How to Write a Problem Statement (With Examples)

The problem statement is the heart of your proposal and Chapter 1. If it is clear, everything else becomes easier to justify. If it is vague, the board will send your synopsis back.

What a problem statement is (and is not)

It is a short, evidence-based description of a specific issue that needs research. It is not a general topic, a list of objectives, or a personal opinion.

The three-part formula

1. The ideal — how things should be (supported by policy, theory or goals).
2. The reality — what is actually happening, with recent figures or studies.
3. The consequence and gap — why it matters and what is still unknown.

Example

Ideal: Universities aim for students to complete their degrees on time with strong academic performance.
Reality: Recent studies report that a large share of university students regularly delay academic tasks, and procrastination has been linked with heavy smartphone and social media use.
Consequence and gap: Procrastination is associated with lower grades and higher stress, yet little research has examined the role of Instagram use among university students in South Punjab. Therefore, this study examines the effect of Instagram use on academic procrastination among university students in Bahawalpur.

Checklist

• ✅ One clear issue, not three
• ✅ Supported by recent sources (ideally last 5 years)
• ✅ Mentions the population and context
• ✅ Shows the gap in one sentence
• ✅ Ends with a purpose sentence: “Therefore, this study…”
• ✅ 150–300 words

Common mistakes

• Starting with “Nowadays…” and staying general for a whole page.
• Writing the solution (“the government should…”) instead of the problem.
• Using no evidence, or very old statistics.
• A problem that does not match the title and objectives.

Write it, then ask a friend outside your field to read it. If they can explain your problem back to you in one sentence, it is ready.

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