Ircp Formula For Research Problem Statement

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Do you face problems in writing the problem statement of your thesis? Here's an easy formula for writing an effective problem statement. With this formula, you can link different thoughts that you have (or may not have yet) into a coherent piece of writing.


The IRCP formula encourages you to link real-world problem to research problem. In developing the problem statement, the main ingredients are: the IDEAL situation, the REALITY of the situation now, the CONSEQUENCE of the situation if the problem remains and if it is solved, and your own PROPOSAL to close the gap between reality and the ideal.


Here's an example of the application of the IRCP formula.




STATEMENT 1  (DESCRIPTION OF THE IDEAL SCENARIO)

Graduation on Time (GOT) is a desirable outcomes in relation to the goal of having 60,000 PhD holders in Malaysia by 2023.

(BUT ........ )

STATEMENT 2 (THE REALITY OF THE SITUATION)

Unfortunately, while the registration for PhD program at local universities has increased, the rate and duration of completion are not as expected.

STATEMENT 3 (THE CONSEQUENCES FOR THE AUDIENCE)

If the GOT and completion rate follows the current trajectory, resources (money, supervisors' time, study leave) will be wasted. The below-expectation performance among the PhD candidates would also add to the stress experienced by the supervisors. Improvements to the GOT and completion rate would benefits the universities (better utilization of resources, better ranking, more publications).

RESEARCH (YOUR RESEARCH PROPOSAL TO INVESTIGATE THE POSSIBILITY OF MAKING THE REALITY MORE LIKE THE IDEAL.)

Research has shown that self-efficacy is a good predictor of actual performance. To date, there is no published instrument measuring self-efficacy to undertake postgraduate level research. This study will develop an instrument for measuring self-efficacy for doing post-graduate research. This instrument would be useful in predicting the actual performance of PhD students. It can be used as a screening tool for PhD admission process. It may be used as a tool to design interventions for students who have registered for the PhD programme.

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Can you see how the BUT that links Statements 1 and 2 describes a real world problem? The Proposal also highlights a problem; however, the nature of the problem is more about the research needed to address the real world problem.

If the problem statement lacks any of the ingredient, the clarity of the problem would be reduced.  The IRCP formula is meant to help you to achieve that clarity.

p/s make sure you have the appropriate citations to back up your statements

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