In this lesson, Jessica helps you clarify what a research problem is and is not. Find out why writing a draft of your problem statement is important as you plan to craft a well-written literature review. Learn to identify and understand the function of the three components of a well-written problem statement: Context, Knowledge Gap, and Significance.

• Context refers to the background, environment, or setting in which a particular event or concept exists. In research and academic writing, understanding and conveying the context is vital, especially when framing a research problem statement.

• Knowledge Gap refers to the unexplored or under-explored areas in a particular field of study. It's an aspect or area where insufficient information or understanding exists, hindering progress or clarity. Identifying the knowledge gap helps in focusing the research on what is not known or not well understood, providing direction and purpose to the literature review. 

• Significance refers to the importance or relevance of the research problem in a broader academic, societal, or practical context. It explains why the problem is worth investigating and highlights the potential impact or contribution of the research. Understanding the significance helps in aligning the research with broader goals and emphasizes the value of addressing the identified problem.

Start to embrace a problem-posing mentality as you become an expert on the research problem you plan to address.

Use the below companion to the problem statement video to reflect and capture important concepts from this video.