A well-developed research question is the foundation of a successful research project. Strong questions rarely emerge from an initial idea; they develop by examining, understanding, and defining the underlying problem.

When teams move too quickly to search the literature or propose solutions, they risk prematurely defining the problem.

For example, if staff report that patients are falling frequently, a team might jump to searching for fall prevention protocols, when the real issue might be inadequate staffing during night shifts.

The resulting evidence may be accurate but irrelevant, as it does not address the underlying problem. Taking the time to define the problem ensures that the research question targets the core issue that most needs to be addressed. 

Why defining the problem matters

Clearly defining the problem shapes every step that follows by:

• Ensuring the research question is relevant and well-aligned with the issue
• Making the literature search more focused and efficient
• Producing evidence that is useful and applicable

Failing to clearly define the problem can result in:

• Vague or inaccurate problem statements
• Research questions that do not match the underlying issue

• Wasted time and effort due to inefficient or unfocused searching

  Common mistakes to avoid

Understanding what can go wrong when defining a problem helps ensure that your problem statement and research question are both accurate and actionable.

Beginning the process with a solution already in mind. This approach tends to shape the problem around a predetermined conclusion, biasing your understanding and limiting exploration of the issue.

Focusing on symptoms rather than the underlying problem. Symptoms are outward signs of a problem, not the problem itself. Addressing only symptoms can lead to incomplete or ineffective solutions.

Accepting the first identified issue. The most obvious problem is often not the real one. Further exploration often reveals deeper causes.

Framing the problem or question too broadly or too narrowly. Either extreme can make it difficult to identify relevant evidence or develop a research question that is focused and answerable.

These missteps can lead to misaligned or unanswerable questions, premature solutions, and inefficient searches. 

Exploring and describing the problem

Spending time exploring a problem before defining it helps you move beyond surface observations. This exploration involves asking clarifying questions and examining the issue from multiple perspectives to uncover assumptions, contextual factors, and gaps in understanding.

The goal is to identify the knowledge gap at the heart of the issue. Clarifying questions to ask might be:

• Where does the issue occur?
• Why might it be happening?
• When does it appear?
• How does it affect those involved?

This process — often an iterative one — helps uncover the root causes of the issue and ensures the problem statement accurately reflects the situation. 

Techniques for problem exploration

Several structured techniques can help teams move beyond initial observations and surface-level explanations.

Brainstorming brings together people from different roles to share observations and concerns. Because those closest to a problem often see only part of it, involving multiple perspectives helps uncover overlooked factors and challenge assumptions that might otherwise go unexamined.

The Five Whys is a technique that involves asking "why" repeatedly to move from a symptom to its underlying cause. Each answer reveals a deeper layer of the problem, and it is often only at the fourth or fifth "why" that the real issue becomes visible.

Mind Mapping and Other Diagrams help organize information spatially, making it easier to see relationships between factors and identify gaps in understanding. When a problem has many contributing elements, a visual map can clarify which factors are central and which are peripheral.

Used together, these techniques encourage systematic exploration and reduce the risk of building a research question on incomplete or inaccurate assumptions.

Developing the problem statement

Once the problem has been explored, write a concise problem statement that conveys:

• The problem that has been identified and clarified.
• Why the problem matters and potential consequences if it is not addressed.
• Evidence demonstrating the problem exists (quantitative data, qualitative observations, or other indicators).

A strong problem statement is typically one to two sentences describing the population, the topic of concern, and its impact on outcomes. Importantly, a problem statement should not include proposed solutions. Its purpose is to define the issue clearly, not to prescribe how it will be addressed. 

Problem statements vs. research questions

These two elements serve different purposes and should not be blended.

What is a problem statement: A concise description of a specific gap, concern, or uncertainty that needs to be understood. 
What it is not: A solution, intervention, or research question.

What is a research question? 
A focused, answerable question that guides your evidence searching. 
What it is not: A description of the problem or a justification for the study.

From problem statement to research question

A clearly defined problem statement provides the foundation for a well-built, answerable question. The examples below show how an observation develops into a problem statement and then a research question.
 

Connecting the research question to the literature search

Once the research question is developed, the key concepts within it can be used to create search terms. Identifying these core concepts ensures the literature search focuses on the most relevant evidence.

For example, the mobility question above identifies concepts such as:

• Postoperative patients
• Early mobilization
• Surgical recovery or postoperative care

These concepts can then be expanded into keywords, subject headings, and synonyms for searching databases such as PubMed, CINAHL, or Embase. 

From question to evidence

A clearly defined problem leads to a focused research question, which guides a more targeted and efficient literature search. Each step depends on the quality of the one before it. When core concepts are well established, researchers are less likely to be overwhelmed by irrelevant results or miss evidence that matters.

Because problem definition and question development are iterative, taking the time to explore and refine each step leads to stronger, more meaningful research.