Research Logic Diagram Template (Problem to Solution)

Thesis logic diagram in four stages (raising the problem, analysing it, solving it, concluding), with the sources and methods for each. Common in social science, business and education theses; edit the text and export PNG, Word or PowerPoint for free.

Conclusions

Findings

Limitations and outlook

Solving the problem

Empirical test / case analysis

Recommendations

Analysing the problem

Literature review

Analytical framework

Field investigation

Raising the problem

Practical background

Research question

Gap in theory

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When to use it

Many proposal templates ask for a "research approach" figure instead of a technical roadmap, especially in the humanities, business, education and public policy. This diagram follows the argument: raise the problem, analyse it, solve it, conclude. Each stage shows where it starts and where it leads, which is the structure examiners read most easily.

Making it yours

  • Rename stages in the brackets of subgraph P1[Raising the problem]; double-click nodes in the preview to edit them.
  • List the methods you actually use under "Analysing the problem" (survey, interviews, text analysis, policy review), one node each, all pointing at the summary node.
  • To note the method next to a step, write the node on two lines: D[Literature review<br/>documentary method].
  • If stages map to chapters, add the chapter number to the stage name, such as P2[Analysing the problem, ch. 2–3].
  • Switch to a light theme before exporting if the figure will be printed in black and white.

Mermaid code

flowchart TB
    subgraph P1[Raising the problem]
        direction LR
        A[Practical background] --> C[Research question]
        B[Gap in theory] --> C
    end
    subgraph P2[Analysing the problem]
        direction LR
        D[Literature review] --> F[Analytical framework]
        E[Field investigation] --> F
    end
    subgraph P3[Solving the problem]
        direction LR
        G[Empirical test / case analysis] --> H[Recommendations]
    end
    subgraph P4[Conclusions]
        direction LR
        I[Findings] --> J[Limitations and outlook]
    end
    P1 --> P2 --> P3 --> P4

Ask an AI for one with this structure

Send the prompt below to ChatGPT or Claude, then paste the whole reply into the editor; the code inside is detected automatically.

Draw a thesis research logic diagram in Mermaid flowchart TB syntax for the topic [your topic]. Use four subgraph stages: Raising the problem, Analysing the problem, Solving the problem, Conclusions, and add direction LR inside each subgraph so steps run horizontally. Content: [Raising: practical background and gap in theory → research question; Analysing: literature review and field investigation → analytical framework; Solving: empirical test → recommendations; Conclusions: findings → limitations and outlook]. Connect stages by their subgraph ids (for example P1 --> P2). Output only the mermaid code block.

FAQ

Is a research logic diagram the same as a research roadmap?

They are close but organised differently. The logic diagram follows the argument (problem, analysis, solution); the roadmap follows the work steps and methods (data, models, experiments). Draw whichever your template asks for; the template library has roadmaps too.

Should the stages match the chapters?

It helps. Examiners often read the figure next to the table of contents; labelling each stage with its chapter lets them match the two and see that the structure is complete.

The figure is too tall for one page. What can I do?

Change the first line to flowchart LR so the stages run left to right, and change direction LR inside each stage to direction TB. Word export scales the image to the page width.

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Updated 2026-10-03