What is a research statement? A research statement or statement of research summarizes the achievement of a study and a plan for future research. The statement often includes both current aims, findings, and future goals. It also discusses specific issues like funding history, potential research, the contribution of the study to a field, the future direction of research, etc.
These reports are often adapted towards particular audiences and may be used to showcase one’s proficiency at a job or to accentuate particular research areas in a program. A research statement should be technical and intelligible, even to people outside your sub-discipline. You keep “the big picture” in mind.
A robust research statement expresses a readable, compelling, and realistic schedule that fits well with the department’s needs, facilities, and goals. In summary, it is usually a statement of research interest. When writing your research interest statement, you have to tell the reviewer all your statement of research interests, so that they know what direction your research could take in the future.
A purpose statement research allows readers i.e., a research committee or an academic student to know the importance of the research document, the major points of the study, and where the study will lead to later on. The research purpose statement is a declarative statement that summarizes the primary goals of a research project.
How To Write A Research Statement
Would you like to know how to write a statement of research? Here’s how to write research statement. After planning the study’s specifics, you should write your research statement with the right structure, formatting, and style. There are many research statement samples according to various institutions. Knowing the preference of the institution you want to apply to will do you great good! Here is an example of research statements and how they should be written. Let’s go over this research statement example! Generally, there are three stages of writing your research statement.
Stage 1: Planning the research statement
- What are the major questions in your research?
Here, you have to outline the main questions that propel your research and that you plan to answer. These questions and topics should be written down to be better able to articulate them in your research statement. Examples of some significant research themes would be the reason for slavery in the 18th century, how efficacious cancer treatments are, etc. There could be many smaller questions that guide the research. State these questions and see if you can craft an all-encompassing question.
- Identify the importance of the research
There’s a need to identify the significance of your research in your research statement. It is reasonable to assume that your audience is knowledgeable about the field, but one should never assume that they are experts in the field. The importance of the research should include the ways your research can be applied to future problems or how your research addresses a knowledge gap in your field. It is critical to be able to communicate why your research should matter to people who are not in your field.
- Describe your future research interests
Readers of your research statement are always interested in your future research ideas. Therefore, you should know what novel questions you want the research to answer or the newer elements you’ll like to explore. Ensure you link your prior research to future research interests, which will give your readers a more profound sense of your research motivation.
- Think of the problems you have solved
These are the challenges or problems that your research has provided solutions or solutions to problems that emerged during your study. This highlights the success of your past research.
- List the relevant skills that aided the research
In your research statement, mention the skills that helped you to achieve your research goals. This will show what essential skills you have that will come in handy for future research.
Stage 2: Structuring and writing the research statement
- Start with an executive summary
Write one or two paragraphs stating the summary of your research statement’s plan, the main focus, plans for prospective research, and your ultimate goals. This section should be treated as a concise summary of things you plan to discuss in the rest of the statement.
- Describe your graduate research
In this section, you can also write one or two paragraphs detailing the specific research project you handled while in graduate school. Ensure you state the importance of your research, the challenges you overcame, and the skills you developed.
- Discuss your current research projects
Write about the research you have completed since your graduation so that the reviewers can have a professional image of you as a researcher.
- Write about your future research interests
In one paragraph, describe your future research interests, such as the different themes, topics, and questions you would pursue should your application be granted.
- Show how your work complements the research of others
In this section, point out the areas where research work being done at the institution you’re applying to is similar to your research.
- Discuss potential funding partners
Let the faculty know who you think your potential funding partners will be. Discuss the funding sources that can support your research during your tenure with the institution. In all, aim to keep your research statement to under about two pages.
Stage 3: Formatting and Editing
- Ensure you maintain a tone that is both polite and formal
Throughout your research statement, do ensure that your tone remains formal and polite. Only use phrases and languages that befits a formal setting. Remember that you have to sound like a professional as much as possible. Avoid the use of technical jargon so that even people outside your field can have an ample grasp of your research projects and interests. Also, do ensure you write in the present tense, unless when describing past work. Unless otherwise stated, use single spacing and a font point of 11 or 12.
- Organize your statement with section headings
Use titles that describe each section such as “Current Research,” etc.
- Proofread your research statement
It is essential to proofread your research statement over and over before you submit it. Often, there are many mistakes that one will not find during the first reading.
How To Write Problem Statement In Research
What is a research problem statement or what is a problem statement in research? A problem statement in research is a specific issue, gap in knowledge, or contradiction that you aim to address in your research. Excellent researchers often look for practical problems that have tremendous benefits to humanity and expands knowledge. Here’s how to write a problem statement in research.
- Write what you already know about the problem
- State the issue that your research will deal with
- Show why the problem is relevant
- State the objectives of the study in solving the stated problems
So we have gone through the stages of writing a research statement. Give it your best or contact our thesis writers!
