How to Write the Statement of the

Problem
• A Quick Guide
What are the goals of a statement of
the problem?
 The ultimate goal of a statement of the problem is to transform
a generalized problem (something that bothers you; a perceived
lack) into a targeted, well-defined problem; one that can be
resolved through focused research and careful decision-making.
 Writing a statement of the problem should help you clearly
identify the purpose of the research project you will propose.
 Often, the statement of the problem will also serve as the basis
for the introductory section of your final proposal, directing your
reader’s attention quickly to the issues that your proposed
project will address and providing the reader with a concise
statement of the proposed project itself.
Why the Research Problem Is
Important?
• It establishes the importance of the topic.

• It creates reader interest.

• It focuses the reader’s attention on how the

study will add to the literature.
What are the key characteristics of a
statement of the problem?
A good research problem should have the following
characteristics:
1. It should address a gap in knowledge.
2. It should be significant enough to contribute to the existing
body of research
3. It should lead to further research
4. The problem should render itself to investigation through
collection of data
5. It should be of interest to the researcher and suit his/her skills,
time, and resources
6. The approach towards solving the problem should be ethical
What is the format for writing a statement
of the problem?
• Part A (The ideal): Describes a desired goal or ideal situation;
explains how things should be.
• Part B (The reality): Describes a condition that prevents the
goal, state, or value in Part A from being achieved or realized
at this time; explains how the current situation falls short of
the goal or ideal.
• Part C (The consequences): Identifies the way you propose to
improve the current situation and move it closer to the goal or
ideal.
Example
Part A: According to the XY university mission statement, the university seeks to provide students with a
safe, healthy learning environment. Dormitories are one important aspect of that learning environment,
since 55% of XY students live in campus dorms and most of these students spend a significant amount of
time working in their dorm rooms.

However,

Part B: Students living in dorms A B C, and D currently do not have air conditioning units, and during the
hot seasons, it is common for room temperatures to exceed 80 degrees F. Many students report that they
are unable to do homework in their dorm rooms. Others report having problems sleeping because of the
humidity and temperature. The rooms are not only unhealthy, but they inhibit student productivity and
academic achievement.

Part C: In response to this problem, our study proposes to investigate several options for making the dorms
more hospitable. We plan to carry out an all-inclusive participatory investigation into options for purchasing
air conditioners (university-funded; student-subsidized) and different types of air conditioning systems. We
will also consider less expensive ways to mitigate some or all of the problems noted above (such as creating
climate-controlled dorm lounges and equipping them with better study areas and computing space).
Four-step guide to writing a statement
of the problem
• Step 1 (Statement 1): Describe a goal or desired state of a given situation,
phenomenon etc. This will build the ideal situation (what should be, what
is expected or desired)
• Step 2 (Statement 2): Describe a condition that prevents the goal, state,
or value discussed in Step 1 from being achieved or realized at the
present time. This will build the reality or the situation as it is and
establish a gap between what ought to be and what is.
• Step 3: Connect steps 1 and 2 using a connecting term such as "but,"
"however," “unfortunately,” or “in spite of.”
• Step 4 (Statement 3): Using specific details, show how the situation in
step 2 contains little promise of improvement unless something is done.
Then emphasize the benefits of research by projecting the consequences
of possible solutions.
Example 2
Step 1 (Statement 1)
The government of Kenya has a goal to industrialize the nation by the year 2030 (quote). In
this regard it has encouraged growth-oriented micro and small enterprises (MSEs) that should
graduate into medium and large enterprises capable of contributing to the industrialization
goal. There are several sessional papers (quote/cite) that contain specific measures to
encourage and support MSEs.

Step 2 and 3 (Statement 2)

Despite the said government efforts, there is slow growth of micro into small enterprises and
even slower growth of small into medium scale enterprises (quote, show statistics). The
government has officially acknowledged that there exists a “missing middle” in Kenya meaning
that there is a gap between small and large enterprises in the country (cite, quote).

Step 4 (Statement 3)
Should the “missing middle” gap persist, the industrialization goal may be difficult to achieve.
A need therefore arises to investigate why there is a persistent “missing middle” despite
government efforts.
Example 3
Statement 1
In order to accomplish their missions, public universities need motivated workforces.

Statement 2
There are, however, frequent and severe disciplinary actions, absenteeism, as well as
various forms of unrest in public universities which affect the accomplishment of the
set missions. Our preliminary investigation reveals that both non-management and
management staff are under motivated.

Statement 3
Without effective motivational packages and procedures, the said vices are likely to
continue and retard the achievement of the universities’ missions.

Thus, there is a need to examine the public universities’ motivation systems and
procedures, which is the aim of the proposed research.
Example 4
Statement 1
The Ministry of Youth is dedicated to allocating enterprise development funds to both the youth and
women. These funds are made available in order to start entrepreneurial ventures that create and expand
employment. (Provide relevant statistics and quote)

Statement 2
One of the main focuses of the ministry is consistency. Unfortunately, consistency in allocating funds to the
next generation of recipients requires prior knowledge of previous allocations and established practices.
The current continuous disbursement method does not allow for adequate analysis of previous
disbursements before a current disbursement is done.

Statement 3
Continuing with this current disbursement method prevents consistency and causes decisions to become
grossly political, which in turn inhibits the achievement of the goals of the funds. Developing a more
informed disbursement system could help better implement the consistency focus of the ministry and at
the same time help the ministry better monitor and evaluate its funds.

This proposed research aspires to explore options for a new funds disbursement system that would focus
on consistency. To do this, the researcher will carry out a full stakeholder analysis and use it to propose
appropriate policy interventions.
Or use a template
There is a problem in ­______________________(e.g.
organization or situation where problem is occurring). Despite
___________________________(efforts to prevent or deter),
_____________________(something undesirable or
unexpected) is occurring (provide evidence). This problem has
negatively affected_____________(victims of the problem)
because_____________________________. A possible cause of
this problem is ___________________________. Perhaps a
study which investigates_________________ by a
___________(paradigm/method) could help resolve the
situation.
Example 5
An established trend in the small business start-up financing in Kenya is to establish funds. Some of
these funds include the youth fund and women fund. These funds have helped improve the rate of
start-ups in the country. However, after the start-up stage, the ventures start developing problems.
First, they face problems in management which lead to a marketing problem and eventually to
stagnation and early exit.

A study by the Institute of Development Studies (RoK, 2004) revealed that only 38% of the businesses
are expanding while 58% have not added workers. According to the survey, more enterprises are likely
to close in their first three years of operation. Four years later the same institute conducted another
study in Central Kenya. This study revealed that 57% of small businesses are in stagnation with only
33% of them showing some level of growth.

In our current project, we propose to examine factors that have an impact on small business
sustainability. We will employ both qualitative and quantitative approaches to gather both primary
and secondary data and information with the objective of determining success factors for the growth
of small business in Kenya.

Specifically, we shall employ the product life cycle (PLC) model to identify the needs of a small
business at the various stages of the PLC.
References
• https://www.editage.com/insights/the-basics-of-writing-a-
statement-of-the-problem-for-your-research-proposal
• https://www.projectguru.in/publications/write-problem-
statement-research-paper/