Formulating Problem Statements

Formulating Problem Statements A persuasive problem statement consists of three parts: 1) the ideal situation, 2) the reality in current situation 3) the consequences if problems continued to be ignored. Well constructed problem statements will convince your audience that the problem is real and worth having you investigate. Your strategy is one of contrast: by situating the the ideal scenario next to the situation as it exists, you can not only persuade the reader that a problem exists, but then go on to emphasize the consequences of ignoring or addressing the problem.Remember, your problem statement is the backbone of the proposal and the feasibility report. By giving careful consideration to how you construct it now (for the proposal), you can use it when doing your research and writing for the proposal as well as the progress and the feasibility report.

STATEMENT 1 (DESCRIPTION OF THE IDEAL SCENARIO) Describe the goals, desired state, or the values that your audience considers important and that are relevant to the problem. (BUT) Connect statements 1 and 2 using a term such as "but," "however," "Unfortunately," or "in spite of"; STATEMENT 2 (THE REALITY OF THE SITUATION) Describe a condition that prevents the goal, state, or value discussed in statement 1 from being achieved or realized at the present time. STATEMENT 3 (THE CONSEQUENCES FOR THE AUDIENCE) Using specific details, show how the situation in statement 2 contains little promise of improvement unless something is done. Then emphasize the benefits of research by projecting the consequences of possible solutions as well. RESEARCH (YOUR PROPOSED RESEARCH TO INVESTIGATE THE POSSIBILITY OF MAKING THE REALITY MORE LIKE THE IDEAL.) Describe the areas of inquiry you will use that could lead to solutions to the problem--- how will you research the problem? What sources of information, types of research (primary or secondary),or tools will you use to help you find solutions and make recommendations to resolve the clash?

Formulating Problem Statements

PROBLEM STATEMENT EXAMPLES

Example #1

STATEMENT 1 In order to provide excellent patient care at a minimal cost, Middletown Hospital needs diagnostic procedures that are safe, efficient, and accurate. In addition, the procedures should not be overly painful for the patient. STATEMENT 2 Right now, Middletown Hospital's main diagnostic tools are CAT scans and myelograms (spinal taps). The CAT scan fails to make clear diagnoses 60% of the time. When the CAT scan fails, doctors must resort to the myelogram. While the myelograms are accurate, this procedure is very painful and sometimes dangerous for the patient. STATEMENT 3 If Middletown Hospital continues to do the two procedures, they will not only be wasting time and money, which jeopardizes their overall efficiency and earning potential. Also, undue suffering could lead patients to choose another hospital with more advanced facilities.

RESEARCH A new diagnostic technique, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) may surpass the CAT scan in accuracy and reduce the need to resort to the myelogram. I propose to research the feasibility of establishing an NMR lab at Middletown hospital. I will investigate the accuracy, efficiency, and safety of NMR as well as implementation issues.

Formulating Problem Statements

Example #2

Audience: This proposal is directed to Alfred Academys headmaster, Dr. Smith Nyman. Alfred Academy is a private high school with approximately 200 students in attendance. Dr. Nyman is the primary liaison between the administration, the students and their parents. Nyman works with private educational funds and the alumni in order to raise money for student programs, e.g., a lecture series. Nyman then creates a task force of parents and students who execute the program for him. STATEMENT 1 In order to continue the fifty-year tradition of pacifist values, Alfred Academy's administration needs a multifaceted mediation program that includes the administration, the faculty, the students and the students' parents. This mediation program needs to (1) serve as a preventative measure, (2) encourage peaceful interactions, and (3) adapt to the changing needs of the school. STATEMENT 2 Currently, Alfred has three mediation, i.e., problem solving, resources: (1) an unofficial peer mediation group, (2) an unofficial student court, and (3) a lecture program entitled Peaces. Unfortunately, at the present time, only one of those three methods are being utilized: lectures. These lectures are not mandatory as a result, the majority of students do not attend. Furthermore, neither the peer mediation group nor the student court are legally certified and are, therefore, not credible resources and remain unused. STATEMENT 3 Without an effective mediation program to help Alfred Academy achieve its educational goals, violence will continue to escalate. A new, interactive approach to non-violent problem solving is needed. A long-term mediation-training program may help the administration to (1) reinstate the schools pacifist values, (2) prevent aggressive behavior from escalating, and (3) promote peaceful interactions in the school. Current mediation programs are both abundant and diverse in nature. RESEARCH I propose to examine the advantages and disadvantages of the various current mediation-training programs to determine which adequately suits Alfreds present and future needs.

Formulating Problem Statements

Example #3

AUDIENCE: I am writing to Mrs. Kelly. She is the RAINBOWS director at Hills High School, in New Jersey. RAINBOWS is an international organization that is run through schools, churches, and other organizations. It helps youth deal with a significant loss in their life, mainly death or divorce. The program in PHHS is a pilot program that has been in effect for about 4 years. STATEMENT 1 In order to help individuals learn to deal with grief after a major loss has occurred in their life, the Spectrum division of the RAINBOWS program in Hills High School aims to provide each student in the program an environment in which they feel safe, comfortable, and normal. The goal of RAINBOWS is to help students learn, understand, deal with, and move on from their loss. STATEMENT 2 However, often, students don't know other students in the optional weekly group meeting very well, which causes them to be uncomfortable and hesitant about speaking. In the presence of their peers, a student does not feel safe about speaking or expressing their feelings in fear that they may be judged. Also, optional weekly meetings send the message that it is optional to deal with the loss, when in fact the students must learn about their loss and how to live with it.

STATEMENT 3 By not feeling comfortable or safe in the program, students are not able to fully learn, understand, deal with, or move on from their loss.

RESEARCH I would like to investigate different strategies such as family involvement, individual meetings, more awareness of the program, and mandatory involvement and see if they maybe might help a student to recover from their loss. I would also like to look into the probability of the implementation of these strategies.

Formulating Problem Statements

Example #4

STATEMENT 1 Ideally, the mission of the University Park Allocation Committee is dedicated to allocating both University General Funds money as well as a portion of the Student Activity Fee income. These funds are made available in order to enhance student life and the out-of-class experience or improve the educational climate at University Park.

STATEMENT 2 One of the main focuses of the committee is consistency. Unfortunately, consistency in allocating funds to student organizations requires prior knowledge of previous allocations and established practices. The current internal rotation system allows committee members the ability to experience all four sub-committees, but in an extremely quick and arbitrary manner.

STATEMENT 3 Continuing with this current rotation system prevents consistency and causes decisions to become grossly political, which in turn inhibits the committee of fully enhancing the out-of-class experience of the students at University Park. Developing a more informed rotation system could allow the committee to still fulfill the mission statement of the committee.

RESEARCH I would like to explore options for a new internal rotation system that would focus on consistency. To do this, I will consult with representatives from two other big-ten universities to look at how students are involved in the allocations decisions. I will also survey existing members of PSUs committee to find out preferences as well as how long it would take for each member to familiarize themselves with student organizations.

Example #5 : Adaptive Web-based Module (AWM) UML for Software Engineering 5

Formulating Problem Statements

Statement #1: In the era of internet and technologies, students are encouraged to research and find additional learning materials when completing their assignments and class exercises. This applies to various educational disciplines including software engineering. Statement #2: Online learning resources for object oriented programming and Unified Modeling Language(UML) are found to be limited to text-based html only. Every person learns differently. Person X may find studying a subject through reading is useful, while Person Z may find discussing with others regarding certain subject helps him better in retaining this new information. For the case of UML, higher institution provides 14 weeks semester course for undergraduate students to learn UML. However, this is not enough for the students to master the knowledge well. Realizing the importance of students personalities and learning preferences, Adaptive Web-based Module (AWM) UML is designed to help students to learn UML better. Statement #3: This research was also done based on the motivation to have an alternative and flexible learning materials in addition to face-to-face interaction in classroom.

Formulating Problem Statements

Example #6 : Estimation of Volumetric Parameters of Bituminous Mix Using Digital Image Processing.

Statement #1: Bituminous concrete, as a material is distinctly heterogeneous and consists of aggregates, air voids, and bitumen as binder. Mix volumetric describes the relative volume proportions among these constituents of the bituminous mix. Conventional procedures used to quantify the volume proportions require a series of analytical and laboratory steps, which in turn depend on different specific gravity values of bituminous mixes. Statement #2: Although these conventional laboratory tests are based on basic definitions, they might be time consuming and sometimes inaccurate. Statement #3: The present study is to develop a systematic digital image processing method to estimate the volumetric parameters of bituminous mix using cross sectional image of Marshall samples. The Marshall samples are cut by stone cutter and photographs of cross section of the samples are taken. Having obtained the image the pixels are trained to classify the four components of the bituminous mix, viz. aggregate, bitumen, air-voids and background, and their area fractions are calculated. The area fractions of bituminous mix components are then converted to volume fractions by using principles of stereology. A good correlation has been observed for the volumetric parameters between conventional laboratory method and digital image processing method, developed in the present thesis.

Formulating Problem Statements

Example #7: Image Recognition

Statement #1: Image processing becomes a crucially important component in the modern digital world. Natural human ability to recognize objects on an image allows to quickly receive information and draw conclusion about the object (A picture is worth a thousand words). This becomes an attractive and superior alternative to text processing. By its nature, images can better reflect the real world by presenting objects that comprise it. Many research groups one way or another deal with images obtained from experiments. It is because images are able to quickly take a snapshots, or capture current state of matter in time. Statement #2: Human processing of large number of images (such as remote galaxies or microscopic biological systems) becomes very time consuming and inefficient. Current web search engines can efficiently process text data even in cases when request is made for image or video files based on the text that is associated with it. It ultimately brings inconsistency problem when text associated with an image not necessarily describes the content of the image. Moreover images often contain richer information that can hardly be described by text Large social networks like Facebook or MySpace work with pictures that users upload. In some cases it is important to quickly and effectively extract information from the pictures and present it in the way users like them to be presented (such as thumbnails or faces on an image). Statement #3: Pictures processing could bring the social communities to a new level of communication allowing extraction and organization of objects presented on the picture without any hassle.

Formulating Problem Statements

Example #8 : FIVES : Forensic Images and Video Examination Supports

Statement #1: The development of computer technology and computer communication during the last decades has lead to many benefits to society. Statement #2: However, it has also provided new means for the spreading of child sexual abuse (CSA) images and videos. When police makes seizures in this kind of investigations the examination of the seized material typically involves a considerable amount of manual labor, which consumes time and resources for the police. New tools that support the police in their CSA investigations are thus needed. Statement #3: The FIVES project will develop a flexible software tool-set that allows law enforcement organizations to more efficiently handle large amounts of image and video material related to child sexual abuse. The tools will target both image and video material while applying sound forensic procedures in a robust and scalable processing environment.

Formulating Problem Statements

Example #9: What Will Make Primary Educators Use LORs: A Better Interface or More Free Time? Statement #1: Learning object repositories (LORs) have the potential to improve education at the primary school level. Statement #2: However, for various reasons, primary educators are not effectively using LORs. Two of the most common reasons are interface design and time. Statement #3: The goal of this research was to learn more about what will make primary educators use LORs: a better interface or more free time. Data were collected from 37 participants divided into two groups (control and experimental). Data were assessed for significance using Multivariate Analysis of Variance, resulting in a significant main effect indicating that primary educators need additional time more than a better interface. Learning Object Repositories (LORs) have the potential of improving education at the primary school level but, particularly due to interface usability issues and/or time, LORs have not been effectively used by primary school teachers (Duncan, 2002; Greer & Thomas, 2004). Several studies have suggested that primary educators tend not to use LORs because of usability difficulties such as screen design and navigation (Caris, 2004; Fitzgerald, Lovin & Branch, 2003; Fox et al., 1993; Najjar, Ternier, & Duval, 2004; Roberston, 1999; Rowand, 2000; Thong, Hong, & Yan Tam, 2004; Voorbij, 1999). Meanwhile several other studies suggest that primary educators do not use technology heavily because of the shortage of preparation or training time. The goal of this research study was to conduct an experimental study to learn more about what educators want: a better interface or more time.

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Formulating Problem Statements

EXAMPLE #10 Statement # 1: Computing is the foundation of modern society. A proficient computing workforce is essential for maintaining the countrys leadership and competitiveness in the global economy. Statement # 2: For this reason, the recent decline in enrollments across Computer Science (CS) departments [43, 44] and the decrease in student diversity [42] pose significant challenges to the continuation of the nations prominent position in the global high technology arena. An immediate solution is urgently needed. Statement # 3: For the health of the national economy, and to sustain successful and vibrant software companies like Microsoft, we must build excitement and enthusiasm for our discipline in order to attract a bright new generation of students early in their academic careers. In the recent professional gatherings, numerous CS educators have reported that incorporating computer gaming in programming classes creates high levels of excitement and motivations. This phenomenon is observed firsthand by the PI in his graphics programming classes [9, 36, 38], where gaming components have drastically increased the enrollments and engaged students interest in challenging physics and mathematics topics [40]. As eloquently described in the RFP for this proposal, integrating computer gaming into CS1 and CS2 (CS1/2), the first programming courses students encounter, is a promising strategy for recruiting and retaining potential students. Research : We propose to design and implement self-contained games-themed programming assignment modules based on the Microsoft XNA framework for CS1/2 courses taught in C#. The modules will be self-contained so faculty members currently teaching CS1/2 courses can pick and choose from our games-themed assignments, and combine them with their own non-games assignments. Faculty will be able to incorporate these modules with a minimum of effort, a minimum knowledge on computer gaming, and a minimum investment in computer-gaming specific curricula. We believe that the key to successful, widespread adoption of computer gaming within CS1/2 is to provide educators with easy, pre-packaged modules that can be incorporated quickly and easily into existing courses. Based on our experience developing the games- themed assignments, the second objective of our project is to design and implement template-tutorials to enable faculty members with little or no experience in graphics and gaming to develop their own games-themed assignments.

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Formulating Problem Statements

EXAMPLE #11

Statement #1: Computer Security Incident Response Teams (CSIRTs) form the cornerstone of coordinated incident response and computer security information sharing for governments and large enterprises around the world.This model has worked well for handling malicious activity on the traditional Internet. Statement #2: However, the advent of Cloud Computing has created a new set of challenges for security professionals in securing the platforms that deliver the cloud. It is unclear that traditional CSIRTs are currently positioned to provide the same level of support for Cloud Computing platforms and their Providers. Statement #3: However, the concentration of assets that is the very nature of Cloud Computing creates the real possibility that the consequences of incidents within Cloud will be much more severe than traditional incidents. Research: For that reason, the Cloud Security Alliance has launched the CloudCERT Initiative. Although Cloud Computing is clearly built upon traditional Internet services, protocols, and infrastructure, these components are brought together in novel ways. The definitional characteristics of Cloud Computing, such as multi-tenancy, elasticity, resource sharing and on demand provisioning have the potential to complicate traditional CSIRT operations. In addition, the business models of Cloud Computing encourage many tiers of providers and customers within a single virtual infrastructure. How to coordinate appropriate and efficient incident response without impacting continuity of operations for other customers or without violating laws and contractual agreements is not clear today. In addition, the speed with which incidents must be resolved becomes much greater. Therefore, there may be significant enough differences to warrant the creation of a Cloud CSIRT capability that specifically concerns itself with Cloud Security and serves the Cloud Computing

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Formulating Problem Statements

EXAMPLE #12 : Computer and Internet Access Statement # 1: The personal computer (PC) and Internet access may be the greatest inventions ever for people with communication disabilities. Wireless standard should provide equal access to all the computers in the environment otherwise the person is still segregated from co-workers and may not have access to the best or most appropriate PC's/equipment. Wireless capabilities reduce the cost and "bother" of worksite accommodation. These tools allow people to break out of their physical limitations and increase work, educational, and recreational opportunities. Internet access enables remote education and employment, networking, information exchange, recreation, community involvement, etc. Personal computers allow for a new level of independence for all people. This is especially true for people with a range of physical disabilities. Statement #2 : While personal computers and the Internet have opened up significant opportunities for people with communication disabilities, they still possess significant limitations. The primary limitation is the existence of bulky and inefficient cables and wires. These "hard wire" connections create a situation where the user is tethered to either the wall or a desktop personal computer. There have been some attempts to make PCs wireless with IRda and other connections but up until recently these connections have been slow and require a line-of sight connection with primary receiver or a repeater. New wireless technology such as WiFi (IEEE 802.11) and Bluetooth promise to expand wireless access to the Internet and computer peripherals (printers, scanners, displays, etc.). These two wireless standards have not yet gained universal acceptance but universities, libraries and some AAC manufacturers have begun to install them. Words+ products are PC based and support WiFi cards. Assistive Technology produces the Gemini that supports WiFi wireless LAN access. Statement #3 : Wireless computer network technology may be the next big breakthrough for people who use AAC devices. Wireless networks will eliminate the need for the user to be tethered to a desktop personal computer or a wall outlet. The ability to stay connected to the Internet while moving around will be a great benefit to people who use wheelchairs. It will be especially beneficial to people with communication disabilities that may use their computer as their primary communication tool. To fully take advantage of the emerging wireless networks, AAC devices should be compatible with this technology. There are two obvious solutions to this problem. First, the AAC device can have all the functions and features of a personal computer including networking and communication capabilities. Second, the AAC device can function as a "keyboard emulator" with a wireless link to a Personal Computer (PC) base station and utilize the PC's networking and communication capabilities. This second option may be preferable in the short run since very restrictive Medicare policies prohibit reimbursement for an AAC device that functions as a PC. While these policies greatly benefit companies that manufacture dedicated AAC devices, they greatly constrain the integration of AAC functions in ubiquitous PCs. Either option will significantly enhance a person who uses these devices ability to take advantage of mainstream wireless and Internet technologies. While technology currently exists or is in development that performs many of these functions, there 13

Formulating Problem Statements

are a number of barriers to integrating them into AAC devices. The primary barrier is cost. This includes both development costs to the manufacturers and final costs to the consumers. . Research : The challenge is to develop the specialized hardware and software needed by this population and including a wireless link without pricing the devices above current levels, and to revise Medicare policies to approve PC-based AAC devices for reimbursement.

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Formulating Problem Statements

EXAMPLE #13 : CLOUD COMPUTING Statement #1 : The IT industry has been waiting for the next big thing and two words that rock the world is Cloud Computing. Because Cloud computing promised the means to achieve the objective. All though a lot of speculation has been going around with respect to security, privacy, governance, compliance, etc related issues within Cloud computing. Statement #2 : As per the latest report by Gartner on Top End user Predictions 2010 . Key predictions summarized below are related to more and more use of Web access and cloud computing services in future leading to increased threats, vulnerabilities and risks to cloud computing security. By 2012, 20% of businesses will own no IT assets. By 2012, India-centric IT service companies will represent 20% of the leading cloud aggregators in the market. By 2012, Face book will become the hub for social networks integration and Web socialization. By 2014, most IT business cases will include carbon remediation costs. In 2012, 60% of a new PCs total life greenhouse gas emissions will have occurred before the user first turns the machine on. Internet marketing will be regulated by 2015, controlling more than $250 billion in Internet marketing spending worldwide. By 2014, more than three billion of the worlds adult population will be able to transact electronically via mobile and Internet technology. By 2015, context will be as influential to mobile consumer services and relationships as search engines are to the Web. By 2013, mobile phones will overtake PCs as the most common Web access device worldwide. Statement #3 : In recent past there have been many cases where a customer/client has faced major problems in accessing their own data due to server crash down or legal action against a cloud provider. Google faced a server outage for its mail service which led to a downtime of more than 100 minutes during which many Gmail users were unable to access their emails. A similar problem but in a different format was faced by Pirate Bay customers, when their systems were seized by the police they couldnt find their own websites /or data storage in place. Many of them who were not even involved with The Pirate Bay, lost their servers and systems and still have not gotten them back near two years later. Another area where Cloud Computing is facing hurdles is privacy and security the basic data or business information which is housed on a Cloud Service providers Server. There has been speculations that although there is a cost benefit to outsource the entire IT Infrastructure and focus on ones own Core Competencies, but due to number of incidences the reliability to use it has still not come in majority of the IT Sector all over the globe. Wipro has come up with a Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) approach for Cloud Computing in order to tackle these issues and provide a unified solution for Cloud Service providers as well as its Customers. It can be clearly seen that although Cloud Computing is a very promising concept of technology, but there is still a long way to go for security, governance, risk and compliance related issues to be formalized and streamlined with the changing times in the IT industry. Research : Wipro consulting services- Governance, Risk Management & Compliance practice have worked on the main concern areas of Cloud Computing Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) Assessment and therefore have developed a GRC Approach for Cloud Computing .Its main focus is to list 15

Formulating Problem Statements

Threats, vulnerabilities, Risks that are associated to all three parts of Cloud Computing Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (Paas) & Software as a Service (Saas) and suggest controls which have been assimilated from the best practices prevailing in the Industry. These controls have been placed in order to mitigate the risks in Cloud Computing and provide unified approach to handle and manage them.

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Formulating Problem Statements

EXAMPLE #14 Statement #1 : A typical university with its schools, departments, and programs and the administrators and faculty is an example of a stratified, hierarchical social structure (Bess, 1982). Despite the principle of academic freedom afforded by previous innovations such as tenure and peer-based review, there are clear norms interpreted by administration and peer committees. These norms largely equates tenure, promotion, and considerations of faculty duties and schedule to evidence of research and publication productivity (Schweitzer, 1989). This is true in part because of the prestige and funding it brings to the department and by extension to the school (Webster and Conrad, 1986). Research productivity is typically evaluated by citations in academic and often refereed (print) journals and measured in such "objective" factors as citation and publication counts (Creswell, 1985). Statement #2 : However, with faculty reporting decreasing amounts of time for performing their varied duties, there may be diminishing time for research or the social and collegial contact that stimulates and refines the development of ideas. (Creswell, 1986).Compared to e-mail and other network communications, traditional communications such as phone, fax, and mail can be costly, time-consuming, not always easy-to-use, and often restricted (Cronin, 1994). Although some social and collegial contact can be achieved through traditional communications, there is still the challenge of publishing or disseminating knowledge. This important component of scholarship is daunting to junior faculty as they are subject to the traditional academic reward system, i.e., publish or perish (Carnegie Foundation, 1989). Faculty can use network communications for scholarship in several ways. They can form or join online mailing lists and newsgroups on the Internet which are devoted to specific scholarly topics. When they post questions or results of their research, they can benefit from responses and peer review from scholars around the world who share expertise and interest in their topic. For online equivalents of more traditional publishing models, there are a growing number of online scholarly journals that employ peer review and editorial selection. Many scholars, academic institutions, and scholarly organizations maintain lists on the World Wide Web that link to the sites of these journals (O'Donnell, 1995). However, despite their presence, some obstacles to use exist, such as its legitimacy as a venue for publications, an adequate number and variety of online journals, and the availability of online indexes. Another obstacle is the lack of guidelines for faculty regarding publication in online journals, especially when online articles are submitted for faculty evaluation (McNulty, 1995). A greater dilemma exists in the increasing costs of publishing print journals versus the increasing demand for publication (Astle, 1989) coinciding with a relative decrease in the total publication output by faculty over the past two decades while faculty numbers increased only slightly (Bieber and Blackburn, 1989). Statement #3 : In sum, despite its potential to overcome many of the limitations of traditional communications, the use of network communications still poses risks to faculty who try to use an innovative and formally unrecognized medium for scholarly publication, especially if it is submitted for faculty evaluation 17

Formulating Problem Statements

(Martin, 1992; McNulty, 1995). Although this view is typical of a new communications medium, there are indications that changes in these attitudes are quickly changing on the part of both administrators and faculty. As noted in a recent study of ten online scholarly journals (Butler, 1995), "electronic publication has not led to a failure to receive awards" and that "very few contributors have actually been challenged regarding their e-publication or asked to justify it through formal review channels." Most of this "scholarly skywriting" likewise needs to be constrained by peer review, but there is room on the Net for unrefereed discussion too, both in high-level peer discussion forums to which only qualified specialists in a given field have read/write access and in the general electronic vanity press." (Harnad, 1993). Some journals are available as uniquely online publications and some are online versions of their print counterparts (Gessner 1996). Although the number and variety of online scholarly journals are increasing, it is difficult to categorize them (Guedon, Jean-Claude, 1994). However, both numbers and topical categories as shown in lists maintained by scholars and scholarly projects on the World Wide Web indicate a relatively small, but quickly growing diffusion of online scholarly publications that could serve all academic disciplines. For example, In the Introduction to the ARL 1995 edition of the Directory of Electronic Journals, Newsletters, and Academic Discussion Lists, they note "The number of refereed titles in this Directory has just about doubled in the past year from 74 titles to 142 whose editors describe them as "peer reviewed." which is already a considerable number when allowing for a year's growth since the 1995 edition. Accordingly, this study seeks to further characterize the context of this change in scholarly communications. It will examine the extent and type of use of network communications by faculty for scholarly work and the reasons why they use or don't use this innovation.

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