Nursing research problem statement troubleshooting helps you repair an existing draft after feedback such as “too broad”, “gap unclear” or “the question does not follow”. Start with the defect your supervisor identified and make a targeted revision.
If you have not drafted the paragraph yet, use the complete problem statement writing guide. This article provides a diagnostic worksheet for a draft already in progress.
Turn supervisor feedback into a specific editing task
Copy the exact feedback into a revision log. Beside it, identify the sentence that prompted the comment. Then describe the change needed in ordinary language. A request to explain the evidence gap should lead you back to the evidence, rather than to a longer introduction or more technical wording.
| Feedback | Inspect | Repair | Check afterwards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Too broad | Several populations, settings or outcomes | Keep the scope needed for one feasible enquiry. | Does the research question use the same scope? |
| Gap unclear | A care concern without an unresolved evidence question | Specify the uncertainty supported by the reviewed literature. | Would answering the question address that uncertainty? |
| Unsupported claim | Unqualified frequency or certainty | Verify the source and narrow the wording. | Does the citation support the exact statement? |
| Question does not follow | Different concepts across sections | Reconcile the problem, aim and question. | Can each objective be traced back to the problem? |
Example 1: repair an overly broad draft
Illustrative draft: “This dissertation will address communication problems in all healthcare settings.”
Diagnosis: the setting and communication process are undefined. The sentence also promises to address a problem before explaining what the dissertation can investigate.
Repair task: identify the communication process your evidence concerns and the population and setting your project can cover. Recheck the available literature before adopting a narrower focus. Do not insert arbitrary age or ward limits merely to make the sentence sound specific.
Example 2: repair an unsupported absence claim
Illustrative draft: “There is no research about this nursing issue.”
Diagnosis: the statement asserts a complete absence of evidence. Your search may instead have found studies that leave a particular question unresolved.
Repair task: return to the search record and identify the actual limitation. Is the uncertainty about a population, setting, outcome, conflicting findings or implementation? Describe only the limitation your search supports. For checking numerical evidence, use the problem-statement statistics guide.
Example 3: repair a mismatch with the research question
Illustrative draft: the problem describes patients’ experiences, but the proposed question concerns staff knowledge.
Diagnosis: the project changes perspective between sections without explanation.
Repair task: place the problem, aim, question and objectives alongside one another. Mark whose perspective each uses and what each seeks to establish. Decide which perspective addresses the supported uncertainty, then discuss any substantive change with your supervisor.
Keep a short revision log
For each change, record the feedback, sentence affected, evidence checked, revision made and any dependent sections needing updates. After changing the scope, check the title, eligibility criteria and proposed method. This makes the response to feedback visible and helps prevent an older version of the problem surviving elsewhere.
Stop editing when the identified defect is resolved
A paragraph is not improved simply because it becomes longer. Read the revised sentence against the original feedback. If the defect remains, identify the missing decision or source. If it is resolved, check consistency and move to the next issue.
For wider feedback on your proposal, request a nursing research proposal review and send both the draft and the supervisor comments.
Frequently asked questions
Should I rewrite everything after one critical comment?
First diagnose the comment. Some issues need one sentence repaired; others require a change to the research plan.
Can I copy these examples into my dissertation?
They are illustrative editing exercises. Your final problem must reflect your own topic, evidence and approved project.
