge, replicate, disprove, or introduce a new concept compared to previous studies. By referencing and situating your study within prior research, you can clearly demonstrate how your work contributes to the current understanding of the subject.
For example: Even though a lot of study has been done on waste disposal and its contribution to environmental pollution the practices that contribute to such pollution and the health hazards created by it remain a matter of concern for the urban masses.
Include a sentence or two in your study that establishes the context, encompassing the specific place, time, institution, environment, and other relevant factors. Without a context, the study lacks clarity, grounding, and becomes challenging to conceptualize.
For example: In recent years more and more people have been falling sick due to inadequate disposal of industrial and domestic waste. Data shows that in 2023, X% of people suffered from Y disease. This percentage is considerably higher than the year 2020.
Referencing to establish your points:
In an academic context, referencing plays a crucial role as it provides evidence to support your claims. Your readers scrutinize the evidence to assess the credibility of your research. The greater the evidence you present, the more convinced your readers become, bringing your research closer to the truth. Conversely, outdated or irrelevant references weaken your evidence, and sloppy referencing can lead your readers to perceive the research as unreliable.
For example: Mehta (2020) stated that the government policies for waste disposal have little effect at ground level while Khanna (2018) found that the funds allocated for waste disposal in the metropolitan region were inadequate to cover the entire geographical area.
Typically, the Problem Statement implies the presence of a conceptual framework. In this example, we need to identify the specific conceptual framework being used. If the conceptual framework holds significance for the study, it must be explicitly mentioned in the Problem Statement. Further elaboration of the conceptual framework will be provided in the literature review.
Purpose Statement
The problem statement serves as a precursor to the purpose statement, which plays a crucial role in shaping and guiding the research. This key conceptual paragraph frames the study and can be applied to chapters, sections, and paragraphs. The purpose statement for the overall research project directs and focuses the entire endeavour. As the research progresses, the purpose statement may evolve, necessitating continuous revision and refinement.
Included in the purpose statement is a clear sentence that outlines the proposed actions in the research, aiming to address the identified knowledge gap from the problem statement. The purpose statement sets the broad goal of the research and indicates the specific intent, such as exposing, exploring, investigating, or experimenting. It is typically followed by research questions, hypotheses, or objectives.
Example of purpose statement:
- This research aims to examine the factors influencing waste disposal practices in urban areas and their contribution to environmental pollution. The study will explore potential solutions to promote sustainable waste management practices and reduce health hazards associated with improper waste disposal.
- The purpose of this research is to explore the challenges faced by mature students when resuming educational studies after a gap period. The study seeks to investigate the studying practices of mature students in a specific faculty at MUN and their relationship with social capital.
- The purpose of this study is to analyze the impact of renewable energy policies on the adoption of solar panels in residential areas. The research intends to investigate the factors influencing homeowners’ acceptance and utilization of solar energy and propose strategies for increasing adoption rates.
In each case, the purpose statement provides a clear direction for the research. It indicates what needs to be explored or investigated to fill the knowledge gap identified earlier. The purpose statement serves as a foundation for developing research questions that will guide the study further.
Research Questions
The research questions serve a distinct purpose and should not merely restate the research problem. Instead, they delve deeper into the problem, acting as guiding questions like different pieces of a puzzle that together to form the whole picture. It is crucial to ensure that no unrelated questions sneak in, as that would lead to unnecessary additional research. The research questions also give readers an idea of the project’s scope, indicating its size and coverage area. Careful consideration of the questions is essential. They often correspond to different chapters within the research project, providing an organizational framework. Remember to frame the questions in a question format.
Example of research questions:
1. Purpose Statement: This research aims to examine the factors influencing waste disposal practices in urban areas and their contribution to environmental pollution. The study will explore potential solutions to promote sustainable waste management practices and reduce health hazards associated with improper waste disposal.
1. Research Questions:
- What are the primary factors that influence waste disposal practices in urban areas?
- How does improper waste disposal contribute to environmental pollution and health hazards in urban communities?
- What are the most effective strategies for promoting sustainable waste management practices and mitigating the environmental and health impacts of waste disposal in urban areas?
2. Purpose Statement: The purpose of this research is to explore the challenges faced by mature students when returning to educational studies after a gap period. The study seeks to investigate the studying practices of mature students in a specific faculty at MUN and their relationship with social capital.
2. Research Questions:
- What are the main difficulties experienced by mature students when resuming educational studies after a gap period?
- How do the studying practices of mature students in the specified faculty at MUN differ from those of traditional students?
- To what extent does social capital influence the studying habits and academic success of mature students?
3. Purpose Statement: The purpose of this study is to analyze the impact of renewable energy policies on the adoption of solar panels in residential areas. The research intends to investigate the factors influencing homeowners’ acceptance and utilization of solar energy and propose strategies for increasing adoption rates.
3. Research Questions:
- How do renewable energy policies affect the adoption of solar panels in residential areas?
- What are the key factors influencing homeowners’ decisions to adopt or reject solar energy systems?
- What strategies can be implemented to increase the acceptance and utilization of solar energy among homeowners and overcome barriers to adoption?
In these examples, the research questions unpack the research problem, examining different aspects of the impact. Each question provides insight into a specific area of the research. Research questions can potentially form the basis for individual chapters within the research project.
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