Practical Research 2

The Research
Problem
Quarter 3: Module 2
“If we knew
what it was, we
were doing, it
would not be
called
research, would
it?”
At the end of this
class, you are
expected to:
1. Design a research used in daily life.
2. Write a research title.
3. Describe background of research.
4. State research questions.
5. Indicate scope and delimitation.
6. Present written statement of the problem.
7. Perform tasks confidently.
 Fill in the blank with the choices found inside the box.

Research Problem Scope Sources

Delimitation Research Background
Hypothesis Problem Statement

1.Usually, a _______ is initially posed as a question which serves as the focus of the researcher’s
investigation.
2.A _______ introduces the reader to the importance of the topic being studied.
3.A _______ is a predicted answer to the research question that can be tested and based on prior
research.
4.The _______ for identification of problem are diverse and would largely depend upon the area
of interest of the investigator and the nature of the problem under investigation.
5. _______ is a brief outline of the most important studies that have been conducted so far
presented in a chronological order.
6.The _______ details how in-depth your study is to explore the research question and the
parameter in which it will operate in relation to the population and timeframe.
7.The _______ of a study are the factors and variables not to be included in the investigation.
Accomplish the table below by placing your
answer in the right column.
 QUICK QUIDE!
• Quantitative Titles: Focus on measuring
relationships, effects, and correlations using numerical
data.
• Qualitative Titles: Focus on understanding
experiences, perceptions, and deeper meanings.
 LET’S COMPARE!
QUALITATIVE VS. QUANTITATIVE

EDUCATION
✓ QUALITATIVE: “Exploring the Experiences of Senior
High School Students in Online Learning”
✓ QUANTITATIVE: “The Effect of Online Learning on
the Academic Performance of Senior High School
Students”
 LET’S COMPARE!
QUALITATIVE VS. QUANTITATIVE

BUSINESS
✓ QUALITATIVE: “Understanding Employees’
Perceptions of Job Satisfaction and Work Productivity”
✓ QUANTITATIVE: “A Quantitative Study on the
Relationship Between Employee Satisfaction and
Productivity”
 LET’S COMPARE!
QUALITATIVE VS. QUANTITATIVE

SOCIAL SCIENCE
✓ QUALITATIVE: “Senior High School Students’
Experiences with Mobile Phone Usage and Its Effect
on Their Studies”
✓ QUANTITATIVE: “The Impact of Mobile Phone
Addiction on the Academic Engagement of Senior
High School Students”
 What is a Research
Problem?
A research problem is exactly that – a problem that
someone would like to research (Fraenkel and Wallen,
2010).
 What is a Research
Problem?
A problem can be anything that a person
✓ finds unsatisfactory or unsettling, a difficulty of some sort, a
state of affairs that needs to be changed, or anything that is not
working as well as it might.
✓ involve areas of concern to researchers, conditions they want
to improve, difficulties they want to eliminate, and questions for
which they seek answers.
 Research Questions

Usually, a research problem is initially posed as a

question which serves as the focus of the researcher’s
investigation.
 Research Questions
The following examples of possible research in education are not sufficiently
developed for actual use in a research project but would be suitable during
the early stage of formulating a quantitative research question:

• Do teachers behave differently towards students of different

genders? (Causal-comparative research)
• How can we predict which students might have trouble learning
certain kinds of subject matter? (Correlational research)
 Research Questions
There are other kinds of questions, however, that cannot be answered by
collecting and analyzing data. The following are examples:

• Should philosophy be included in the high school curriculum?

[This is a question of value. It implies notions of right and wrong, proper
and improper—and therefore does not have any empirical (or
observable) referents.]
• What is the meaning of life? [Answers to this sort of question lie
beyond the accumulation of information.]
 Characteristics of Good
Research Questions
Once a research question has been formulated, researchers want to turn it into as
good a question as possible. Good research questions possess four essential
characteristics (Fraenkel and Wallen, 2010):
1.Feasibility: The question is feasible (i.e., it can be investigated without expending an
undue amount of time, energy, or money).
2.Clarity: The question is clear (i.e., most people would agree as to what the key words
in the question mean).
3.Significance: The question is significant (i.e., it is worth investigating because it will
contribute important knowledge about the human condition).
4.Ethics: The question is ethical (i.e., it will not involve physical or psychological harm or
damage to human beings or to the natural or social environment of which they are a
part).
 The Purposes of a Problem
Statement
1.Introduces the reader to the importance of the topic being
studied: The reader is oriented to the significance of the study
and the research questions or hypotheses to follow.
2.Places the problem into a particular context: This defines the

parameters of what is to be investigated.

3.Provides the framework for reporting the results: It indicates

what is probably necessary to conduct the study and explains how

the findings will present this information.
 The Purposes of a Problem
Statement

✓ Do not confuse a research problem with a research topic.

✓ A topic is something to read and obtain information about, whereas a
problem is something to solve or framed as a question that must be
answered.
✓ A good research question helps to guide the research process; construct
a logical argument; write a literature review; plan thesis chapters; and
devise efficient search strategies.
 The Purposes of a Problem
Statement
A research question is not the same as a thesis title, research problem, hypothesis, or
research focus, although they are interrelated and support one another:
• A research question summarizes the significant issue your research will
investigate.
• The title consists of the topic and outcome of a research project.
• The research problem explains the knowledge gap your research will address.
• A hypothesis is a predicted answer to the research question that can be tested and
is based on prior research.
• A research focus specifies the scope or domain of inquiry.
 The Purposes of a Problem
Statement
✅ 1. Research Question
Definition: Summarizes the significant issue your research will investigate.
Example: How does sleep deprivation affect the academic performance of senior
high school students?

✅ 2. Research Title
Definition: Consists of the topic and expected outcome of a research project.
Example: The Effects of Sleep Deprivation on the Academic Performance of
Senior High School Students
 The Purposes of a Problem
Statement
✅ 3. Research Problem
Definition: Explains the knowledge gap your research will address.
Example: While many students suffer from sleep deprivation, there is limited research on how
it directly impacts their academic performance, especially at the senior high school level.

✅ 4. Hypothesis
Definition: A predicted answer to the research question that can be tested and is based on
prior research.
Example: Students who sleep less than 6 hours per night will have lower academic
performance compared to those who sleep 7–8 hours
 The Purposes of a Problem
Statement
✅ 5. Research Focus
Definition: Specifies the scope or domain of inquiry.
Example: This study will focus on Grade 12 students in urban public schools and
examine their average hours of sleep in relation to their performance in major
subjects.
 The Value of Research in the Area
of Interest

A research problem is a statement about an area of concern, a

condition to be improved, a difficulty to be eliminated, or a
troubling question that exists in scholarly literature, in theory, or in
practice that points to the need for meaningful understanding
and deliberate investigation.
 The Value of Research in the Area
of Interest

A research problem does not state how to do something, offer a

vague or broad proposition, or present a value question.

❌ 1. "Does not state how to do something"

•Why?
A research problem identifies the issue, not the method of
solving it.
 The Value of Research in the Area
of Interest

A research problem does not state how to do something, offer a

vague or broad proposition, or present a value question.

❌ 2. "Does not offer a vague or broad proposition"

Why?
A research problem should be specific and focused, not
too general.
 The Value of Research in the Area
of Interest

A research problem does not state how to do something, offer a

vague or broad proposition, or present a value question.

❌ 3. "Does not present a value question"

(A value question asks about what is right/wrong, good/bad—it’s
opinion-based.)
Why?
A research problem must be researchable and based on
evidence, not on opinions or moral judgments.
 The Value of Research in the Area
of Interest

✅ In Summary:

A research problem should:

•Identify a clear, specific issue
•Be based on a gap in knowledge
•Be researchable with data, not opinions or general statements
•Avoid being too broad, or moral question
 Any problem that is not significant to the nation or profession is not
worth consideration of the investigator. It is helpful for the investigator
to keep in mind the following aspects while selecting the area of
problem for research –

• The problem to be chosen should be such as to be meaningfully

related to the interest of the investigator himself/herself.
• The problem having alliance with the chain of thinking or
research already in existence can be handled more confidently.
 Any problem that is not significant to the nation or profession is not
worth consideration of the investigator. It is helpful for the investigator
to keep in mind the following aspects while selecting the area of
problem for research –

• The ambitious problems covering a wide range of area of interest should be

avoided and the problems of manageable size and limits should be taken up.
• An important consideration for selecting the problem area relates to its
feasibility in terms of the application of scientific techniques, availability of
resources in terms of money, personnel, and equipment.

When the researcher considers the points mentioned above, the researcher is essentially trying
to answer some such questions as – Is the problem researchable, interesting, research already in
existence or manageable size? Is it a new problem or the work on the problem has already in
existence?
The sources for identification of problem are
diverse and would largely depend upon the area
of interest of the investigator and the nature of
the problem under investigation. However, the
problem can be identified from –

(a) Advanced study and critical reading.

(b) Analysis and interpretation of the already

available evidence, practices, trends or
needs in a particular area.
 Research Topics to be Avoided

1. Controversial topics -These are topics that depend greatly on the writer’s
opinion, which tend to be biased or prejudicial. Facts cannot support
controversial topics
2. Highly technical subjects -For a beginner, researching on topics that
require an advance study, technical knowledge and vast experience is very
difficult.
3. Hard-to-investigate subjects -A topic or a subject is hard to investigate if
there is no available data or reading materials about it and such materials are
not updated (obsolete).
 Research Topics to be Avoided

4. Too broad subjects -A subject or a topic that are too broad will prevent the
researcher from giving a concentrated or in-depth analysis of the subject matter of the
research paper.
5. Too narrow subjects -The subjects are so limited or specific that an extensive or
thorough searching or reading for information about the subject is necessary.
6. Vague subjects -Choosing topics like these will prevent you from having a clear
insight or focus on your study. For instance, topics like “Some Remarkable Traits of a
Negrosanon”, “Several Comments on a Modular System in the Department of
Education”. So, avoid using indefinite adjectives such as some, several, many, etc.
Understanding and Analyzing the
Background of the Study
 Today's Lesson

Focus: Background of the Study

Main Goals:
• Define background of the study
• Understand its purpose
• Analyze its content effectively
 Definition

The Background of the Study is a section in a research

paper that provides the context for the research problem. It
explains the circumstances, issues, or conditions that led to
the conduct of the study and justifies why the research is
necessary.
• Circumstances are the general situations or events around
the topic. For example, a place that often experiences floods
or typhoons.
• Issues are the problems or challenges that need to be solved,
like students dropping out of school or farmers losing crops.
• Conditions describe the current state of something, such as
poor soil, low income, or limited resources. So, circumstances
explain the background, issues show what the problem is, and
conditions tell what things are like now.
• So, circumstances explain the background,
issues show what the problem is, and
conditions tell what things are like now.
 Key Features of Background of the Study

• Describes the broader situation or environment of

the research topic.
• Identifies the problem or gap the study intends to
address.
• Explains why the topic is relevant or significant.
• Often includes brief support from existing studies or
data.
🧠 In Simple Terms:
It tells the reader what is happening, why it's a concern, and
how the study will help.
 Research Background

✓ a brief outline of the most important studies that have been

conducted so far presented in a chronological order

✓ include a brief discussion of major theories and models

related to the research problem.
 Research Background
✓ When writing research background, you also need to demonstrate
how your research relates to what has been done so far in the
research area.

✓ Once the research area is selected, the literature review is

commenced in order to identify gaps in the research area, and the
research aims, and objectives need to be closely associated with the
elimination of this gap in the literature.
 Sample Research Paper Title

• Title: The Effects of Social Media Use on the

Academic Performance of Senior High School
Students
 Background of the Study
In recent years, social media has become an integral part of students' daily
lives. With platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok gaining
popularity, many students spend hours engaging with content online. While
these platforms provide opportunities for communication and learning, concerns
have been raised about their impact on students’ academic performance.
Several studies have explored the potential distractions and time management
challenges associated with frequent social media use. In the context of senior
high school students in urban areas, it is important to investigate whether these
effects are significant and how they influence students’ study habits and
academic outcomes.
 Explaining the Context

• Topic and Focus: Social Media Use and Academic

performance
• Who: Senior high school students
• Issue: Time spent on social media may affect study habits
 Class Discussion Guide

• What problem is described?

• What context is given?
• Why is this study important?
• What is the scope of the study?
 Key Elements of a Good Background Section

• Relevance: Links general topic to specific

issue
• Context: Explains the current situation or
trend
• Scope: Defines the boundaries of the
research
• Justification: Shows why the study matters
 Research Background
Learning is an interaction process between students and teachers and study
material in teaching learning process (UUSPN No.20, 2003). In other word, learning is a
process to help the students to study well. The media and the method of learning
process in transferring the material will be an important factor to get the best result.
The methods of delivery to students there are different kinds, one of them the lecture
method. The lecture method is explanation and narrative verbally by teacher in the
class, while the role of student is listening carefully, and noted of which presented by
the teacher (Surahmad, 2003). The lecture method has disadvantage that the
interaction to be centered on teachers so teachers cannot know with certainty how far
students understand about the material (Muhammad, 2011). Seen here that the lecture
method is learning more dominated by teacher as the "the transferor" science, and
students were more passive as the "recipient" of science.
 Research Background

The material of the solar system actually is complex, such as discusses

about all of planets in the solar system and satellite. It also discusses about
meteors, comets, asteroids, and space objects other (Prihantono, 2013). This
material is usually presented using textbook. The material of solar system
presented in form of images and text that dominated with theory
explanation. To clarify the understanding of the solar system material, need
information technology support that can be applied to this material. It was
difficult we find in the past before the rapidly growing information
technology. The sophistication technology lies in the ability of technology to
combine real and virtual condition which the results are displayed in real
time.
 Research Background
Because of that, the writer tries to make an application as an interactive
media to help elementary school students to study about solar system based
on android mobile. Researcher chose android because Android is the one
desired society platform besides blackberry platform and IOS that most
popular of Smartphone. Almost all of ages used android platform, from young
until old ages (antaranews.com, 2011). This application consists of solar
system materials like: planet, space objects, earth, and moon movement that
applied in interesting graphic to support learning process, soit will raise the
student’s desire in understanding the material. To support this application the
writer also makes interactive questions, to know how far the student’s
capability in understanding the material by using this application.
 Summary of the Lesson

• The background of the study sets the stage for your

research.
• It explains what the topic is about, why it is important, and
what gap your study will fill.
• Knowing how to analyze it helps you write a strong
introduction.
 Group Activity Instructions
1. Title: Analyzing Background of the Study Sections
2. Instructions:
– Form small groups (3–5 members each).
– Each group will receive a different excerpt from a research paper’s background of the
study.
– Read and analyze your excerpt.
– Identify:
The purpose of the background
Key information provided (context, issue, scope, justification)
Prepare to present your findings to the class.
 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
"Climate change has increasingly affected agricultural
productivity in tropical regions. In countries like the Philippines,
erratic weather patterns have led to unpredictable harvest
outcomes, especially for rice farmers. Despite various adaptation
strategies, many small-scale farmers still suffer economic losses.
This study explores the specific coping mechanisms used by
farmers in Northern Mindanao and evaluates their effectiveness in
improving yield stability."
 Analysis Questions:

• What is the main topic of this study?

• What problem is being introduced?
• What context is provided?
• What is the scope of the study?
• Why is this research important?
 MAIN TOPIC VS. CONTEXT
🟩 Main Topic 🟦 Context
Definition: The central subject or focus of Definition: The background, setting, or situation that
the study or discussion. helps explain why the main topic is important or
relevant.
What it answers: “What is this about?” What it answers: “What is happening around the
Characteristics: topic? Why is it being studied?”
Broad but specific enough to guide research Characteristics:
Usually stated in the title or the first sentence Gives background information
Includes location, time, conditions, or related issues
Examples: Explains the "so what?" of the topic
Social Media Use among Teenagers Examples (related to the main topics above):
"Many teenagers now spend over 6 hours a day on social
media platforms, raising concerns about its impact on mental
health."
1. Education – Study Habits and Academic Performance
Many students today struggle with maintaining consistent study habits,
especially with the distractions brought by social media and mobile
devices. In many schools, poor study routines have been linked to lower
grades and poor academic performance. This situation is a concern for
teachers and parents who want students to succeed. While some
students still perform well, others find it hard to focus and manage their
time. This study aims to examine the relationship between students’
study habits and their academic performance to help identify ways to
improve learning outcomes.
2. Technology – Online Learning and Student Engagement
The shift to online learning during the pandemic has changed the
way students interact with their lessons. Many schools adopted
digital platforms, but not all students remained fully engaged.
Some students became less motivated, while others improved
their focus and performance. This situation raises questions
about how effective online learning really is. The issue of low
engagement affects the quality of education. This study
investigates how online learning influences student engagement
and performance in junior high school.
3. Environment – Waste Management Practices
Improper waste disposal continues to be a serious problem in
many urban communities. Despite having garbage collection
systems, some residents still throw their trash in canals or vacant
lots, leading to pollution and flooding. The local government has
tried to promote proper waste segregation, but the level of
participation remains low. This study looks into the waste
management practices of households and how these practices
affect the cleanliness of their surroundings. The goal is to help
improve local environmental programs.
4. Health – Physical Activity and Health of Teenagers
Many teenagers today live a sedentary lifestyle, spending more
time on their phones and computers than doing physical
activities. This has led to rising concerns about obesity, poor
posture, and other health issues among young people. Although
schools encourage physical activity, not all students participate
actively. This study examines the relationship between the level
of physical activity and the health status of high school students.
The findings can help promote better fitness programs in schools.
5. Business – Customer Satisfaction in Online Shopping
Online shopping has become more popular, especially after the
pandemic, but some customers still experience problems like late
deliveries, damaged items, or poor customer service. These
issues affect how satisfied people are with their online shopping
experience. While some platforms have improved their services,
customer complaints remain common. This study aims to
measure customer satisfaction in online shopping platforms and
identify which factors most affect their experience. The results
can help improve service quality in e-commerce.
 Lesson Objectives

• Understand the meaning of scope and delimitation

• Identify the importance of scope and delimitation in
quantitative research
• Learn how to write scope and delimitation
effectively
 SCOPE AND DELIMITATION

define the topic and boundaries of the

research problem to be investigated.
 SCOPE

The scope details how in-depth your study is to

explore the research question and the parameters
in which it will operate in relation to the
population and timeframe.
 SCOPE

It defines what the study will cover in terms of:

- Content
- Population
- Timeframe
- Location
 Example of Scope

• This study focuses on the academic

performance of Grade 11 students in Manila
during the school year 2024–2025.
 DELIMITATION

✓ the factors and variables not to be included in

the investigation
✓ they are the boundaries the researcher sets in
terms of study duration, population size and
type of participants, etc.
 Example of Delimitation

• This study excludes students from private

schools and focuses only on public school
enrollees.
• It only considers students using digital
modules.
 EXAMPLE OF SCOPE AND
DELIMITATION

Out of 189 second year accounting students at Saint Mary’s University,

100 students were used as a sample in conducting the survey.
This study limits its coverage on the second-year accounting students
only. Its main purpose is to identify the common problems that they
encounter and to propose possible solutions regarding this problem.
 EXAMPLE OF SCOPE AND
DELIMITATION
This study considers every aspect of students’ personal information that
has an impact on their academic performances such as their parents
educational background, their parents’ income, their gender, age, and
home location. Each of the respondents are given same questionnaires to
answer. And this study focuses on the current second year students at the
present school year, 2008-2009
 Why Are Scope and Delimitation Important?

• Clarifies the focus of the research

• Prevents misunderstanding or misinterpretation
• Ensures the study remains manageable
 Scope and Delimitation in Quantitative Research

• Especially important in quantitative research to

ensure measurable and focused variables
• Helps identify the population and sample correctly
 Tips in Writing Scope and Delimitation

• Be clear and concise

• Be specific in the population, variables, and methods
• Avoid including unnecessary information
 Sample Statement

• Scope: This study covers the relationship between social

media usage and sleep patterns among Grade 10
students in Cebu City.
• Delimitation: It does not include students from other grade
levels or locations, and only focuses on Facebook and
TikTok use.