A problem statement is the description of an issue currently existing which needs to be addressed. It provides the context for the research study and generates the questions which the research aims to answer. The statement of the problem is the focal point of any research. A good problem statement is just one sentence (with several paragraphs of elaboration). For example it could be: "The frequency of job layoffs is creating fear, anxiety, and a loss of productivity in middle management workers." While this problem statement is just one sentence, it should be accompanied by a few paragraphs that elaborate on the problem. The paragraphs could cover present persuasive arguments that make the problem important enough to study. They could include the opinions of 2