INQUIRIES,

INVESTIGATION AND
IMMERSION 12
3rd Quarter
Week 2

Development and Quality Assurance Team

Developer: Fate P. Forrosuelo
Evaluator: Javie Legaspo, Irene D. Montenegro
Learning Area Supervisor: Edna E. Trinidad

Illustration Credits:
Title Page: Marieto Cleben V. Lozada
Title Page Graphics: Bryan L. Arreo
Visual Cues: Ivin Mae M. Ambos
 Competency: formulates clearly the statement of research
problem

Objectives: At the end of the week, you shall have

1. Identified the following parts of a research paper:

a. background of the study
b. statement of the problem
c. research hypothesis (for quantitative research)
d. significance of the study
e. scope and delimitation of the study
f. conceptual framework
g. definition of terms
2. Formulated clearly the statement of the problem
3. Reflected on the importance of the parts of the research paper

Learner’s Tasks

Lesson Overview

Starting a research investigation is similar to embarking on a journey. First, you have

to project a clear picture of your destination. You have already accomplished this initial
step as you have trimmed down your area of interest into a specific research problem in
the previous module. The next step is to strategize how to arrive at the destination.

One way to strategize is to pinpoint all the factors and considerations that may
affect the route towards your goal. This module discusses these contributing elements
which will also serve as the bedrock of your study.

Disclaimer: This Learning Activity Sheet (LAS) is based from the Self-Learning Modules, Learner’s Materials, Textbooks and Teaching Guides released by
DepEd Central Office. Furthermore, utilization of duly acknowledged external resources is purely of non-profit, for educational use and constitutes fair
use. All Rights Reserved.
 Before you start any form of study, get a clear understanding of what a research
problem is and learn to formulate it properly. After defining it, you can start writing your
paper. It means that research problems or questions are the fuel driving the entire
scientific process and they serve as the foundation of any experimental design or
method, from case studies to real experiments.

Why does it matter to researchers? It’s an important problem that you state in your
research paper to define your specific study area and provide a brief synopsis of how
you develop a hypothesis. The quality of a research problem defines your success.

After clearly formulating the research of the problem the next step is to accomplish
the baseline of your research paper. You must explain the context of your study by giving
its background. This may aid you in identifying your specific questions for your statement
of the problem as well as your hypothesis. There is also a need to list down the
beneficiaries of your research which will be presented in the significance of the study.
You must also set the boundaries of your study by writing your scope and delimitation. A
definition of terms must also be furnished to facilitate understanding of your study. These
parts are discussed as follows:

A. The background of the study is an explanation of the context of study which

involves the current data or status of the problem, existing studies about it and its history
that paved way to the development of the research problem. It explicates the rationale
why you, as a researcher, are conducting the study. Writing this particular part of the
paper may lead you to your research questions.

As you write the background of the study or introduction, take into consideration
the following guidelines:
1. It should clearly state the reason for conducting the study.
2. It should move from broad to specific.
3. It should state the current condition of the research problem.

Prior to writing and reading various literature and studies, making an outline is a
helpful tip to facilitate the process. Here is an example of an outline of the background
of the study:

Disclaimer: This Learning Activity Sheet (LAS) is based from the Self-Learning Modules, Learner’s Materials, Textbooks and Teaching Guides released by
DepEd Central Office. Furthermore, utilization of duly acknowledged external resources is purely of non-profit, for educational use and constitutes fair
use. All Rights Reserved.
 B. The next part to be accomplished is the statement of the problem. Aside from
being a tool in solving dilemmas in the society, another purpose of research is to guide
people towards a better understanding of phenomena, human behavior, human
interactions and other events in daily life. This premise indicates the importance of
meticulously crafting of the research questions as it sets the focus and drives the course
of the study.

The statement of the problem has two parts:

1. General statement of the problem/Objective

2. Specific research questions

 How to formulate general statement of the problem

The purpose of this ethnographic study (type of study) is to describe (exploratory

and non- directional verb) the training (central phenomenon of the study) of Aeta

Disclaimer: This Learning Activity Sheet (LAS) is based from the Self-Learning Modules, Learner’s Materials, Textbooks and Teaching Guides released by
DepEd Central Office. Furthermore, utilization of duly acknowledged external resources is purely of non-profit, for educational use and constitutes fair
use. All Rights Reserved.
 teachers from Castillejos, Zambales (participants) for the past ten years (when) to
provide insights into the formulation of a continuing education model for indigenous
teachers (purpose). (Creswell and Clark, 2014)

Disclaimer: This Learning Activity Sheet (LAS) is based from the Self-Learning Modules, Learner’s Materials, Textbooks and Teaching Guides released by
DepEd Central Office. Furthermore, utilization of duly acknowledged external resources is purely of non-profit, for educational use and constitutes fair
use. All Rights Reserved.
 C. A hypothesis is a preconceived idea, assumed to be true and is tested for its
truth or falsity. It has two types: the null hypothesis and alternative hypothesis. The null
hypothesis indicates that there is no significant difference or relationship between
specified populations or variables. Significant difference is used when testing whether
there is difference between the means of two or more populations or variables while
significant relationship is used in situations where one is examining the association
between any two sets of variables (King’oriah, 2004). Null hypothesis is the hypothesis the
researcher will try to disprove or discredit. An alternative hypothesis, on the other hand,
is one that states that there is a significant difference or relationship between specified
populations or variables.

Disclaimer: This Learning Activity Sheet (LAS) is based from the Self-Learning Modules, Learner’s Materials, Textbooks and Teaching Guides released by
DepEd Central Office. Furthermore, utilization of duly acknowledged external resources is purely of non-profit, for educational use and constitutes fair
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 Note that not all studies test hypothesis. Sometimes a study is designed to be
exploratory. Exploratory research intends to investigate a problem that is not clearly
defined; hence will not provide conclusive results.

D. The significance of the study pinpoints the benefits certain groups of people will
gain from the findings of the study. It must start from the most to the least benefitted ones.

Disclaimer: This Learning Activity Sheet (LAS) is based from the Self-Learning Modules, Learner’s Materials, Textbooks and Teaching Guides released by
DepEd Central Office. Furthermore, utilization of duly acknowledged external resources is purely of non-profit, for educational use and constitutes fair
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 E. Scope and Delimitations of the Study states the coverage of the study. It must
answer the following parameters as much as possible:

Disclaimer: This Learning Activity Sheet (LAS) is based from the Self-Learning Modules, Learner’s Materials, Textbooks and Teaching Guides released by
DepEd Central Office. Furthermore, utilization of duly acknowledged external resources is purely of non-profit, for educational use and constitutes fair
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 F. A conceptual framework serves as an outline or a blueprint that you can
follow in doing your research. It is presented in a flow chart, map, diagram or narrative
form. When using a diagram, it is still a must to include narrative to explain the details.
Here you show the variables that influence your research. Variable is anything that has
quantity or quality that varies in a research. For example, if you are studying the COVID-
19 outcomes, you might study home life, school and community. For school, your
variables might be learning process and quality of learning. To make your conceptual
framework thorough, it is encouraged to make it more detailed.

Disclaimer: This Learning Activity Sheet (LAS) is based from the Self-Learning Modules, Learner’s Materials, Textbooks and Teaching Guides released by
DepEd Central Office. Furthermore, utilization of duly acknowledged external resources is purely of non-profit, for educational use and constitutes fair
use. All Rights Reserved.
 9

Disclaimer: This Learning Activity Sheet (LAS) is based from the Self-Learning Modules, Learner’s Materials, Textbooks and Teaching Guides released by
DepEd Central Office. Furthermore, utilization of duly acknowledged external resources is purely of non-profit, for educational use and constitutes fair
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 G. Definition of Terms lists down and defines the key terms as used in the study in
alphabetical order. An operational definition refers to a specific definition of concept in
a research study. This is necessary because it will clarify the purpose and direction of the
study.

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Disclaimer: This Learning Activity Sheet (LAS) is based from the Self-Learning Modules, Learner’s Materials, Textbooks and Teaching Guides released by
DepEd Central Office. Furthermore, utilization of duly acknowledged external resources is purely of non-profit, for educational use and constitutes fair
use. All Rights Reserved.
 ACTIVITY 1.

Direction: Identify the basic parts of a research paper described in each statement.
Choose your answers from the word bank below and write your answer on a separate
sheet of paper.

Introduction Notes in Chapter 1 Significance of the Study

Scope and Delimitation Definition of Terms Conceptual Framework

Statement of the Problem Hypothesis

___________1. Serves as the plan or the blueprint of the study.

___________2. Includes definitions of words operationally used in the study.
___________3. Serves as an overview of the research topic under investigation.
___________4. Sets the parameters of the study which narrow down the scope of inquiry.
___________5. States the concrete terms that a researcher expects to happen in the
study.
___________6. Cites the benefits certain groups of persons will get from the outcome of
the study.
___________7. Clearly expresses the specific direction or focus of the research problem
or inquiry.
___________8. Elaborates the origin of the research problem which led to the conduct of
the study.
___________9. Covers the general statement of the problem as well as the specific
research questions to be answered in the study.
__________10. Gives the concepts to be covered in the study as well as its boundaries in
terms of the respondents/participants, sampling technique, locale and the research
methods to be used.

Activity 2.

Directions: Using the question words of WHAT, WHY or HOW, develop at least three
different questions that you would like to find answers to in regards to your topic. An
example is done for you. Be guided by the scoring rubrics below. Use a separate sheet
of paper in accomplishing this task.

Sample:
GENERAL TOPIC: BIASES IN SCHOOL
NARROWED TOPIC: GENDER INEQUALITY

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 RESEARCH QUESTIONS: What are the most common gender inequalities surfacing in
schools?
Why are gays oftentimes discriminated by male students?

How will this gender inequality be reduced and prevented?

STATE YOUR GENERAL TOPIC: ________________________________________

NARROWED TOPIC: ___________________________________________________

RESEARCH QUESTIONS: (complete three research questions in the boxes below.)

1. What?

2. Why?

3. How?

Rubrics

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Disclaimer: This Learning Activity Sheet (LAS) is based from the Self-Learning Modules, Learner’s Materials, Textbooks and Teaching Guides released by
DepEd Central Office. Furthermore, utilization of duly acknowledged external resources is purely of non-profit, for educational use and constitutes fair
use. All Rights Reserved.
 Activity 3.

Direction: Reflect on the importance of the parts of the research paper by answering the
questions below. Be guided by the scoring rubrics that follows and use a separate sheet
of paper in accomplishing this task.

1. Why do we have to write the background of the study?

______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. Why should we include the list of defined terms in our study?

______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

3. Why do we have to set the limitations in our study?

___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

Rubrics

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Disclaimer: This Learning Activity Sheet (LAS) is based from the Self-Learning Modules, Learner’s Materials, Textbooks and Teaching Guides released by
DepEd Central Office. Furthermore, utilization of duly acknowledged external resources is purely of non-profit, for educational use and constitutes fair
use. All Rights Reserved.
 Formative Test

Direction: Read the statements carefully and choose the letter of the best
answer. Write your answers on the separate sheet of paper.

1. This refers to a proposed explanation for a phenomenon.

a. conceptual framework c. statement of the problem
b. significance of the study d. hypothesis

2. This is a structure that best explains the development of a study.

a. background of the study c. statement of the problem
b. conceptual framework d. hypothesis

3. This is an important part of a research paper where the key or important terms
in the study are clearly defined.
a. conceptual framework c. statement of the problem
b. significance of the study d. definition of terms

4. This provides context to the information that you are discussing in your paper.
It introduces your readers to the topic of your research.
a. background of the study c. statement of the problem
b. definition of terms d. hypothesis

5. This part explains the extent to which the research area will be explored in the
work and specifies the parameters within which the study will be operating.
a. significance of the study c. statement of the problem
b. definition of terms d. scope and delimitation

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Disclaimer: This Learning Activity Sheet (LAS) is based from the Self-Learning Modules, Learner’s Materials, Textbooks and Teaching Guides released by
DepEd Central Office. Furthermore, utilization of duly acknowledged external resources is purely of non-profit, for educational use and constitutes fair
use. All Rights Reserved.
 Answer Key

Activity 1 Formative Test

1. Conceptual Framework 1.D

2. Definition of Terms 2.B
3. Introduction 3.D
4. Scope and Delimitation 4.A
5. Hypothesis 5.D
6. Significance of the Study
7. Statement of the Problem
8. Introduction
9. Statement of the Problem
10. Scope and Delimitation

Activity 2

Answers may vary

Activity 3

Answers may vary

References

https://prothesiswriter.com/blog/how-to-formulate-research-problem]

Baraceo, Esther L. Practical Research 1. Manila, Philippines: Rex Book Store, 2016.

Cristobal, Amadeo P. and Maura C. Dela Cruz. Practical Research 1 for Senior High
School. Quezon City: C& E Publishing, Inc., 2017.

Gamba, Jocelyn C. et. al. “Effects of Verbal Bullying to the Academic Performance
of Grade 9 Students in Jose C. Payumo Jr. Memorial High School, School Year
2019 – 2020” Paper presented at Jose C. Payumo Jr. Memorial High School,
March 17, 2020.

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Disclaimer: This Learning Activity Sheet (LAS) is based from the Self-Learning Modules, Learner’s Materials, Textbooks and Teaching Guides released by
DepEd Central Office. Furthermore, utilization of duly acknowledged external resources is purely of non-profit, for educational use and constitutes fair
use. All Rights Reserved.
 Goles, Alaine Marc. “Perpetuity of family-owned business in the Philippines: A
causal model.” Unpublished Doctoral Dissertation, University of Sto. Thomas,
2016.

Jargnagin, Maria Dolores D. “The Specificity and Feasibility of Problem Posed.”

Unpublished Learner’s Module, 2017.

Kenpro.org. “Fundamentals of applied statistics.” Last modified January 27, 2020.

https://www.kenpro.org/significant-relationship-versus- significant-
difference

LinkedIn Corporation. “Identifying and Stating the Problem.” Last modified July 5,
2020. http://www.slideshare.net/mobile/CarlaKristinaCruz/chapter-2-
identifying-and-stating-the-problem.

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Disclaimer: This Learning Activity Sheet (LAS) is based from the Self-Learning Modules, Learner’s Materials, Textbooks and Teaching Guides released by
DepEd Central Office. Furthermore, utilization of duly acknowledged external resources is purely of non-profit, for educational use and constitutes fair
use. All Rights Reserved.