Research Problem Statement Examples

This academic article explains how to write a research problem statement and provides examples of a problem statement in research. Examples and Samples of Problem Statements in Quantitative Research.

Problem Statement in Research

A problem statement in research is a concise, precise synopsis of the research problems the study intends to address. It also identifies the knowledge gap that motivates the research and contributes to the body of knowledge.

The problem statement section analyzes what is known and what remains unknown regarding the research problems and issues. The ‘known’ vs ‘unknown’ needs to be analyzed, synthesized, and defended rather than written descriptively. Arguments for the existence of the problem may be supported by highlighting inconsistencies, controversies, conflicts, or contradictions in prior studies.

It also proposes variables that identify the research gaps contributing to the resolution of the research problem. Additionally, the research problem statement highlights the weaknesses of prior findings. Moreover, it emphasizes the expected knowledge or what is required (still unknown) to enable you to contribute to the body of knowledge.

A good problem statement certainly answers the following questions: what issue needs to be addressed, and why?

Does the research problem statement differ between quantitative and qualitative research?

The answer is no, and there is no difference. The writing style of the research problem statement is similar across research strategies. Consequently, the research candidates follow the same style for writing research problems for quantitative, qualitative, and other research approaches.

How To Write a Problem Statement

The author explains how to write a research problem statement for students’ research proposals, papers, theses, and dissertations.

Elements of a Research Problem Statement

The problem statement contains these four elements:

Context or Background
Problem or Literature Gap
Relevance or Significance
Objective or Purpose

The context is the background of what is currently known and unknown about the research issue. The problem statement establishes context for the audience and defines the problem within that context.

The issue concerns what we need to know. It clearly states the specific problem the research aims to address. It highlights a gap in the current knowledge or literature that your study intends to address.

Relevance refers to the significance of the study. It justifies why it is an essential issue to research and the value of research.

Finally, the objective is the aim of the study: what you want to discover, clarify, or confirm. It proposes a solution to the problem.

Problem Statement Writing Steps

The author divides the process into three stages to define four elements.

The Three Stages of Writing a Problem Statement are:

Review the Literature From Previous Findings
Identifying the Problem With Research Gaps
Contribute to the Body of Knowledge

1. Review the Literature From Previous Findings

First, the researchers must read industry reports, government statistical reports, and newspaper articles to understand the broader context better. They also read relevant research papers, review papers, and dissertations previously published to deepen their knowledge.

Many scholars suggest that researchers systematically review journal articles to advance knowledge. According to Mark Petticrew and Helen Roberts, the systematic literature review is closely aligned with the acquisition of knowledge in a particular area. The PRISMA systematic literature review is the most widely used and well-accepted strategy for synthesizing prior studies.

The literature review from past findings has to answer the following question:

What research has already been conducted on this topic?

It summarizes and organizes existing knowledge to provide a background for the current work.

What are the main themes, trends, or patterns that have emerged from prior research?

It classifies previous research and identifies dominant views or areas of controversy.

What has been established, and what remains unknown or unresolved?

The primary goal is to identify knowledge gaps, inconsistencies, or under-explored areas that the current study will address.

How does the past research lead to the author’s current study?

It situates the new research within the broader academic field and clarifies how it builds upon or departs from previous work.

What do we know about the problem from the real world and academic literature?

Knowledge from the real world, often gained through practical or personal experience, defines the problem in a tangible, immediate context

2. Identifying the Problem With Research Gaps

Researchers must identify research gaps, including inconsistencies, controversies, conflicts, or contradictions in prior studies. Among approaches to identifying research gaps, the most common involve concepts, perspectives, theories, methodologies, methods, and analyses. Research gaps must be systematically identified as the basis for an investigation. Therefore, researchers need to state the research gaps precisely and clearly, and specify the type of research they intend to study.

The seven types of research gaps are:

Evidence gap
Knowledge gap
Practical knowledge gap
Methodological gap
Empirical gap
Theoretical gap
Population gap.

Researchers must identify key gaps, inconsistencies, and controversies in the literature to establish the need for additional research. Researchers can conduct research based on one, two, or more than two research gaps. This section also defines the study process and methods to achieve the goals.

The Problem with research gaps must answer the following questions:

What do we not know about the problem from the real world and academic literature?
What does your research want to achieve by this study?
How do we want to resolve the problems?

3. Contribute to the Body of Knowledge

Finally, the research problem includes the importance and significance of the study. It explains why and how it contributes to the body of knowledge. The empirical evidence contributes to the literature. It also highlights the study’s theoretical and practical significance in resolving the issues.

The section answers the following questions:

Why do we need to know what we do not know about the problem?
What might happen if the problem is not resolved?
What are the future benefits of solving the issues, including the impact on society, community, and people’s lives?

Examples of Problem Statement in Research

The author presents examples of research problem statements based on different research titles. Thus, examples of problem statements in research help students approve the research proposal. These samples illustrate how to write a research problem statement for qualitative and quantitative research.

Example of Problem Statement in Review Research (SLR)-1

Research Title: A Comprehensive Literature Review on the Impact of Artificial Intelligence in Entrepreneurial Activities

Problem Statement
Entrepreneurship is a popular topic (Indrianti et al., 2020), and researchers such as Audretsch and Moog (2022) argue that it warrants special attention given its connection to current economic and social challenges. The emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools has become particularly important in the digital transformation of businesses, as entrepreneurs must constantly adapt and stay informed on emerging trends (Kraus et al., 2018). Therefore, AI has been propelled by ongoing market transformations and the rising needs of an expanding population. The information technology (IoT) surge has played a crucial role in advancing AI and has sparked interest among both business and government leaders (Zhang & Lu, 2021).

Nonetheless, there remains a scarcity of literature specifically addressing the relationship between entrepreneurship and AI (Popkova & Sergi, 2020), despite findings by Obschonka & Audretsch (2019) indicating that the integration of AI into entrepreneurship marks the beginning of a new era.
Among various systematic literature reviews, Giuggioli & Pellegrini (2022) notably emphasize the advantages of AI in fostering entrepreneurial growth.

However, our research not only addresses the previously overlooked semantic analysis but also extends and builds upon analyses conducted over the past two years, which is particularly pertinent in light of the digital acceleration following the Covid-19 pandemic.

Additionally, Di Vaio et al. (2020) review the literature on AI and business models. In recent years, various literature reviews have examined connections between topics such as education (Tahiru, 2021); health (Shah & Chircu, 2018); public administration (Reis et al., 2019); and consumer behavior (Mariani et al., 2022). The absence of comprehensive systematic literature reviews concerning the role of AI in entrepreneurship highlights the significance of the current study.

Examples of Problem Statement in Research

Problem Statement in Research Example-2

Research Title: The Antecedent Of Artificial Intelligence Adoption Among Hr Professionals In the Tourism & Hospitality Industry In Malaysia.

Problem Statement

Recently, Human resource professionals have been introduced to many advanced technologies, including nanotechnology, autonomous vehicles, quantum computing, and artificial intelligence in the 4.0 industrial era (Chatterjee, Rana, Dwivedi & Baabdullah, 2021). The new technology, especially AI tools, challenges conventional human resource management practices. The current era demands that organizations employ competent employees who are experts in advanced technologies. Innovative employees welcome new technology to enhance performance and market competitiveness.

HR professionals regard AI as a powerful tool for increasing productivity. Very few studies have examined the antecedents of artificial intelligence (AI) adoption among HR professionals (Pan et al., 2022). These studies have not articulated how AI tools enhance organizational employee productivity (Chatterjee et al., 2021).

Many studies demonstrate that large companies such as IBM adopt AI tools to reduce human resource costs (Lim, 2023) and enhance employee performance (Islam, Aldaihani, & Saatchi, 2023). Academic demands have increased for the use, application, and adoption of AI technology among scholars globally (Akter et al., 2022).

Example of Problem Statement in Quantitative Research -3

Article Title: Effects of High‐Performance Work Systems (HPWS) on Hospitality Employees’ Outcomes Through Their Organizational Commitment, Motivation, and Job Satisfaction

Review the Literature From Previous Findings

Limited research has investigated the influence of High-Performance Work Systems (HPWS) on employee outcomes, including health and job satisfaction, which are particularly important during the COVID-19 pandemic (Kloutsiniotis and Mihail, 2020a; Adikaram et al., 2021).

Stressful and uncertain environments have exacerbated burnout, which was already a significant issue among hotel staff before the COVID-19 crisis (Ayachit & Chitta, 2021; Tsui, 2021; Wong et al., 2019).

Earlier studies have confirmed that HPWS directly affects employees’ social identity and also plays a mediating role in the relationship between HPWS and “psychological empowerment” (Bartram et al., 2014; Mihail and Kloutsiniotis, 2016).

Identifying the Problem With Research Gaps

Given the significance of High-Performance Work Systems (HPWS) in the hospitality and tourism sectors, researchers emphasize the need for further exploration, particularly within hotel contexts. Therefore, this study aims to address gaps in the existing literature by examining the relationships between HPWS and outcomes, with particular focus on the hotel industry. Specifically, we discuss the pathways linking employees’ perceptions of HPWS implementation to their overall well-being. Furthermore, we provide empirical evidence to support the link between employee well-being and individual job performance.

Contribute to the Body of Knowledge

This study offers valuable theoretical and managerial insights to the field. We initially respond to ongoing calls in the literature for more empirical research in the hospitality and tourism industry and investigate how HPWS influences employee outcomes. By doing so, we contribute to the growing body of research on how employees’ perceptions of HPWS affect outcomes such as quality of life (QoL).

Importance of a Strong Problem Statement

The statement of the problem is the most crucial component of securing acceptance for the research proposal or project. The candidates must identify research problems with knowledge gaps systematically to write a problem statement for a research proposal, project, dissertation, or thesis. A strong problem statement impresses examiners and reviewers and helps secure the proposal’s acceptance. It is the first step in conducting any academic research.

The researcher sets the research objective, research question, and hypothesis based on the problem statement. Hence, candidates or students cannot continue their research without a strong problem statement. The research problem is an inevitable part of quantitative, qualitative, and other research. No research can be conducted without identifying the research problem.

A good research proposal must include a research problem statement that identifies weaknesses in prior studies. Accordingly, it provides empirical evidence that enriches the literature. A strong problem statement must explain how to fulfill the research gaps.

Ph.D. and Master of Science (by research) students undergo a proposal defense. In this presentation, examiners may ask candidates which research problem they aim to address. Thus, a concise and strong problem statement is essential for overcoming proposal defense (PD).

Poorly Written Problem Statement of the Research Proposal

A research proposal may be rejected due to a poorly written problem statement. The authority might deny the research proposal for the following reasons:

A research proposal can be rejected if this section is poorly defined and discussed.
The research proposal may also be declined if the candidate merely states the Research Proposal without critically discussing why it is a problem.
The candidate did not successfully highlight the connections between constructs with the theory used to explain the framework.
How does Contingency theory support the moderator?
How does the theory support and justify the relationships in the framework?

Problem Statement in Research

Hardball Tactics in Negotiation Definition & Examples

Hardball Tactics in Negotiation, Definition & Examples. This article explains the top 8 Hardball Tactics in Negotiation: Good cop, bad cop, Lowball Highball, Bogey, Nibble, Chicken, Intimidation, Aggressive behavior, and Snow Job.

Hardball Tactics

Hardball Tactics refer to the typical method applied by negotiators to achieve a goal anyhow. Any part of the negotiation can use hardball tactics to gain an advantage. Hardball tactics are a deceptive way to gain the objective in business deals. The negotiator usually employs these tactics to benefit from another party’s detriment. People use these hardball tactics for personal, social, political, and business purposes. They adopt them to purchase a product, make an agreement, and deal with other parties. It is a significant strategy in the business communication process.

Hardball tactics in negotiation are arguably not ethical practices for dealing with other parties. Many scholars term them unethical and tricky ways to achieve advantages.

The Most Common Hardball Tactics

Hardball Tactics Examples-The 8 Typical Hardball Tactics in Negotiation — The 8 Typical Hardball Tactics in Negotiation

What are the hardball tactics in negotiation?

The 8 Hardball Tactics in Negotiation are:

Good cop/bad cop
Lowball/Highball
Bogey
The nibble
Chicken
Intimidation
Aggressive Behaviour
Snow Job

1. Good Cop Bad Cop Tactic

A good cop/ bad cop negotiation refers to tactical bargaining between two parties to benefit from the other party’s detriment. It occurs amid two parties’ negotiation when two people in the same party deal with the other party as good and bad.

Good Cop Bad Cop Tactic Example -1

For example, the police want to ask questions at a police station, but the prisoner would not want to say anything. So, two police officers plan to play a game, and one acts like a rude, devilish person so that he can ask the question fiercely. On the other hand, another police officer interrogates the prisoner politely. Finally, the prisoner shared all the information with them.

Good Cop Bad Cop Tactic Negotiation

Good Cop Bad Cop Tactic Example -2

For example, A customer goes to a mask shop where the shop owner and his manager sell products. The customer wanted to buy a mask, so he negotiated with them. The shop owner is persuading the customer, saying that the facemask will protect them from dust. You can buy at RM 5 per piece.

On the other hand, the manager says to the customer that you have to pay RM 5 if you want to buy, or you can leave. The manager also says that you can go now, we want to close the shop.

However, the owner is still trying to persuade the customer to buy the mask for RM 5. The owner is dealing in a friendly manner, whereas the manager threatens the customer. However, both the owner & manager) want to sell the product. This kind of negotiation is called a good cop/bad cop negotiation.

Good Cop Bad Cop Tactic Example -3

When I was a secondary student, I violated the school rules by being late to school. The school discipline teacher acted as the “Bad Cop” who commanded me to be punished according to the school rules and regulations. Meanwhile, the counseling teacher held an open-minded talk to understand why I was late and advised me patiently. Finally, I will never be late again in the next five years.

2. Lowball Highball Tactic

The negotiator applies a lowball/highball tactic to get the other party’s attention. They know that they will not be able to achieve it, but they offer. The lowball/highball tactic begins with an extremely low or high opening offer to the opposite party. The extreme proposal will stimulate the other party to re-evaluate their opening offer and move closer to or beyond their resistance point.

Lowball Highball Tactic in Negotiation Example-1

For example, your son does not want to go to school by bus because his friends come by private vehicle. Therefore, he decided not to go to school till buying a private car. You offer to gift a new personal car by next month to make him happy. You know very well that you will not be able to buy a new private car by next month. It is a ridiculous offer that is called a lowball/highball tactic. Later, you manage to persuade him to go to school by bus for six more months, but you will buy a motorbike for him after six months.

Lowball Highball Tactic in Negotiation Example-2

For example, imagine that you want to buy a wooden chair. They negotiate with the seller, and the set price is 100RM; you might think it is unacceptable, so you say Can I buy it for 20 RM, because it does not seem that high? The seller might be shocked for a while, and after that, the seller might say,” 50RM, take it, okay?” Finally, your goal has been achieved.

Lowball Highball Tactic in Negotiation Example-3

For example, my girlfriend stopped talking to me because another girl liked my photos uploaded on Facebook. ELA is jealous of girls who like and comment on my Facebook photos. I told him not to use Facebook anymore to continue our communication. She also knows that it is quite impossible to stop using Facebook. However, this tactic stimulates her to talk to me for bargaining. We argued for an hour to finally agree that I would block the girl from following me on Facebook. Finally, I managed to think that blocking is so much better when it is a bad idea to stop using Facebook due to the girl.

3. Bogey Tactic

Bogey tactics in negotiation are demonstrated when negotiators conceal their interest in front of the other party. Negotiators pretend that the issue is of very little importance to them, while the opposite party is offering. The issue is significant for them, but they do not want to show their interest in front of the opposing party.

Bogey Negotiation Example-1

For example, you want to buy a new Samsung mobile phone with a face lock feature. Now, the shop owner shows you the latest Samsung mobile phone and indicates the new feature. You will be glad to see the new feature on the phone. However, you are not showing interest in the face lock feature. You are concealing your interest in front of the shop owner. You think that the shop owners can increase the price if you show more interest in the new feature. Therefore, you pretend you are not interested in buying this new phone. Eventually, you buy a low-priced phone with the new face-lock feature.

Bogey Negotiation Example-2

This tactic is usually applied to the gambling situation. When I play mahjong with my family members, I maintain my poker face even though the mahjong I drew is good, and I win the game. But, I stay calm to distract my opponents’ attention, not to sense my happiness. After that, I pretend that I want mahjong A, but my target is mahjong J. Then, I successfully won the game by misleading the other family members to discover my true intention.

4. Nibble Tactic

The nibble tactic refers to asking for a minor concession to make the deal final. Usually, negotiators use this tactic after a long time of negotiation between them. The negotiator needs to add a small item to complete the deal or agreement. Many organizations utilize the nibble tactic to motivate the sales team to achieve targets. Production company launches a new product and adds it to other items.

Nibble Negotiation Example-1

For example, the customer will purchase a secondhand iPhone if the seller provides headphones and a charger at the same price. It happens at the end of the negotiation when any party wants to close the deal.

Nibble Negotiation Example-2

For example, the tenant will rent the house if the owner replaces the old refrigerator with a new one. Finally, the owner agrees to add a new refrigerator to complete the agreement.

5. Chicken Tactic

In a negotiation tactic, the negotiator uses a big bluff with a frightening action to force the other party to fulfill their demands. The negotiator forces another party to close the deal immediately. The party shows multiple options to influence the opposite party to close the deal.

Chicken Negotiation Example-1

For example, one party is threatening the other party with, “If you do not sell this phone at RM 1000, I will buy the same phone from the next shop that is interested in selling it at the same price. The owner believed the customer’s bluff and agreed to sell the phone at RM 1000.

Chicken Negotiation Example-2

For example, the customer said he wants the furniture ready on the weekend or to find another shop. The shop owner agreed to deliver furniture before the due date, believing the customer’s bluff.

Chicken Negotiation Example-3

For example, after a long negotiation, both sides are not satisfied with each other. Then one side says, “If you really oppose accepting my ideal price, I will find another person who will provide my ideal price.”

6. Intimidation Tactic

Intimidation tactics attempt to force the other party to agree by applying emotional appeal. They use emotion, anger, or fear to agree with the opposite party. The other side may deliberately use anger to show the seriousness of the position.

Intimidation Negotiation Example-1

Calvin is a small employee in a company. David has a well-known violent temper in the organization. They have been bargaining over various issues for a long time. Suddenly, David slapped the table, glared at Calvin, and said: Think about the difficulty of your job. Your wife and children at home are still waiting for dinner. Finally, Calvin accepted the conditions.

Intimidation Negotiation Example-2

For example, if someone bought a television, it did not work when he wanted to open it at home. Still, there was nothing wrong when he checked the TV in the store, and then he asked the store to replace it for him, but the store refused to return it because it was available when he checked in the store. Finally, he said, if you do not replace it for me today, I will post this on social media; nobody will come afterward.

7. Aggressive Behavior Tactic

Aggressive behavior refers to the strategy of being aggressive in pushing your position or attacking the other person’s position to gain advantages. It is similar to intimidation tactics, but negotiators use their position to intimidate others psychologically. It includes asking for further concessions.

Aggressive Behavior Negotiation Example-1

For example, one customer comes to buy a mobile phone formally and says: Let’s not waste time; what is the maximum price? Here, the customer wants to emphasize that their time is significant, so close the deal soon.

Aggressive Behavior Negotiation Example-2

For example, a sales manager offers RM 5000 for an iPhone 12, but the customer is still negotiating to reduce the price. Instantly, the owner gets angry at the manager and “How can you make such a low offer?” Do you know today I sold three iPhone 14s at RM5500 within 30 minutes? You are wasting our time. It stimulates the customer to buy it at RM5000.

Aggressive Behavior Negotiation Example-3

For example, a customer goes to buy a personal car in the showroom—the salesman bargains with him regarding the price for a long time. Eventually, the customer brought out his identity card and showed the salesman, saying, “I am also a marketing manager, so please do not apply the marketing policy to me.” Here, the customer uses his position to win the negotiation.

8. Snow Job Tactic

The snow job tactic is demonstrated when negotiators surprise the other party with huge additional information. These additional facts confuse the opposite party about figuring out which facts are fundamental and essential. It occurs when negotiators overwhelm the other party with so much information that to get distracted.

Snow Job Negotiation Example-1

For example, you want to buy a new mobile phone, and the seller provides you with so much information about the additional factors. They ensure that this phone is eco-friendly. It will not harm you. The mobile company uses the latest technology to reduce noise during communication. They also show you how many people are dying due to mobile blasts and so more. The use of many technical terms confuses anyone who is not familiar with the topic.

Snow Job Negotiation Example-2

The negotiator explains the deal in English, but Ahmad, a non-native English speaker, will see him as educated. Ahmad will say yes without asking many questions to avoid embarrassment because the negotiator seems knowledgeable and more expert than him.

Snow Job Negotiation Example-3

Snow Job tactics are frequently used in government project tendering. When the government starts a new development project, it will publish massive amounts of information to hide the accurate, worthy information behind the overwhelming information. This tactic is used to prevent the misuse of precious data for any illegal activity.

Conclusion

The top 8 Hardball Negotiation Tactics are Good cop, bad cop, Lowball Highball, Bogey, Nibble, Chicken, Intimidation, Aggressive Behavior, and Snow Job. These typical tactics are crucial elements for win-win and win-lose negotiations.

Citation For This Article (APA 7th Edition)

Kobiruzzaman, M. M. (2025). Hardball Tactics in Negotiation- Hardball Tactics Definition & Examples. Newsmoor- Educational Website For Online Learning. https://newsmoor.com/hardball-tactics-examples-example-of-hardball-tactics-in-negotiation/