A problem statement is a clear concise description of the issue(s) that need(s) to be addressed by a problem solving team. Issue Statement – one or two sentences that describe the problem using specific issues. It is not a “lack of a solution” statement. For example, our problem is that we don’t have an ERP system.

A problem statement concisely details a vision and method that will be used to solve a problem. A problem statement should: Be clear and specific. Discuss potential problems for the writer/researcher.

A research problem is a statement about an area of concern, a condition to be improved, a difficulty to be eliminated, or a troubling question that exists in scholarly literature, in theory, or in practice that points to the need for meaningful understanding and deliberate investigation.

The Key Elements of a Dissertation Problem Statement:

1. Give some brief background information. A few sentences to help the reader understand the context of the problem.
2. State the general research problem.
3. Establish relevancy.
4. Specific Problem Statement.
5. Conclusion and transition.

A problem statement is usually one or two sentences to explain the problem your process improvement project will address. In general, a problem statement will outline the negative points of the current situation and explain why this matters.

the problem itself, stated clearly and with enough contextual detail to establish why it is important; the method of solving the problem, often stated as a claim or a working thesis; the purpose, statement of objective and scope of the document the writer is preparing.

Characteristics of a good thesis research problem 1 The problem can be stated clearly and concisely. 2 The problem generates research questions. 3 It is grounded in theory. 4 It relates to one or more academic fields of study.

The problem statement should address not only what the problem is, but why it’s a problem and why it’s important to solve it. You may also consider including what attempts have already been made to solve the problem and why they didn’t work out.

A problem statement should describe an undesirable gap between the current-state level of performance and the desired future-state level of performance. A problem statement should include absolute or relative measures of the problem that quantify that gap, but should not include possible causes or solutions!

A good problem statement must be clear, concise and unambiguous without solutions or blame. Articulating an effective problem statement is a critical business skill. No team can begin to efficiently and consistently solve problems if they are unable to adequately describe them.

A problem statement should be concise and include the following:

1. A brief description of the problem and the metric used to describe the problem.
2. Where the problem is occurring by process name and location.
3. The time frame over which the problem has been occurring.
4. The size or magnitude of the problem.

Action Steps:

1. Don’t be fooled by large amounts of data.
2. Dive below the surface to understand the system that underlies the problem.
3. Widen your focus.
4. Define the boundaries of the problem.
5. Identify causes, effects, and key stakeholders.
6. Analyze future developments.

Understanding the problems, opportunities and its importance when initiating change projects

1. What problems do you want resolved?
2. What does it affect and when?
3. What is the impact and the size of the impact?
4. What would a successful solution look like?
5. What opportunities do you want the project to achieve?

Effective problem solving is one of the key attributes that separate great leaders from average ones.

1. Step 1: Identify the Problem.
2. Step 2: Analyze the Problem.
3. Step 3: Describe the Problem.
4. Step 4: Look for Root Causes.
5. Step 5: Develop Alternate Solutions.
6. Step 6: Implement the Solution.
7. Step 7: Measure the Results.

Problem-solving is important both to individuals and organizations because it enables us to exert control over our environment. Problem-solving gives us a mechanism for identifying these things, figuring out why they are broken and determining a course of action to fix them.

How to Solve Life Problems

1. 1) TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR PROBLEM. Okay, something unexpected just happened, and you now have this big problem on your hands.
2. 2) AVOID MAKING ASSUMPTIONS.
3. 3) TURN YOUR PROBLEM INTO A QUESTION.
4. 4) SEEK ALTERNATIVE PERSPECTIVES.
5. 5) THINK IN PICTURES.
6. 6) PONDER OVER YOUR PROBLEM.

Solving problems means making choices. Typically, effective problem-solving skills result in “happier, more confident, and more independent” individuals. When children tackle problems on their own, or in a group, they become resilient. They learn to look at challenges from a fresh perspective.

Some key problem-solving skills include:

• Active listening.
• Analysis.
• Research.
• Creativity.
• Communication.
• Dependability.
• Decision making.
• Team-building.

Effective problem solvers share ten common characteristics.

• They have an “attitude”!
• They re-define the problem.
• They have a system.
• They avoid the experience trap.
• They consider every position as though it were their own.
• They recognize conflict as often a prerequisite to solution.
• They listen to their intuition.

Here are 5 methods you can follow to sharpen your problem-solving skills:

1. Question the Problem Repeatedly with “Why?” To solve a problem, you need first to define it.
2. Draw a Mind Map to Visualize the Problem.
3. List All Possible Solutions.
4. Always be Willing to Learn.
5. Give Your Brain a Good Workout with Puzzles & Brainteasers.

Steps of the research process

• Step 1: Identify the Problem.
• Step 2: Review the Literature.
• Step 3: Clarify the Problem.
• Step 4: Clearly Define Terms and Concepts.
• Step 5: Define the Population.
• Step 6: Develop the Instrumentation Plan.
• Step 7: Collect Data.
• Step 8: Analyze the Data.

The first step in formulating an linear programming problem is to understand the managerial problem being faced i.e., determine the quantities that are needed to solve the problem.

The Seven Steps of the Research Process

• Step 1: Identify and Develop Your Topic.
• Step 2: Find Background Information.
• Step 3: Use Catalogs to Find Books and Media.
• Step 4: Use Databases to Find Journal Articles.
• Step 5: Find Internet Resources.
• Step 6: Evaluate What You Find.
• Step 7: Cite What You Find Using a Standard Format.

Criteria in selecting a good research problem. The researcher should have interest in the problem area viii. The selected topic should be within the researchers knowledge and skills ix. The selected problem should be of theoretical importance and fill gaps in literature x.

Elements of a Good Research Question

• Specific: Not a “fishing expedition”
• Measurable: Testable (statistically)
• Attainable: Something that “you” can do.
• Realistic:
• Timely:
• Important.
• Meaningful whether the answer is “Yes” or “No.”

Common Research Problems

• Growing Pressure for Positive Results. Science is a competitive field.
• Sloppy Lab Work. Labs can often be messy and chaotic.
• Fraudulent Findings. Alarmingly, the pressure to produce prestigious research has led a number of scientists to simply fake results or plagiarize from other researchers.

5 Common errors in the research process

• Population Specification. Population specification errors occur when the researcher does not understand who they should survey.
• Sampling and Sample Frame Errors.
• Selection.
• Non-responsive.
• Measurement.

However, research problems are of three types: descriptive (pertains to issues which need studying), relational (research questions which focus on the relationship between two or more factors), and causal research (problems that look at cause and effect).

Potential Sources of Error in Research Designs Total Error Random Non-sampling Sampling Error Error Response Non-response Error Error Researcher Interviewer Respondent Error Error Error Surrogate Information Error Respondent Selection Error Inability Error Measurement Error Questioning Error Unwillingness Error …

Clarity is important because it helps you as well as the readers in knowing the research. For you, clarity means ease in conducting the research. A clear and precise research question helps you in avoiding ambiguities in the later stages of the research.

Three Sources of Research Problems

• Knowledge gaps.
• Omitted groups.
• Conflicting findings.

A research problem helps you formulate that sequence. Research problem also helps you avoid unnecessary steps during the research. A research problem can help you identify each and every step of the research process: the study design, sampling strategy, research instrument and research analysis.

You can identify a research problem by reading recent research, theory and debates on your topic to find a gap in what is currently known about it. You might look for: A phenomenon or context that has not been closely studied. A contradiction between two or more perspectives.

Problem identification requires the use of an appropriate measure or assessment tool to determine whether a problem (i.e., discrepancy) exists. For example, to determine whether a reading problem exists, an oral reading measure may be used to calculate a student’s reading rate and accuracy.

Type 1 error, in statistical hypothesis testing, is the error caused by rejecting a null hypothesis when it is true. Type II error is the error that occurs when the null hypothesis is accepted when it is not true.