a line or two. The rest of the paragraph(s) is its elaboration, discussing a possible solution and most importantly, why it is a problem that needs urgent attention (cite scholarly references). The problem must generate questions for the researcher to answer. (Qais, 2012).

A PhD thesis problem statement must seek to answer the following questions:
1. What is the problem?
2. Where is the problem?

3. How can the problem be solved?
4. Why do you want to solve the problem?
5. Is the problem a current issue?
6. Will the problem persist if it is not solved?
7. Who are affected adversely by the problem?
8. Will this problem prove or disprove existing knowledge?
In short, the problem statement describes an existing issue which is so grave that it must be addressed. Generate questions about your problem statement and try to answer those questions to prove or disprove your research problem. Hence, the research problem is the main part of any scientific enquiry. (Jacobs & Ronald, 2013).