Problem Statement And Objectives 252k

Components: 1.

Introduction a. Background of the Study/Rationale b. Aims and objectives of the study c. Significance of the study d. Scope and limitations of the study

Chapter 1. INTRODUCTION A.

•

Background of the study/rationale What is the context of the problem? In what situation or environment can this problem be observed

Rationale • Why is the research important? • Who will benefit? • Why do we need to know this?

Usual pattern of writing the background of the research: Situation-problem-solution-evaluation •

Describe the situation • Identify something in that situation that is problematic • Discuss a suggestion or existing solution as to how this situation might be solved • Evaluate whether this solution is effective or not

A sample background of the study ESTABLISHING THE POSSIBILITY OF TISSUE CULTURE OF THREE MANGROVE SPECIES ( A TWOPHASE STUDY USING VARIOUS TISSUE CULTURE METHOD)

SITUATION

Describe the situation

Mangrove resources are now under growing pressure as a result of population growth and economic development (Primavera 2000). Human activity and interventions within and near mangrove areas usually lead to the degradation of mangroves and the coastal ecosystem as well.

Problem The world has lost 5 million ha of mangroves over the last twenty years, or 25 percent of the found in 1980. In the Philippines, the 1918 estimate of 500,000 ha of mangrove forests has been reduced to 230,000 ha in 2000 (FAO, 2004). The natural process of regeneration of mangroves is slow… Mangrove propagules may fail to establish because they might die during the dispersal period. Mortality of propagules may be caused by predation by crabs and insects, loss of viability and desiccation. Once established, the seedling may or may not survive depending on the response to physicochemical stresses such as light intensity, salinity, pH, soil type, soil fertility, and flooding (Kathiresan and Bingham, 2001).

Solution Rehabilitation of degraded mangrove areas has been undertaken in several Southeast Asian countries such as Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam. One of the strategies is replanting Replanting to rehabilitate mangrove areas presents difficulties because the survival of gathered mangrove seedlings is generally poor (SCU, 2002). Moreover, collection of propagules for nursery may not be able to provide a sufficient supply of planting materials. Considerable losses of propagules due to predation have been reported in a study of 42 mangrove areas in 16 countries.

Solution Thus, rehabilitation strategies that depend on propagules and seedlings from natural regeneration of mangroves may be constrained by insufficient supply of planting materials. A more efficient method is needed to propagate mangroves.

Solution One of the methods being considered is the in vitro culture of mangroves. Researcher on Saudi Arabia conducted an investigation on micropropagation of Avicennia marina (Al-Bahrany and Al Khayr, 2003).

In Japan, researchers were able to achieve callus initiation from the leaves of Bruguiera sexangula (Mimura et al., 2007). Scientists from Australia collaborated with the institutions in Thailand and Vietnam to develop micropropagation of mangroves using tissue culture.

Solution In the Philippines, tissue culture of commercial rattan species, Calamus sp., has been grown in vitro in Aklan State University (Vedasto et al., 2003). The University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) has generated technologies for the tissue culture of sugarcane, banana, makapuno, orchids, and other ornamentals (Pateña and Barba). Pateña et al (2002) developed a simple protocol for somatic embryogenesis and plantlet regeneration for mango (Mangifera indica L.) also at UPLB. These institutions, however, have not reported any study on the tissue culture of mangroves

Solution Scientists from other countries have noted the limited information available on the micropropagation of mangroves (Maguire et al.,) and have observed that there have been few studies on the tissue culture of mangroves (Kathiresan and Bingham 2001).

Proposed Research Problem The first phase of the study aimed to tissue culture Ceriops decandra, Bruguiera parviflora and Bruguiera sexangola using different tissue culture methods while the second phase dealt with the callus induction from tissues of the aforementioned species. This study was conducted to test the potential of tissue culture as an alternative method for propagating these mangrove species. This study is groundwork in the development of protocol for the tissue culture of mangroves.

Chapter 1. INTRODUCTION B. Problem Statement What is it we don’t know? What is the gap in our knowledge this research will fill? What needs to be improved? What steps will the researcher take to try to fill this gap or improve the situation?

Statement of the Problem •

Provides a focus for the researcher and is an essential step in investigation

•

Gives the reader and of the research important information

Summary of the problem statement usually closes the background of the study

It may be in statement form or question form 

What is the relationship between shell dimensions and live and tissue weights of Pholas orientalis?



The possibility of propagating the three mangrove species namely, Ceriops decandra, Bruguiera parviflora, and B. sexangola using various methods of tissue culture is investigated.

Research problem indicates unambiguously the what and how of the research by using…

declarative sentence like “The purpose of this study is to…”

or questions such as “What is the relationship between…” “Is there a significant difference between…” “How do…” “What is…”

Key in the research statement of the problem indicate the type of research

Relationship problems that indicate Correlation studies 

What is the relationship between iron intake and the hemoglobin level of dogs (Canis lupus familiaris)?



What is the relationship between the density and refractive index of virgin coconut (Cocos nucifera) oil?

Relationship problems that indicate studies of differences 

Is the amylase activity different in two species of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)?



Is there a difference in the protein content of goat’s (Capra hircus) milk and carabao’s (Bubalus bubalis) milk?

Problems that indicate causeand-effect relationships 

Will starving increase the amylase activity of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)?



Is there a difference in the amount of dissolved oxygen between the water samples treated with seaweeds (Kappaphycus alvarezii) and that which is not treated?

Problems involving developmental studies 

This study aims to develop a PSHSWV web-based dormer’s traffic log with parent alert.



The study dealt with the design of a prototype robot designed to move by following a black line on the floor and help the bedridden and/or non-ambulant elderly by delivering water at four predetermined time a day.

Problems involving descriptive studies 

This study investigates the flight characteristics of mahogany (Swietenia mahogani) seeds with respect to the structural properties of the seeds.



What is the taxonomy, relative abundance and species diversity of diatoms and the water quality in selected areas of Badbaran River in Dumarao, Capiz?

What’s in a statement of the problem? What are the variables?  What will be measured?  What relationships or effects will be examined?  To what group will your results be generalizable (the population)? 

What’s in a statement of the problem? 

What/who are the subjects of the study? (give scientific name if applicable)

What test organisms are involved?  What is the locale of the study?  What phenomenon will be studied? 

What’s in a statement of the problem? What are the major components of the design?  What innovative elements is present?  Who are the target beneficiaries/s? 

Statement of the problem… -

Should not be too general nor too specific

-

Contain sufficient detail and information in a sentence that is clear and succinct

Examples (too broad) The purpose of this research is to study seagrass.

The study investigates the relationship of morphology and habitat of crustaceans.

The purpose of this study of this research is to identify the species of seagrass collected from the shorelines of six towns in Iloilo namely San Joaquin, Tigbauan, Carles, Estancia…and to describe its dendrographic characteristics…determine the frequency and seasonality of flowering and its vegetative dynamics by determining the vertical growth rate of shoots and horizontal elongation rate of rhizomes..

This study will describe the community structure of seagrasses in coastal areas of Iloilo

Statement of the problem should or should be…

Researchable  Important  Signify the type of research  Clear  Not include ambiguous 

Background > statement > objectives

C. Research Objective

- Reflects the questions whose answers the investigators want the study to yield.

Statement

To measure the amount of hemoglobin in the blood of mice after five minutes of exposure to gamma radiation.

Question

What is the hemoglobin level in the blood of mice after five minutes of exposure to gamma radiation?

Research Objectives Provide the general direction in the conduct of the research  Used as guides in specifying the variables of the study  The choice of the research design to be used, the data to be collected, as well as the interpretation of results all depend upon the objectives developed 

General Objective/Aims - Generic statement which describes in broad what the study wishes to accomplish

Specific Objectives -

Identify in detail and in measurable the aims of the research

-

It breaks down what needs to be accomplished into smaller, logical components

Example 1 General Objective: To determine the antihyperglycemic property of Ampalaya diet on white mice.

Specific Objectives: 1. To measure the blood glucose level of white mice before and after ampalaya diet. 2. To compare the blood glucose levels of white mice before and after ampalaya diet.

Example 2 General Objective: To propagate yellow sweet corn using tissue culture. Specific Objectives: 1. To measure the length of shoots of yellow sweet corn grown using callus culture three weeks after transplantation. 2. To compute for the proliferation rate of yellow sweet corn using callus culture.

The SMART Objectives

S – specific To study fruit flies. To determine the effect of environmental factors on light waves To determine the effect of mulching on plants To produce a robot.

To study fruit flies. Could be… To determine the reproductive capacity of Drosophila melanogaster exposed to gamma radiation in of number and sex ratio of the offspring.

The SMART objectives

M – measurable To identify the role of mangroves on the population of mollusks. To determine the significance of sunlight on Vibrio.

To identify the role of mangroves on the population of mollusks. Could be… To compare the relative abundance of gastropods in natural and rehabilitated mangrove forests in Panay Island.

The SMART Objectives

A – attainable To map the gene sequence of different varieties of banana. To compare the growth and development of hornbills in disturbed and undisturbed forests.

The SMART Objectives

R – result-based To appreciate the importance of antennae in insects.

The SMART objectives

T – timebound To describe the inheritance of lefthandedness on human being. To compute for the rate of decay of radioactive isotopes.

S – specific M – measurable

A – attainable R – result-based T - timebound

In writing objectives avoid using… to study… to know… to research…

…you have a lot of choices… to identify

to classify

to measure

to test

to compare

to analyze

to develop

to compute

to describe

to differentiate

and a lot more..

Kinds of Specific Objectives 1. Objective to gather data 2. Objective to analyze data 3. Objective to develop a product

Objective to gather data To identify the diatoms found on each sample substrate up to the species level of classification; 2. To compute for the relative abundance (in percentage) of each diatom species; and 3. To compute for the species diversity (in nats) of diatoms found in the river. 1.

Objective to analyze data To compare the swim times (in minutes) of mice before and after undergoing a twoweek VCO diet. To determine the relationship between concentration of glucoe (g/L) and volatage generated (mV) by E. coli.

Objective to design a product 1. 2.

3.

To design a log box that will use a light sensor to read bar-coded cards. To design cards with different bar code combinations – each combination will correspond to a different individual. To create a computer program that will display the employee’s name, date, time in or time out and store them in a database.

IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS 1. Units for parameter

2. Accurate technical or scientific terminologies 3. For developmental studies: measurable outcomes, phases of development

Activity: Identify what is the objective of your chosen topic  Write it in 1 whole sheet of paper 

D. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

Significance of the study It justifies why pursuing the problem is worthwhile. - Findings could: 1. address a felt need 2. make a significant contribution to new knowledge 3. Assist policy formulation 4. Help improve the quality of living -

The groups who will benefit and how they will benefit from the study are clearly described in this part of the introduction.

E. SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS

It answers the ff: Is there any aspect of the problem the researcher will not discuss? Is the study limited to a specific geographical area or to only certain aspects of the situation Is there any factor, condition or circumstance that prevents the researcher from achieving all his/her objectives?

Scope and Limitations of the study sample of the study  the treatments the samples are subjected to  Any existing limitations of the samples known at the time of the investigation  Limitations of data gathering devices/methods. 

Scope and Limitations of the study Sources of the samples  Quantity of the samples  Seasonal nature of the sample  Accuracy and precision of equipment used in the study should also be stated.  Timeframe and the locale where the research be conducted 

Workshop/Assignment Write the different components of the Chapter 1 of your chosen topic.

Reference 

PSHS-WVC Research Training