Problem Statements – Additional points
Problem statements differ depending on the type and topic of research
and vary between a few sentences to a few paragraphs.
However, the problem statement should not drag on needlessly. Despite
the absence of a fixed format, a good research problem statement
usually consists of three main parts:
Context: This section explains the background for your research. It
identifies the problem and describes an ideal scenario that could exist
in the absence of the problem. It also includes any past attempts and
shortcomings at solving the problem.
Significance: This section defines how the problem prevents the
ideal scenario from being achieved, including its negative impacts on
the society or field of research. It should include who will be the most
affected by a solution to the problem, the relevance of the study that
you are proposing, and how it can contribute to the existing body of
research.
Solution: This section describes the aim and objectives of your
research, and your solution to overcome the problem. Finally, it need
not focus on the perfect solution, but rather on addressing a realistic
goal to move closer to the ideal scenario.
Here is a cheat sheet to help you with formulating a good problem
statement.
1. Begin with a clear indication that the problem statement is going
to be discussed next. You can start with a generic sentence like, “The
problem that this study addresses…” This will inform your readers of
what to expect next.
2. Next, mention the consequences of not solving the problem. You
can touch upon who is or will be affected if the problem continues, and
how.
3. Conclude with indicating the type of research/information that is
needed to solve the problem. Be sure to reference authors who may
have suggested the necessity of such research.
This will then directly lead to your proposed research objective and
workplan and how that is expected to solve the problem i.e., close the
research gap.
A problem statement is an explanation in research that describes
the issue that is in need of study. What problem is the research
attempting to address? Having a Problem Statement allows the reader
to quickly understand the purpose and intent of the research. The
importance of writing your research proposal cannot be stressed
enough. It is expected to be brief and concise, and should not
include the findings of the research or detailed data. The average
length of a research statement is generally about one page. It is going
to define the problem, which can be thought of as a gap in the
information base. There may be several solutions to this gap or lack of
information, but that is not the concern of the problem statement. Its
purpose is to summarize the current information and where
a lack of knowledge may be presenting a problem that needs to
be investigated.
The purpose of the problem statement is to identify the issue that
is a concern and focus it in a way that allows it to be studied in a
systematic way. It defines the problem and proposes a way to research
a solution, or demonstrates why further information is needed in order
for a solution to become possible.
What is Included in a Problem Statement?
Besides identifying the gap of understanding or the weakness of
necessary data, it is important to explain the significance of this lack.
-How will your research contribute to the existing knowledge base in
your field of study?
-How is it significant?
-Why does it matter?
Not all problems have only one solution so demonstrating the need for
additional research can also be included in your problem statement.
Once you identify the problem and the need for a solution, or for further
study, then you can show how you intend to collect the needed data and
present it.
How to Write a Statement of Problem in Research
Proposal
It is helpful to begin with your goal. What do you see as the achievable
goal if the problem you outline is solved? How will the proposed
research theoretically change anything? What are the potential
outcomes?
Then you can discuss how the problem prevents the ability to reach
your realistic and achievable solution. It is what stands in the way of
changing an issue for the better. Talk about the present state of affairs
and how the problem impacts a person’s life, for example.
It’s helpful at this point to generally layout the present knowledge and
understanding of the subject at hand, before then describing the gaps of
knowledge that are currently in need of study. Your problem statement
is a proposed solution to address one of these gaps.
A good problem statement will also layout the repercussions of leaving
the problem as it currently stands. What is the significance of not
addressing this problem? What are the possible future outcomes?
Example of Problem Statement in Research Proposal
If, for example, you intended to research the effect of vitamin D
supplementation on the immune system, you would begin with a
review of the current knowledge of vitamin D’s known function in
relation to the immune system and how a deficiency of it impacts a
person’s defenses.
You would describe the ideal environment in the body when there is a
sufficient level of vitamin D. Then, begin to identify the problems
associated with vitamin D deficiency and the difficulty of raising the
level through supplementation, along with the consequences of that
deficiency. Here you are beginning to identify the problem of a
common deficiency and the current difficulty of increasing the level of
vitamin D in the blood.
At this stage, you may begin to identify the problem and narrow it down
in a way that is practical to a research project. Perhaps you are
proposing a novel way of introducing Vitamin D in a way that allows
for better absorption by the gut, or in a combination with another
product that increases its level in the blood.
Describe the way your research in this area will contribute to the
knowledge base on how to increase levels of vitamin D in a specific
group of subjects, perhaps menopausal women with breast cancer. The
research proposal is then described in practical terms.