Problem, Gap, Hook

Individual Drafting (25 minutes)

You will now draft your own:

1. Problem Statement

2. Gap Statement

3. Hook Statement
   
   

Open MASTER RESEARCH-TO-TRANSLATION BLUEPRINT 2026

Save it in your own files, however you like to work. This is your "dirty" notebook.

Please upload these into this Drive

Block 1 — Problem / Gap / Hook

Problem Statement (2–4 sentences, point form)

Your problem must describe reality.

It must exist independently of your XR innovation.

Do not mention your tool in the first sentence.

Avoid vague words such as:

• important

• innovative

• impactful

• revolutionary

• effective
  
  

Ask yourself:

If my XR tool disappeared tomorrow, would this problem still exist?

If the answer is no, revise.

Simple Example

Weak Framing

Problem:
“Students need a better way to use immersive XR for anatomy learning.”

If XR disappears tomorrow — does this problem exist?

No.
Because the problem depends on XR existing.

This means the “problem” is tool-centered, not reality-centered.

Strong Framing

Problem:
“Students struggle to visualize three-dimensional anatomical relationships.”

If XR disappears tomorrow — does this problem exist?

Yes.
Students would still struggle with 3D visualization.

That means the problem is real.
XR is just one possible solution.

Use This Structure

Sentence 1 — Describe the real-world situation.
Sentence 2 — Identify the challenge or constraint.
Sentence 3–4 — Explain why this matters at the system, learner, or practice level.

Keep sentences short.

Gap Statement (2–4 sentences, point form)

Your gap explains what is missing.

It does not introduce your solution yet.

Avoid absolute claims such as:

• no research exists

• no effective solution exists

• never studied before
  
  

Instead, use disciplined language:

• limited evidence

• insufficient data

• unclear positioning

• lack of structured evaluation
  
  

Ask yourself:

Does this gap justify inquiry, or just justify my product?

Be precise.

Use This Structure

Sentence 1 — What is currently missing?
Sentence 2 — Why is that absence significant?
Optional Sentence 3 — What has not yet been clearly positioned or tested?

Hook Statement (2–4 sentences, point form)

The hook justifies the study.

It does not promise outcomes.

It does not claim impact.

It explains why this research must exist now.

Avoid phrases such as:

• will improve patient outcomes

• will transform training

• will significantly enhance performance
  
  

Those belong to later phases.

Ask yourself:

Does my hook justify investigation, not results?

Use This Structure

Sentence 1 — What risk or limitation exists if the gap remains unaddressed?
Sentence 2–3 — What opportunity does your research create to test or examine this issue?

Stay within your current development phase.

Short Pair Check (5 minutes)

Exchange documents with one partner.

Your partner answers:

• Does the problem stand independently?

• Is the gap clearly defined?

• Does the hook justify inquiry without exaggeration?

• Is any impact claim premature?
  
  

Return the document.

Make one revision.

Output Requirement

By the end of this activity, your document must contain:

• A clearly defined Problem.

• A precise Gap.

• A disciplined Hook.

• No exaggerated language.

• No outcome-level claims beyond your phase.
  
  

We will refine it in Block 2.