Negative consequences to the field or stakeholders
Begin by locating several peer-reviewed articles from the past 5 years that support the problem you wish to address in your dissertation. These articles may be ones previously gathered for your annotated bibliography assignment or additional resources you select after receiving feedback on your topic from your course mentor.
For this assignment, create a problem statement. Your problem must come from a critical issue that must be addressed, otherwise negative consequences will occur or continue. In most cases, scholarly citations within the past 5 years are required to support the problem you will investigate.
Articulate a concise problem statement. Include appropriate published or relevant primary sources to document the existence of a problem worthy of doctoral level research. Follow these steps:
Present the general issue grounded in the research literature that leads to the need for the study.
Clearly describe and document the problem prompting the study. Include appropriate published or relevant primary sources to document the existence of a problem worthy of PhD doctoral-level research. Be sure to consider the following: What perspective is represented? For example, is the problem an individual level problem, an organizational problem, an industry problem, or a social problem?
Consider the theories relevant to predict, explain, and understand the problem.
To identify and articulate a problem, consider the potential negative consequences to the field or stakeholders if the proposed research is never conducted.
Sample Solution
The problem I will address in my dissertation is the lack of access to affordable mental health services for low-income and uninsured individuals in the United States. This is a critical issue that must be addressed as failure to do so can have serious consequences such as increased poverty, unemployment, homelessness, substance abuse and even suicide (Bradley et al., 2018; Hawkins et al., 2017).
Currently there are over 30 million Americans who are either uninsured or underinsured, with many living below the federal poverty line and unable to pay for mental health treatment (Frey & Hays 2016). As a result they often receive inadequate care which leads to worse outcomes compared those who receive regular professional help(Dorsey & Gallagher 2015). In addition it also puts an economic burden on society since untreated mental illness costs billions of dollars due to lost productivity or healthcare expenses needed treat related physical illnesses (Collins et al., 2015)
Although various initiatives such as The Mental Health Parity Act were passed by Congress in 2008 mandating insurance companies provide coverage for mental health services this has yet to translated into reduced out-of-pocket costs for consumers(Kucik et al., 2019). Moreover government funding still remains insufficient meaning individuals from lower socioeconomic status may find themselves ineligible for public assistance due being “over income” despite suffering financially (Parker-Pope 2013) .
In conclusion , lack of access to affordable mental health services continues be a major obstacle faced by low-income and uninsured individuals within United States. Since failure address this issue can lead negative consequences such increased rates of poverty, violence or death more needs done alleviate these disparities.
