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Problematik

Problematik is a German noun denoting the set of problems, problematic aspects, or the overall problematic character of a topic. In scholarly discourse it is commonly used to refer to the issues, tensions, and questions surrounding a subject, rather than to the subject itself.

Etymology and meaning: The term combines Problem with the suffix -matik, which is used in German to

Usage: In academic writing, Problematik describes the problematic side of a topic—the difficulties, contradictions, and unresolved

Examples: die Problematik des Datenschutzes (the problems surrounding data protection); die Problematik der Globalisierung; die Problematik

Relation to related terms: It is related to the concepts of Fragestellung, Problemfeld, and Problembereich, which

form
abstract
nouns
that
designate
a
field,
framework,
or
system
of
issues
(as
in
Systematik,
Thematik,
Mechanik).
The
word
is
feminine:
die
Problematik.
questions
that
accompany
the
subject.
It
helps
scholars
delineate
the
scope
of
inquiry,
frame
research
questions,
and
acknowledge
limitations
or
contested
viewpoints.
It
does
not
express
a
value
judgment
in
itself.
der
Migration
in
der
Stadtpolitik.
similarly
refer
to
the
questions
and
fields
of
inquiry.
While
similar
to
the
English
term
“problematic,”
Problematik
is
used
as
a
substantive
label
for
a
topic’s
overarching
set
of
problems
rather
than
for
a
single
issue.