How to write a problem statement

Summary

This video script offers essential tips for crafting a persuasive problem statement, a critical component of any thesis, research article, or technical report. It defines a problem statement as a declaration of a current issue needing action, emphasizing the importance of identifying gaps or negative aspects in the current situation. The script outlines the three key parts of a compelling problem statement: the ideal scenario, the reality with its shortcomings, and the proposed improvements. Additionally, it suggests incorporating the five W's (who, what, where, when, and why) for a more engaging statement and advises focusing on a single problem for clarity. The video also touches on two common approaches to writing problem statements: directly addressing the issue or first establishing context for complex topics. These insights aim to guide students and researchers in effectively articulating the problem at hand.

Takeaways

• 📝 A problem statement is a declaration of a current issue needing timely action to improve the situation.
• 🔍 It is related to the current issue or problem that your research will explore and should outline the negative aspects of the current situation.
• 🚀 A good research problem should identify a gap in knowledge in the field and pave the way for further research.
• 📚 The problem statement can be one paragraph or more, depending on the nature of the problem and the objectives of the research.
• 🎯 It should include three parts: the ideal situation, the reality of the situation, and the consequences or proposed improvements.
• 🌟 The 'ideal' part describes the goal or how things should be, highlighting the positive aspects of the research topic.
• 👎 The 'reality' part discusses the current situation's shortcomings and how it falls short of the ideal.
• 🛠️ The 'consequences' part suggests ways to improve the current situation and move it closer to the ideal.
• ❗ Incorporating the five W's (who, what, where, when, and why) can make the problem statement more persuasive.
• 📉 The problem statement should focus on one problem and be precise, without suggesting a solution at this stage.
• 📈 If the problem is technical, it's recommended to first establish the context or background before detailing the problem statement parts.

Q & A

What is the primary purpose of a problem statement in a thesis or research article?

The primary purpose of a problem statement is to outline a current issue or problem that requires timely action to improve the situation, highlighting gaps or negative points in the scenario being explored.

Why is it important to address an existing gap in knowledge in a problem statement?

Addressing an existing gap in knowledge ensures that the research is contributing new insights to the field, justifying the need for further investigation.

What are the three main parts of a persuasive problem statement according to the script?

The three main parts of a persuasive problem statement are the ideal situation, the reality of the current situation, and the consequences or the proposed improvements to bridge the gap between the ideal and reality.

What should be included in the 'ideal' part of a problem statement?

The 'ideal' part of a problem statement should describe the goal or the ideal situation of the phenomena being investigated, explaining how things should be and highlighting the positive aspects or the significance of the research problem.

What is the purpose of the 'reality' part in a problem statement?

The 'reality' part is meant to contrast the ideal situation with the actual current state of affairs, identifying the negative points and gaps that exist, and explaining how the current situation falls short of the ideal.

What should be the focus of the 'consequences' part of a problem statement?

The 'consequences' part should propose ways to improve the current situation, moving it closer to the ideal situation, without necessarily providing a solution, as the problem statement is not the place for solution suggestions.

Why is it suggested to use the five W's (who, what, where, when, and why) in writing a problem statement?

Incorporating the five W's helps to generate a comprehensive and persuasive problem statement by ensuring all relevant aspects of the issue are covered, making it easier for readers to understand the scope and context of the research.

Why should a problem statement focus on only one problem?

Focusing on one problem ensures that the problem statement remains clear, precise, and targeted, avoiding confusion and allowing for a more in-depth exploration of the specific issue at hand.

Is it necessary to suggest a solution in the problem statement?

No, the problem statement should not suggest a solution. Its purpose is to identify the ideal situation, the current gaps, and propose improvements, leaving the solution for later stages of the research or thesis.

What is the suggested approach if the problem being researched is technical or difficult for a layperson to understand?

If the problem is technical or complex, it is recommended to first establish the context or background of the problem before presenting the ideal situation and the other parts of the problem statement, to aid understanding for the reader.

How can the tips provided in the script help a student or researcher in writing their thesis or research paper?

The tips provided can guide a student or researcher in structuring a clear and persuasive problem statement, which is crucial for setting the stage for their research and engaging readers, ultimately contributing to the overall quality of their thesis or research paper.

Outlines

00:00

📝 Crafting a Persuasive Problem Statement

This paragraph introduces the importance of a problem statement in academic and research writing. It defines a problem statement as a declaration of a current issue needing action to improve the situation. The paragraph emphasizes the need to outline the negative aspects of the current situation and to highlight gaps or deficiencies that the research aims to address. It also suggests that a good research problem should fill a knowledge gap in the field. The speaker outlines the three main components of a persuasive problem statement: the ideal situation, the current reality, and the proposed improvements. Additionally, the paragraph mentions the use of the five W's (who, what, where, when, and why) to create a compelling problem statement and advises focusing on a single problem for clarity and precision.

05:01

🔍 Writing Techniques for Problem Statements

The second paragraph discusses two common methods for writing a problem statement. The first method is a direct approach where the writer jumps straight into describing the ideal situation, identifying gaps, and proposing consequences. The second method, recommended for technical or complex topics, suggests establishing the context or background of the problem before detailing the ideal situation and other elements of the problem statement. The speaker advises that the problem statement should not include a solution, as its purpose is to identify the gap between the current situation and the ideal state. The paragraph concludes by expressing hope that the video provides valuable guidance for writing a problem statement in theses or research papers.

Keywords

💡Problem Statement

A 'Problem Statement' is a declaration of an existing issue or problem that necessitates timely action for improvement. It is integral to any research or thesis as it sets the stage for the investigation. In the video's context, the problem statement is described as the first step in framing a research question, outlining the negative aspects of the current situation and why they matter. It is used to identify gaps in knowledge and to propose further research to address these gaps.

💡Thesis

A 'Thesis' refers to a document submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for an academic degree. It typically contains original research and is a central theme of the video. The script emphasizes the importance of a persuasive problem statement in a thesis, as it lays the groundwork for the research and helps in establishing the significance and direction of the study.

💡Research Article

A 'Research Article' is a scholarly publication that contains original research results and is usually published in a scientific journal. The video mentions research articles as another context where a compelling problem statement is crucial, as it helps in engaging readers and setting the stage for the research findings presented.

💡Technical Report

A 'Technical Report' is a document that communicates the process, procedures, results, and conclusions of a scientific or technical investigation. The script suggests that a problem statement is a significant part of a technical report, outlining the current issues and the need for research to address them.

💡Ideal Situation

The 'Ideal Situation' in the context of a problem statement refers to the desired state of affairs or the goal of the research. The video explains that the first part of a problem statement should describe this ideal scenario, highlighting what the situation should look like without the presence of the problem being investigated.

💡Reality

'Reality' in the script refers to the current state of affairs or the actual situation being studied. It is contrasted with the ideal situation and is a key component of the problem statement. The video describes how the reality part should detail the negative points and gaps that exist, which the research aims to address.

💡Consequences

In the script, 'Consequences' relate to the outcomes or the state of affairs that would result from the problem if left unaddressed. The third part of the problem statement, as mentioned in the video, should propose ways to improve the current situation and move it closer to the ideal situation.

💡Five W's

The 'Five W's' refers to the journalistic method of answering the questions: who, what, where, when, and why. The video suggests that incorporating these elements into a problem statement can make it more persuasive and comprehensive. This method helps in providing a clear and detailed understanding of the problem being addressed.

💡Gap in Knowledge

A 'Gap in Knowledge' is a term used to describe areas where information or understanding is lacking. The video emphasizes that a good research problem should identify and address such gaps, thereby contributing new knowledge to the field.

💡Context or Background

The 'Context or Background' is the setting or environment in which a problem exists. The video suggests that for technical or complex problems, it is beneficial to first establish the context or background before presenting the problem statement. This helps in making the problem more understandable to the audience.

Highlights

Writing a problem statement is crucial for a thesis, research article, or technical report.

A problem statement outlines a current issue that requires timely action for improvement.

It is related to the current issue, problem, or phenomena to be explored through research.

The problem statement should outline the negative points of the current situation and explain why they matter.

A good research problem should address an existing gap in knowledge in the field.

A persuasive problem statement can consist of one or more paragraphs.

The first part of a problem statement is the 'ideal', describing the goal or ideal situation.

The second part is the 'reality', mentioning the current situation's negative points and gaps.

The third part, 'consequences', identifies proposed improvements to close the gap between reality and the ideal.

Problem statements should apply the five W's: who, what, where, when, and why.

Focus on one problem in the problem statement to maintain focus and precision.

The problem statement should not suggest a solution, as it is meant to identify gaps and propose improvements.

If the problem is technical, establish the context or background before stating the ideal situation.

Two common ways to write a problem statement are directly stating it or first establishing context for technical problems.

This video aims to provide significant tips for writing a problem statement for theses or research papers.

Transcripts

hello viewers writing problem statement

for your thesis for your research

article or maybe for your technical

report is very very important

or significant part of your write-up

so today i'm going to give you few tips

how you can write persuasive

statement problem for your thesis or

your research

article first of all what is

problem statement a problem statement

is a statement of a current issue

or problem that requires timely action

to improve the situation so if we

interpret

this definition so problem statement is

related to the current

issue or the problem or the researched

phenomena you are going to explore

through your

research in general a problem statement

will outline the negative points of the

current situation

and explain why this matters

so this means that while writing or

stating

a problem statement basically you need

to mention

the gaps or the negative points

of the situation you are exploring you

need to mention

what are the basic gaps what are the

negativity prevailing

in that situation or in that scenario

you need to highlight those negative

points

or gaps a good research problem should

address

an existing gap in knowledge in the

field

and let the further research now i'm

going to tell you

that what are the most significant parts

of a persuasive

problem statement dear students the

problem statement can be

of one paragraph or it can consist of

more than

one maybe two or three paragraphs

depending

upon the objectives or the nature of the

problem you

are exploring however if you are writing

in one pair or maybe more than one pera

you need to include these three parts in

a problem statement

so the first part of a problem statement

is called

the ideal where you need to describe the

goal

or the idle situation of the phenomena

you

are investigating or you need to explain

how things should be this means here you

need to write

the overall ideal situation of the

research problem you are

exploring here you can mention all the

positivity

or the significance or the importance of

your phenomena

or you need to write how the situation

should be

in a real ideal phenomena in the second

part

which is called the reality part here

you need to mention

the reality of the situation or the

phenomena you are researching

definitely here you will write some of

the negative points

and some of the gaps you will identify

through literature so basically here you

value

the part a from being achieved or

realized

at this time you will also explain how

the current situation

falls short of goal or idea

here you need to really mention that how

the situation

is different from the ideal situation

you already mentioned

in part a or in paragraph one now the

third para

which is called the consequences here

you need to

identify the way you propose to improve

the situation which has shortfalls

and move it closer to the goal or the

ideal situation

dear students here you will really

mention that

what are your proposal to improve

the current situation or you can make it

to the ideal situation

or maybe closer to the ideal situation

so these

are the three basic parts of any problem

statement

you are writing for your thesis or maybe

for your research

article according to some of the books

the problem statements should apply

the five w's those are who

what where when and why

so author suggested that if a researcher

while writing a problem statement

incorporate all these five w's

that can generate a really persuasive

problem statement

secondly dear students you also need to

focus

only on one problem while writing

problem statement

do not confuse or mention the two or

maybe three problems

in one problem statement the one problem

statement should look

focused and precise it is also suggested

by researchers

and books that problem statement should

not suggest a solution

because here you are mentioning the

ideal situation of the phenomena you are

you are researching so because here you

are mentioning the ideal situation you

are determining the gaps

and you are proposing that what can be

best

to make that situation to the reality or

the real situation

so here the solution is not very much

needed

this is not the appropriate place to

mention the solution

of the study viewers there could be many

ways of writing

problem statement however i'm mentioning

the two significant or the most used

ways of writing problem statement the

first one

is you can directly jump onto your

problem statement

and you can write you what is the ideal

situation

what are the gaps and then what are the

consequences

however some of the books suggested that

if your problem

is really technical or maybe difficult

for the layman to understand so first

establish the context or the background

of your problem or your phenomena you

are going to research

and then write down the ideal situation

or the other part of the problem

statement

i just mentioned so i would suggest you

that if

your problem or your under-researched

area is very much technical

and it's difficult for the layman to

understand or to read so for the better

quality

you must mention first the context or

the background

and the rest of the three parts later on

so viewers i hope that this brief video

would give you some significant

tips of writing your problem statement

and this will be helpful

when you are busy while writing your

thesis or your research paper

thank you