Formulating a Problem Statement: Guide for Your Thesis

Q: Where does the problem statement go in a bachelor's thesis?

The problem statement appears in the introduction, typically after the lead-in to the topic and before the research question. It serves as the link between the general contextualization of the topic and the specific question of your thesis.

Q: How long should the problem statement be?

The problem statement usually spans half a paragraph to a full paragraph in the introduction. It must be long enough to present the problem clearly and justify its relevance, but concise enough not to overwhelm the reader. Two to five sentences is a good benchmark.

February 1, 2026·2 min read

David BorgerFounder & CEO

The problem statement forms the foundation of your bachelor's thesis. It describes which scientific problem you are investigating and why it is relevant. Without a clear problem statement, your thesis lacks justification — the reader does not understand why your investigation is even necessary. In this guide, we show you what makes a good problem statement, how to formulate it, and which mistakes to avoid.

What Is a Problem Statement?

The problem statement describes a gap, a contradiction, or an unresolved issue in the current state of research. It shows that there is a need for action in a particular area — whether due to missing knowledge, contradictory study results, or new developments that challenge previous assumptions. The problem statement typically appears in the introduction of your thesis and serves as a bridge between the topic and your research question.

Structure of a Problem Statement

A convincing problem statement follows a clear structure. Begin with the broader context of your topic and guide the reader step by step toward the specific problem. A funnel structure works well here: from the general to the specific.

Example

The digitalization of higher education experienced an unprecedented acceleration through the COVID-19 pandemic. While many universities completely transitioned to digital formats, empirical evidence on whether and to what extent this transition affects learning outcomes remains scarce. Previous studies predominantly focus on student satisfaction rather than measurable performance differences. This research gap is problematic, as universities are currently making fundamental decisions about the future design of their teaching formats — without a solid data foundation.

Establish context — Situate the topic within a larger framework and demonstrate its relevance.
Outline the state of research — Summarize what is already known and what findings exist.
Identify the research gap — Show what has not yet been researched, remains unclear, or is contradictory.
Justify the relevance — Explain why it is important to close this gap.
Transition to the research question — Derive your concrete research question from the problem.

Example Phrasings

For context: "Digitalization has fundamentally changed the way companies communicate with customers." For the research gap: "Despite numerous studies on online communication, it remains unclear which strategies are particularly effective in the B2B sector." For relevance: "This knowledge gap is of practical significance, as companies increasingly rely on data-driven communication strategies." With myessay.io, you can embed your problem statement directly into your outline and ensure it transitions logically to your research question.

Problem Statement vs. Research Question

Many students confuse the problem statement with the research question. The problem statement describes the overarching problem or knowledge gap — it is a description of a condition. The research question, by contrast, is the concrete question you formulate based on the problem statement and intend to answer through your investigation. Simply put: the problem statement explains the "why," the research question explains the "what."

Conclusion

A clearly formulated problem statement shows the examiner that you understand your topic and that your investigation has a legitimate reason. Take the time to carefully work out the research gap and convincingly present its relevance. A strong problem statement makes the rest of your thesis significantly easier.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where does the problem statement go in a bachelor's thesis?

How long should the problem statement be?