Practical Research 1 - Quarter 1 - Module 3 - Identifying The Inquiry - Version 3
Practical Research 1 - Quarter 1 - Module 3 - Identifying The Inquiry - Version 3
Quarter 1- Module 3:
Identifying the Inquiry and Stating the Problem
Management Team
Chairperson: Dr. Arturo B. Bayocot, CESO III
Regional Director
Co-Chairpersons: Dr. Victor G. De Gracia Jr. CESO V
Assistant Regional Director
Jonathan S. dela Peña, PhD, CESO V
Schools Division Superintendent
Rowena H. Para-on, PhD
Assistant Schools Division Superintendent
Mala Epra B. Magnaong, Chief ES, CLMD
Members: Neil A. Improgo, PhD, EPS-LRMS; Bienvenido U. Tagolimot, Jr., PhD, EPS-ADM;
Erlinda G. Dael, PhD, CID Chief; Nelson B. Absin, PhD, EPS (Math & Science);
Celieto B. Magsayo, LRMS Manager; Loucile L. Paclar, Librarian II;
Kim Eric G. Lubguban, PDO II
Regional Evaluator: Joel D. Potane & Mark John Gabule
Cagayan de Oro City Division
Practical Research 1
Quarter 1 – Module 3:
Identifying the Inquiry and Stating the Problem
1. In order to achieve the objectives of this module, here’s a simple guide for you:
2. Read and follow instructions carefully.
3. Answer the pretest before going through the lessons.
4. Take note and record points for clarification.
5. Compare your answers against the key to answers found at the end of the module.
6. Do the activities and fully understand each lesson.
7. Answer the self-check to monitor what you learned in each lesson.
8. Answer the posttest after you have gone over all the lessons.
iii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Pages
Learning Objectives 1
Pretest 2
Lesson 1 The Subject Matter of the Research
I. What is a Research Topic 4
II. Rules in Choosing a Research Topic 5
III. Research Topic to be Avoided 6
IV. Sources of Research Topic 7
Post test 11
Pretest 14
Lesson 2 The Research Problem and Research Question
I. An Overview of the Research Problem and 15
Research Question
A. Background of the Study 17
B. Statement of the Problem 18
C. Scope and Delimitation of Study 19
D. Significance of the Study 21
II. Presenting Written Statement of the Problem 22
Post test 33
iv
What I need to know
Did you know that parachutes function only when opened? In the same
manner your minds work when unlocked. Research study is like you are planning to
travel to a place you have not been to and the question is where and how do you
start. ? Where should you start a research? How do you choose a topic? What far
will it go and who will benefit from it. In research, you are inclining to think in various
stages that sorts out from the simplest to the most intricate thoughts. You are
beginning to perform what you want to research intending to know a new subject into
higher levels of thinking as you go through the several conditions. The quality of
thinking and devotion you give to your actions of choosing your research, identifying
question, knowing the coverage and the significance of your research study strongly
determined the success of your research work.
Learning Objectives
After going through this module, you are expected to be able to:
1
What I know
2
8. Which of these would be assured by you when selecting factors for a study in
general?
a. They have been investigated before
b. They are available to investigate
c. They are not of interest to you
d. They do not lead to another question
9. Which of the following is a good way to find a research topic?
a. Personal experience
b. Getting an idea from your advisor
c. Looking for the next step in the research process
d. All of the above
10. What is not true of a research title?
a. Read the most, and it is usually read first
b. Least important element that defines the research problem.
c. Contains few words that describe the purpose of the research
d. All of the above
___________________
1
This set of questions presented in the pre-test are extracted from an online link
https://wps.pearsoned.co.uk/ema_uk_he_saunders_doingresearch.html /Copyright © 1995-2010, Pearson
Education, Inc
3
Lesson
1 The Subject Matter of the Research
Developing a good research topic may not be easy for you but it is an
important skill. Your teacher may assign you a particular topic but often requires you
to choose a topic that interests you .In this lesson you are given the guidelines in
choosing a topic when you begin your research work. These pointers will guide you
in selecting a good topic. Other factors affecting in choosing and writing your
research are topics that need to be avoided this will help you focus clearly on your
subjects. Likewise the sources of information are important for you to know where
your research topic may come from.
What’s in?
(
In the previous lesson, you learned to illustrate the importance of qualitative
research across fields of inquiry .Research can be conducted in any field of
knowledge .Whatever field you belong you can freely choose the basic research
approaches either the scientific ,naturalistic or mixed. The areas of disciplines that
are classified into soft and hard sciences assist you to understand where you really
fit. These will guide you into this next learning of designing a research project and
writing a research title.
What’s New?
4
Elements of a Research Title
Example:
Subject matter: The effects of the use of cell phones on the academic
performance
Population to senior high school students
Place or locale: at Department of Education
Time period: during the first semester, school year 2018-2019
____________________
1
For more information about rules in choosing a research topic see Barbour, R. (2014). Introducing Qualitative
Research: A Student Guide. Los Angeles: Sage Pub.USA.
5
3. Timeliness and relevance of the topic.
4. Limitations on the subject. Connect your choice with course requirements. You
need to decide on one topic to
finish your course.
1. Controversial topics.
It depends more on the writer’s opinion leading to biases. Facts cannot support
this topic.
3. Hard-to-investigate subjects.
Happens if there are no available reading materials about it and if such materials are
not up-to-date.
6. Vague subjects.
Titles beginning with indefinite adjectives such as several, many, some, etc., as in
“Some Remarkable Traits of a Filipino” or “Several People’s Comments on the RH
Law,” are vague enough to decrease the readers’ interests and curiosity.
____________________
1
For more information about rules in choosing a research topic see Baraceros, E.L. (2016).Practical
Research’s .Ist ed. Rex Bookstore. Manila
6
IV. Sources of Research Topics1
1. Mass media communication – press (newspapers, ads, TV, radio, films, etc.)
2. What are those topics to avoid in preventing you to have a clear focus on your
research paper?
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
____________________
1
For more information about sources of research topic s see: Silverman, D. 2013. Doing Qualitative
Research. 4th ed. London: Sage Pub.USA.
7
3. Where can you find sources of research topics to create ideas of selecting a good
subject matter?
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
What is it?
Discussion of Activity 1
You just learned the rules in choosing a research subject. These includes topics
to be avoided and the sources of where to search.
1. What topics you find most relevant in your daily life potential to research? Cite
two issues.
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
2. How about a writing a good research title? Present (1) one good example of a
research title and (1) NOT so good title. Describe each.
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
8
What’s more?
Topics to choose:
1. Climate Change
2. Social Networking
3. Communication Skills
4. Medicinal Plants
5. Cultural Beliefs
Example: Topic Chocolate
Topic Chocolate
What new questions do you have about Are there health benefits to eating
your topic? chocolate? Can chocolate boost your
mood? Is chocolate addictive?
Narrowing Chart
Topic
Sub-Topics
9
What new questions do you have about
your topic?
Think of this statement: A good research is seen in the way its topic is outlined.
When you choose topics for your research, you have to think about the reasons why
you identified those topics.
How will you write a good research topic?
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
What I can do
10
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Additional Activity
From the topics or titles you had saved, browse through some current articles that
relates to the subject matter that interest you to research. Read and summarize the
topic using the narrowing chart on page 9 of this lesson. It is important that you save
this task for your next lesson.
Assessment
11
b. They provide an overview of the issues related to a topic.
c. They are primary sources.
d. They avoid reporting statistical data to interpret the results more readily.
4. Which of the following are excellent sources for research topics?
a. Theory
b. Personal experience
c. Replication of prior research
d. All of the above
5. Mr. Santos identified his research topic as "classroom assessment." He
recognized very quickly his topic was far too broad. Which of the following is likely to
have led to that conclusion?
a. There was far too much written on the topic to understand it all.
b. It was difficult to organize the material collected in an effective manner.
c. The potential problems he began thinking would be next to impossible to
study.
d. All of the above.
6. What is a research project?
a. A way of conducting research that is not grounded in theory.
b. A choice between using qualitative or quantitative methods.
c. A style in which you present your research findings, e.g. a graph.
d. A framework for every stage of the collection and analysis of data.
7. Which of these would be assured by you when selecting factors for a study in
general?
a. They have been investigated before
b. They are available to investigate
c. They are not of interest to you
d. They do not lead to another question
8. A business student plans a research project; it is called a description of an online
business. On the limited information (the title), which one of these best applies to the
idea?
a. It is too broad.
b. It is a highly technical subject.
c. It has an acceptable method.
d. It has an acceptable purpose.
9. What is the main advantage of producing a written research project?
a. Helps with liability.
b. Helps the society.
c. Informs all interested parties.
d. Helps keep people employed.
___________________
1
This set of questions presented in the post-test are extracted from an online link
https://wps.pearsoned.co.uk/ema_uk_he_saunders_doingresearch.html /Copyright © 1995-2010, Pearson
Education, Inc
12
b. Provides respondent names and addresses.
c. Consider all possible research previously been done on the topic.
d. Focus on addressing the research objectives.
d. They do not lead to another question
___________________
1
This set of questions presented in the post-test are extracted from an online link
https://wps.pearsoned.co.uk/ema_uk_he_saunders_doingresearch.html /Copyright © 1995-2010, Pearson
Education, Inc
REFERENCES
13
slides].Retrieved from http://www.academia.edu./ppt
Calmorin, L.P. (2016).Research and Thesis Writing with Statistics and Computer
Application .Rev.ed.Rex Book Store.Manila
Cristobal, A.P., Jr, & Cristobal, M.D. (2016). Practical Research 1 for Senior High
School .Ist ed.C & E Publishing Inc.Quezon City.
https://wps.pearsoned.co.uk/ema_uk_he_saunders_doingresearch_1/209/53534/13704779.cw/index.
html /Copyright © 1995-2010, Pearson Education, Inc.
Key Answer
Post test
Pretest
What I know
14
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 spaces
provided.
________2. The research question should be either too broad or too narrow.
________5. Objectives of the research indicate what will the research will do, for
instance, discover, explain or seek.
________6. The rationale of the study gives the reasons why the study should be
conducted.
___________________
1
This set of questions presented in the pre-test are extracted from an online link
https://wps.pearsoned.co.uk/ema_uk_he_saunders_doingresearch.html /Copyright © 1995-2010, Pearson
Education, Inc
15
addressed, and its context and significance.
___________________
1
This set of questions presented in the pre-test are extracted from an online link
https://wps.pearsoned.co.uk/ema_uk_he_saunders_doingresearch.html /Copyright © 1995-2010, Pearson
Education, Inc
16
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?
Chapter I of the research paper is called The Problem and Its Background
(sometimes also called The Introduction)
Others have sections such as Objectives of the Study, Hypotheses but these will not
be considered in this lesson
17
What is a research problem?
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
concern about the about distance in distance
research that narrow education .
the topic.
18
A. Background of the Study
d. Rationale of the study - Give the reason(s) why the study should be conducted.
Example:
19
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 presenting
theme of your research the study background
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).
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.
____________________
1
For more information about do’s and don’ts of writing a research background study, see online link
on www.editage.com/insights/8-dos-and-8-donts-of-writing-an-engaging-study-background
20
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.
8. The summary of the answers to all the specific questions will give a complete
development of the entire study.
Example:
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
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.
____________________
1
For more information about scope and delimitation of the study see Cristobal, A.P., Jr, & Cristobal, M.D. (2016).
Practical Research 1 for Senior High School. Ist ed.C & E Publishing Inc. Quezon City.
These would form the next parameter.
21
Delimitation of a Study
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.
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.
22
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.
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.
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 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.
23
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.
States clearly the purposes or interest of the study, poses specific questions
about research problem.
Sets the boundaries and parameters of the study, narrows the scope of the
inquiry.
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.
24
2. What is the difference between a research problem and research topic?
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
25
What is it?
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.
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
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
26
Reasons:
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
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?
1. How will you introduce yourself? Write your answer in NOT less than three
(3) sentences.
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
27
.
https://www.stockunlimited.com/vector-illustration/businessman-shaking-hands-silhouette
INTRODUCTION
28
B. Synthesize your ideas and create a caption on the picture below.
https://www.stockunlimited.com/vector-illustration/targetboard
1. What is your interpretation of the picture? What does the target board
mean relative to research?
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
29
What I have learned
From that chosen research study as your proposal, formulate the following:
1. Proposed Study_________________________________________________
30
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
5. Provide at least three related literatures as references for the concept of your
study.
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
8. Who will be the beneficiaries? What will be their benefits to receive after the
problem is solved or the research is finish?
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
31
B. The statement of the problem part of your research study.
2. Purpose statement:
The researcher seeks to _______________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
3. Central question:
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
4. Sub-question:
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
5. Other questions:
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
32
What I can do
From your proposed research study present your written Statement of the
Problem which comprises the following sections:
33
III. Scope and Delimitation of the Study
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
34
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.
35
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.
________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.
_________________________
1
This set of questions presented in the post-test are extracted from an online link
https://wps.pearsoned.co.uk/ema_uk_he_saunders_doingresearch.html /Copyright © 1995-2010,
Pearson Education, Inc
36
REFERENCES
Calmorin, L.P. (2016).Research and Thesis Writing with Statistics and Computer
Application .Rev.ed.Rex Book Store.Manila.
Cristobal, A.P., Jr, & Cristobal, M.D. (2016). Practical Research 1 for Senior High
School .Ist ed.C & E Publishing Inc.Quezon City.
Leanillo, M. (October 2016). Evaluation model on the use of a web-based tool in test
Administration for Grade 11 and 12 students. Unpublished masteral thesis
proposal. Manila: Philippine Normal University.
Miranda Plata, et al. Research: Process and product workbook. Biñan, Laguna:
Trailblazer Publications.
www.editage.com/insights/8-dos-and-8-donts-of-writing-an-engaging-study-
background?
37
38
Pretest Post test
1. TRUE 1. TRUE
2. FALSE 2. FALSE
3. FALSE 3.TRUE
4. TRUE 4.FALSE
5. TRUE 5.TRUE
6. TRUE 6.FALSE
7. FALSE 7.FALSE
8. TRUE 8.TRUE
9. FALSE 9.FALSE
10. TRUE 10.TRUE
11. FALSE 11.TRUE
12. FALSE 12.FALSE
13. TRUE 13.FALSE
14. FALSE 14.TRUE
15. TRUE 15.TRUE
Key Answer
problem
https://www.slideshare.net/mjlobetos/lesson-10-presenting-written-statement-of-the-