Module

G12-HUMSS-PR2-MELC 1-6

IDENTIFYING THE INQUIRY AND STATING THE PROBLEM

2
Week

I
4-5
What I Need to Know?

Research is a systematic investigative process employed to increase or revise

current knowledge by discovering new facts. It can be divided into two general categories:
(1) Basic research, which is inquiry aimed at increasing scientific knowledge, and (2)
Applied research, which is effort aimed at using basic research for solving problems or
developing new processes, products, or techniques.

The first and most important step in any research is to identify and delineate the
research problem: that is, what the researcher wants to solve and what questions he/she
wishes to answer. A research problem may be defined as an area of concern, a gap in the
existing knowledge, or a deviation in the norm or standard that points to the need for
further understanding and investigation. Although many problems turn out to have
several solutions (the means to close the gap or correct the deviation), difficulties arise
where such means are either not obvious or are not immediately available. This then
necessitates some research to reach a viable solution.

At the end of the module, you should be able to:

1. Design research used in daily life
2. Write a research title
3. Describe background of research
4. State research questions
5. Indicate scopes and delimitations of the study
6. Present written statement of the problem

D What I Know?

Task 1: Pre-Test

A. Direction: Write T on the blank if the statement is true and F if it is false.

_____1. Preliminary research is crucial in identifying research topic and writing specific
research questions.
_____2. the research problem is the statement of an issue in chosen research topic which
your study aims to investigate.
_____3. A quantitative research question may begin with who.
_____4. The specific research questions do not have to be anchored on the general
research question.
_____5. The set of specific research questions is dependent on the type of quantitative
research being performed.
_____6. In establishing the research gap, you are able to explain the issues in your field
of study which have yet to be looked into or addressed.
_____7. A researcher may establish limits in his/her study based solely in his/her
personal reference.
_____8. Since the research title summarizes the content of the study, it needs to be concise
and informative at the same time.
_____9. It is preferable to use acronyms in the title.
_____10. A descriptive quantitative study uses specific research questions beginning with
phrases such as “to what extent” or “how frequent”.

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B. Directions: Read each statement carefully and choose the letter of the best answer.

1. This is a general area of interest that you would like to pursue in your research.
a. Research Problem c. Problem Statement
b. Research Topic d. Research Questions
2. This refers to the particular issue which you will address in your study as well as the
specific area of concern of the research.
a. Research Problem c. Problem Statement
b. Research Topic d. Research Questions
3. This refers to the particular issue which you will address in your study as well as the
specific area of concern of the research.
a. Research Problem c. Problem Statement
b. Research Topic d. Research Questions
4. These are important components of your research which help define the research
problem of your study.
a. Research Problem c. Problem Statement
b. Research Topic d. Research Questions
5. These describe the parameters to which the study is set.
your study.
a. Research Title c. Scope and Limitation
b. Research Problem d. Research Questions

6. This summarizes the main idea of the whole paper and is the most notable part of the
research paper.
a. Research Title c. Scope and Limitation
b. Research Problem d. Research Questions
7. The research topic should appeal to the readers of your study.
a. Manageability c. Relevance
b. Available Resources d. Interest
8. It relates to the needs of your study’s target audience or when it is considered important
in people’s daily lives.
a. Manageability c. Relevance
b. Available Resources d. Interest
9. Your research topic can be studied within your abilities and must be doable within a
specific time limit.
a. Manageability c. Relevance
b. Available Resources d. Interest
10. There must be a sufficient number of references about the topic.
a. Manageability c. Relevance
b. Available Resources d. Interest

Task 2: Warm Me Up

Direction: Classify the given items by putting them under the appropriate columns.
Exclude items which you think do not logically belong to any of the categories.

Background of the Research Scope and Primary

Study Objectives Delimitation Beneficiaries of the
Study

• Covid pandemic creates multiple stressor

Anxiety affects the academic achievement of students during covid pandemic
• Chamomile has been found to have anti-bacterial and anti-spasm properties
• To find out if the anxiety of the students significantly
decreases after drinking chamomile tea regularly
• To determine the effects of chamomile tea on the blood pressure of students
• Health professionals
• Limited to a six-month experiment
• Senators, Teachers

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• Students, Study habits of students

3
B. Come up with an appropriate research title for a study incorporating the details
you have arranged in the table.

D What is It?

TOPIC 1: Selecting the Research Topic

A research topic is a general area of interest that you would like to pursue
in your research. Researchers are challenged to come up with research topics
that are both interesting and useful. This can be achieved through the effective
selection of the research topic.

Several factors to consider in identifying and selecting your research topic

Relevance It relates to the needs of your study’s
target audience or when it is considered
important in people’s daily lives.
Interest The research topic should appeal to the
readers of your study.
Some areas of interest include arts,
sciences, politics, business, and the
environment.
(you may consult with experts, refer to
your own observations and experiences,
look into existing social issues and
brainstorm your ideas as a basis of your
research topic.
Manageability Your research topic can be studied within
your abilities and must be doable within a
specific time limit.
Available resources There must be a sufficient number of
references about the topic.

TOPIC 2: The Background of the Study

The background of the study introduces important facets that establish the
general context where the study revolves. This part may include the description of the
subjects of the study or the history involving the research.
Another component of the background of the study is the establishment of the
research gap. A research gap is an issue that has not been fully addressed by previous
studies. Doing this helps you show where your research stands in the academic field.

Four components to consider in establishing the research gap of your paper

1. The current state of the field
Explain that the general field in which your current study is situated remains to
be a significant area of research up to the present. Point out that it continues to
interest many researchers and practitioners.
2. The current and conventional practices in addressing the issue
Discuss the current practices being used by researchers, practitioners, or
authorities within the particular field of study you are investigating. Make sure to
explain the merits of these practices and their contribution to your fiend of study.
3. The research gap
Explain that there are other aspects under the topic which may not have been
addressed by current practices and conventions in your field of study.

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 4. The contribution of the present study in addressing the research gap
Discuss how your own study will help fill in the research gap you have identified.
Filling the gap may be in the form of a new methodology or approach, or the
development of a new perspective or theory.

TOPIC 3: Identifying and Stating the Research Problem

Research problem refers to the particular issue which you will address in your
study as well as the specific area of concern of the research. The research problem states
what is to be investigated, identifies the variables, and discusses their relationships.
After identifying your research problem, you may now have to state it and establish
its place in your study. This is the function of the problem statement. The problem
statement formally points out the issue that your study wants to address. A good
problem statement does not only identify the problem in the study but also answers the
question “Why is the problem worthy of being investigated?”
It includes the following components:
1. A clear explanation of the problem as well as its causes
2. Evidence that supports the existence of the identified problem
3. Definition of concepts relevant to the problem

TOPIC 4: Formulating the Research Questions

Research questions are important components of your research which help

define the research problem of your study.

Two classifications of research questions:

1. General research question is derived from the main problem of the study. It must
contain words related to quantitative research, such as effects or relationship.
2. Specific research questions are anchored on the general research question. They
are helpful in developing tools for collecting data, gathering related references,
organizing your paper, and drawing valid conclusions from findings.

Related to the specific research questions are the research objectives or the goals
that your research aims to achieve. Another important component related to the
research questions and the research problem is the thesis statement, which serves
as a one-sentence summary of the arguments that you are presenting in your study.

TOPIC 5: Writing the Scope and Delimitation

The scope and delimitation describes the parameters to which the study is set.
It sets the boundaries of your research in terms of certain aspects.

The components include (but are not limited to) the following items:
• topic of the study
• objectives of the study and the issues it will address
• time frame in which the study will be conducted
• characteristics of the participants in the study (age, sex, education, economic
status, civil status, and other traits)

You may use the following phrases:

• This study covers…
• This study focuses on…
• The coverage of this study…
• This study is limited to…
• This study does not cover…

TOPIC 6: Writing the Research Title

The title summarizes the main idea of the whole paper and is the most
notable part of the research paper. Thus, it must be written using the fewest
possible words without compromising its clarity and idea

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 Guidelines for writing research title:
• Avoid an overly general title
• Refrain from using abbreviations unless they are commonly known
• Avoid using phrases such as “A Study of…” and “An Investigation of…” as
they show wordiness
• Indicate the subject and scope of the study by specifying your dependent
and independent variables
• As much as possible, refrain from indicating the year the study has been
conducted unless it is a historical study
• Employ the declarative form in formulating your title
• Use the current acceptable terminology in your field of study

E What can I Engage In?

Task 3: Choose Me

Direction: Choose one general topic from the given list. Conduct preliminary research on
the topic that you have chosen. Using your preliminary and background knowledge as
bases, prepare a concept map about the topic that interests you. Use a separate sheet for
your output.

Peace and Order Energy Foreign Affairs Public

Infrastructure
Agriculture Environment and Health Labor and
Natural Resources Employment
Education Finance Law and Justice Science and
Technology
Tourism Business and Transportation and Politics and
Economy Communication Governance

Task 4: Fill Me In

Direction: Read the following paragraph and identify the four components in
establishing the research gap.

The current state of the field: ____________________

The current and conventional practices in the field: ____________________
The research gap: ___________________
The present study’s contribution to addressing the research gap: ____________________

6
Task 5: Complete Me

Direction: Write one general research question and three specific research questions for
each of the given research topics

Research Topic: Effects of the wife’s employment on the power structure of the
family

General Research Question:

Specific Research Questions:

Research Topic: The effects of online distance learning on the study habit of the
students

General Research Question:

Specific Research Questions:

Task 6: Improve Me

Direction: Read the following Scope and Delimitation section of a paper. Improve its
content and structure. You may add some details when revising the text. Use a separate
sheet for your output.

The current study aims to determine the relationship between smoking and weight. Only
100 senior high school students were included as participants. They were selected from
schools in Ibaan. The experiment lasted for three months. Those who obtained failing
grades were excluded from the study.

Task 7: Revise Me

Direction: Among the listed titles, choose those that are appropriate for quantitative
research by putting a check mark on the opposite. If you think the title is
inappropriately written, revise it to make it acceptable.

Titles Revisions

Anxiety level of teenagers

Relationship between exposure to

sunlight and hemoglobin count

The power of physical activity

Stress levels among working professionals

Effects of online communication on the

writing skills of Filipino students

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Task 8: Brainstorming the Research Problem

Direction: Identify one specific issue in each of the following areas that affects your
everyday life. These specific issues will be the basis of your final research topic. Use
various references (e.g., newspapers, magazines, books, interview with experts, and
journals) in identifying issues. Fill in the table with your responses based on the given
example.

Areas Specific Issues Sources

Education Low scores of Filipino Type: News article (online)
students in math Title: Low NAT scores may
achievement test worsen under K to 12
Author: Cai Ordinario
Date: March 20, 2013
Source: Rappler
Agriculture
Education
Environment and Natural
Resources
Finance
Health
Law and Justice
Labor and Employment
Peace and Order
Science and Technology
Tourism
Business and Economy
Transportation and
Communication
Politics and Governance

Task 9: Preparing the Research

Directions:
A. From among the issues (Task 7), choose one which you like to use as your research
topic. Conduct preliminary research on your chosen topic using various references.
(take note of the bibliographic information of the materials you gathered: author and
title of the source; date and place of publication; edition and name of publisher (for
books); volume and issue number (for periodicals); link where the material can be
accessed (for online) and when is retrieved.)

B. Using the available reference materials, come up with your tentative general research
problem and general research question

General research problem: _________________________________________________________

General research question: _________________________________________________________

C. Based on your general research problem and research question, list three to four
specific research questions.
1. _________________________________________________________________________________
2. _________________________________________________________________________________
3. _________________________________________________________________________________
4. _________________________________________________________________________________

D. Determine the background of the study.

1. The current state of the field: ____________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

2. The current and conventional practices in the field: ______________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

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 3. The research gap: _______________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________

4. The present study’s contribution to addressing the research gap: ____________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

E. Indicate the scope and delimitation of your study by specifying the items that will be
covered by your research and the areas that will be excluded.

Areas that will be covered

____________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________

Reason for the inclusion of each item

____________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________

Areas that will be excluded

____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

Reason for the exclusion of each item

____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

Task 10: Making an Outline

Direction: Prepare a preliminary outline for your paper. You may follow the given
structure.

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1. Background of the Study

_______________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

2.2. Statement of the Problem

______________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

3.3. Scope and Delimitation of the Study

______________________________________________________________________

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 _________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

A What I have Learned?

Task 11: Exit Visa

A What I can Do?

Task 12: Post-Test

A. Direction: Write T on the blank if the statement is true and F if it is false.

_____1. Preliminary research is crucial in identifying research topic and writing specific
research questions.
_____2. the research problem is the statement of an issue in chosen research topic
which your study aims to investigate.
_____3. A quantitative research question may begin with who.
_____4. The specific research questions do not have to be anchored on the general
research question.

10
_____5. The set of specific research questions is dependent on the type of quantitative
research being performed.
_____6. In establishing the research gap, you are able to explain the issues in your field
of study which have yet to be looked into or addressed.
_____7. A researcher may establish limits in his/her study based solely in his/her
personal reference.
_____8. Since the research title summarizes the content of the study, it needs to be
concise and informative at the same time.
_____9. It is preferable to use acronyms in the title.
_____10. A descriptive quantitative study uses specific research questions beginning
with phrases such as “to what extent” or “how frequent”.

B. Directions: Read each statement carefully and choose the letter of the best answer.

1. This is a general area of interest that you would like to pursue in your research.
a. Research Problem c. Problem Statement
b. Research Topic d. Research Questions
2. This refers to the particular issue which you will address in your study as well as the
specific area of concern of the research.
a. Research Problem c. Problem Statement
b. Research Topic d. Research Questions
3. This refers to the particular issue which you will address in your study as well as the
specific area of concern of the research.
a. Research Problem c. Problem Statement
b. Research Topic d. Research Questions
4. These are important components of your research which help define the research
problem of your study.
a. Research Problem c. Problem Statement
b. Research Topic d. Research Questions
5. These describe the parameters to which the study is set.
your study.
a. Research Title c. Scope and Limitation
b. Research Problem d. Research Questions

6. This summarizes the main idea of the whole paper and is the most notable part of the
research paper.
a. Research Title c. Scope and Limitation
b. Research Problem d. Research Questions
7. The research topic should appeal to the readers of your study.
a. Manageability c. Relevance
b. Available Resources d. Interest
8. It relates to the needs of your study’s target audience or when it is considered important
in people’s daily lives.
a. Manageability c. Relevance
b. Available Resources d. Interest
9. Your research topic can be studied within your abilities and must be doable within a
specific time limit.
a. Manageability c. Relevance
b. Available Resources d. Interest
10. There must be a sufficient number of references about the topic.
a. Manageability c. Relevance
b. Available Resources d. Interest

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