Problem Statements

1
Problem Statements

• Key component of a proposal - for research or for
  funding
• Sample arguments can often be found in the
  Introduction of a research article
• Making the case that a particular question is (or
  was) worth spending time and money on
• Helps to answer the so what?/the who cares?
  questions

2
Focus of a Problem Statement

• Some need must be addressed
• Some problem must be tackled
• Dramatic start is often helpful, for funded
  efforts particularly

3
Avoid Circular Reasoning

• Avoid saying that the problem or need is the lack
  of the thing you are suggesting.
• For example
• The problem in this community is that it has no
  library.
• Leads to
• The need is for a library
• The objective is to create a library
• The method is a plan for building a library
• Evaluation consists of is there a library or
  not?

4
Better to have some evidence of the need

• What proportion of the community has latchkey
  children problems?
• What proportion of the community need literacy
  programs?
• What other library programs could help with
  community problems?
• What do power elite in the community say?

5
Building the Problem Statement

• Sketch the problem that you feel exists
• Who else says it is a problem?
• Any statistics/commentary that highlight the
  problem?
• What other efforts have been made to work on the
  problem?
• Create a general question you would like your
  study (when finished) to answer.
• Given that question, suggest an approach that
  will provide an answer.
• What sort of sample would you need to use?
• What sort of variables could you collect data
  concerning?
• What sort of method might be used to create a
  useful set of data?
• What sort of inherent biases might exist? (use
  your imagination, if no literature helps)

6
Full Proposal Usually Consists of

• Introduction describing your/the organizations
  credibility
• Problem Statement
• Objectives or Research Questions to be addressed
• Methods to be employed to achieve objectives
• Timeline or chart indicating phases
• Evaluation plan for determining the degree of
  achievement
• Broader Application of Outcome/Looking down the
  path
• Budget

7
Who Evaluates Your Proposal?

• Most funding agencies really want you to be
  successful
• They have criteria by which your proposal is
  scored
• They will share these criteria with you often
• Put yourself in the shoes of your evaluator
• Have you made it easy for them to see your
  planned approach?
• Is there a clear structure to your proposal?
• Is there a clear relationship between the monies
  you require and what you will accomplish?

8
Most Common Reasons for a Failed Proposal

• Your credibility to successfully carry through
  is unclear
• Your plan seems overly optimistic
• Your method seems inappropriate to the task
• Your need has already been addressed in the
  work of others
• It is quite likely that your organization will
  carry through the effort whether you get funded
  or not

9
Some Useful Websites

• The Foundation Center
• http//www.fdncenter.org
• Administration on Aging
• http//www.aoa.dhhs.gov
• Foundations and Philanthropic Organizations
• http//www.ncup.org/links/nonprof.htm