problematiikan

Problematiikka is a Finnish term used in academic discourse to refer to the field or approach that deals with what counts as a problem within a given domain. It denotes both the set of issues recognized as problematic and the discourse that shapes how those issues are understood and addressed. The concept highlights that problems are not merely given, but produced through social, political, historical and cultural practices.

In practice, problematiikka encompasses questions such as how a phenomenon is framed as a problem, what assumptions, values, and interests underlie this framing, what methods and theories are deemed appropriate for investigating it, and how power relations and competing perspectives influence which problems are taken seriously and which are neglected. It invites critical reflection on the criteria used to identify problems and on the potential consequences of those choices.

Scholars use problematiikka to guide research design and analysis. It informs the formulation of research questions, the selection of literature, and the interpretation of findings. By focusing on problematising processes, researchers may reveal biases, consider alternative framings, and assess implications for policy or practice.

Relation to other terms is close to the idea of problematisation (problematisointi), discourse analysis, and critical theory. The concept is employed across disciplines such as sociology, political science, education, and development studies to examine how knowledge about social issues is produced, contested, and legitimized.