Guide to Problem Formulation

1. Guide to Problem Formulation Based on the Booklet by Ib Andersen

2. 1. Introduction • A problemformulation should contain: • A description of the problem which you will investigate • A number of research questions - to make precise the topics/ concepts/ variables you will investigate

3. Open or Closed Questions? • Open questions: What, how, who, why and with which consequences? • ”why did this decision process have these results?” • Closed Questions: Assumptions, hypothesis, claims • ”My claim is that this decision process…”

4. Combining Open and Closed • It will often be an advantage to combine: • Open questions in the beginning which you try to give • answers or suggestions to (closed questions) as the process progresses

5. Combining Open and Closed • Often you give answers in single chapters in the final report (often as assumptions or claims (closed)) • Combining these answers in the conclusion, where they are held up with the problem formulation (which is often an open question)

6. 2 Why should we have a Problem Formulation (PF)? • The PF is that, which shall direct the subject and the methodological choice throughout the project process • We cannot organize the investigation process without knowing what to investigate!!

7. 3. How does the PF Process Preceed? • Finding the interested parties • Making a choice of inclusion / exclusion of problems • Justifying your choice • Becoming aware of your pre-suppositions • This process is not linear – you have to do it over and over again!

8. 3.1 Interested Parties The Researcher (Yourself) The Study Programme The Investigation The Investigated Persons or Organizations The Project Supervisor

9. 3.2 Inclusion / Exclusion • A choice of something is always an exclusion of something else! • You cannot see the PF clearly without being aware of what is NOT included

10. 3.3 Justifying your Choice • Justifying your choice means that you have to write down: • Why you have included the entities you have chosen for ypur PF, and • Why you have excluded something, which might as well have been part of your PF • Especially the ”excluding part” of this justifying process makes you aware of your choice

11. 3.4 Pre-suppositions • It is important for you to find out in which ways you see the problem based on your own: • Knowledge • Experiences • Assumptions based on more unconcious choices • This is difficult – but part of finding out about your own ”objectivity”

12. It is NOT a Linear Process • You must be ready to go through all these steps over and over again until you have teaches the ”right” PF • ”Right” means that you will be adjusting the PF in an iterative process both • Before you start writing, and • During the process of writing the project • ”When you reach the conclusion of your project – you will be able to formulate the ”right” PF!”

13. 4. Characteristics of a good PF • Substantiated • A logical result of goal and ressource conditions • Formulated in a precise and understandable language (plus concepts explained and defined) • Clearly dilimited (inclusion / exclusion) • Visualized in a drawing, arrow diagrams or mindmaps

14. 5. Ten Suggestions to Facilitate the Creative Process • Please, read about it in the booklet pp 16-22 • We will in this presentation only focus on no. 9. Problem Analysis, shown as an Vennix´ diagram p 21

15. The Vennix´ Diagram(The Arrow Diagram) Causes Problem Variables Consequences Background Knowledge Assumption No. 1 The Investigation or Problem Area Assumption No. 2 (Based on the Theories) Trends in the Marketplace Statistics Assumption No. 3 (Based on your Experience) Compare the Arrow Diagram p 14 with the Vennix´ Diagram p 21

16. 7. Applying Existing Knowledge and Theories Problem Formulation / Questions Theories and Models Empirical Data / Data in General Conclusion / Answers

17. 7. Applying Existing Knowledge and Theories Analysis Problem Formulation / Questions Theories and Models Empirical Data / Data in General Conclusion / Answers

18. 7. Applying Existing Knowledge and Theories Problem Formulation / Questions Interpretations Theories and Models Empirical Data / Data in General Conclusion / Answers

19. 7. Applying Existing Knowledge and Theories Deduction in project planning Problem Formulation / Questions Theories and Models Empirical Data / Data in General Conclusion / Answers

20. 7. Applying Existing Knowledge and Theories Induction in project planning Problem Formulation / Questions Theories and Models Empirical Data / Data in General Conclusion / Answers

21. 7. Applying Existing Knowledge and Theories Problem Formulation / Questions The Process Of Analysis And Interpretation Theories and Models Empirical Data / Data in General Conclusion / Answers

22. 8. Formation of Concepts • ”The concepts in every PF are bricks in the knowledge production which an investigation represents” • ”It is therefore important that the concepts you work with are understandable for yourself and others” • ”You must therefore constantly work with the language you use”

23. 8. Formation of Concepts • Fundamental demands: • Concepts shall be defined • Concepts shall be made measurable (operationalized)