Aim/Purpose: Develop instructional rubrics that help in writing and evaluating the doctoral dissertation research problem statement.

Background: This is a follow-up study. In the first paper, we introduced a model for writing a research problem statement that takes the students through four phases to complete their writing. In this paper, we introduce an instructional rubric to be used for helping to write the research problem statement.

Methodology: This paper builds on the previous model and adds Socratic questions to trigger critical thinking to help with writing the research problem statement.

Contribution: Developing the instructional rubrics is the contribution of this study. The instructional rubrics can help with writing the research problem statement.

Findings: Writing a research problem statement is difficult by itself. Following the methodological approach suggested in this study will help students with the task of writing their own. Following this instructional rubric will help more with the writing.

Recommendations for Practitioners: A methodological approach to writing a research problem statement helps mitigate the difficulties of writing the dissertation. This study tackles the difficulties with writing the research problem statement.

Recommendations for Researchers: More research is needed to give examples of the research problem statement that shows the writing of the statement through the suggested phases.

Impact on Society: The findings of this research will help doctoral mentors/advisors as they guide students in completing the writing of their research problem statement.