[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"detail-sidebar-cat-1-en-105":3,"doc-seo-240569-105":53,"doc-detail-240569-en":126},{"code":4,"msg":5,"data":6},0,"success",[7,14,19,24,29,34,39,44,49],{"id":8,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":11,"show_sort_weight":12,"slug":13},11,1,"Template","Presentations",90,"presentations",{"id":15,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":16,"show_sort_weight":17,"slug":18},12,"Resumes",80,"resumes",{"id":20,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":21,"show_sort_weight":22,"slug":23},14,"Invoices",70,"invoices",{"id":25,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":26,"show_sort_weight":27,"slug":28},15,"Posters",60,"posters",{"id":30,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":31,"show_sort_weight":32,"slug":33},16,"Social Media",50,"social-media",{"id":35,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":36,"show_sort_weight":37,"slug":38},17,"Forms",40,"forms",{"id":40,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":41,"show_sort_weight":42,"slug":43},18,"Letters",30,"letters",{"id":45,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":46,"show_sort_weight":47,"slug":48},21,"Paper Templates",5,"papers-templates",{"id":50,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":51,"show_sort_weight":4,"slug":52},158,"General","general-158",{"code":4,"msg":54,"data":55},"ok",{"site_id":56,"language":57,"slug":58,"title":59,"keywords":60,"description":61,"schema_data":62,"social_meta":119,"head_meta":121,"extra_data":123,"updated_unix":125},105,"en","how-to-write-an-effective-research-problem-statement","How to Write an Effective Research Problem Statement","","Guidance for AASHTO committees on developing a strong research problem statement for transportation research funding. The outline covers seven essential elements—title, problem description, literature search, objective, funding and duration estimate, urgency and benefits, and implementation planning. Practical tips help decision makers grasp relevance, avoid duplication with existing research, define concise objectives, justify realistic budgets and timeframes, and explain consequences of not addressing the problem to support review and funding decisions.",{"@graph":63,"@context":118},[64,80,101],{"@type":65,"itemListElement":66},"BreadcrumbList",[67,71,74,77],{"item":68,"name":69,"@type":70,"position":9},"https://docshare.wps.com","Home","ListItem",{"item":72,"name":10,"@type":70,"position":73},"https://docshare.wps.com/template/",2,{"item":75,"name":41,"@type":70,"position":76},"https://docshare.wps.com/template/letters/",3,{"item":78,"name":59,"@type":70,"position":79},"https://docshare.wps.com/template/how-to-write-an-effective-research-problem-statement/240569/",4,{"url":78,"name":59,"@type":81,"image":82,"author":87,"headline":59,"publisher":90,"fileFormat":93,"inLanguage":57,"description":61,"dateModified":94,"datePublished":95,"encodingFormat":93,"isAccessibleForFree":96,"interactionStatistic":97},"DigitalDocument",{"url":83,"@type":84,"width":85,"height":86},"https://docshare.wps.com/thumbnails/how-to-write-an-effective-research-problem-statement/240569.png","ImageObject",442,249,{"name":88,"@type":89},"Lucas Vance","Person",{"url":68,"name":91,"@type":92},"DocShare","Organization","application/pdf","2026-10-19","2026-09-11",true,{"@type":98,"interactionType":99,"userInteractionCount":79},"InteractionCounter",{"@type":100},"ViewAction",{"@type":102,"mainEntity":103},"FAQPage",[104,110,114],{"name":105,"@type":106,"acceptedAnswer":107},"What are the seven main elements of a strong research problem statement?","Question",{"text":108,"@type":109},"They are Title, Problem Description, Literature Search, Objective, Funding and Duration, Urgency, Benefits, and Implementation.","Answer",{"name":111,"@type":106,"acceptedAnswer":112},"How should the title of a research problem statement be written?",{"text":113,"@type":109},"It should be clear and concise, conveying what the proposed study is about without trying to capture every nuance or expected task.",{"name":115,"@type":106,"acceptedAnswer":116},"Why is a literature search important in the problem statement?",{"text":117,"@type":109},"It helps avoid duplicative work on similar topics and shows how the proposed research differs from existing or ongoing research.","https://schema.org",{"og:url":78,"og:type":120,"og:title":59,"og:site_name":91,"og:description":61},"article",{"robots":122,"canonical":78},"index,follow",{"doc_id":124,"site_id":56},240569,1790137257,{"code":4,"msg":5,"data":127},{"doc_id":124,"user_id":128,"nickname":88,"user_avatar":129,"doc_module":9,"category_id":40,"category_name":41,"doc_title":59,"doc_description":61,"doc_content":130,"file_id":131,"file_url":132,"file_type":133,"file_size":134,"view_count":79,"is_deleted":4,"is_public":9,"is_downloadable":9,"audit_status":9,"page_count":73,"language":135,"language_code":57,"site_id":56,"html_lang":57,"table_of_contents":136,"faqs":137,"seo_title":138,"seo_description":61,"update_tm":139,"read_time":9},549768064622,"https://ap-avatar.wpscdn.com/davatar_6f874abed73319feea01a86fa6f0fab8","American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials  \nWr it ing a Prob lem Statement  \n“How To” Write an Effective Research Statement  \nA white paper developed for AASHTO committees to provide guidance on research-related activities.  \nThere  \ntion,  \nare seven main elements in writing a strong research problem statement: Title, Problem DescripLiterature Search, Objective, Funding and Duration, Urgency, Benefits, and Implementation. This  \ndocument is a brief outline of these elements with tips and suggestions. For more problem statement development information see the Funding Sources for Transportation Research: Competitive Programs:  \nAppendix A. This guidance document is based on the problem statement template used by the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP), but is transferable to any research funding program.  \n1. Title  \nThe title briefly and immediately conveys to the reader what the proposed study is about. It SHOULD NOT capture every element, nuance, and expected task of the research problem. To help decision makers understand what the research isabout, the title should be clear and concise. Here are some additional tips:  \n􀁈 Branding is important—good titles establish a connection with your research statement.  \n􀁈 Negative first impressions linger—a poor title affects how the research statement is perceived.  \n􀁈 Confusing titles—lead to confusion about what the research is really about.  \n􀁈 Good titles are good sound bites—people will remember them.  \nHint: Look at every word in your title and ask: Does it help? Is it necessary?  \n2. Research Problem Statement (aka: Description of Problem)  \nThe description convinces the reviewer that the problem or opportunity matters to a majority of the state DOTs—that research is needed and should be funded. It should set the context and explains why this issue or problem is important, and who it is important to. Here are some suggestions:  \n􀁈 Link the problem to an issue faced by a majority of state DOTs.  \n􀁈 Indicate the affected area within transportation, e.g., the technical disciplines or functions.  \n􀁈 Identify connections with priorities and efforts of AASHTO committees and FHWA offices.  \nHint: Keep thinking “Why should my CEO care about this problem?”  \n3. Literature Search  \nThis step helps to avoid duplicative efforts on the same or similar research topics, and identifies how the proposed research differs from existing or ongoing research. This section should contain an overview of past work related to the problem statement. This information can be pulled from an up-todate research strategic plan. There are resources available to help you provide a solid summary of current research:  \n􀁈 TRID—A TRB database on existing research both completed and in-progress  \n􀁈 RIP—A TRB database on research currently in progress  \n􀁈 Literature Searches and Literature Reviews—A website for guidance on how to conduct a literature search  \nHint: Google is a fine tool, but use the tools above to get the most accurate information. Also, ask your AASHTO Research Advisory Committee (RAC) member or library services professional for help with this.  \n4. Objective  \nIn this element, the desired outcome of the research is defined, and specific products and deliverables are identified. The objective should be short, concise, and specific. Here are a few additional guidelines:  \n􀁈 Individual tasks may or may not be included, but they can be very helpful in illustrating what the problem statement author has in mind for how the research might be conducted. (The NCHRP project panel will decide what tasks to include) .  \n􀁈 Limits on the scope (depth and breadth) of the research effort should be included that are  \n[ Continues on next page ]  \nAmerican Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials  \nconsistent with the amount of funding requested to ensure the products can be produced.  \n􀁈 Implementation activities should be considered here. Hint: Go back and","cbCaisSB2hPqOXUS","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCaisSB2hPqOXUS","pdf",143743,"English","# Writing a Problem Statement - “How To” Write an Effective Research Statement\n## Seven Main Elements\n## Additional Tips for Each Element","[{\"question\":\"What are the seven main elements of a strong research problem statement?\",\"answer\":\"They are Title, Problem Description, Literature Search, Objective, Funding and Duration, Urgency, Benefits, and Implementation.\"},{\"question\":\"How should the title of a research problem statement be written?\",\"answer\":\"It should be clear and concise, conveying what the proposed study is about without trying to capture every nuance or expected task.\"},{\"question\":\"Why is a literature search important in the problem statement?\",\"answer\":\"It helps avoid duplicative work on similar topics and shows how the proposed research differs from existing or ongoing research.\"}]","How to Write an Effective Research Problem Statement | PDF",1789162809]