Stating the research problem: A genre-based study of english language M.Phil. Theses in a Ghanaian Public University

Abstract

Despite the numerous studies on such academic genres as the research abstract, introduction and literature review, the rhetorical section of the statement of the research problem has received little attention. To fill this gap, we examined the schematic structure and communicative purpose of the statement of the research problem section of Master of Philosophy in English Language theses at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana. Data which were made up of twenty theses were collected randomly from the Department of English library. Based on Swales’s (1990) CARS model, the analysis of the data showed that the statement of the research problem section exhibited two core moves, and that students showed an appreciable knowledge of both the pedagogical and communicative importance of the rhetorical unit. These findings, thus, have implications for further research in genre studies and serves as useful material for instructors in teaching and in bringing to the notice of their students the generic importance of stating the research problem