problématique

Problématique is a French term used in academic writing to designate the overarching set of issues that frames a research project. It refers to the central problem, the questions, and the purpose that guide inquiry, analysis, and interpretation. The goal is to explain why the topic matters, identify gaps in existing knowledge, and show how the study will address them.

Etymology and usage: derived from the word problème with the suffix -atique, the term signals a structured research frame rather than a mere statement of a problem. In French scholarship, problématique is used across disciplines, including the humanities, social sciences, and philosophy. In literary or discourse analysis, it can also denote the array of questions a text raises and the angle from which it will be read.

Components: a problématique typically includes the research context and significance, the central problem or questions, the corresponding aims or hypotheses, the theoretical framework, and the delimitations or scope of the study. It often specifies how the questions will be investigated and what constitutes a satisfactory answer.

Process and function: developing a problématique involves a critical review of literature to identify gaps, refining questions, and articulating objectives and methods. It serves to orient the reader and to connect theory, data, and analysis, ensuring coherence throughout the work.

Relation to other terms: in English contexts, the term is sometimes translated as problem statement or research questions, though the French concept emphasizes the interrelation of questions and the broader investigative frame. See also problem statement, research questions, and hypothesis.