NL
07 May 2024
Guidelines for defining the problem in your thesis
The problem statement is an essential component of your research as it offers a clear and precise description of the main issue you are addressing. It serves as the foundation of your research project. We often come across the notion that formulating a problem statement can be a challenging task. Therefore, in this article, we aim to provide you with some helpful tips to facilitate this process.
What is the problem statement in your thesis?
A problem statement describes the problem that you intend to investigate. You can often summarize this in one or two sentences, and at most, a short paragraph. In your problem statement, you need to explicitly state the context, problem, and relevance in relation to your chosen topic.
How do you formulate a strong problem statement for your thesis?
A problem statement should always be formulated briefly, concisely, and specifically. It should indicate precisely what you are researching and demonstrate the relevance of your research. If you formulate the problem too vaguely or broadly, your research will lack focus and you run the risk of getting overwhelmed by your results. On the other hand, if you formulate it too narrowly, your research will remain superficial and lack depth.
What steps do you go through?
Before formulating the problem statement, you must go through the following steps:
- Determine the topic of your research.
- Define your topic in a clear context. Often, your client has a problem related to the chosen topic.
- Conduct research to gain insights into your client’s problem and its possible causes or to identify gaps in the existing literature. Describe these findings in your problem analysis.
- Your problem statement should be based on thorough preliminary research and serve as the foundation of your study. It will guide your research direction and prevent you from getting overwhelmed.
What does the problem statement consist of?
You can divide your problem statement into three parts: who, what and why?
- Who is experiencing the problem? By asking this question, you can determine the individuals or entities that are affected by the issue. This could be your client, a specific department, or a particular component.
- What is the exact nature of the problem? It is crucial to emphasize precision here. Specify the particular problem you intend to investigate and what aspects will be excluded from consideration. It is important to maintain objectivity in your formulation as the client faces a problem they cannot solve on their own. Describe this situation accurately.
- Why is it considered a problem? The final question helps establish the relevance of your research. If the client is currently unable to resolve the issue independently, it will have consequences such as the impact on product sales, employee recruitment efforts, and more. This question addresses the potential outcomes of the problem. What will happen if no changes are made?
- Where do you describe the problem statement?
In your research proposal or research plan, you should present the analysis and definition of the problem. Before commencing your research, you need approval from your graduation supervisor or course coordinator, and a comprehensive explanation of the context, along with a clearly formulated problem statement, will assist in obtaining this approval. When you commence writing your thesis, it is advisable to briefly outline the problem analysis and problem definition in the summary or introduction of your thesis, be it a design-oriented research or an advisory report.
What is the difference between the problem statement and the research question?
It is often said that the problem statement is the same as the research question. However, there is indeed a difference between the two. The problem statement specifically addresses the problem being researched, while the research question pertains to the problem that your thesis aims to answer. In other words, the problem statement clarifies why your client is unable to achieve their goals, while the research question focuses on the missing knowledge needed to accomplish those goals. By formulating sub-questions, you can effectively break down the main question (or research question) into smaller, manageable questions. These sub-questions naturally contribute to addressing the main question.
Need help?
Drawing up a problem definition can be quite challenging, but it is crucial for conducting good research. Therefore, it is essential to get it right. We would be delighted to have a discussion with you about it. Request your free consultation today and listen to how we can assist you.
Contact Jouw Scriptiecoach if you need immediate help with your thesis.
Do you need immediate help with your thesis? Then request a free consultation now. During the consultation, we look at how best we can help you and which supervisor would be most suitable for your subject. You’ll also receive an immediate estimate of the number of hours we’ll need to get you across the finish line. Then you can easily purchase the hours online, and once the payment has gone through, we immediately connect you to your thesis supervisor. They’ll contact you quickly (often on the same day) so that you can get back to working on your thesis as soon as possible.