Problemerkendelse

Problemerkendelse refers to the process of naming and framing a problem in order to direct analysis, inquiry, and response. The term captures how problems are defined, what is treated as relevant, and what causal explanations are proposed. Because the problem definition shapes what counts as evidence and what solutions seem plausible, problemerkendelse is a central step in research design, policy development, and public discourse.

Key aspects include the scope of the problem (which phenomena and who is affected), the time horizon (short-term vs long-term), the causal model (structural versus individual factors), and the attribution of responsibility. The act can be explicit, such as a formal problem statement in a project brief, or implicit, embedded in media narratives or policy proposals. Problemerkendelse is influenced by interests, values, and power relations, and may reflect or reinforce dominant ideologies.

Implications set the agenda for data collection, analysis, and intervention options. It can facilitate coordinated action by aligning stakeholders, but it also risks narrowing considerations by excluding alternative problems or framings. Critics emphasize the need for reflexivity and transparency in how problems are named, to reveal assumptions and to allow contestation.

Related concepts include problem formulation, problem statement, problematisering, and framing. In practice, scholars and practitioners use it to examine how problems are constructed in policy debates, organizational decision-making, and research design.