Download Crafting Problem Statement for Mediation: Background, General & Specific Issues and more Summaries Conflict Management in PDF only on Docsity! PROBLEM STATEMENT FORMULA Use this interactive document to help plan and develop a problem statement. Type directly into the blue boxes below and the text size will automatically adjust so all of the required information can be added. Step #1: Introduce the problem (insert 2-3 sentences here): Provide some general background information about the problem that will be the focus of the study. Example: In the United States, the primary non-litigious method of resolving formal conflict is mediation. Mediation is a conflict resolution process facilitated by a neutral third party mediator (Boulle et al., 2008). Mediators are dispute resolution professionals who assist disputing parties to reach mutually acceptable conflict resolution outcomes. Wissler (2002) noted a positive correlation between mediator experience and successful conflict resolution, confirming that a mediator’s proficiency optimized after facilitating approximately 35 mediation sessions. Step #2: After presenting this general background, explicitly state the general problem: The general problem is resulting in Include the negative consequences of the problem. State the general problem that your project is designed to examine. Tip: The problem should be applicable and relatable beyond the context of the topic. In other words, writers must identify a problem -- a real problem, not a situation. Example: The general problem is the supply of mediators outweighs the demand for mediation in the general population resulting in limited opportunities for mediators to gain experience (Velikonja, 2009). Step #3: Support the problem by adding one or two sentences that DIRECTLY address the impact or adversity of the general problem. Think about how this problem impacts people, society, organizations, etc. Be sure to use references to research to support your ideas about the existence of this problem. Example: Velikonja (2009) noted that most mediators are “constantly scrambling for work” (p. 258). Step #4: Add one or two sentences that transition to the specific problem: Example: This shortage of work and experience could impact the performance of mediators. Step #5: Clearly state the specific problem: The specific problem is resulting in State the specific problem that your project is designed to address. Include the negative consequences of the specific problem. Tip: The specific problem should align directly with the topic of the study. Example: The specific problem is that in addition to limited opportunities to practice mediation, mediators are subject to long delays between mediations, resulting in lower practice frequency, and lower quality of work (Wissler, 2002).
