Once a research problem has been identified, the next step is to write a problem statement.
A problem statement is a concise description of an issue or topic that needs to be addressed in your research process. It identifies the gap between the current situation (what is) and the desired outcome (what should be). It is one of the most crucial parts of any dissertation, thesis, or research paper.
In simple words, a problem statement answers:
✔️ What is wrong?
✔️ Why does it matter?
✔️ Who is affected?
✔️ What would success look like if this problem were solved?
Problem Statement Template
Here is the template of a problem statement that you can use to draft your own statement:
Despite [describe current condition], [affected group] faces [specific problem], which results in [negative consequences]. Addressing this issue will lead to [desired improvement or outcome].
What are the key components of a problem statement?
Here are the key components that complete a problem statement:
- Background or context
- Problem description
- Impact or consequence
- Proposed objective or ideal state
Examples of Problem Statements
Here are some examples of problem statements that can help you understand it thoroughly:
Example 1: Academic Research Example
Although smartphone usage has increased among university students, there is a limited understanding of how excessive screen time affects academic performance. This study aims to explore the correlation between smartphone technology and students’ productivity levels.
Example 2: Business Example
The company has experienced a 25% decline in customer retention over the past year due to delayed response times and poor after-sales support. Improving customer service efficiency could significantly enhance satisfaction and loyalty.
Example 3: Social Problem Example
Despite government initiatives, 40% of low-income families still lack access to clean drinking water. This problem poses serious health risks and highlights the need for sustainable water purification systems in rural areas.
Why is the problem statement Important?
A problem statement is important because it defines the exact issue a project or research aims to address, which helps to focus efforts and guide the entire process. It eliminates ambiguity, provides a clear roadmap, sets project objectives, and ensures that everyone involved understands the problem’s significance.
The problem statement in the dissertation is the pillar of the introduction chapter, enabling the reader to understand the research questions and scope of the project. If you do not define the problem statement properly, the results might become unmanageable.
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Writing a Problem Statement for a Business or Organisation
In the business world, problem statements serve as the basis for enhancing and refining projects. Without identifying and understanding the problem, it will be hard to find and effectively implement solutions.
When it becomes imperative to find the solution to a problem in organisations and businesses, a stand-alone document that solely provides an in-depth and detailed problem statement is the answer.
Writing Problem Statement for Academic Research
On the other hand, the use of problem statements in academic research differs slightly. A problem statement helps researchers to understand and realise the significance of a research problem.
It can be limited to just a few sentences or expanded to several paragraphs, depending on your academic level.
What questions should you ask before writing a problem statement?
Ask yourself the following questions before writing the problem statement:
- What is wrong in the research area/subarea XYZ?
- Where did it happen?
- When did it happen?
- To what extent (how much)?
- I know that because…(evidence)
‘What’ always defines the defect of the problem at hand and explains why it matters?
‘Where’ defines the geological location of the problem.
‘When’ defines the history and the pattern of the problem, the goal of the stated problem, and the scope of research.
‘How much’ defines the trend of the problem as to how many objects are facing the same defect and to what extent.
The last part, ‘I know this because…’, will help the researcher identify the standard(s) that he must meet.
Essential Steps to Write a Problem Statement
Here are the essential steps that you can follow to write a problem statement efficiently:
Step 1: Understanding the problem
The first step is to understand the problem. The problem statement should provide a clear and concise background to the research problem being investigated. Review the literature on the specific problem and find a gap to fill with your own research.
Practical Research Problem Statement
If you are doing experimental research, you can identify problems by talking to people working in a relevant field, studying research reports, and reviewing previous research. Here are some examples of practical research problems:
- A problem that hinders the efficiency of a company
- An institutional process that needs interventions
- An area of concern in your field/sub-field of interest
- Members of a society facing a specific difficulty
EXAMPLE 1A
Many third-grade students at Oakwood Elementary School are reading below their grade level. Initial assessments show that 40% of students struggle with reading comprehension, making it difficult for them to understand their science and social studies textbooks.
Theoretical Research Problem Statement
When writing a problem statement based on a theoretical research problem, it is important to recognise the historical, geographical, social, and scientific background. Here are the elements of the theoretical problem statement framework that you should consider:
- What are the facts about the problem?
- Does the problem relate to a certain geographical area or time period?
- How is the problem discussed and explained in the existing literature?
EXAMPLE 1B
Teenagers today spend a significant amount of time on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok. These platforms are filled with curated images and videos that often portray an idealised version of life, which may be different from reality.
Step 2: Showing why it’s important and relevant
By discussing the importance of the problem under investigation, you are demonstrating the relevance of your research. The objective here is to clearly state how and why your research problem is relevant in your chosen area of study and why it requires further research.
Practical Research Problem Statement
As indicated previously, practical research deals with a problem affecting society, a social group, a firm, or an organisation on a broader scale. To elaborate on why it is important to solve this problem and why your research is significant, you could consider the following questions:
- What will be the consequences if the problem remains unsolved?
- Who do these consequences have the most implications for?
- What is the wider relevance of the problem being investigated?
EXAMPLE 2A
When students cannot read at their grade level, they fall behind in all subjects. This can lead to frustration, a loss of interest in school, and long-term academic challenges. Finding an effective way to improve their reading skills is crucial for their immediate success and future learning.
Theoretical Research Problem Statement
The relevance of all theoretical issues may not be too obvious, even though most theoretical problems do have practical implications. Here are some questions for you to ponder to establish the importance of your research problem:
- Will your research help to advance understanding of the topic under investigation?
- Are there any benefits to you in resolving the problem for other researchers who wish to explore this topic further in the future?
- What are the direct or indirect implications of the problem you are trying to solve?
EXAMPLE 2B
Adolescence is a critical period for forming one’s identity and self-worth. If there is a strong link between social media consumption and low self-esteem, it could help explain the rising rates of anxiety and depression among teens. Understanding this relationship is vital for developing better psychological theories about modern adolescent development.
Step 3: Declaring the problem
Before you jump into stating your research’s problem statements, it’s important to devote a sentence or two to let your readers know the precise, narrowed-down research problem you will be discussing.
For language clarity purposes, here are some strong opening statements to achieve this step:
✔️ Recently, there has been growing interest in …
✔️ The possibility of…has generated wide interest in …
✔️ The development of…is a classic problem in…
✔️ The development of…has led to the hope that …
✔️ The…has become a favourite topic for analysis …
✔️ Knowledge of…has great importance for …
✔️ The study of…has become an important aspect of …
✔️ A central issue in…is…
✔️ The…has been extensively studied in recent years.
✔️ Many investigators have recently turned to …
✔️ The relationship between…has been investigated by many researchers.
✔️ Many recent studies have found out…
Step 4: Establishing aims and objectives
The final step in writing a problem statement is to establish the aims and objectives that will solve the problem. This will help you, the researcher, stay focused on your research aims and not stray; it will also help your readers keep in mind the reason why you conducted this study in the first place.
A good problem statement does not provide the exact solution to any problem. Rather, it focuses more on how to effectively understand or tackle a problem by establishing the possible causes. The following are some examples of how you can craft your research aim statements:
✔️ This research study aims to investigate…
✔️ This paper is aimed at exploring…
✔️ This research aims to identify…
EXAMPLE 3A
Therefore, this research aims to identify a practical and effective teaching strategy to improve reading skills. The specific objectives are:
- To measure the current reading levels of the third-grade students.
- To implement a new, interactive reading program for one semester.
- To compare the reading scores of students in the new program with those of students following the standard curriculum.
- To provide the school with a clear recommendation for a teaching method that works.
EXAMPLE 3B
This research aims to develop a theoretical model that explains the relationship between social media use and self-esteem in adolescents. The specific objectives are:
- To investigate the correlation between time spent on different social media platforms and levels of self-reported self-esteem.
- To explore whether the tendency to compare oneself to others online is a key factor in this relationship.
- To propose a new theoretical framework that integrates these findings with the existing Social Comparison Theory.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the most important step to perform any research is to identify a problem that needs to be solved. Therefore, it is necessary to define a research problem before starting the actual research process.
In academic research, a problem statement helps researchers understand and realise the organised significance of a research problem. However, in the business world, problem statements provide the basis for enhancing and refining projects.
A practical research problem is a specific issue that aims to address a real-world challenge and generate actionable solutions to improve a situation.
A theoretical research problem is an issue that appears when a researcher identifies a specific issue by brainstorming and reviewing existing theories and research.
