How to Write a Problem Statement  

An effective research problem statement is a concise executive summary to orient the reader about the specific issue you intend to study and why it merits investigation. A strong problem statement should:

• Ground the problem in context by summarizing existing knowledge in the topic area. What key concepts and understanding currently exist?
• Pinpoint the specific gap, deficiency, or unresolved issue your research will directly investigate and attempt to fill. What precise question or paradox remains to be explained?
• Highlight the significance of resolving this problem by noting the impacts, affected stakeholders, or consequences of insufficient insight. Why does this inquiry matter?
• Preview the aims and approaches of how your research will systematically examine the issue to generate new understanding or solutions. What methods will you use to enhance knowledge?

When should you write a problem statement?

The situations where developing a formal problem statement is valuable include:

In workplace settings, crafting a problem statement kicks off initiatives to resolve operational issues, inefficiencies, or growth obstacles. Here, the statement is a stand-alone scoping document that succinctly frames and justifies the project’s need.

For scholarly research in both applied and theoretical domains, a detailed problem statement is typically required as a core component of research proposals and papers. It contextualizes the gap or question being investigated within the existing knowledge landscape.

Here is a detailed explanation of the steps for writing a problem statement:

Step 1: Contextualize the problem

Contextualizing the problem involves providing background information and setting the stage for the specific issue you want to address. This step helps readers understand the broader context in which the problem exists.  

Practical research problems

When it comes to practical research problems, it’s essential to focus on the concrete details of the situation. Practical research aims to address real-world issues and provide actionable solutions. Here’s how you can contextualize a practical research problem effectively:

• Identify the specific setting: Clearly specify the particular environment or context in which the problem exists. This could be a specific organization, community, industry, or geographic location.

• Describe the observable symptoms: Highlight the tangible signs or indicators demonstrating the problem’s existence. These symptoms should be measurable or observable in the real world.

• Quantify the impact: Provide concrete data or metrics that illustrate the extent of the problem. This could include financial losses, efficiency gaps, customer complaints, or other relevant quantitative measures.

• Identify stakeholders: Mention the individuals, groups, or entities directly affected by the problem. Explain how the problem impacts their experiences, workflows, or outcomes.

Example

In ABC Manufacturing Company, production line efficiency has decreased by 15% over the past quarter, resulting in a 10% increase in customer complaints and a 5% loss in revenue. The production team has identified bottlenecks in the assembly process, leading to delays and suboptimal resource utilization. This problem affects not only the production department but also sales, customer service, and overall company profitability.

In this example, the context is established by specifying the setting (ABC Manufacturing Company), describing observable symptoms (decreased efficiency, increased complaints, revenue loss), quantifying the impact (specific percentages), and identifying stakeholders (production team, sales, customer service, company profitability).

Theoretical research problems

When dealing with theoretical research problems, it’s crucial to consider the scientific, social, geographical, and/or historical background. Theoretical research seeks to advance knowledge, develop new theories, or challenge existing models. Here’s how you can contextualize a theoretical research problem:

• Identify the research gap: Highlight the specific area within the existing body of knowledge where there is a lack of understanding, conflicting theories, or unanswered questions.

• Explain the theoretical foundation: Provide an overview of the relevant theories, concepts, or frameworks that form the basis for the research problem. Show how the problem emerges from or relates to these theoretical underpinnings.

• Discuss the scientific, social, geographical, and/or historical context: Situate the problem within the broader context of the relevant scientific discipline, social conditions, geographical factors, or historical events that shape the research landscape.

• Highlight the potential implications: Explain how addressing this theoretical problem could contribute to advancing knowledge, challenge existing assumptions, or open up new avenues for further research.

Example

In social psychology, implicit bias has gained significant attention in recent years. While extensive research has been conducted on the nature and consequences of implicit biases, a theoretical gap exists in understanding the mechanisms through which these biases are formed and maintained. This research problem emerges from the need to develop a comprehensive theoretical framework that integrates insights from cognitive psychology, neuroscience, and social learning theories. By addressing this gap, we can deepen our understanding of the psychological processes underlying implicit biases and inform strategies for mitigating their impact in various social contexts, such as education, employment, and criminal justice.

In this example, the context is established by identifying the research gap (mechanisms of implicit bias formation), explaining the theoretical foundation (existing research on implicit biases), discussing the relevant context (social psychology, cognitive psychology, neuroscience, social learning theories), and highlighting the potential implications (deepening understanding and informing mitigation strategies).

Step 2: Show why it matters

After contextualizing the problem, the next step in writing a problem statement is to demonstrate the significance and relevance of the research. This step is crucial because it justifies the need to investigate the problem and highlights the potential impact of the research.

Practical research problems

When it comes to practical research problems, demonstrating why the problem matters is essential to justify the need for the research and its potential impact. Practical research addresses issues affecting organizations, institutions, social groups, or society. To effectively show the significance of your practical research problem, consider the following:

• Consequences of inaction: Highlight the potential negative outcomes if the problem remains unaddressed. What are the risks, costs, or missed opportunities associated with not solving the problem?

• Stakeholder impact: Identify the individuals, groups, or entities the problem will directly affect. Explain how these stakeholders will feel the consequences of the problem and the extent of the impact.

• Broader relevance: Consider whether the problem has wider implications beyond the immediate context. Are similar issues observed in other organizations, industries, or societies? Discussing the broader relevance emphasizes the potential for your research to have a larger impact.

Example

Failing to address the problem of decreased production line efficiency at ABC Manufacturing Company will have significant consequences. If left unresolved, the company may face further financial losses due to reduced output, increased operational costs, and potential loss of market share to competitors. The production team will continue to experience frustration and lowered morale, while customers may face longer wait times and potentially choose alternative suppliers. Moreover, the issue of production line inefficiencies is common to ABC Manufacturing Company, a common challenge many manufacturing organizations face. By addressing this problem, the research can provide insights and solutions that can be applied across the industry, leading to improved efficiency, cost savings, and enhanced customer satisfaction on a broader scale.

In this example, the significance of the practical research problem is demonstrated by highlighting the consequences of inaction (financial losses, reduced output, customer dissatisfaction), identifying the stakeholders impacted (production team, customers), and discussing the broader relevance (a common challenge in the manufacturing industry).

Theoretical research problems

When dealing with theoretical research problems, demonstrating the significance and relevance of the problem is crucial, even though the practical implications may not always be immediately apparent. To effectively show why your theoretical research problem matters, consider the following:

• Advancing understanding: Explain how addressing the problem will contribute to a deeper understanding of the topic. Will it provide new insights, clarify existing concepts, or resolve contradictions in the current knowledge base?

• Future research implications: Discuss how resolving the problem will benefit future research in the field. Will it open up new avenues for investigation, provide a foundation for further theoretical development, or inspire novel research questions?

• Societal consequences: Consider the potential direct or indirect consequences of the problem for society. While theoretical research may not always have immediate practical applications, it can impact how we understand and approach various social, economic, or environmental issues.

Example

Addressing the theoretical gap in understanding the mechanisms of implicit bias formation is crucial for advancing our knowledge of social cognition and behavior. By developing a comprehensive theoretical framework, this research will provide a more nuanced understanding of how implicit biases emerge and persist, clarifying the complex interplay between cognitive, neural, and social factors. This enhanced understanding will lay the foundation for future research on implicit bias interventions, enabling the development of more targeted and effective strategies. Moreover, although the immediate focus is on theoretical advancement, the insights gained from this research can potentially inform policies and practices to promote social equity and reduce the negative consequences of implicit biases in various domains, such as education, employment, and criminal justice. By shedding light on the underlying mechanisms, this research contributes to the broader societal goal of creating a more just and inclusive society.

In this example, the significance of the theoretical research problem is demonstrated by highlighting how it advances understanding (providing a more nuanced explanation of implicit bias formation), discussing future research implications (laying the foundation for research on interventions), and considering the indirect societal consequences (informing policies and practices related to social equity).

Step 3: Set your aims and objectives

The final step in writing a problem statement is to frame how you intend to address the problem through your research. This involves defining your research aim and objectives. The aim is your study’s overarching purpose or goal, while the objectives are the specific steps you will take to achieve that aim.

When setting your aim, focus on the broader contribution you hope to make in addressing the problem. Use infinitive verb forms to clearly state your intention:

• This study aims to investigate…
• This project aims to develop…
• This research aims to explore…

After stating your aim, outline the objectives of your research. These are the concrete actions you will take to fulfill your aim. Objectives are more specific and measurable than the aim:

• Conduct a literature review to identify key theories and concepts related to implicit bias formation.
• Employ qualitative methods like interviews and focus groups to explore individuals’ experiences and perceptions of implicit biases.
• Use experimental designs to test hypotheses about the cognitive and neural processes involved in implicit bias formation.
• Apply statistical analysis to measure the relationships between variables and validate the proposed theoretical framework.

Practical research aims and objectives

This study aims to identify effective strategies for reducing employee turnover in the retail sector. It will use a mixed-methods approach, combining surveys and focus groups, to gather data on the factors contributing to high turnover rates. Based on the findings, the study will propose and test targeted interventions, such as improved training programs and employee support systems, to measure their impact on retention rates.

Theoretical research aims and objectives

This research explores social media’s impact on forming political opinions among adolescents. Through surveys and in-depth interviews, the study will investigate how exposure to political content on social media platforms influences adolescents’ beliefs and attitudes. The findings will be analyzed using theories from political psychology and media studies to develop a conceptual framework for understanding the role of social media in shaping young people’s political identities.

Problem statement example

Here’s an example of a problem statement that incorporates the three steps we discussed:

Title: Addressing the Challenges of Remote Learning in K-12 Education

Step 1: Contextualize the problem

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced a rapid shift to remote learning in K-12 education worldwide. While remote learning has been necessary to ensure continuity of education, it has also exposed significant challenges and inequalities in the education system. Students from disadvantaged backgrounds often need reliable internet, devices, and a conducive learning environment at home. Teachers need help to adapt their teaching methods to the online format and engage students effectively. The sudden transition also highlighted the need for better digital literacy skills among students and educators.

Step 2: Show why it matters

Addressing the challenges of remote learning is crucial to prevent widening educational disparities and ensure that all students have equal opportunities to learn and succeed. If these issues are not addressed, students from disadvantaged backgrounds risk falling behind academically, exacerbating existing achievement gaps. All students’ education quality may suffer, leading to long-term consequences for their future prospects. Moreover, the pandemic has accelerated the trend toward digitalization in education, making it imperative to develop effective remote learning strategies that can be applied beyond the current crisis.

Step 3: Set your aims and objectives

This research aims to identify effective strategies for improving remote learning in K-12 education, focusing on addressing the needs of disadvantaged students. The objectives are:

• Conduct surveys and interviews with students, teachers, and parents to understand their experiences, challenges, and perceptions related to remote learning.
• Analyze data on student engagement, performance, and access to resources during remote learning to identify patterns and disparities.
• Review existing literature and best practices on effective remote teaching and learning strategies.
• To improve remote learning outcomes, develop and pilot targeted interventions, such as teacher training programs, student support services, and partnerships with community organizations.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the interventions using a mixed-methods approach and propose recommendations for policy and practice.

This problem statement effectively contextualizes the issue of remote learning challenges, highlights its significance, and outlines a clear plan for addressing the problem through research. It sets the stage for a focused and impactful study that can improve all students’ educational outcomes.