7 Criteria for Grading Your own Problem Statement

The problem statement of your dissertation or proposal is very important. It is a go-to section for your supervisors and examiners.

So, why not grade your problem statement yourself?

Here are 7 criteria. Score 1 point for each criterion if your problem statement deserves it, ½ a point if you’re undecided, and no point if it doesn’t stack up ☹.

Here goes:

Your problem statement:

1. States the problem clearly.
2. Has context – clarifies the perspective from which you are viewing the problem.
3. Summarises previous sections of the chapter – no additional sources are cited.
4. States a clear knowledge gap in previous research/theory.
5. Identifies a potential solution to the problem/diagnosis within the theoretical literature.
6. Provides a logical argument for the importance of addressing the problem.
7. Is (well) under a page (< 150 – 250 words).

If you need help with your dissertation, contact me at [email protected].