Section I: Introduction to the Organization
Introduce your agency in this selection by highlighting the items (using subheadings) listed below. Be brief here since you will review the organization’s operations and strategies in more detail in Chapter 3. Provide subheadings and discuss the general topic listed below:
• Corporate name, founding date, founding leaders
• Briefly identify essential events and critical incidents in the company’s history
• Briefly discuss historical (initial) products/service and the evolution to new products
• Briefly describe entry into new business lines, if any
• Briefly mention industry competitors

Section II: Statement of the Problem
In this section, briefly introduce and describe possible problems, issues, concerns, weaknesses, or threats based on the background information presented in Section I. This is the basis for the SWOT analysis in Chapter 4.

Based on your preliminary review of the company’s background and current status, state exactly what is the problem the company is facing. A problem statement is a description of a difficulty or lack that needs to be solved or at least researched to see whether a solution can be found. It can also be described as either a gap between the real and the desired or a contradiction between principle and practice.

What is the goal of a statement of problem? (Should be three paragraphs)
The ultimate goal of a problem is to transform a generalized problem (something that bothers you; a perceived lack) into a targeted, well-defined problem that can be resolved through focused research and careful decision- making.
Writing a problem statement should help you clearly identify the purpose of the subject you will propose. Often, the problem statement will also serve as basis for the introductory section of your final proposal, directing reader’s attention quickly to the issues that your proposal project will address and providing the reader with a concise statement of the proposed project itself. A problem statement need not to be long and windy. One-half of a page is more than enough for a good statement problem.

Example of a Problem Statement
Paragraph1
According to the XY university mission statement, the university seeks to provide students with safe, healthy learning environment. Dormitories are one important aspect of that learning environment, since 55% of XY students live in campus dorms and of these students spend a significant amount of time working in their dorm rooms. (Identify & describe the problem)

Paragraph 2
However, students living in dorms A B C, and D currently do not have air conditioning units, and during the hot seasons it is common for room temperatures to exceed 80 degrees F. Many students report that they are unable to do homework in their dorm rooms. Others report problems sleeping because of the humidity and temperature. The rooms are not only unhealthy, but they inhabit student productivity and academic achievement.

Paragraph 3
In response to this problem, our/his study proposes to investigate several options for making the dorms more hospitable. We plan to carry out an all- inclusive participatory investigation into options for purchasing air conditioners (university-fund; student-subsidized) and different types of air conditioning systems. We will also consider less expensive ways to mitigate some or all of the problems noted above (such as creating climate-controlled dorm lounges and equipping them with better study areas and computing space).

Section III: Research Question
From the problem statement, develop and present a research question you plan to answer. Note that in next step of this section, you will build upon this question to develop a hypothesis.

An example of a research question might be, “Given today’s competitive environment, is the XYZ Company capable of successfully overcoming internal planning and leadership weakness?”

Section IV: Hypothesis
The next step in developing a hypothesis. This is a prediction of what you expect to determine about the subject when all research concludes. The hypothesis is based on your research question and consists of one or two sentences. In order to develop your hypothesis, simply convert your research question into a statement of what you expect your research will reveal.

An example hypothesis based on the research question mentioned in the first step could be, “The XYZ Company is experiencing various business difficulties that might be traced to a weakness in strategic planning function.” The cause behind the problem
(Should be one sentence)

Your hypothesis (addressing a problem, issue, concern, weakness, or threat) will help you focus in the type of research literature to review in Chapter 2. Make sure you know how to measure and prove/disprove your opinion in business terms such as profit, growth, customer satisfaction, market share, etc.

Section V: Research Significance (why the research is important)
Prepare a statement of significance; that is, explain to the instructor (CEO or Board) why this research project is important because it will expose problems that must be solved to improve probability or survivability, for example.

Section VI: Purpose
Briefly mention your purpose in conducting the research. The purpose is to compete through and convincing research with a thoughtful analysis that could assist an organization in addressing its weaknesses, reinforcing its strengths, meeting its threats, and/or taking advantage of its opportunities. You may write the paper as of attempting to persuade your organization’s Chief Executive Officer to take some action or to inform the Board of Directors of favorable or unfavorable findings.

Section VII: Data Collection/Research Methods
Describe the data collection methods you will use to retrieve data. This should include reviewing journal articles, reading other pertinent literature, and analyzing online (or onsite) corporate records, government websites, and other resources. Data collection could also include onsite interviews and surveys.

Describe the research method for completing this project. Generally, the research method employed by most students will be qualitative research. Qualitative research is aimed at gaining a deep understanding of a specific organization or event. If you have questions concerning the appropriate research method consult with your professor.

Section VIII: Chapter summary. Briefly summarize chapter 1.

Section I: Introduction to the Organization
Introduce your agency in this selection by highlighting the items (using subheadings) listed below. Be brief here since you will review the organization’s operations and strategies in more detail in Chapter 3. Provide subheadings and discuss the general topic listed below:
• Corporate name, founding date, founding leaders
• Briefly identify essential events and critical incidents in the company’s history
• Briefly discuss historical (initial) products/service and the evolution to new products
• Briefly describe entry into new business lines, if any
• Briefly mention industry competitors

Section II: Statement of the Problem
In this section, briefly introduce and describe possible problems, issues, concerns, weaknesses, or threats based on the background information presented in Section I. This is the basis for the SWOT analysis in Chapter 4.

Based on your preliminary review of the company’s background and current status, state exactly what is the problem the company is facing. A problem statement is a description of a difficulty or lack that needs to be solved or at least researched to see whether a solution can be found. It can also be described as either a gap between the real and the desired or a contradiction between principle and practice.

What is the goal of a statement of problem? (Should be three paragraphs)
The ultimate goal of a problem is to transform a generalized problem (something that bothers you; a perceived lack) into a targeted, well-defined problem that can be resolved through focused research and careful decision- making.
Writing a problem statement should help you clearly identify the purpose of the subject you will propose. Often, the problem statement will also serve as basis for the introductory section of your final proposal, directing reader’s attention quickly to the issues that your proposal project will address and providing the reader with a concise statement of the proposed project itself. A problem statement need not to be long and windy. One-half of a page is more than enough for a good statement problem.

Example of a Problem Statement
Paragraph1
According to the XY university mission statement, the university seeks to provide students with safe, healthy learning environment. Dormitories are one important aspect of that learning environment, since 55% of XY students live in campus dorms and of these students spend a significant amount of time working in their dorm rooms. (Identify & describe the problem)

Paragraph 2
However, students living in dorms A B C, and D currently do not have air conditioning units, and during the hot seasons it is common for room temperatures to exceed 80 degrees F. Many students report that they are unable to do homework in their dorm rooms. Others report problems sleeping because of the humidity and temperature. The rooms are not only unhealthy, but they inhabit student productivity and academic achievement.

Paragraph 3
In response to this problem, our/his study proposes to investigate several options for making the dorms more hospitable. We plan to carry out an all- inclusive participatory investigation into options for purchasing air conditioners (university-fund; student-subsidized) and different types of air conditioning systems. We will also consider less expensive ways to mitigate some or all of the problems noted above (such as creating climate-controlled dorm lounges and equipping them with better study areas and computing space).

Section III: Research Question
From the problem statement, develop and present a research question you plan to answer. Note that in next step of this section, you will build upon this question to develop a hypothesis.

An example of a research question might be, “Given today’s competitive environment, is the XYZ Company capable of successfully overcoming internal planning and leadership weakness?”

Section IV: Hypothesis
The next step in developing a hypothesis. This is a prediction of what you expect to determine about the subject when all research concludes. The hypothesis is based on your research question and consists of one or two sentences. In order to develop your hypothesis, simply convert your research question into a statement of what you expect your research will reveal.

An example hypothesis based on the research question mentioned in the first step could be, “The XYZ Company is experiencing various business difficulties that might be traced to a weakness in strategic planning function.” The cause behind the problem
(Should be one sentence)

Your hypothesis (addressing a problem, issue, concern, weakness, or threat) will help you focus in the type of research literature to review in Chapter 2. Make sure you know how to measure and prove/disprove your opinion in business terms such as profit, growth, customer satisfaction, market share, etc.

Section V: Research Significance (why the research is important)
Prepare a statement of significance; that is, explain to the instructor (CEO or Board) why this research project is important because it will expose problems that must be solved to improve probability or survivability, for example.

Section VI: Purpose
Briefly mention your purpose in conducting the research. The purpose is to compete through and convincing research with a thoughtful analysis that could assist an organization in addressing its weaknesses, reinforcing its strengths, meeting its threats, and/or taking advantage of its opportunities. You may write the paper as of attempting to persuade your organization’s Chief Executive Officer to take some action or to inform the Board of Directors of favorable or unfavorable findings.

Section VII: Data Collection/Research Methods
Describe the data collection methods you will use to retrieve data. This should include reviewing journal articles, reading other pertinent literature, and analyzing online (or onsite) corporate records, government websites, and other resources. Data collection could also include onsite interviews and surveys.

Describe the research method for completing this project. Generally, the research method employed by most students will be qualitative research. Qualitative research is aimed at gaining a deep understanding of a specific organization or event. If you have questions concerning the appropriate research method consult with your professor.

Section VIII: Chapter summary. Briefly summarize chapter 1.