Is it problem statement or statement of the problem?
First things first – what is a problem. A problem may be defined as a perceived gap between theexisting state and a desired state, or a deviation from a norm, standard, or status quo. Althoughmany problems turn out to have several solutions (the means to close the gap or correct thedeviation), difficulties arise where such means are either not obvious or are not immediately
available. This then necessitates some research to reach to a viable solution.
One school of thought is that a problem statement is used in consultancy or project work i.e. byorganizations or research teams to describe an issue or issues that need to be addressed by aproblem solving team e.g. a project team, a consultancy team etc. The problem statement isnormally presented to the research or consultancy team before the team tries to solve the problem.
Another school of thought is that a statement of the problem is used in research work as a claimthat outlines the problem addressed by a study. The statement of the problem briefly addresses thequestion: What is the problem that the research will address?
Research is a systematic investigative process employed to increase or revise current knowledge
by discovering new facts. It can be divided into two general categories: (1) Basic research is
inquiry aimed at increasing scientific knowledge, and (2) Applied research is effort aimed at using
basic research for solving problems or developing new processes, products, or techniques.
On the other hand consultancy is the practice or profession of giving expert advice, especiallywithin a particular field. Research might be needed to arrive at an advice.
The closeness and overlaps between research (and especially applied research) and consultancy
explains why the two terminologies statement of the problem and problem statement are often
used interchangeably. This is particularly when the research in question is applied research (asopposed to basic) which has the objective of offering practical solutions for the given problem inquestion.
HOW TO WRITE A STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM IN FOUR STEPS
What is the goal of a statement of problem?
The ultimate goal of a problem statement is to transform a generalized problem (something thatbothers you; a perceived lack) into a targeted, well-defined problem; one that can be resolved
through focused research and careful decision-making.
Writing a Problem Statement should help you clearly identify the purpose of the project you willpropose. Often, the Problem Statement will also serve as the basis for the introductory section ofyour 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.
A statement problem need not be long and windy. One page is more than enough for a goodstatement of problem.

What are the key characteristics of a statement of problem?
A good research problem should at minimum:
1.

Address a gap

2.

be significant enough to contribute to the existing body of research3.

be one that will lead to more research4.

renter itself to be investigated via collection of data5.

be interesting to the researcher and suit his/her skills, time and resources6.

be ethicalWhat is the format (parts of a problem statement)?
A persuasive problem statement consists of three parts: 1) the ideal, 2) the reality, and 3) theconsequences.
1.

Part A- the ideal: Describes a desired goal or ideal situation; explains how things shouldbe.

2.

Part B - the reality: Describes a condition that prevents the goal, state, or value in PartA from being achieved or realized at this time; explains how the current situation falls shortof the goal or ideal.

3.

Part C - the consequences: Identifies the way you propose to improve the current situationand move it closer to the goal or ideal.

Here are your simple four steps to write a statement problem
Step 1 (statement 1)
Construct statement 1 by describing a goal or desired state of a given situation, phenomenon etc.
This will build the ideal situation (what should be, what is expected, desired)
Step 2 (statement 2)
Describe a condition that prevents the goal, state, or value discussed in step 1 from being achievedor realized at the present time. This will build the reality, the situation as it is and establish a gap
between what ought to be and what is
Step 3Connect steps 1 and 2 using a 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 consequencesof possible solutions as well.
ExamplesExample 1Part 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 ofthat learning environment, since 55% of XY students live in campus dorms and most of thesestudents 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, andduring 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 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 typesof 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 themwith better study areas and computing space).
Example 2
STEP 1 (statement 1)
The government of Kenya has a goal to industrialize 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 evenslower 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).

STATEMENT 3
Should the “missing middle” gap persist then the industrialization goal may be difficult to achieve.
Need therefore arises to investigate why despite government efforts there is a persistent “missingmiddle”.

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 unrests in public universities which affect the accomplishment of the set missions. Our
preliminary investigation reveals that both non-management and management staff are notadequately motivated.
STATEMENT 3
Without effective motivational packages and procedures the said vices are likely to continue andretard the achievement of the universities’ missions
Need arises to examine the public universities’ motivation systems and procedures hence this
proposed research
Example 4
STATEMENT 1
The Ministry of Youth is dedicated to allocating enterprise development funds to both the youthand women. These funds are made available in order to start entrepreneurial ventures that createand 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 andestablished 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 tobecome 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.
STATEMENT 4This 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.
ANOTHER APPROACH
A simple problem statement writing template
There is a problem in------------------------------ (e.g. organization). Despite ------------------------(something should be happening) ------------------ (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 remedy the situation.

A simple problem statement sample
An established trend in the small business start-up financing in Kenya is to establish funds. Someof these funds include the youth fund and women fund. These funds have helped to improve therate of start-ups in the country. However, after the start-up stage the ventures start getting
problems. First, they face the problem of management which leads to a marketing problem andeventually to stagnation and early exit.
A study by the Institute of development studies (RoK, 2004) revealed that only 38% of thebusinesses are expanding while 58% have not added workers. According to the survey, moreenterprises are most 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 impact on small business sustainability.
We will employ both qualitative and quantitative approaches to gather both primary and secondarydata and information with the objective of determining small business growth success factors.
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.