Problem analysis for your thesis

Making a problem analysis (also known as 'problem orientation') is crucial when writing a thesis. In it, you will explore the problem that your thesis focuses on. The problem analysis forms the basis of your problem statement and objective, among other things. Additionally, a good problem analysis allows you to come up with the right research questions. How do you write a good problem analysis?

A problem analysis is a comprehensive investigation into the background of your chosen issue. This allows you to delve further into it for your thesis. 

The problem analysis is usually not a concrete paragraph in your thesis. However, you often include parts of it in your introduction and theoretical framework. You use your problem analysis to describe the reason for your thesis, determine your research question and to describe the literature in the theoretical framework.

Note that 'problem' does not always mean a problematic situation that you have to solve. For college theses, it usually refers to an issue from practice and for university theses, it refers to a theoretical issue you have to find an answer to. This answer can sometimes contribute to the solution of a broader problem.

Are you going to do a problem analysis? Then go through the following steps:

1. Map out the context. To do so, look at the organisation or group of people among whom the problem exists. What developments play a role? Does this also play a role in other places? You can use the DESTEP method to properly analyse this.

2. Study literature. What is already written about this topic in the literature? What solutions might have already been offered? What were their results? 

3. Engage with people. For practical theses, you often engage in conversation with people from the organisation itself. In the case of theoretical theses, for example, you will talk to the target group, researchers in the field or people who experience the problem in practice. This way, you gain additional knowledge about the subject. 

4. Demarcate your topic. Make your thesis topic as concrete and specific as possible. The SMART method can help you do this. 

5. Define the relevance. Why is it relevant to society, to science and/or to practice for you to research this? Map this out as comprehensively as possible. For example, describe what it will mean for society if you solve this issue.

6. Write down your problem analysis appropriately. You do this in the introduction or theoretical framework of your thesis. This includes the reason for your research and its relevance. You end with a problem statement and a research objective. 

For a theoretical issue, the problem analysis might look like this:

Your research topic is 'the influence of coffee on students' concentration during the day'. To familiarize yourself with this topic and to further demarcate your topic, you will delve into questions such as:

• What is already known about the relationship between coffee and concentration? 

• What does caffeine do to the brain? 

• How much coffee do students drink on average? 

• What issues might students run into when using coffee? 

• What else affects student concentration? 

You cite the answers to those questions in the problem analysis.

Once you have formulated the problem analysis, it is time to determine the research questions. This involves a main question and sub-questions. These should also be as concrete and specific as possible. Wondering how to draw up good research questions? We are happy to give you practical tips on how to come up with a strong research question.