Agenda PS1

8289: Research Foundations

Instructor: Cristian J. Tovar Klinger, Ph.D.
Monday, May 6, 2020 (10: 00 a.m.)
Topic: Problem Statement (PS)

WHAT IS A PROBLEM STATEMENT?

A problem statement is the description of an issue currently existing which needs

to be addressed. It provides the context for the research study and generates
the questions which the research aims to answer. The statement of the problem
also talks about the significance of the study and identify the gap in the
research. The gap in the research is what we do not know of our research topic for
the lack of information, evidence, or data and deserves investigation. Generally,
the gap becomes the purpose of the research study and it is followed by the
research questions.
A good problem statement is just one sentence (with several paragraphs of
elaboration that support the components mentioned above). For example:
"The Role of Self- Directed Learning in Low-Income Undergraduate Students
in Quarantine Times.”
While this problem statement is just one sentence, it should be accompanied by a
few paragraphs that elaborate on the problem. The paragraphs could cover
present persuasive arguments that make the problem important enough to study.

PROBLEM STATEMENT IN QUALITATIVE RESEARCH

Context
Growing numbers of low-income undergraduate students are placing increasing
demands on teaching and learning virtual services systems and, consequently, will
affect the future direction of online education. In response to the increasing
numbers, costs, and education needs of undergraduate students, the National
 PS 2
Ministry of Education has changed undergraduate- educational policies. For
example, Colombian educational authorities have created incentives and provided
technological devices for students with less opportunities so that everybody can
have access to education regardless of social conditions in these times of
quarantine.
Significance
The importance of understanding aspects contributing to educational benefits in
higher education is especially relevant for undergraduate students, as it is this
segment to the populations who are most at risk. Those undergraduate students
who have taken control of their educational development are self-directing their
own learning.
Gap
However, little is known about how low-income undergraduate students are using
self-directed learning to gain access to academic information of their fields of
knowledge and how this information is affecting their professional preparation.
Purpose
Therefore, the purpose of this study is to understand the role of self-directed
learning in low-income undergraduate students in quarantine times. Consequently,
the research questions that guide this study are as follows:
Research Questions

1. What motivates low-income undergraduate students in quarantine times to

take control of their learning regarding online education?
2. What online educational devices are controlled and accessed by low-income
undergraduate self-directed learners
3. What is the process of low-income undergraduate self-directed learning
of one´s professional field?
 PROBLEM STATEMENT IN QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH PS 3

The problem statement in quantitative research specifies the variables and the
population of interest.

Context
Growing numbers of low-income undergraduate students are placing increasing
demands on teaching and learning virtual services systems and, consequently, will
affect the future direction of online education. In response to the increasing
numbers, costs, and education needs of undergraduate students, the National
Ministry of Education has changed undergraduate- educational policies. For
example, Colombian educational authorities have created incentives and provided
technological devices for students with less opportunities so that everybody can
have access to education regardless of social conditions in these times of
quarantine.
Significance
The importance of establishing the relationship between online education and
achievement of low-income undergraduate students in higher education is
especially relevant for undergraduate students, as it is this segment to the
populations who are most at risk. Those undergraduate students who have taken
control of their educational development are self-directing their own learning.
Gap
However, little is known about how low-income undergraduate students are
affected by online education and achievement in their professional preparation.
Purpose
Therefore, the purpose of this study is to find the relationship between online
education and achievement of low-income undergraduate students self-directed
learning in higher education. Consequently, the research questions that guide this
study are as follows:
Research Questions PS 4

1. What is the relationship of online education and achievement of low-income

undergraduate students self- directed learning in quarantine times?
2. What is the effect of an online- assisted educational courses on
performance and self- directed learning done by low-income undergraduate
students?