Problem Statement
-
Include the problem statement indicating what is known and not known and provide the basis for the purpose of the review (this is the rationale for the review).
-
As a part of the Introduction, effective problem statements answer the question “Why does this research need to be conducted?” The clear statement of the problem is the focal point of your research. It should state what you will be studying, whether you will do it through experimental or non-experimental investigation, and what the purpose of your findings will be. In it, you are looking for something wrong, something that needs close attention, or something where existing methods no longer seem to be working.
-
In your wording, be succinct and on target. Give a short summary of the research problem that you have identified. A research proposal may not be considered acceptable or credible if you fail to clearly identify the problem. Your biggest difficulty might be narrowing the topic since the topic is still relatively unfamiliar to you. Your Literature Review should be a helpful source.
-
You might present persuasive arguments as to why the problem is important enough to study or include the opinions of others (nurses, physicians, public health advocates, other professionals). Explain how the problem relates to health, disease, or nursing by presenting a bit of evidence from your Literature Review that demonstrates the scope and depth of the problem. Try to give dramatic and concrete illustrations of the problem. After writing the Introduction, however, make sure you can still easily identify the single sentence that is the problem statement.
Purpose:
-
Formulate the purpose statement indicating the specific focus and aim of the review. This is a restatement of the research question as a declarative statement followed by 1-2 sentences about what the study findings will contribute to patient outcomes/nursing profession/etc.
Research Question(s)
-
Formulate 1-2 research questions that will address the problem and purpose of the study. This must be consistent with the purpose of the study.