Introduction to Problem Statement
Introduction to Problem Statement

Definitions

A problem statement means to address the inconsistencies, limitations and disadvantages of the current system, which gives the idea to the researchers for the improvement of these deficiencies.

Or

A problem statement is a concise description of the issue that needs to be addressed by a problem-solving team and should be presented to them or created by them before they try to solve the problem. When bringing together a team to achieve a particular purpose provide them with a problem statement.

Introduction:

The identification of the problem statement is not an easy task for the researcher to identify it. It can take an important time for the researcher to formulate a clear and complete research statement because they do not know in advance what type of question they should answer. There is no absolute scientific method to directly identify a research problem, but following some scientific procedures makes it so easy.

Importance:

It serves as a map for research that research follows and is completed till the end. Many questions become clear when a researchers start his literature review while researching his topic. Here the important thing is what are your intentions with the research project? If it is just for passing your exam then you can add any problem statement that will work for you but if you want to do research and make it impactful then you have to be passionate about it.

Intentions with research project:

  • The first question answering the question “Why we deal with the research?”, a clear statement of the problem not only makes it meaningful but also makes it address that problem.
  • A careful statement of the problem leads to the solution of the problem. According to some experts, To solve a mystery you must first know what a mystery is.
  • To explain let’s assume that shop sales have decreased because they are not getting the same number of customers as they used to. You will first need to identify the problem of why your client base is decreasing. If it is your management issue then you have to solve it abruptly to gain your clients’ trust again but if there is general inflation in a country then that’s something else and you can’t do much with it.

Features of a good problem statement:

Features of a good problem statement are:

  • It should be able to explain for what reason you need a team.
  • A problem statement should be able to explain what effect will it have on customers and how will it be able to solve their problem.
  • Is your problem time-based bases or is it universal?
  • What does your client need, whether you have discussed your problem statement with him or not?

Types of Problem Statement:

There are two types of problem statements.

  • The first one is a formal statement.
  • The second describes the informal statement.
  • The former describes the thesis statement in the document’s introduction.
  • For example one of the statements faced by the college admission office is whether to give precedence to applicants with strong test scores or not or to applicants with a variety of extracurricular activities.
  • The 2nd one describes the informal sentence which is a sentence that tells readers how a new development of discovery will affect them.

Characteristic of Problem Statement:

There are nine attributes that best represent the problem statement. These attributes are:

  • Clarity and precision (a well-written statement does not make sweeping generalizations and irresponsible statements).
  • Identification of what would be studied, while avoiding the use of value-laden words and terms.
  • Identification of an overarching question and key factors or variables.
  • Identification of key concepts and terms.
  • Articulation of the study’s boundaries or parameters.
  • Some generalisability.
  • Convincing the importance of study, benefits and justifications (regardless of the type of research, it is important to address the “so what” question and to demonstrate that the research is not trivial).
  • No use of unnecessary jargon.
  • Conveyance of more than the gathering of descriptive data providing a snapshot.

Three Criteria to Select a Good Problem Statement:

  • The problem should have a relation with one or more than one variable.
  • The problem should have to be completely understandable, clear and unambiguous.
  • The relation between the problem and the problem statement should be in a form that can be converted to practical testing. Even this type of research is more difficult to implement.

Some Conditions for Problem Formulation:

Certain conditions lead to the formulation of a good problem statement. These conditions are:

  • Systematic arising of problem through observation. It means that just discoverer problem for the need of their burning solution.
  • By reviewing the existing available literature. And finding out some deficiencies remaining.
  • Getting help from a well-experienced person who has conducted a lot of research in the specified field.

Some Necessary Factors for the Selection of a Problem:

  • First is the workability in which the researcher considers that he has enough time and funds to carry out this research.
  • The second thing is Methodology which the person must select for their appropriate work.
  • The third thing is coverage which means the breadth and depth analysis of the study.
  • Fourth is the interest of the researcher.

Conclusion:

Problem statement is very important. If you mention it clearly then your 50% job will be easy when carrying out research but if your problem statement has issues then your research will have issues too. So focus on the problem statement to make your life easy.