Most universities will require students to submit the research project as a part of the coursework for the master’s and/or PhD programs. A statement of the problem will lay a strong foundation for how the research is designed and concluded. So, let’s understand what a problem statement is, what it includes, an example of the problem statement, and more.
Key Highlights
- What is a statement of problem in research?
- How to write a problem statement for the project?
- Difference between a statement of problem in the research project and a thesis statement
- A statement of the problem example
- Points to remember while writing examples of problem statement
What is a statement of problem in research?
A problem statement is also known as a statement of the problem, a problem statement for research, a research problem statement, etc. A statement of problem in research clearly highlights “what the problem is” and “how this study aims to address it”. In other words, it highlights the existing knowledge gap in your field of study that has not been addressed yet and can lead to further investigation.
Some of the key characteristics of the research problem statement are as follows:
- It must highlight one specific issue that is relevant to the field of study.
- It must define the issue in easy-to-understand language.
- It should clearly explain why it is important to address the issue.
- It must include feasible objectives that the research aims to achieve.
A statement of problem in research must be included at the beginning of the research project so that a reader can quickly understand its purpose and intent. It can be expressed in a few sentences or a few paragraphs.
How to write a problem statement for the project?
An effective problem statement for a project usually comprises three parts: the context of the problem, its significance, and feasible solutions.
Part 1- Context: This section explains the problem by providing its background information so that readers can understand what the problem is and what would be an ideal scenario in the absence of the problem.
Part 2- Significance: This section defines why it is important to address the problem, who would be the most affected by the problem, why it is important to solve it, what has been done so far, and what needs to be done.
Part 3- Proposed solution: It explains practical solutions to overcome the research problem. You need to focus on how the proposed solution will provide benefits and describe research methodologies to achieve the desired objectives.
Difference between a statement of problem in the research project and a thesis statement
A thesis statement and problem statement are two important elements of a research project but have some differences. These differences are tabulated below.
|
Thesis statement |
Problem statement |
|
It summarises the central argument or the outcome of the research. |
It describes a specific problem that the research aims to address. |
|
It is included at the end of the introduction. |
It is usually included in the beginning to give a precise idea to readers what it aims to address. |
|
It is summarised in one or two sentences. |
It may include one or multiple paragraphs. |
A statement of the problem example
You can take this example as a reference to write a problem statement:
Context: The voter turnout in XX city has been continuously declining over the past 5 years as compared to other areas of the country. As per surveys, the turnout is the lowest among people under 30. Despite several attempts to increase their engagement, there has been no positive result on turnout.
Importance: Lower voter turnout reduces civic engagement and the trust of the public in democratic institutions.
Aims & Objectives: This research aims to find out the root cause of the non-voters not participating in the voting process. It also aims to investigate the reasons for the ineffective engagement strategies adopted by political parties to increase voter turnout and chalk out plans to address them.
Points to remember while writing problem statement
- A problem statement should be clear and concise.
- Avoid using technical language or an informal tone.
- Emphasise “why” it is important to address the problem. Explain the repercussions of leaving the problem as it is.
- Back up your claims with well-researched data and statistics.
So, with this information, you can embark on your higher educational journey and draft an effective problem statement. If you are facing any financial troubles in planning your higher studies, you can opt for an education loan. At Avanse Financial Services, we offer customised student loans. To know about education loan eligibility and how to calculate EMI for an education loan with an EMI calculator, contact us today.
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