Discussion questions and answers

Deducing a Problem Statement and Purpose of Study

Using a deductive, or top-down, approach requires that you move from a broad or general content area to a specific content area. In Week 3, you used a deductive approach to narrow a broad area of interest to a specific researchable dissertation topic. Now, you are asked to use a deductive approach to narrow your dissertation topic to a specific problem statement.

Before you develop your problem statement, it is important to consider the literature you have read thus far and determine gaps in the literature. A gap in the literature does not mean there has never been research in a specific area. It simply suggests there is an opportunity for research to provide insight, a unique approach, or an expansion to your topic area. For instance, suppose you are interested in examining the impact of nutritional counseling on the prevention and management of chronic illnesses. After a review of the literature, suppose you find that the research has focused on the relationship between nutritional counseling and obesity and heart disease but not diabetes. This gap in the literature informs the problem statement. Your problem statement should be stated clearly, refer to a relationship between two or more variables, and be researchable, that is, you should be able to collect data about the problem (Tuckman, 1999).

To prepare for this assignment, pay particular attention to specific examples of problem statements in the Learning Resources. Also, go to the Walden Library webpage "Dissertations," find two or more Walden dissertations completed in the past year, and read the problem statements. The problem statement is located in Chapter 8 of Tuckman's Conducting Educational Research.

Post a draft of your problem statement. In a separate paragraph, state the Purpose of the Study, using the Prospectus Guide. Then explain how you used a deductive approach to develop your Problem Statement and the purpose of your study. Be specific.

My Response:

Problem Statement and Purpose of Study

Finding a way for children to thrive in the inner-city has long been a challenge. Inner-city neighborhoods are notoriously challenging environments for children to thrive in, as they often lack vital resources, safe public spaces and good public schools. Certain trends continue to exist within inner-city neighborhoods that can only contribute to the hindrance in development. These elements are things like excessive crime rates, the shoddy educational resources and the prevalence of single-parent homes. The literature shows a yawning chasm in research which takes a close and incisive look at all of these factors and the consequences they create for child development. The problem statement of this paper seeks to determine which of these factors creates the biggest developmental challenge for children and forseeably does the most harm.