THE RESEARCH
PROBLEM AND
TITLE
Dr. FLORANTE D. POSO, JR.
The Problem
A problem is :
(1)any significant, perplexing and
challenging situation, real or artificial,
the solution of which requires reflective
thinking;
(2)a perplexing situation after it has been
translated into a question or series of
questions that help determine the
direction of subsequent inquiry.
The Problem
This main component starts with
introductory statements enumerating the
topical sections that are to be embodied in
it, namely:
(1)Statement of the Problem,
(2)Assumptions,
(3)Null Hypotheses,
(4)Importance of the Study,
(5)Scope and Delimitation if the Study
Elements of a Research
Problem
• Aim or purpose of the problem for investigations. This
answers the question “Why?”.
• The subject matter or topic to be investigated. This
answers the question “What?”.
• The place or locale where the research is to be
conducted. This answers the question “Where?”.
• The period or time of the study during which the data
are to be gathered. This answers the question
“When?”.
• Population or universe from whom the data are to be
collected. This answers the question “Who?”.
Guidelines in the Selection of
a Research Problem or Topic
• The research problem or topic must be chosen
by the researcher himself.
• It must be within the interest of the researcher
• It must be within the specialization of the
researcher.
• It must be within the competence of the
researcher to tackle.
• It must be within the ability of the researcher to
finance, otherwise he must be able to find
funding for his research.
Guidelines in the Selection of
a Research Problem or Topic
• It is researchable and manageable.
• It can be completed within a reasonable
period of time unless it is a longitudinal
research which takes a long time for its
completion.
• It is significant, important, and relevant to the
present time and situation, timely, and of
current interest.
• The results are practical and implementable.
Guidelines in the Selection of
a Research Problem or Topic
• It requires original, critical, and reflective
thinking to solve it.
• It can be delimited to suit the resources of the
researcher but big or large enough to be able to
give significant, valid and reliable results and
generalizations.
• It must contribute to the national development
goals for the improvement of the quality of
human life.
• It must contribute to the fund of human
knowledge.
Guidelines in the Selection of
a Research Problem or Topic
• It must show or pave the way for the solution of
the problem or problems intended to be solved.
• It must not undermine the moral and spiritual
values of the people.
• It must not advocate any change in the present
order of things by means of violence but by
peaceful means.
• There must be a return of some kind to the
researcher, either monetary, promotion,
improved specialization, competence, enhance
prestige or satisfaction of intellectual curiosity.
Guidelines in the Selection of
a Research Problem or Topic
• It must show or pave the way for the solution of the
problem or problems intended to be solved.
• It must not undermine the moral and spiritual values
of the people.
• It must not advocate any change in the present order
of things by means of violence but by peaceful means.
• There must be a return of some kind to the researcher,
either monetary, promotion, improved specialization,
competence, enhance prestige or satisfaction of
intellectual curiosity.
• There must be a consideration of the hazards involved,
either physical, social or legal.
• The title is formulated before the start of the research
work. It may be revised and refined later if there is a need.
• The title must contain the subject matter of the study, the
locale of the study, the population involved and the period
when the data were gathered or will be gathered.
• It must be broad enough to include all aspects of the
subject matter studied or to be studied.
• It must be as brief and concise as possible
• Avoid using the terms “An Analysis of”, “A Study of”, An
Investigation of”, and the like.
• If the title contains more than one line, it must be written
like an inverted pyramid, all word in capital letters.