How to write a research problem statement: method and example

"Your research problem is not clear." It is probably supervisors' most frequent remark, and for good reason: the research problem is the heart of the thesis. It explains why your research exists and what it wants to find out. Here is a 5-step method to write it, with a complete example.

In short: the research problem is the text that starts from an observation, summarizes what studies say, shows what is missing and leads to a precise research question. It is written in 5 steps: observation, state of knowledge, gap, research question, then objectives and hypotheses.

Research problem vs. research question: what is the difference?

• The research problem is a text (usually one to three pages) that starts from an observation and shows what is problematic and what we do not know yet.

• The research question is the interrogative sentence that ends this text.

In other words: the research problem is the road, the research question is the destination.

Step 1: start from an observation

Start with an observable fact, quantified if possible. For example: "In Morocco, young people increasingly shop online, and many small brands advertise on Instagram." Support each observation with a reliable source: official reports, published studies, data from your host company.

Step 2: show what studies say

Summarize in a few paragraphs what the literature has already shown on the topic. You do not need to cite everything: 5 to 10 well-chosen references are enough in the research problem. The details go in the theoretical framework.

Step 3: identify the gap

This is the step that makes the difference. Show what remains unclear or little studied:

• the phenomenon has been studied elsewhere, but rarely in Morocco;

• studies focus on other populations (adults, large companies…);

• existing results contradict each other;

• an important factor has not been taken into account.

A sentence like "However, few studies have examined…" often marks this passage.

Step 4: formulate the research question

A good research question is:

• clear: an outside reader understands it without explanation;

• precise: it names the population, the place and the variables;

• feasible: you can answer it with your resources and deadline;

• open: it cannot be answered with yes or no (prefer "To what extent…", "How…", "What factors…").

Two before / after examples:

• Avoid: "Is Instagram effective?" Better: "To what extent do Instagram ads influence the purchase intention of students in Kenitra?"

• Avoid: "How can care be improved?" Better: "What factors explain the satisfaction of surgical inpatients at the regional hospital?"

Step 5: derive objectives and hypotheses

The research question breaks down into:

• a general objective: "To study the influence of Instagram ads on students' purchase intention."

• measurable specific objectives: "To measure students' attitude toward Instagram ads", "To identify the factors linked to purchase intention"…

• hypotheses, if your study is explanatory: "H1: The perceived credibility of the ad has a positive effect on purchase intention."

Each hypothesis must be testable with your data. If you use SPSS or SmartPLS, think now about the test you will use.

Example research problem (condensed)

Social media plays a growing role in brand communication in Morocco, and Instagram is particularly popular among young people. Several studies have shown that social media advertising can influence attitudes and purchasing behavior (references). However, this work mainly concerns European or Asian contexts, and few studies have focused on Moroccan students, a highly connected audience with limited purchasing power. One question therefore arises: to what extent do Instagram ads influence the purchase intention of students in Kenitra?

Mistakes to avoid

• Starting with generalities unrelated to the topic ("Since the dawn of time…").

• Asking several different main research questions.

• Asking a question you already know the answer to.

• Forgetting the link between the question, the objectives and the questionnaire.

• Writing the research problem without any reference.

The research problem of a final-year project: what is different?

In a company final-year project, the starting point is not a gap in the studies but a concrete problem of the host organization: delivery times that are too long, a high complaint rate, unreliable budget monitoring. The research problem then follows this path:

• the context of the company and the department;

• the dysfunction observed, quantified if possible;

• its consequences for the company;

• the question the project answers.

Example: "How can order processing times be reduced in the logistics department of company X?" For the full report structure, see our final-year project report example.

Research problem, introduction and literature review: how do they fit together?

The research problem relies on the literature review, which provides the studies cited in steps 2 and 3. It is then summarized in the general introduction: see writing the introduction and conclusion. To place this step in the whole project, read our dissertation guide.

Frequently asked questions

How long should a research problem be?

For bachelor's and master's theses, one to three pages depending on the guidelines. What matters is the logic of the reasoning, not the length.

Are hypotheses mandatory?

No. A descriptive or exploratory qualitative study can be limited to objectives. Hypotheses are expected in explanatory studies.

When should I write the research problem?

A first version at the beginning, after choosing the topic (see how to choose your topic), then a final version once the theoretical framework is complete.

How do I know if my research problem is good?

Test it: after reading it, an outside reader should be able to say what you are studying, with whom, and why it is useful. If your supervisor approves it and your questionnaire follows directly from the question, you are on the right track.

Get your research problem validated

At Data Académique, we review and rework your research problem, objectives and hypotheses with you, then support you through the whole methodology. Discover our thesis and final-year project support or message us on WhatsApp.