Once students get into their dream universities to pursue a PhD, they are given a ton of assignments. Dissertation is the most important of all these assignments and you can not get a good grade on the dissertation if you fail to provide an effective problem statement.
You do not have to worry about this though because this post will equip you with easy tips to write a problem statement. Thus actually giving PhD dissertation help so keep on reading!
What Is a Problem Statement In Research?
The problem statement refers to a critical issue that your research wants to address. In other words, it looks for the research gap in the existing knowledge and aims that’s your study will fill it up through reliable results or outcomes. Your problem statement can be a little as a few sentences or can be as lengthy in form of several paragraphs. The main point is that it should communicate the central focus of your research.As you do research to bridge the gap, it makes way for future investigations. Your problem statement should not be broad. Through addressing one issue at a time, it should contribute to the pool of knowledge for further research.
Difference between Thesis and Problem Statement:
A problem statement focuses on the particular issue that you have identified and the solutions you bring with the research. Whereas, a thesis statement keeps a specific claim or assertion open for debate.
A problem statement’s most basic form comprises of three elements, which are the following:
A problem statement focuses on the particular issue that you have identified and the solutions you bring with the research. Whereas, a thesis statement keeps a specific claim or assertion open for debate.
Elements of a Problem Statement
The Research problem:
Your research problem is the main reason behind your organized research. It is simply the gap you have identified and planned to fill through the results of your study. You can also feel free to consider it as a primary research question.
Here are a few questions you should consider asking yourself:
- Is the idea you are describing clear in the problem statement?
- Do you understand the main problem being described?
- Do you have a good grasp of the main issue?
The Working Thesis:
The working thesis is a first try of asserting your position, it presents your stance on the matter at a particular point in time. This is called a working thesis because it is a subject of change as your study moves on. In the working thesis, you are given the opportunity to justify your position by providing primary and secondary claims that support your stance.
Significance of the Research:
This is the part where you get to convey the value of your research and shows the reader why it was important in the first place. In this portion, you have to discuss the effect of your work and its relevance to your field of study. In addition to this, mention the contribution of your work to existing knowledge and how others will benefit from it.
Easy Tips to Write a Problem Statement – Step By Step
1. Define The Research Context:
First and foremost, what you need to do is build a solid context that will make it easier for the reader to comprehend your research problem. A good tip is to elaborate about a world where this problem does not exist. To put it simply, help your readers visualize how various things would have been if they did not have to witness and experience the problem in the first place.
For instance, you are researching about domestic fire accidents in London, initiate by writing how the process would function if this problem did not exist anymore. After you have completed this, you should refer to the research problem at the end of your description.
2. Describe Why This Problem Matters:
Next up, you should convey to the readers why the problem matters and why you should address it at that time. To put it simply, answer the question ‘why is it important to solve this problem?’ what difference does it make?
You have to convince them that your problem is the most worthy of getting their attention. Remember to consider including what steps have been taken for catering to the problem and why did it not work out?
3. State The Problem’s Financial Cost:
When you have presented the problem to decision-makers, you have to explain the financial implications if the problem is not solved. Since money is the language business people speak, it is easiest to frame the problem and propose solutions in terms of monitory costs.
For example, if the problem is actively costing money, hindering a company to make more money, or damaging the company’s public image make sure you express it in clear and appropriate terms. Try to point out exact dollar amounts for the problem's cost. To increase validity.
Mentioning the financial cost that is paid because of the problem will also prove helpful to you if you are pitching funds for your research.
4. Bring Out The Evidence:
It is not enough to claim that the problem has some negative effects on other people or a certain organization, you have to back up all these claims with evidence. This evidence comes in the form of well-researched data. In this part, you have to state information from relevant secondary data sources and reference them in the dissertation.
Characteristics of Good Secondary Data Sources:
- Well researched and empirically tested
- Gives analysis of other sources
- Increases value of one or more primary sources
Your problem statement should describe a solution to the problem as well. In this part, you do not have to focus on finding a solution. Remember that at this point you need to have a solid grasp on the problem and be prepared to propose practical ways of understanding and dealing with the issue. Take time to showcase why your solution is stable and why it will work.
Address what expenses it is aiming to decrease, how it will free up revenue streams, and what benefits such as increased client satisfaction, more saving your solution will bring. All of this should fit into a single short paragraph. Avoid using pointless jargon and highly technical language.
6. Write a Conclusion:
After you have written all the above, move on towards stating the conclusion. This should consist of the problem, why it is essential to fix it, and a concise argument of why your solution is the paramount answer to the problem.
End Remarks
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