Problem Statement

The problem statement usually appears at the beginning of an article, making it one of the
first things readers encounter. An excellent problem statement not only explains the
relevance and importance of the research but also helps readers quickly determine if the
article aligns with their interests by clearly defining the topic. Therefore, the problem
statement plays a unique role in the widespread dissemination of the paper and in enhancing
the researcher’s academic influence.
The problem statement aims to highlight the pressing issue the research intends to address.
It should be concise and to the point. Researchers can follow a two-step approach: first, think
about the content of the problem statement, and then organize the writing framework. It
represents questions that lead everyone to answers. Research is a quest to find answers, not
vague questions, but definitely, more focused questions that define the research. Therefore,
asking appropriate questions becomes an important matter of discussion.
A well-begun research process requires a strong research question. It directs the research
investigation and provides a clear goal to focus on. Understanding the characteristics of
comprising a good research question will generate new ideas and help you discover new
methods in research.
A well-crafted problem statement should be SMART:
• Specific (S): Clearly define the problem, avoiding vague or general descriptions.
• Measurable (M): Include criteria to assess the success or completion of the solution.
• Achievable (A): Ensure that the problem can be solved or improved within
reasonable constraints.
• Relevant (R): Align the problem statement with your goals and objectives.
• Time-bound (T): Set a timeframe for solving the problem or achieving progress.

What Is a Research Question?

A good research question defines the study and helps to seek an answer to the research.
Moreover, a clear research question guides the research to define exactly what one wants to
find out, giving the work its objective. Learning to write a research question is the beginning
of any thesis, dissertation, or research paper, or project. Furthermore, the question addresses
issues or problems which is answered through analysis and interpretation of data.
Before writing, the following points need to be clarified:
• What is the reader’s level of understanding of the research topic?
• How can the significance of the research be effectively conveyed to the reader?
After addressing these two questions, the content can be organized according to the
following structure:
• Clarify what aim the research hopes to achieve.
• Explore why the problem exists and explain how solving it helps reach the goal.
• Outline the potential impact of the research, such as possible outcomes, challenges,
and benefits.
• Recommend a plan for the experiment that follows the rules of science.
• Explain the potential consequences if the problem is not resolved (if applicable).

Three Important Parts of the Problem Statement

The content and length of the problem statement can vary depending on the type of
research. Although there’s no fixed format, it’s helpful to include these three key parts:
1. Research Background:
Explain clearly what problem your research focuses on. Describe how things would be better
if this problem didn’t exist. Also, talk about what other researchers have tried to do about this
problem and what still needs to be figured out.
2. Research Significance:
Clarify the impact of the problem on the research field and society, and analyse the cause of
the problem. Explain who will benefit from solving the problem, thus demonstrating the
relevance of the research and its contribution to the existing research system. To illustrate
the relevance, consider aspects such as the geographical location or process where the
problem occurs, the period during which it exists, and the severity of the problem.
3. Solution:
Describe the research objective and the expected solution or results.

Points to Note:
When crafting your problem statement, focus on essential details and avoid unnecessary
information. Additionally, absolute terms such as “must” should be avoided.
EXAMPLE:
Research Topic:
The benefits of vitamin D supplementation on the immune system.
Problem Statement:
1. Review existing research on the role of vitamin D in the immune system, emphasizing
the potential impacts of vitamin D deficiency on the human body.
2. List the obstacles encountered when trying to increase vitamin D levels in the body
through supplements, and briefly mention the physiological or molecular mechanisms
behind these obstacles.
3. Clarify feasible ways to overcome these obstacles, such as new methods to promote
the absorption of vitamin D in the intestine. Then, focus on the benefits of these
methods, such as helping postmenopausal women with breast cancer improve their
blood vitamin D levels.

Important Features of Research Problem Statement

1. Clarity
The problem statement should be clear and easy to understand. Write it in a way that is
accessible to both experts and non-experts in the field.
2. Specificity
The statement should be specific and clearly define the problem or issue that the research
project aims to address. It should be narrow enough to be manageable, but broad enough
to be of interest to others in the field.
3. Significance
The statement should explain why the problem is important and what gap in current
knowledge or understanding it fills. It should provide context for the research project and
help to justify its importance.
4. Relevance
The statement should be relevant to the field of study and address an issue currently of
concern to researchers.
5. Research questions
The statement should include a set of research questions that the research project aims to
answer to address the problem or issue.
6. Research objectives
The statement should include a set of specific and measurable objectives that the research
project aims to achieve.
7. Scope
The statement should define the specific population, setting, or context that the research
project will focus on.
8. Theoretical framework
The statement should provide an overview of the theoretical concepts and principles that
inform the research project.
9. Research design
The statement should provide an overview of the research methodologies. This will be
useful to collect and analyse data to address the research questions and objectives.

Why Is a Research Question Important?

A strong research question guides the design of a study. Moreover, it helps determine the
type of research and identify specific objectives. Research questions state the specific issue
you are addressing and focus on the outcomes of the research for individuals to learn.
Therefore, it helps break up the study into easy steps to complete the objectives and answer
the initial question.

Types of Research Questions

Research questions can be categorized into different types, depending on the type of research
you want to undergo. Furthermore, knowing the type of research will help a researcher
determine the best type of research question to use.
1. Qualitative Research Question
Qualitative questions concern broad areas or more specific areas of research. However, unlike
quantitative questions, qualitative research questions are adaptable, non-directional, and
more flexible. Qualitative research questions focus on discovering, explaining, elucidating,
and exploring.
i. Exploratory Questions
This form of question looks to understand something without influencing the results. The
objective of exploratory questions is to learn more about a topic without attributing bias or
preconceived notions to it.
Research Question Example: Asking how a chemical is used or perceptions around a
certain topic.
ii. Predictive Questions
Predictive research questions are defined as survey questions that automatically predict the
best possible response options based on the text of the question. Moreover, these questions
seek to understand the intent or future outcome surrounding a topic.
Research Question Example: Asking why a consumer behaves in a certain way or chooses
a certain option over another.
iii. Interpretive Questions
This type of research question allows the study of people in the natural setting. The questions
help understand how a group makes sense of shared experiences about various phenomena.
These studies gather feedback on a group’s behaviour without affecting the outcome.
Research Question Example: How do you feel about AI assisting the publishing process in
research?

2. Quantitative Research Question

Quantitative questions prove or disprove a researcher’s perspective through descriptions,
comparisons, and relationships. These questions are beneficial when choosing a research
topic or when posing follow-up questions that garner more information.
i. Descriptive Questions
It is the most basic quantitative research question and seeks to explain when, where, why, or
how something occurred. Moreover, they use data and statistics to describe an event or
phenomenon.
Research Question Example: How many generations of genes influence a future
generation?

ii. Comparative Questions

Sometimes it’s beneficial to compare one occurrence with another. Therefore, comparative
questions are helpful when studying groups with dependent variables.
Example: Do men and women have comparable metabolisms?
iii. Relationship-Based Questions
This type of research question answers the influence of one variable on another. Therefore,
experimental studies use this type of research question majorly.
Example: How do drought conditions affect a region’s probability of wildfires?

Research Question Examples

• How might the discovery of a genetic basis for alcoholism impact triage processes in
medical facilities?
• How do ecological systems respond to chronic anthropological disturbance?
• What are the demographic consequences of ecological interactions?
• What educational strategies help encourage safe driving in young adults?
• What makes a grocery store easy for shoppers to navigate?
• What genetic factors predict if someone will develop hypothyroidism?
• Does contemporary evolution along the gradients of global change alter the function
of an ecosystem?