What is a problem statement?

The article "What is a Problem Statement?" by Peter Hernon and Candy Schwartz explores the frequent shortcomings and confusion surrounding problem statements in research, particularly within the social sciences and library and information science disciplines. The authors observe that many manuscripts lack clear problem statements or present incomplete versions, which confuses the purpose, objectives, and scope of the study. This problem often results in poorly structured research that lacks focus and fails to engage readers. Hernon and Schwartz point to prior research by Hernon and Metoyer-Duran, who identified nine essential attributes of a well-written problem statement, including clarity, precision, the importance of the research question, avoidance of jargon, and the significance of the study to its field. These attributes aim to ensure that the problem statement is not only clear but also meaningful and manageable for the researcher and relevant to the audience.

The article then introduces Dr. David Clark's four-component framework for crafting a problem statement, which Hernon and Schwartz endorse. This framework consists of a lead-in that sets the research context, a declaration of originality that identifies a gap in the existing research, a focus that clarifies what the study will examine, and an explanation of the study's significance. The last component is particularly important, as it should address the "so what" question, explaining the study's relevance and potential contributions. To illustrate this structure, the authors provide an example of a succinct, three-sentence problem statement, demonstrating how each component interlocks to create a cohesive rationale for the research.

Hernon and Schwartz conclude that a strong problem statement is the foundation of a research paper, forming the basis on which all other sections are built. Without this clarity, subsequent parts of a study may appear disjointed or lack clear direction. The authors advocate for better guidance in research methodology texts to address these recurring issues and encourage researchers to prioritize problem statement development. This, they argue, would improve the quality and impact of research in the social sciences, enhancing the value of academic contributions to the field.

Reference:

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lisr.2007.06.001