Md Abdul Wahab Juardar
Snl news 24.com
Date: 29th October,2025
Abstact : A dissertation’s problem statement and literature review form the foundation of a research study, guiding its direction, purpose, and scholarly relevance.The problem statement clearly identifies the core issue that the study seeks to address, highlighting gaps or inconsistencies in existing knowledge.It ensures that the research is significant, focused and feasible .The literature review complements this by critically analyzing previous studies, theories and findings to establish the research context .A well developed problem statement and literature review not only justify the study’s need but also demonstrate the researchers understanding of the topic , laying a solid groundwork for subsequent methodology and analysis in the dissertation process.
Introduction: A dissertation represents the pinnacle of academic inquiry — a structured, systematic, and original investigation into a research problem. At its core, the dissertation is built upon two foundational components: the problem statement and the literature review. These sections not only introduce and justify the research focus but also demonstrate the researcher’s understanding of the field, identify existing gaps, and set the stage for the research design. Without a clear problem statement, the study lacks direction; without a rigorous literature review, it lacks context and credibility. Together, they form the intellectual framework of the dissertation.
This essay explores the nature, function, and structure of both the dissertation’s problem statement and the literature review. It discusses their interrelationship, their contribution to the research process, and best practices for developing them according to contemporary academic standards. Examples are drawn from various disciplines to illustrate their universal importance in scholarly research.
Understanding the Dissertation as a Research Process
A dissertation is more than a long essay; it is a carefully designed research project that demonstrates a student’s ability to conduct independent scholarly inquiry. It requires identifying a significant issue, engaging with relevant theories and evidence, and generating insights that advance knowledge or practice (Creswell & Creswell, 2018). Within this process, the problem statement defines what the researcher seeks to understand, while the literature review situates that problem within the broader field. These two sections serve as the foundation upon which the research design, data collection, and analysis are constructed.
The Dissertation Problem Statement
Definition and Purpose
The problem statement articulates the central issue that the dissertation seeks to address. It identifies what is not yet known, understood, or adequately solved in the existing body of knowledge. In simple terms, the problem statement defines the “what” and “why” of the research — what issue exists, why it matters, and for whom it is a problem (Roberts & Hyatt, 2019).
A strong problem statement serves several purposes:
- Focus – It narrows the scope of the study to a specific and manageable issue.
- Significance – It justifies why the issue is worth studying.
- Context – It links the problem to the relevant field or practice.
- Feasibility – It ensures that the problem can realistically be addressed through research.
As the foundation of the dissertation, the problem statement guides every subsequent decision — from the formulation of research questions to the choice of methodology and analysis.
Characteristics of an Effective Problem Statement
An effective problem statement should be:
- Clear and concise, avoiding vague or overly broad terms.
- Researchable, meaning it can be investigated through data collection and analysis.
- Grounded in literature, supported by existing evidence showing that the issue is real and relevant.
- Significant, addressing a meaningful gap or challenge.
According to Creswell and Creswell (2018), a well-crafted problem statement has both practical and theoretical dimensions: it should be anchored in theory while also connected to real-world implications.
A common structure for a problem statement includes:
- General context – Introducing the topic area and its importance.
- Evidence of the problem – Presenting what is currently known and what is lacking.
- Consequence of not addressing the problem – Highlighting the gap’s implications.
- Need for the study – Explaining why this specific research is necessary.
The Literature Review in the Dissertation
Definition and Purpose
The literature review is a critical examination of existing research and theory relevant to the problem statement. Its main purpose is to situate the study within the current body of knowledge, showing what has been discovered, where inconsistencies or gaps exist, and how the new study contributes to resolving them (Booth, Sutton, & Papaioannou, 2016).
In a dissertation, the literature review performs several crucial functions:
- Provides context for the problem statement.
- Establishes theoretical and conceptual frameworks.
- Demonstrates scholarly competence.
- Identifies methodological trends and limitations.
- Justifies the originality and relevance of the research.
A well-developed literature review demonstrates that the researcher has critically engaged with the field — understanding not only what is known, but also how knowledge has been produced.
Structure and Organization
The structure of the literature review depends on the discipline and the nature of the study, but most reviews are organized either thematically, chronologically, or methodologically.
- A thematic structure groups studies according to shared ideas or constructs (e.g., “student engagement,” “digital tools,” “teacher competency”).
- A chronological structure traces the evolution of ideas over time.
- A methodological structure examines differences in research design and approaches.
Each approach should end with a synthesis that connects the findings to the dissertation’s specific problem statement.
Critical vs. Descriptive Review
A common misconception is that a literature review is simply a summary of past studies. In fact, it must go beyond description to critical analysis — evaluating the quality, consistency, and relevance of previous findings (Randolph, 2009).
A descriptive review merely lists what others have done; a critical review interprets how and why those findings matter. For instance, instead of stating, “Several studies have examined student motivation,” a critical reviewer might argue, “While previous research links motivation to academic success, most studies rely on self-report surveys, limiting causal inference.”
Critical analysis also involves identifying patterns, contradictions, and gaps — the points where the proposed study will intervene.
The Literature Review as a Justification
The literature review leads logically to the justification for the study. Summarizing what is known and unknown, it provides the rationale for why the research problem deserves attention. According to Booth et al. (2016), the review’s final section should transition from synthesis to justification, explicitly stating how the dissertation will extend or challenge existing knowledge.
The Connection Between the Problem Statement and Literature Review
Although distinct, the problem statement and literature review are interdependent. The problem statement defines the issue to be addressed; the literature review provides the evidence and theoretical reasoning that validate its significance. Without a solid literature foundation, the problem may appear trivial or already resolved; without a clearly defined problem, the literature review risks becoming unfocused or irrelevant (Ridley, 2012).
Logical Relationship
- The literature review informs the problem statement by revealing gaps, inconsistencies, or underexplored areas.
- The problem statement directs the literature review by focusing the search on specific variables, populations, or contexts.
- Together, they create coherence — ensuring that the dissertation’s purpose, questions, and methods all align.
In practice, the two sections often evolve together: as the researcher deepens the literature review, they refine the problem statement; as they define the problem more precisely, they revisit the literature to confirm its relevance.
Methodological Integration
The problem statement and literature review jointly determine the methodological approach. For instance, if the literature reveals primarily quantitative studies with limited qualitative exploration, the researcher may justify using qualitative methods to gain deeper insight. Similarly, if the literature identifies measurement inconsistencies, a mixed-methods design might be warranted (Creswell & Plano Clark, 2018).
Therefore, these sections are not preliminary steps to be “checked off” but dynamic components that guide the research design, data collection, and analysis throughout the dissertation.
Writing Style and APA Standards
Both the problem statement and literature review should be written in a formal, objective, and precise academic tone. According to the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA, 2020), clarity, conciseness, and coherence are central principles of scholarly writing. Sentences should be direct, free of unnecessary jargon, and supported by credible sources.
APA Citations and Referencing
In-text citations should include the author and year (and page numbers for direct quotes). The reference list must include full bibliographic details, formatted with a hanging indent, in alphabetical order by author surname. Tables summarizing previous studies (if included) should be formatted following APA’s table standards, with clear titles and notes.
Common Challenges and Strategies
1. Vagueness or Overgeneralization
Many students struggle to define a specific and researchable problem. To avoid this, researchers should use evidence from recent studies to demonstrate exactly what is missing.
2. Insufficient Critical Analysis
A frequent weakness in literature reviews is excessive summary. Using comparison language — “however,” “in contrast,” “similarly” — helps link ideas and emphasize analysis.
3. Outdated Sources
Relying on old or secondary references weakens credibility. A strong review should include at least 70% of sources from the last five years (Booth et al., 2016).
4. Lack of Coherence Between Sections
Ensure that the final paragraph of the literature review directly connects to the problem statement. Transitional sentences such as “However, despite extensive research on X, little is known about Y…” create a natural flow between sections.
5. Plagiarism and Citation Errors
Students should carefully paraphrase ideas and check every in-text citation against the reference list. Tools like reference managers (Zotero, Mendeley) can help maintain consistency.
The Role of the Problem Statement and Literature Review in Knowledge Advancement
Together, these sections serve not only academic requirements but also the larger goal of advancing knowledge. A well-developed problem statement ensures that research addresses genuine, unsolved issues; a rigorous literature review ensures that new research builds upon, rather than duplicates, prior work (Snyder, 2019).
In contemporary scholarship, these sections also contribute to research transparency and reproducibility. By clearly stating what is known, unknown, and why it matters, researchers allow others to verify the rationale and build upon their findings — a fundamental aspect of scientific progress.
Conclusion
The problem statement and literature review form the intellectual backbone of a dissertation. The problem statement defines what the study investigates and why it matters, while the literature review explains how the problem fits within existing knowledge. Together, they create a logical foundation that informs the study’s purpose, research questions, and methodology.
Developing these sections requires careful planning, critical thinking, and adherence to scholarly standards. The problem must be grounded in evidence; the literature review must be analytical and comprehensive. When constructed effectively and written according to APA conventions, these sections ensure that the dissertation contributes meaningfully to academic discourse and societal understanding.
Ultimately, the dissertation’s strength lies not only in its findings but in the clarity of the problem it addresses and the rigor of the literature upon which it stands.
References
American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). American Psychological Association.
Booth, A., Sutton, A., & Papaioannou, D. (2016). Systematic approaches to a successful literature review (2nd ed.). SAGE Publications.
Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2018). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (5th ed.). SAGE Publications.
Creswell, J. W., & Plano Clark, V. L. (2018). Designing and conducting mixed methods research (3rd ed.). SAGE Publications.
Ghosh, A. (2025). Understanding different types of review articles: A primer for researchers. Journal/Repository, 2025. Retrieved from PubMed Central.
Page, M. J., McKenzie, J. E., Bossuyt, P. M., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T. C., Mulrow, C. D., Shamseer, L., Tetzlaff, J. M., Akl, E. A., Brennan, S. E., Chou, R., Glanville, J., Grimshaw, J. M., Hróbjartsson, A., Lalu, M. M., Li, T., Loder, E. W., Mayo-Wilson, E., McGuinness, L. A., … Moher, D. (2021). The PRISMA 2020 statement: An updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ, 372, n71. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n71
Randolph, J. J. (2009). A guide to writing the dissertation literature review. Practical Assessment, Research, and Evaluation, 14(13). https://doi.org/10.7275/b0az-8t74
Ridley, D. (2012). The literature review: A step-by-step guide for students (2nd ed.). SAGE Publications.
Roberts, C. M., & Hyatt, L. (2019). The dissertation journey: A practical and comprehensive guide to planning, writing, and defending your dissertation (3rd ed.). Corwin Press.
Snyder, H. (2019). Literature review as a research methodology: An overview and guidelines. Journal of Business Research, 104, 333–339. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2019.07.039
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