The research problem statement is one of the first steps in developing a Doctoral Thesis proposal. It is the starting point of the research process. Identifiable aspects of a research problem include something is broken, it has a cause and effect relationship, and there are initial observations and evidence mentioned. Developing a research problem statement from an identified problem isn’t easy but is an essential step in the thesis proposal process. To assist in the what and how, the Doctorate Hub team has been putting together this slideshow.

1. The Research Problem
Statement
An introduction for Doctoral Students
…..to get things jump started
Andreas Meiszner, PhD
a.meiszner@doctoratehub.com

2. The Issue with Research Problems
• Quite a number of doctoral students apparently
struggle on crafting a research problem.
• Often they want to work towards solutions or
want to improve something, not even knowing
why there is a need for improvement.
• And many of the guides found on the web aren't
of help. They may only make sense to advanced
researcher or are biased by the target audience
such as pitching to funding agencies.
• So let’s try to get some of basics clear…

3. A Research Problem is NOT…
• A Solution.
• A Question.
• A Title.
• An Opinion or Speculation.
• An End Point.

4. • A situation that is broken.
• Shows cause and effect relationship(s).
• A short and precise sentence.
• Based on initial observations and evidence.
• The starting point of the research process.
• It might be all or none of the above.
…If you feel that something is not right, but still can’t tell what
it actually is, then that is fine as well – it just means that you
are still attempting to understand what the actual problem is.
It can be the focus and the end point of your doctoral studies…
A Research Problem is …

5. Example of a Research Problem
…now let’s dissect the problem statement to
better understand it ….
The organisation is showing a high
fluctuation rate as the leadership
team is lacking people management
skills.

6. The organisation is showing a high
fluctuation rate as the leadership
team is lacking people management
skills.
The above example research problem:
• is broken;
• a cause and effect relationship is in place, and
they are short and precise; and
• initial observations and evidence are mentioned.
Example of a Research Problem

7. Problem vs Research Problem
Not all problems are research problems.
There is a difference between a problem as
such and a problem to you.
While the problem to you might bother you, it
might not qualify as a research problem.
…so how does this translate into a research
problem?...

8. Problem vs Research Problem
If my company goes bankrupt, then this is my
problem, but it is not a problem as such.
The economic system has been designed in a
way that foresees bankruptcy.
So the situation is a problem to me, but it is
not a research problem as nothing is broken in
that situation.

9. A Research Problem is NOT a Solution
You are trained to work towards solutions.
You want and need solutions that work.
You understand that research is a structured
approach to solve problems and to developing
solutions.
But doing research keeps the focus on the
problem, the parts that are broken and
analyse why they are broken.

10. A Research Problem is NOT a Solution
You are expected to stay on the dark side: it is
broken and you are going to figure out why it is
broken.
The bright side is the way you would like it to be,
the desired end point.
BUT to (eventually) get there you need to keep
the focus on the problem.
After all, who tells you that there is a solution to
the problem?
eg: A 15% Return on Investment might turn out
to not be a desired end point, but an unrealistic
expectations…

11. You and Your Research Problem …
At the start you will likely not know what the
research problem is exactly.
As you focus on it and consult the literature,
the research problem will become clearer.
It becomes clearer as you find more literature
that looked at exactly the same situation from
numerous angles.

12. Research Problem: start or end point?
If the problem is relatively clear to you, the
research problem likely constitutes the
starting point.
If the problem is very vague. you might need
to focus your research on developing an
understanding about what the exact problem
is.
In this second case the research problem is
the end point of your research.

13. This is a Learning Journey: basics first
Many resources on problematizing and
problem statements suggest you consider
things that you simply don’t know.
At least not at this point in time.
How can you tell of the “significance” or the
background of an issue if you still haven’t fully
identified what the issue is, nor have you
looked into the literature.
Keep it simple and focus on defining the
problem first. ….all other things can wait.

14. Basics First and Beware of Guides
Many guides talk about goals, desired state,
value, vision, the ‘so what’, the 5W (Who,
What, Where, When, Why).
This might all be valid to some degree at a
later point in time, but…
This won’t help you much now.
You need to learn the basics of problematizing
and draft a clear problem statement first.

15. Don’t let others confuse you
“The statement of the problem should contain
at least these 6 items: (1) your methodology […],
(2) the methods you will use to collect data […]
(3) your participants[…], (4) where the study will
take place […] (5) what you are studying[…]”.
Source: Dr. Alecia Jackson, Dept. of LES, Appalachian State University,
http://www.appstate.edu/~jacksonay/rcoe/Writing%20the%20Problem%20Statement.doc
The above likely won’t help you much now. You
need to learn the basics of problematizing and to
draft a clear problem statement first.

16. …and don’t RUSH, take your time
Many doctoral students are quick to try and put
together their *** methods of choice.
They are quick to develop a questionnaire to use.
You need to FORGET about this for now.
Research is a very structured process – don’t try to
be creative.
Instead, identify relevant literature and understand
what methods have been used to produce the
respective results.
Then analyse what aspects of the literature can be
applied to your case, and what needs to change.

17. The organisation is showing a high
fluctuation rate as the leadership
team is lacking people management
skills.
The above is a clear example of a research problem as:
• It is broken;
• There is a clear cause and effect relationship in place,
and they are short and precise; and
• Initial observations and evidence are mentioned.
Remember the Research Problem Basics

18. Thank you
Andrea Meiszner, PhD
a.meiszner@doctoratehub.com

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