Understanding Problem Statements

What is a problem statement?

• A summary of your research findings

• A clear, concise articulation of an issue your research

• A list of sources related to your topic

• A hypothesis for your research

What should a strong problem statement include?

• A broad and general problem with no evidence

• A personal opinion about an issue

• A clearly defined issue, supported by evidence, identifying a knowledge gap

• A long, complicated description of a problem

What is a common weakness in problem statements?

• Being too vague and lacking clarity

• Including supporting data and evidence

• Identifying a knowledge gap

• Explaining the significance of the research

"Young people struggle to evaluate news accurately, leading to misinformation spread." is a strong problem statement

• True

• False

Too broad problem statements make research more effective.

• True

• False

What is the first step in structuring a strong problem statement?

• Identifying a knowledge gap

• Stating a hypothesis

• Providing background on the issue

• Listing references

Which statement includes a knowledge gap?

• Fake news is a problem in Malaysia

• Social media increases misinformation

• Many Malaysians struggle with fake news, but little research explores how..

• Misinformation is bad

Based on the "5 Whys," why do youth struggle with media literacy?

• They believe and share fake news

• Stating a hypothesis

• Policymakers discourage digital education

• Fact-checking is unnecessary

Why does a problem statement need evidence?

• To impress people

• To make the problem seem important

• To show the problem is real

• To make the research longer

Why is narrowing down a problem statement important?

• It makes research more focused

• It makes writing easier

• It allows personal opinions

• It removes the need for evidence