How to write a problem statement in 4 minutes with an example

Summary

This video script offers a concise guide on crafting a problem statement, a crucial step in problem-solving across various domains including daily life and business. It emphasizes the importance of identifying the problem, understanding its characteristics, and proposing potential solutions. The script outlines the structure of a problem statement, including the background, a single-sentence problem statement, problem definition, and the magnitude of the issue. It also highlights the need for context, statistics, and ranking problems by severity. An example is provided, focusing on the prevalence of generalized anxiety disorder among university students, and how a study aims to identify students who would benefit from interventions.

Takeaways

• 🧩 Human advancement has been driven by constant problem-solving from the Ice Age to the Age of Artificial Intelligence.
• 📝 Writing a problem statement is essential for clarifying a problem and identifying a methodology to address it.
• 🕵️‍♂️ Problem statements are useful in daily life for tackling issues like procrastination and punctuality, as well as in business for solving important problems.
• 🏢 A problem statement helps businesses prioritize resources and is a requirement for academic research and grant proposals.
• 📑 The first paragraph of a problem statement should indicate the presence of a problem, describe the phenomenon, and propose a solution.
• 🔍 Problem statements should detail who is affected, where the problem occurs, and the time period of the issue.
• 📈 Providing context and statistics is crucial for illustrating the severity and scope of the problem to the audience.
• 🌟 An example problem statement discusses the prevalence of generalized anxiety disorder among university students due to various pressures.
• 📚 The problem is defined further by specifying the most affected groups, such as first-year health-related course students at public universities.
• 📊 Studies and statistics, like a 28.9 percent prevalence found by UMED, are used to quantify and rank the problem's severity.
• 🛠️ The script provides an example of a potential solution involving biomedical and behavioral interventions to manage anxiety disorders.

Q & A

What is the significance of problem-solving in human advancement?

Problem-solving has been a driving force behind human advancement from the Ice Age to the Age of Artificial Intelligence, as it allows for the identification and resolution of issues that hinder progress.

What is the first step in problem-solving?

The first step in problem-solving is identifying the problem and its characteristics, including potential solutions, and documenting these in a concise statement known as a problem statement.

Why is writing a problem statement important?

Writing a problem statement is important because it clarifies the problem, helps identify a relevant methodology for addressing it, and is useful in both personal and professional contexts, including academic research and business.

What are the contents of a problem statement?

A problem statement includes a sentence indicating the presence of a problem, details about who is affected, where it is occurring, and when it occurs, as well as a proposed solution or hypothesis.

How does a problem statement help in a business context?

In a business context, a problem statement helps prioritize resources and focus on solving particular problems of importance, which is crucial for the success and growth of the business.

What is the role of a problem statement in academic research?

In academic research, a problem statement is a requirement for research proposals and grant proposals, which are necessary for graduation or applying for project funding.

Can you provide an example of a problem statement from the script?

An example from the script is the problem of generalized anxiety disorder being highly prevalent among university students, particularly affecting first-year students and those doing health-related courses at public universities.

How can statistics be used in a problem statement?

Statistics can be used in a problem statement to illustrate the magnitude or severity of the problem, as seen in the script where a study found a 28.9 percent prevalence of generalized anxiety disorder among university students.

What is the purpose of providing context in a problem statement?

Providing context in a problem statement helps to bring the problem closer to the audience by explaining the circumstances surrounding the problem, such as what led to it and what factors increase or decrease its occurrence.

How does the script suggest ranking problems in terms of severity?

The script suggests using additional information to rank problems in terms of severity, such as the prevalence of generalized anxiety disorder being highest among young girls from families with low socioeconomic status, low psychosocial support, and a family history of the disorder.

What is the proposed solution in the example problem statement from the script?

The proposed solution in the example is that generalized anxiety disorder can be managed with biomedical and behavioral interventions such as anxiolytics and cognitive behavior therapy.

How does the script's example study aim to address the problem?

The study aims to answer the question of whether students most in need of interventions for generalized anxiety disorder can easily be identified, which ties into the proposed solution of managing the disorder with appropriate interventions.