I · Research Protocol
Criterion 1 / 20
25%
Clarity in Problem Statement
Claridad en el Planteamiento del Problema
We evaluate how clearly and precisely the research problem is defined, delimited, and communicated. A strong problem statement anchors the entire project.
Scoring Breakdown
5
Excellent
- Problem is precisely defined and measurable
- Context and scope are clearly delimited
- Supported with data or documented evidence
- Demonstrates urgency and significance
- Written with concise academic language
4
Good
- Problem is clear and well-described
- Minor gaps in scope definition
- Some supporting evidence provided
- Significance is present but partially justified
3
Acceptable
- Problem is described but not precisely delimited
- Lacks supporting data
- Relevance is assumed rather than demonstrated
- Partially measurable
2
Insufficient
- Problem is vague or overly broad
- No evidence or data
- Difficult to understand the scope
- Impact is not explained
1
Poor
- Problem is undefined or missing
- Based only on personal opinion
- No academic or scientific grounding
- Cannot be measured or evaluated
Common Mistakes
- ✘"My topic is water pollution." (Too broad)
- ✘No data or statistics cited
- ✘Confusing the problem with the topic
- ✘Mixing problem statement with objectives
Evaluator Focus
- Precision of definition
- Scope delimitation
- Evidence provided
- Measurability
How to Get 5 Points
- ✔Can you state the problem in one sentence?
- ✔Does it include measurable elements?
- ✔Is there data supporting its existence?
- ✔Is it specific enough to investigate?
Universal Scoring Scale
1
Poor
2
Insufficient
3
Acceptable
4
Good
5
Excellent
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Criterion 1 of 20