LESSON 1
Research Problem Matters
At the end of this lesson, you will be
able to:
• observe the language of research
• get familiar with the technical terms
used in a research problem
• determine a good research topic
• write research problem
“The
improvement in
our way of life
is brought about
by research.”
RESEARCH is a systematic
inquiry that entails collection of
data, documentation of critical
information; and analysis and
interpretation of the data or
information, in accordance with
suitable methodologies.
Activity 1
Methodology Research Problem
Questionnaire Research
Research Topic Objectives
Thesis Statement Personal Interviews
Research Question Sources
1. It is the subject or issue that a
researcher is interested in
when conducting a research.
2. These are materials from
which the writer gathers ideas
and information.
3. It is a face to face survey
method that is utilized when a
specific target population is
involved.
[Link] is a sentence that
expresses the main idea of
a research paper.
5. It is a research instrument
consisting of a series of
questions in gathering
information from the
respondents.
6. It is a process of systematic inquiry
that entails collection of data;
documentation of critical information;
and analysis and interpretation of that
data or information, in accordance
with suitable methodologies.
7. It 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 for meaningful
understanding and deliberate
investigation.
[Link] is an answerable
inquiry into a specific
concern or issue.
[Link] are specific
statements that define
measurable outcomes to
achieve the desired
outcome.
10. It is the systematic,
theoretical analysis of
the methods applied to
field of study.
1. It is the subject or issue that a
researcher is interested in
when conducting a research.
RESEARCH TOPIC
2. These are materials from
which the writer gathers ideas
and information.
SOURCES
3. It is a face to face survey
method that is utilized when a
specific target population is
involved.
PERSONAL INTERVIEWS
[Link] is a sentence that
expresses the main idea of
a research paper.
THESIS STATEMENT
5. It is a research instrument
consisting of a series of
questions in gathering
information from the
respondents.
QUESTIONNAIRE
6. It is a process of systematic inquiry
that entails collection of data;
documentation of critical information;
and analysis and interpretation of that
data or information, in accordance
with suitable methodologies.
RESEARCH
7. It 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 for meaningful understanding
and deliberate investigation.
RESEARCH PROBLEM
[Link] is an answerable
inquiry into a specific
concern or issue.
RESEARCH QUESTION
[Link] are specific
statements that define
measurable outcomes to
achieve the desired outcome.
OBJECTIVES
10. It is the systematic,
theoretical analysis of the
methods applied to field
of study.
METHODOLOGY
The ability to develop a good
research topic is an important
skill.
The research topic must be
narrow and focused enough
to be significant or interesting
yet broad enough to find
adequate and comprehensive
information.
Steps in Selecting and
Limiting a Research Topic
1. Brainstorm for Ideas –
Choose a topic that interests
you.
2. Identify the Sources of General
Background Information – Choose
sources where you can gather
information about your topic.
3. Focus on Your Topic – A topic will
very difficult to research if it is too broad
or too narrow. Some common ways to
limit a topic are: by geographical area,
by culture, by time frame, by discipline
and by population group.
4. Make a List of Useful Keywords –
Find key concepts to widen your search
capabilities.
For example, you want to investigate
the correlation between social media
usage patterns and academic
achievements over an extended period
among high school students.
5. Be Flexible – It is common to modify
your topic during the research process.
You may find too much and need to
narrow your focus, or too little and need
to broaden your focus.
6. Define your topic as a Focused
Research Question – articulate
your research topic as a concise
and specific question that clearly
outlines the primary focus of your
investigation
7. Formulate a Thesis Statement- Your
thesis statement will usually be one or two
sentences that states precisely what to be
answered, proven, or what you will inform
your audience about your topic.
Research Topic:
"The Impact of Social Media on Academic
Performance of High School Students”
Thesis Statement:
The study examines how social media usage
affects high school students' academic
performance, considering factors like
content, frequency, and time management.
In the context of India's pervasive issue of child labor, particularly
among 7 to 14-year-olds, propelled by population growth and poverty, the
study aims to examine the current situation and envision an ideal
scenario. The present conditions see children compelled into hazardous
work, compromising their fundamental right to a proper childhood. The
ideal scenario involves eradicating child labor, ensuring a secure and
nurturing environment for every child.
The study seeks to answer the following questions:
1. Who are the families with child laborers?
2. What are the specific adverse effects of child labor?
3. When do children engage in labor?
4. Where is child labor most prevalent?
5. How can interventions be structured to effectively address the root
causes of child labor?
Using surveys, interviews, and data analysis, the study aims to
inform interventions and contribute to awareness strategies to eliminate
child labor, promoting the well-being and education of all children.
In the context of India's pervasive issue of
child labor, particularly among 7 to 14-year-
olds, propelled by population growth and
poverty, the study aims to examine the current
situation and envision an ideal scenario. The
present conditions see children compelled into
hazardous work, compromising their
fundamental right to a proper childhood. The
ideal scenario involves eradicating child labor,
ensuring a secure and nurturing environment
for every child.
The study seeks to answer the following
questions:
1. Who are the families with child laborers?
2. What are the specific adverse effects of
child labor?
3. When do children engage in labor?
4. Where is child labor most prevalent?
5. How can interventions be structured to
effectively address the root causes of child
labor?
Using surveys, interviews, and
data analysis, the study aims to
inform interventions and contribute
to awareness strategies to eliminate
child labor, promoting the well-being
and education of all children.
In the context of India's pervasive issue of child labor, particularly
among 7 to 14-year-olds, propelled by population growth and poverty, the
study aims to examine the current situation and envision an ideal
scenario. The present conditions see children compelled into hazardous
work, compromising their fundamental right to a proper childhood. The
ideal scenario involves eradicating child labor, ensuring a secure and
nurturing environment for every child.
The study seeks to answer the following questions:
1. Who are the families with child laborers?
2. What are the specific adverse effects of child labor?
3. When do children engage in labor?
4. Where is child labor most prevalent?
5. How can interventions be structured to effectively address the root
causes of child labor?
Using surveys, interviews, and data analysis, the study aims to
inform interventions and contribute to awareness strategies to eliminate
child labor, promoting the well-being and education of all children.
What is the paragraph
about?
What information does the
paragraph give us?
What kind of text is
it?
What kind of text is
it?
RESEARCH PROBLEM
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.
Characteristics of a
Good Research Problem
1. Stated clearly and concisely
The best way to test the problem
statement is to write it into a concise
sentence or paragraph and to share it
with others. If the problem cannot be
stated in a clear paragraph it has
difficulties and will not endure as a
suitable problem.
2. Generates research questions
The problem should generate a number of
more specific research questions. These
turn the problem into a question format
and represent various aspects or
components of the problem. The research
questions make the more general
statement easier to address and provide a
framework for the research.
3. Grounded in theory
Good problems have theoretical and/or
conceptual frameworks for their analysis.
They relate the specifics of what is being
investigated to a more general
background of theory which helps
interpret the results and link it to the
field.
4. Related to academic fields of
study
A good research problem should be
connected to established academic
fields with clear boundaries and
recognized journals.
5. Based in the research literature
Related to the former points, a well-
stated problem will relate to a research
literature. Tight problems often relate to
a well-defined body of literature, written
by a select group of researchers and
published in a small number of
journals.
6. Potential significance
This is the important ‘so what’ question:
Who cares once you solve the problem?
At the very least, the problem must have
importance to the researcher, but ideally
it should also be of consequence
to others.
7. Doable within the time frame & budget
There are logistic factors in terms of your
ability actually to carry out the research.
There is no point pursuing a problem which
is not feasible to research. Do not do a study
of education in India, Japan, Canada or any
other country, unless you have the means to
go there and collect data ̶ which may
require years to collect.
8. Data is available/obtained
In some cases, there are insufficient
data to address the problem. Historical
persons may have died, archival
materials may be lost, or there may be
restrictions on access to certain
environments.
Formulation of research problem refers
to stating the problem in researchable
manner. It means to portray the topic in
a way that it becomes ready for scientific
investigation. A research problem is
simply research topic.
3 Simple Steps in the
Formulation of
the Research Problem
STEP 1. State the Current and Ideal
Situation
Current Situation: How extensively do Grade
10 students at Vinzons Pilot High School
engage with various social media platforms?
Ideal Situation: What is the ideal scenario
where social media serves as a positive tool for
communication and information exchange
among students?
STEP 2. State the 5 WH Questions
Who: Who are the primary users of social media among
Grade 10 students?
What: What social media platforms are predominantly
utilized?
When: When do students engage with social media,
both within and outside of school?
Where: Where are these social media interactions
primarily taking place?
Why: Why do students use social media, and how does
it impact their academic and personal lives?
How: How does social media usage correlate with
academic performance?
STEP 3. State the Scope and Method for the Study
Scope: The study will thoroughly investigate how
Grade 10 students at Vinzons Pilot High School use
social media and how this might affect their well-being
and academic performance.
Method: The research employs surveys, interviews,
and academic performance analysis to provide
valuable insights and guide strategies for fostering a
healthy balance between social media use and
academic responsibilities.
EXAMPLE
In the current digital landscape, the extensive use of social media among
Grade 10 students at Vinzons Pilot High School prompts an exploration into its
potential impacts on their well-being and academic performance. The current
situation involves widespread engagement with various social media platforms,
raising questions about the ideal scenario where social media serves as a positive
tool for communication and information exchange. The study seeks to answer the
five Ws and H questions:
• Who are the primary users of social media?
• What platforms are predominantly utilized?
• When do students engage with social media, both in and out of school? Where
are these interactions taking place?
• Why do students use social media, and
• How does it affect their academic and personal lives?
The scope of the study encompasses a comprehensive examination of
social media usage patterns, its perceived impact on students, and potential
correlations with academic performance. The method involves surveys,
interviews, and academic performance analysis to provide valuable insights and
guide strategies for fostering a healthy balance between social media use and
academic responsibilities."