PRACTICAL RESEARCH 1

“The Research Problem

And Research Question”
 SEMI-FINALS
WEEK 9-10
NAME: _______________________________________

GRADE & SECTION: __________________________

LESSON The Research Problem and
2 Research Question
Having a problem makes you anxious that pushes you to exert efforts on
finding a solution. There will be doubts that you are uncertain of your solutions thus
conducting a research is the best thing to do. Doing a research always begins with
a problem which points you to a topic to look out. Getting the background and
establishing your research question that causes the problem is a hint to start
knowing what your problem is all about In this lesson you have to study the concept
of research problems and research questions including its scope and delimitation,
cite the significance

What’s in?
In the previous lesson, you learned to how to choose research topics and
write a title. Following those rules and what to avoid had guide you to create a
good topic for your research. You have the sources of research topics which you
can use to find a researchable topic. Even your work experiences can be a clue
to a research topic which relates to daily life situations.

What’s New?

I. An Overview of the Research Problem and Research Question

Chapter I of the research paper is called The Problem and Its Background
(Sometimes also called The Introduction)

 It is composed of the following sections:

1) Background of the Study,
2) Statement of the Problem,
3) Scope and Delimitation, and
4) Significance of the Study.

Others have sections such as Objectives of the Study, Hypotheses but these will
not be considered in this lesson
What is a research problem?

 The Research Problem (According to Calderon & Gonzales,1993)

A problem is “any significant, perplexing, and challenging situation, real or

artificial, the solution of which requires reflexive thinking”. In research, it is known
as the research topic or research title.
An illustration showing the description between a research topic, research
problem, purpose statement and research question.
General
A research topic is the Topic: Distance Learning
broad subject matter
of the study
Research Problem:
A research problem is
a general issue or Lack of learners knowledge about
concern about the distance in distance education .
research that narrow
the topic.
Purpose Statement:
A purpose of the study
used to address the To study why learners do not attend
problem. distance education classes in a
community college
A research question
narrows the purpose
into specific questions Research Questions:
that the researcher
Does the use of website technology
would like to answer
in the classroom deter learners from
Specificin the study enrolling in a distant education
class?

A. Background of the Study

 Purpose of background of the study

a. The general definition of the topic/problem area

b. Historical basis for the existence of the problem
c. Efforts made towards addressing similar challenges
d. How the efforts failed to be realized hence the need for your study

 Contents of the background of the study:

a. Presentation of the problem. Describe the existence of an unsatisfactory
condition or a problem that needs a solution.
b. Historical background of the problem - Give the historical background
of the problem, if applicable.
c. Geographical conditions of the study locale - If applicable,
describe the geographical location of the study.
d. Rationale of the study - Give the reason(s) why the study should be
conducted.

Example:
In 2004, the researcher migrated to the Philippines to accompany her spouse who
was at the time studying at the Adventist Institute for International Advanced
Studies (AIIAS) in Silang, Cavite. They discovered the study opportunities and
were motivated by the quality of education and low school fees being offered. They
visited several colleges and universities to collect pamphlets and sent them back
to Vanuatu for educational awareness. The Ni-Vanuatus became aware and
decided to send students to study in the Philippines. The first two schools to
receive Vanuatu students were AMA Computer College in Dasmariñas, Cavite
and Air Link Aviation College in Paranaque City. The researcher came to know
Cavite State University (CvSU) in 2009 and transferred from AMA.
(Ngwele, March 2011)

 The Do’s and Don’ts of Writing a Research Background Study

Do‘s! Don’ts!
 Explain the importance of your o Write a background that is too
research topic long or short
 Talk about the main o Be ambiguous in your writing,
developments and missing links disorganized and discuss
and gaps in your research area unrelated subjects.
 Focus on the relevant aspects o Forget the reader may not be
of your study explaining how it familiar with the details of your
will lead to the progress of work.
Scientific knowledge.
 Engage your findings in a o Elaborate on your background
chronological findings literature
 Articulate your ideas in a clear o Forget to provide a historical
and concise manner perspective
 Engage the readers by building o Forget to check your target
a story around the central journal’s instruction for
theme of your research presenting the study background

B. Statement of the Problem

(Purpose Statement and Research Questions)

A series of questions used in researching the

topic. It is composed of
1. The general statement of the problem (the purpose statement) and
2. The specific sub-problems or sub-questions (or research questions).

 Guidelines in Writing the Statement of the

Problem (According to Calderon &
Gonzales,1993)
 1. The general statement of the problem and the research questions should
be formulated first before conducting the research.
2. Research questions should be stated in the interrogative and each should
be clear to avoid confusion.
3. Each research question should be researchable separately from the other
questions and must be based upon known facts and phenomena which is accessible to
the researcher.
4. Answers to each research question can be interpreted apart from the answers
to the other specific questions and must contribute to the development of the
whole research study.
5. The summary of the answers to all the specific questions will give a complete
development of the entire study.
6. The number of research questions should be enough to cover the development
of the whole research study.

Example:

This research aims to develop an evaluation model of a web-based tool used in

test administration for Grade 11 and 12 students. (Leanillo, 2016)

Specifically it aims to answer the following questions:

1. What are the commonly used web-based tools used in test administration?
2. How are these web-based test tools evaluated?
3. How could evaluation model be designed for web-based test administration?
IV.Sco and Delimitation of Research

A. Scope and Delimitation of the Study

 Scope of a Study - It is the coverage of the research to be explored which
includes the facts and theories about the subject
Example:

A research study on the impact of social networking on the attitude of senior

high school learners.
It is not possible to cover all aspects of the selected subject. The scope will
have to be restricted to a specific section of the target population over a specified
duration.
In the above-cited study, a group of 40 learners in senior high school at one
 particular school would be an ideal coverage to study their attitude for five
months.
 Delimitation of a Study

It limits the scope and outlines the boundaries of the study.

These limitations include the following:

1. Sample size.
a. The research design and method will determine whether if it is small or
large sample size.
b. The sample size will determine the quality of data and the relationships
that will be identified among the variables.
2. Lack of available and/or reliable data.
This will limit the scope of analysis and the ability of the researcher to
determine meaningful trends and relationships among the data.
3. Lack of prior studies.
This will limit the effectiveness of the literature review and initial
understanding of the research.
4. Chosen data collection method.
The quality of data collected must be clear to avoid erroneous answers
from the respondents.
5. Nature of the information collected.
Researcher should not rely on pre-existing data.
6. Access.
The amount and quality of available data will depend on the ability of the
researcher to access people, organizations, libraries, and documents.
7. Time period.
It is advisable to select a research problem and design

8. Bias.
The researcher should be aware of his or her personal biases.
9. Language.
This may have an effect on data collection, especially if the researcher is
involved with respondents that speak a variety of languages.
10. When writing the paper, the researcher should ensure that any delimitation
factor is noted down at the introduction, discussion, and conclusion sections. He
or she should clarify why the study included and excluded some delimitation.
C. Significance of the Study

 The significance of the study discuss the purpose that the research will
serve to society, the country, the government, the institution or agency
concerned, the curriculum planners and developers, and the research
community.
  Describes the contribution of the study to the existing body of knowledge.

It could be the following:

a. A form of new knowledge in the field,
b. A validation of the major findings of other studies,
c. A verification of the validity of findings in a different population,
d. Analysis of trends over time, and validation of other findings using
different methodologies.

 The researcher must identify specifically the beneficiaries who will directly
gain from the results of the study mentioning them in the paper according
to the significance of the result. The specific benefits must also be
enumerated and explained if necessary.
 Example:

The Effects of Computer-assisted Instruction in the Performance of Students in

Asian History and Civilization (Cuenca, 2008)

The findings of the study may provide deeper insights on how teaching can be made easier and
more meaningful by the use of computer-aided instruction. The study determined the significant effects of
slide presentation in instruction, a form of computer instruction on the performance of the students in the
subjects Asian History and Civilization.

To the students, the results may serve as an inspiration for them to continuously improve their skills
in using computers because they will realize the comfort that computer skills offer in complying with the
requirements of major subjects in the coming years.

To the administrators, the results may serve as a guide in the program-planning and
implementation of the IT department so that they can be of great help to the teachers of the university.

To the teachers, the results may serve as an eye opener for those who are not comfortable on the
use of computers in their class lesson presentations. The findings of this study may encourage more of
them to apply computer-aided instruction in teaching.
II. Presenting Written Statement of the Problem

The following sections compose the presentation of the written statement of the
problem

1. Introduction - States briefly the background of the study and identifies the
rationale of the research problem. It begins with a general statement of the
problem, outlines the specific problem or issue within the existing literature.
2. Statement of the Problem - States clearly the purposes or interest of the study,
poses specific questions about research problem.
3. Scope and Delimitation - Sets the boundaries and parameters of the study,
narrows the scope of the inquiry.
4. Significance of the Study - Shows the benefits of the study to address issues
and l problems, in improving economic and health conditions or even finding
solutions to problems encountered in daily life.

Activity 1: Question and Answer

Directions: Answer the questions in 3-5 sentences only. Write your answers on
the space provided.

1. What is Chapter 1 of a research paper and its sections that comprise?

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2. What is the difference between a research problem and research topic?
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3. What are the guidelines in writing statement of the problem?

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4. Why do we need to limit the scope of the study?
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Discussion of Activity 1
You just learned the concepts on research problems.
You were asked to save the titles you had proposed as your research
topic. You will use these on succeeding activities to create or write your
research problem.
a. Essays or reflections you have written from past classes and other
activities you have taken or a lecture you have attended
b. Life experiences
c. Issues or problems observed in your surroundings

1. Among the titles you saved previously, which of those you think
should be addressed? Kindly elaborate further on this matter.
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2. With the above research topics you saved, identify at least three
research problems for each and explain why you chose them.

Topic A: Essays or reflections you have written from past classes and
other activities you have taken or a lecture you have attended

Propose Research Title

Problem
1. _ _
2. _ _
3. _
_ Reasons:
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Topic B: Life experiences

Propose Research Title

Problem
1. _ _
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3. _ _
Reasons:
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Topic C: Issues or problems observed in your surroundings

Propose Research Title _

Problem
1. _ _
2. _ _
3. _
_ Reasons:
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 From the three research topics choose one as your proposed research
study which you will use on the later part of this lesson.

What’s more?
Follow instructions below in doing this activity.
A. Situation: Imagine yourself as a businessman on the picture shaking
hands to a prospective client.

1. How will you introduce yourself? Write your answer in NOT less than
three
(3) Sentences.

1. In general, what is the purpose of introduction? Identify the basics

of proper introduction by using the graphic organizer below.

INTRODUCTION

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 1. What is your interpretation of the picture? What does the target board
mean relative to research?
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2. Relate the picture in conducting research.

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What I have learned

From that chosen research study as your proposal, formulate the
following:
A. Introduction of your study by filling out the space provided.
1. Proposed Study_

2. What is the rationale or the background study of your chosen problem?

Please write your answer using extra paper should you need more
space.

3. Describe the setting of where your study is to be conducted.

4. Enumerate the terms or concepts that need to be defined or described to

you and to the reader.

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5. Provide at least three related literatures as references for the concept of
your study.

6. Determine the significance of your chosen problem.

7. What is the general objective of the study?

8. Who will be the beneficiaries? What will be their benefits to receive after the
problem is solved or the research is finish?

B. The statement of the problem part of your research study.

1. Title of your research:

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2. Purpose statement:
The researcher seeks to

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 3. Central question:

4. Sub-question:

5. Other questions:

What I can do
From your proposed research study present your written Statement of the
Problem which comprises the following sections:
I. Background of the Study (Introduction)
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II. Statement of the Problem
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III. Scope and Delimitation of the Study
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IV.Significance of the Study

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Additional Activities
After presenting Chapter 1 of your research study, edit or rewrite your work
using the corrections, suggestions and recommendations made by your
teacher. Save your work for the next lesson. Use the empty space
provided.

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Assessment
Direction: Read the following statements. Answer TRUE if the statement describes a research,
FALSE if you think it is not. Write your answers on the blank.

1. The rationale of the study gives the reasons why the study should
be conducted.
2. The starting point in any research project is to formulate a question.

3. The researcher's own personal interests and observations may be

a valuable source of questions.
4. Theories of other researchers are not a particularly good source
of research questions.
5. Successful research often raises new questions, even while it
answers old questions.
6. A research question transforms into your conclusion.

7. You should never consider matching your interest to a funder interest.

8. A problem statement identifies the nature of the problem

being addressed, and its context and significance.
9. The "purpose" of a study is the same thing as the "objective" of a study.

10. The "specific aims" of a study are the same thing as the "objectives"
of a study.
11. Research question come from any of several sources
namely, personal interest and experiences.
12. The research question should be either too broad or too narrow.

13. The objectives of the research.is sometimes referred to as

delimitations of the study.
14. Scope and Delimitation or research indicates the
boundaries, exceptions, reservation and qualification in
your study.
15. Objectives of the research indicate what will the research will do,
for instance, discover, explain or see.

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