How to write a statement problem

HOW TO WRITE A
STATEMENT PROBLEM
YOUR PROPOSAL WRITING
COMPANION
Compiled by
Henry M. Bwisa
Professor of Entrepreneurship
Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology
E-mail bwihem@yahoo.com
Website www.professorbwisa.com
November 2008
INTRODUCTION
It is a constant complaint among those who evaluate proposals that the
most frequent deficiency noted by them is the lack of a clear problem
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statement to define and guide the inquiry. The issue of how to write a
problem statement becomes important.
WHAT IS A RESEARCH PROBLEM?
Generally speaking a research problem is a situation that needs a
solution and for which there are possible solutions. If a situation has no
possible solutions then it makes little or no sense expending resources
researching it. Take this statement, “everybody wants to go to heaven
but nobody wants to die”. Dying looks like a problem that needs a
solution yet there is no possible solution to it. People must die. A
research on how people can live forever makes little or no sense.
A research problem may be described as an incongruence; a discrepancy
between what is and what ought to be. It may be also described as the
gap in knowledge that needs to be filled.
WHAT IS A PROBLEM STATEMENT?
A problem statement is the description of an issue currently existing
which needs to be addressed. It provides the context for the research
study and generates the questions which the research aims to answer.
The statement of the problem is the focal point of any research. A good
problem statement is just one sentence (with several paragraphs of
elaboration). For example it could be:
"The frequency of job layoffs is creating fear, anxiety, and a loss of
productivity in middle management workers."

While this problem statement is just one sentence, it should be
accompanied by a few paragraphs that elaborate on the problem. The
paragraphs could cover present persuasive arguments that make the
problem important enough to study. They could include the opinions of
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others (politicians, futurists, other professionals); explanations of how
the problem relates to business, social or political trends via presentation
of data that demonstrates the scope and depth of the problem.
A well articulated statement of the problem establishes the foundation
for everything to follow in the proposal and will render less problematic
most of the conceptual, theoretical and methodological obstacles
typically encountered during the process of proposal development. This
means that, in subsequent sections of the proposal, there should be no
surprises, such as categories, questions, variables or data sources that
come out of nowhere: if it can't be found in the problem section, at least
at the implicit level, then it either does not belong in the study or the
problem statement needs to be re-written.
WHAT ARE KEY COMPONENTS OF THE STATEMENT
PROBLEM?
Problem statements often have three elements:
1. The problem itself, stated clearly and with enough contextual detail
to establish why it is important
2. The method of solving the problem, often stated as a claim or a
working thesis
3. The purpose, statement of objective and scope of the project being
proposed.
These elements should be brief so that the reader does not get lost. One
page is enough for a statement problem.
Criteria for Research Problem Statements:
• The statement of the problem should clearly indicate what is to
be investigated.
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• The actual statement may be in a declarative or in a question
form.
• The statement should indicate the variables of interest and the
specific relationship between the variables that are to be studied.
• Please note: In some qualitative methodologies, a statement of
variables will not be possible and should not be done. However,
an explanation of the qualitative methodology and the
parameters of the research methodology should be explained.
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF PROBLEM STATEMENT?
The problem provides the context for the research study and typically
generates questions which the research hopes to answer. In considering
whether or not to move forward with a research project, you will
generally spend some time considering the problem.
In your proposal the statement of the problem is oftentimes the first part
to be read with scrutiny. I am ignoring the title and the abstract because
ideally a title should be born out of a problem statement and an abstract
should be a summary after the problem has already been dealt with. The
problem statement should, therefore, "hook" the reader and establish a
persuasive context for what follows.
You need to be able to clearly answer the question: "what is the
problem"? And "why is this problem worth my attention"? At the same
time, the problem statement limits scope by focusing on some variables
and not others. It also provides an opportunity for you to demonstrate
why these variables are important.
WHERE DOES A PROBLEM STATEMENT ORIGINATE FROM?

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A good problem originates from a research question formulated out of
observation of the reality. A literature review and a study of previous
experiments, and research, are good sources of research questions that
are converted to statements of problem. Many scientific researchers look
at an area where a previous researcher generated some interesting
results, but never followed up. It could be an interesting area of research,
which nobody else has fully explored.
The research question is formulated and then restated in the form of a
statement that notes the adverse consequences of the problem. The type
of study determines the kinds of question you should formulate: Is there
something wrong in society, theoretically unclear or in dispute, or
historically worth studying? Is there a program, drug, project, or product
that needs evaluation? What do you intend to create or produce and how
will it be of value to you and society?
Pose questions such as:
What "should" be occurring? (For example: Based on the national
average, small scale farmers in Bungoma district should be harvesting
(xy) tons of maize per acre)
What is occurring? (For example: A recent household survey reported
that 56% of these farmers harvest only ( xy-ab) tons per acre.)
What could happen if the problem is not addressed? (For example:
persistent low farm productivity in the district may lead to widespread
food insecurity and defeat the government policy on the same.)

Common sources of research problems are:
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•
•
•
•

Personal experience and interests of researchers.
Various theories in the discipline of the researcher.
Related Literature- Literature from one’s own area of interest.
A reproduction of past research studies.

HOW TO WRITE THE STATEMENT PROBLEM
The problem statement implies some question that your research will be
answering. Sometimes it is necessary to draft or pre-write for a while to
discover what that point will be (and often writers are unsure of their
point until they have written the draft proposal and discover the point
near the end of the proposal).
When you set up to write a statement problem you should know that you
are looking for something wrong… or something that needs close
attention. Your problem statement is the statement that makes a point
about the issues and information you are discussing, and is what the rest
of the proposal hinges upon. It is not just your topic, but what you are
saying about your topic. In other words there must be very good
communication between your topic and the statement problem.
The importance of the problem should receive considerable and
persuasive attention [note that importance is inevitably subjective and
will vary from researcher to researcher]. Nevertheless objectivity can be
injected by answering questions such as these:
Is the problem of current interest? Is it topical?
Is the problem likely to continue into the future?
Will more information about the problem have practical application?
Will more information about the problem have theoretical importance?
How large is the population affected by the problem?
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How important, influential, or popular is this population?
Would this study substantially revise or extend existing knowledge?
Would this study create or improve an instrument of some utility?
Would research findings lead to some useful change in best practice?
Is there evidence or authoritative opinion from others to support the need
for this research?
The problem statement should persuasively indicate that major variables
can be measured in some meaningful way. If you can identify likely
objections to the study, identify and respond to them here.
The problem statement could close with a question. Typically, the
question could contain two variables, a measurable relationship, and
some indication of population. The purpose of the literature review that
follows thereafter is to answer the research problem question. If the
literature cannot answer the question, the research is needed to do so. An
example question might be: this proposal poses the question, "What is
the relationship between farm productivity and farmer use of fertilizer"?
The information needed is (1) productivity levels and (2) some measure
of fertilizer use. A bad example might be: "What is the best way to train
for use of fertilizer"? This is insufficient because:
What are the variables?
What will be measured?
What relationships will be examined?
There should be a close relationship between the title of the proposal and
the problem statement question. For example, in the good example
above, the title of this research project would be something like this:
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"Fertilizer use by small scale farmers in Bungoma district and their farm
productivity"

APPENDICES

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Establishing a research problem can be a challenging yet rewarding
process. Careful selection of the research problem defines the work of
the project and provides a direction for the entire process. Establishing
your research problem usually consists of distinct phases:
Research topic>research problem>problem statement>research design>research proposal
STEPS
Select a broad area of
interest–a research topic

EXAMPLE

STRATEGIES/SOURCES

Costs of farming

To move from topic to a
manageable research
problem, ask questions
about the topic such as
"who / what / where /
when why / how?"

What are the issues in the costs of
farming? What is being done to
control costs of farming? What
factors are responsible for price
increases? How effective are
institutions in controlling farming
costs?
Are government agriculture inputs
price policies effective? Does the
level of training by farmers affect
cost of farming? What is the role
of agricultural institutions?

Personal interest
Readings
Conversations with farmers etc
Read abstracts of literature for
overview, make observations,

Select one narrowly
defined problem
Ask relevant questions
that will help answer the
problem
Write a problem
statement consisting of
several sentences that
briefly frame the issues
to be investigated,
indicate the significance
of the question, and
includes a declaration of
what you will do
Select possible research
design

Prepare a research
proposal

Farming costs are escalating.
Farmers are unable to buy inputs.
Many people have proposed profarmer policies. Among the
potential solutions are price
subsidies. Questions exist
regarding the impact of price
subsidies. "In this project I will..."
or "This study will..."
Research designs will depend
upon the discipline and actual
statement of problem. It should be
developed in consultation with
your supervisor.
After literature review,
methodology selection, etc. write
the complete research proposal.

Read several articles on the
narrower focus; note possible
methodologies that might be
used in your project

Incorporate readings-to-date to
determine this working
statement. Of course, as your
work progresses, you may need
to modify this problem
statement.

Read more focused and
specialized articles on content,
design and methodologies

SIMPLE STATEMENT PROBLEM TEMPLATE
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This template should help you to draft your first problem statement

Stable Context
Describe unchanging facts about the topic/problem.
For many years, people have debated about ______________________.
Or
____________________ has been controversial because
__________________________________________________________.
Or
______________________ has dominated discussions of
_____________.

Status Quo
State common but incorrect or incomplete assumptions
Many people think
________________________________________________________.
Or
At first glance, it may seem like
______________________________________________.
Destabilizing Moment
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Describe something that reveals the status quo assumptions to be
incomplete or inaccurate.
This initial perception fails to take into account
__________________________________________________________.
Or
This theory can't explain
__________________________________________________________.
Or
People have failed to notice, however,
__________________________________________________________.
Consequences
Show readers why they should care: what bad things will happen if
people continue to believe the status quo? What good things will happen
once they stop believing it?
If we continue to believe _______________, we'll never understand the
larger question of
__________________________________________________________.
Or
Unless we change _____________________, we will continue to have
trouble with
__________________________________________________________.
Or
11

Once we understand ___________________, we'll begin to see the
answer to the problem
__________________________________________________________.
Or
By rethinking our approach to ___________________, we can fix
________________.
Resolution
Provide a better theory/explanation to replace the status quo. State your
claim.
______________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________.

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ONE MORE TEMPLATE FOR WRITING A STATEMENT
PROBLEM
PROBLEM STATEMENT 4 required parts
1. Start with a general problem identifying the need for the study. E.g. The
problem of this study is ______
2. State the specific problem proposed for research. (use citation & usually
a number to make it clear to the reader, e.g. 30% of the farms have been
affected by the Napier grass disease
3. Introductory words describing Methodological approach (i.e. Research
Design) are given and are appropriate to the specific proposal problem, e.g.
this qualitative study will explore... or this quantitative study will examine
...
4. General population group of proposed study is identified. Small scale
farmers in affected locations will be surveyed to determine ...

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A qualitative problem statement
Brain drain in Kenya is increasing (GENERAL PROBLEM). Every
year about 50 professionals migrate abroad due to unsatisfactory
working conditions (SPECIFIC PROBLEM WITH NUMBERS and
supported with a citation). This brain drain is different from previous
shortages, because it involves not only fresh graduates but also seasoned
professionals (quote).
This crisis in the professionals’ industry requires innovative solutions.
One innovative solution may be a less structured leadership style, such
as steward leadership (quote). This qualitative case study
(DESCRIPTION OF STUDY TYPE) will explore perceptions of
professionals in Kenya (POPULATION BEING STUDIED) about
steward leadership as a strategy to alleviate or reduce factors
contributing to the brain drain among professionals in the lake basin
region (GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION OF STUDY) The data to be
gathered in this study may provide leaders with information relating to
how they may address or mitigate factors contributing to the current
brain drain.

A quantitative Statement of the Problem: an American example
Identity fraud is one of the fastest growing crimes in America (Adams,
2002). In 2003, at least 7 million Americans were victims of identity
fraud, an increase of 79% from 2002 (AFP, 2003). GENERAL
PROBLEM SUPPORTED BY LITERATURE The nation’s system of
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personal identification and verification failed to stop the 9/11 terrorists,
and according to the 9/11 Investigations report (Strasser, 2004), some of
the 19 hijackers of the 9/11 attacks had fraudulent identification,
passports, and other travel documents (Wang, 2004). Seven of the 19
hijackers fraudulently obtained and used drivers’ licenses as
identification to board commercial aircraft (Driver’s License Fraud,
2003).
Drivers licenses can still be obtained or made fraudulently and are
still used as a de facto form of national identification (Etzioni, 2004).
Specific problem with citation The 9/11 Commission Report (9/11
Commission, 2004) recommended using an NBIC system as a more
reliable and secure means of fighting terrorism. One associated problem
of the 9/11 Commission’s recommendation is that various civil liberty
advocates oppose the use of a compulsory NBIC, arguing that
compulsory use of NBICs may have a potential to deprive citizens of
their civil rights and invade individual privacy (Eaton, 2003).
The purpose of this research study will be to examine the
motivational factors necessary for the public to use voluntary NBICs as
a more reliable and secure means of preventing identity fraud. To fulfill
this purpose, a quantitative TYPE OF STUDY research study will
survey students, faculty, administrative personnel, and employees of two
community colleges in Los Angeles County, California.
GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION

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How to write a statement problem

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