PRACTICAL RESEARCH 2
(Quantitative Research)
LESSON 4: Identifying the Inquiry and Stating the Problem
Sources of Research Topics or Problems
Selecting the Research Topic
Selected Guidelines in the Formulation of a Research Title
Characteristics of a Good Title
INTRODUCTION
We never run out of problems because life never stops teaching us lessons. These problems
come in different complexities. The positive thinkers’ sense this as an opportunity to learn more, to
do research, create business, and even set a new market trend.
When we are still young, there are a lot of questions in our mind. Our inquisitiveness is very
high that we question whatever pops in our mind. However, as we grow older it seems that our being
inquisitive is lessened. Why is that so? Is it because we are already preoccupied by a lot of different
activities that hampers our learning process and that we also loosen our inspiration to learn more?
Doing research puts us to a lot of challenges. The first challenge of any researcher is the
identification of a research topic. A research topic or problem is an intellectual stimulus calling for an
answer in the form of scientific inquiry. Topics or problems are general questions about relations
among variables, or characteristics of the phenomenon which a researcher needs to undertake
(Birionet et.al., 2005, p.7 as cited by Faltado et.al., 2016). For this reason, some novice researchers
says, “My problem is a problem”.
EXPLORE
Activity 1: Reading and Collaborative learning through small group discussions
Read the attached lecture and answer the following questions.
Wrapping-up Questions:
1. How do sources of research topics important in determining research problem?
2. Why the criteria in selecting research topic classified as technical or personal?
3. Why consider criteria in formulating a research title?
FIRM-UP
Activity 2: Identification: Get a whole sheet of paper and make a table with five (5) columns
similar below. Identify the elements of a research title in the following research title below.
a. the subject matter or research problem;
b. the setting or locale of the study;
c. the respondents or participants involved in the study; and
d. the time or period when the study was conducted
1. Higher Order Thinking Skills in Reading of Freshmen in University of Northern Philippines,
Academic Year 2015-2016
2. Pinay Single Mom: Paghanga o Pagkutya? A Multicase Study on the Lives and Expereinces of the
Solo Parents in Zamboanga City
3. Abakada o Aba Kita…: A Multicase Study on Child Labor in the Selected Towns of the Province of
Laguna
4. Magkapatid na Parang Aso’t Pusa: Magkasundo pa Kaya? A Multicase Study on Siblings with
Rivalry in San Jose, Mindoro Occidental
5. Establishment of Jackfruit Tea Processing Plant in Barangay Bantayan, Tabaco, Albay
6. Level of Acceptability of Worksheets for Film-Clippings by the Teachers of English in University of
Antique, Academic Year 2015-2016
7. Life Adjustment of Yolanda Victimes in Tacloban City
8. Awareness on Traffic Rules and Regulations of Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association in
Brgy. Culiat, Quezon City, Calendar Year 2015
9. Health Practices of Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in Music, Arts, Physical Education
and Health (MAPEH) at University of Rizal System Pililia and Angono Academic Year 2015-2016
10. Level of Acceptability of the Tracing Guide for Children with Cerebral Palsy by the Special
Education Teachers in the Division of Pampanga, School Year 2015-2016
Research Subject matter Setting or Respondents or Time or period
or research locale of the participants involved when the study
problem study in the study was conducted
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DEEPEN
Activity 3: Video Analysis
1. Look for the video MATH TEACHER (Mark Angel Comedy Episode 118) in a Youtube. Study that
video found in https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsaCk4SARPk .
2. Identify at least two (2) problems, write a research topic and a possible quantitative research title
with two variables.
3. Compare your answer to your groupmates.
Identified Problem Research Topic Relevant to Identified Work in Progress Title
Problem
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TRANSFER
Note: The idea of this activity was based on Labay (2009) lectures on research.
Activity 4: Mini Write shop on Proposed Research Title
Remember that research title can be derived from a possible research topic of yours. And that
part is a work in progress. For this activity, have a group consultation with your selected research
group. And with reference to the following example, write and propose quantitative research title that
you will research on. Please consider two (2) variables that will be tested or compared.
Abregana (1996) Style of Identifying Research Problem
According to Abregana (1996) a potential research problem arises when these three (3) conditions
exist:
1. A perceived discrepancy between what is and what should be
2. A question about why the discrepancy
3. At least two (2) or more possible and plausible answers to the question that could be obtained
from readings, interviews, etc.
Example:
Problematic Situation: The Tres Reyes Island has been found out with “good” areas of corals
that support its diverse marine resources, preferably fish. But for the last five (5) months, it
showed that the people in the area had no fish to catch.
Discrepancy: The fisherman of the islands should have fish to catch, but all had no to fish
catch.
Problem Question: What are the factors responsible for the absence of fish catch?
Plausible Answer:
1. The people may overfish the area.
2. The status of the coral reefs maybe “poor “condition due to cyanide fishing.
3. The coral area is affected by the spillage of mine tailings.
Note that out of the plausible answers given, the researcher can be easily guided in making
the researchable problems. The following researchable problems or research titles can be deduced:
1. An analysis of the attitudes and activities of the people residing in Tres Reyes Islands
2. Chemical analysis of the heavy metals in the waters of Tres Reyes Islands
3. Assessment of the present status of corals in Tres Reyes Islands
CONCLUDING STATEMENT
To end this fifth lesson, let me share to you this concluding statement:
“The only joy in the word is to begin.” – Cesare Pavese
ATTACHMENT
The following lecture were lifted from Faltado et.al., (2016) Practical Research 2 Quantitative
Research book pages 14 to 17.
Sources of Research Topics or Problems
The following are the things that may be considered before starting the research activity:
1. Prevailing theories or philosophy
2. Observations, intuitions, or a combination of both
3. Different subjects taken and from them identify a problem that interests a student-researcher most
4. Fields of interest or specialization or event from related fields
5. Existing problems in the classroom/school/campus/university which one may want to solve are
good sources of research problems
6. Existing needs of the community or society
7. Repetition or extension of investigations already conducted or may be an offshoot of studies
underway (Angeles, 1966 p. 86)
8. Related studies and literature
9. Advice of authorities or experts from funding agencies
10. Offshoots of friendly conversations
11. Incidental from interesting topics of professors during the course meeting/session
Selecting the Research Topic
In choosing a research problem. Be guided by the following criteria:
1. It should be something new or different from what has already been written about.
2. It must be original.
3. It should be significant to the field of study or discipline.
4. It must necessarily arouse intellectual curiosity.
5. It should be of researcher’s interest and researcher must be with the topic.
6. It should be a modest one for a beginner to be carried on within a limited period.
7. It should be clear, not ambiguous.
8. It should be specific, not general.
9. It should consider the training and personal qualifications of the researcher.
10. It should consider the availability of data involved in the study and the methods and
techniques to be employed in gathering them.
11. It should consider the availability of effective instruments for gathering the data and their
treatment.
12. It should consider the financial capacity of the researcher to support the project.
13. It should consider the time factor involved in the undertaking.
The researcher must settle first the problem of selecting the problem to research on. The
following may be considered as basis for selecting the problem: technical and personal.
Technical Criteria
• significant to the chosen field/advancement of science or specialization
• pioneering or novel
• originality
• arouse intellectual curiosity
• relevance to degree
• availability or manageability of data
• availability of instrument
Personal Criteria
• interest
• training
• expertise
• financial capacity
• time factor involved in the project
Selected Guidelines in the Formulation of Research Title
1. The title must contain the following elements:
a. the subject matter or research problem;
b. the setting or locale of the study;
c. the respondents or participants involved in the study; and
d. the time or period when the study was conducted (Note: If the title becomes too long
because of these elements, the time frame or period may be omitted except in evaluation
studies.)
2. The title must be broad enough to include all aspects of the study but should be brief and
concise as possible.
3. The use of terms as “Analysis of”, “A Study of”, “An Investigation of” and the like should be
avoided. All these are understood to have been done in a research.
4. If the title contains more than one line, it should be written in inverted pyramid.
5. When typed or encoded in the title page, all words in the title should be in capital letters.
6. If possible, the title should not be longer than 15 substantive words.
7. Avoid a long, detailed title that gives too much information.
8. To shorten the title, delete the terms “assessment” or “evaluation” if these are already
emphasized in the text.
Characteristics of a Good Title
1. A title should give readers information about the contents of the research and is preferable to one
that is vague or general.
2. Titles do not need to be stuffy or dull, but they should generally give readers some idea at the
outset of what the research paper will contain.
3. Choose a title that is a phrase rather than a complete sentence.
4. Select a straightforward title over other kinds.
5. Use no punctuation at the end of a title.
6. Do not underline the title of research or enclose it in quotation marks. Instead, use a word
processing program or printer that permits italics. Use them in place of underlining.
