PRACTICAL RESEARCH 2
(Quantitative Research)
LESSON 5: Identifying the Inquiry and Stating the Problem
Background of the Study
Research Questions
Statement of the Problem
Scope and Delimitation of the Study
INTRODUCTION
Different learning and research institutions have different titles and part of Chapter 1 of a
research paper. For some, the title of Chapter 1 is “The Problem”. While for others it is “The Problem
and It’s Background”. And for some it is “Introduction and Review of Related Literature”. Thus, in this
Practical Research 2 subject, you will simply entitle it as “Introduction”.
Chapter 1 includes parts such as Background of the Study, Statement of the Problem,
Theoretical Framework, Conceptual Framework, Significance of the Study, Research Hypothesis,
and Scope and Delimitation of the Study. In relation to the suggested competencies of the Most
Essential Learning Competencies (MELCs) of the Department of Education (DepEd), this lesson
exemplar presents lecture and activities relevant to Background of the Study, Statement of the
Problem, and Scope and Delimitation of the Study.
It is an accepted fact that the starting point of any research paper is considered as the most
challenging part. Novice writer cannot easily decipher what is to be written at the very start of writing
his/her research paper. The most difficult part among these starts with the identification and
definition of the research problem. While there are some guidelines in the selection and narrowing
down of problem, often, these are only based on interest, skills or workability.
The Background of the Study is a brief rationale to justify the problem. It presents statement
of knowledge regarding the problem. It answers the questions such as: What facets of the problem
(phenomenon) are known and what needs further investigation? What approaches have been used
previously in research to answer the problem?
According to Faltado, et al. (2016), the background includes:
1. discussion of the problem in general and the specific situations as observed and experienced
by the researcher (macro to micro approach);
2. concepts and ideas related to the problem including clarification of important terminologies;
and
3. discussion of the existing or present conditions and what is aimed to be in the future or the
gap to be filled-in by the research.
While, the Statement of the Problem refers to the basic difficulty, the issue, the area of
concern, and the circumstances that exist, then, and how they ought to be. It tells what is done to
make the situation exists more like what it should be. It exposes anything that is wrong with the
situation, condition or circumstance which is being described.
There are two (2) main parts of statement of the problem. These include the main problem
and the specific or sub-problems. The main problem usually tells problem situation and the
objective of the study. This is usually stated in declarative form. While the specific problems present
research question or investigative problem. These are stated in interrogative form. These are
specific questions which are to be answered in the study. The answer to these research questions
may lead to the solution of the research problem.
Furthermore, in writing Scope and Delimitation of the Study one should start with scope
first before limitations. The scope describes the coverage of the study. It specifies what is covered in
terms of concepts, number of subjects or the population included in the study, as well as the timeline
when the study was conducted. While, delimitation cites the factors or variables that are not to be
included and the boundary in terms of time frame, number of subjects, participants or respondents
who are excluded. It specifies which will not be dealt within the study.
Faltado, et al. (2016) cited that this section discusses the parameters of the research in
paragraph. It answers the basic questions:
1. What – the topic of investigation and the variables included;
2. Where – the venue or the setting of the research;
3. When – the time frame by which the study was conducted;
4. Why – the general objectives of the research;
5. Who – the subject of the study, the population and sampling; and
6. How – the methodology of the research which may include the research design,
methodology and the research instrument
EXPLORE
Activity 1: Think and Reflect
1. Try to reflect and assess your experiences based on the following process questions:
What are the problems you have encountered in writing introduction or background of the study,
research question or investigative problem (statement of the problem), and scope and
delimitation of the study?
What are the things you have done (solutions) to solve the cited problems?
What are the possible recommendations you may suggest relevant to the problems and
solutions?
2. Present your answer in tabular form similar with the table shown below.
3. Compare your answer with your two (2) classmates and analyzed based on similarities and
differences.
Problems Encountered in Writing Solutions Done Recommendations
Introduction or Background of the Study
Statement of the Problem
Scope and Delimitation of the Study
FIRM-UP
Activity 2: Team Up
Find a partner. Analyzed the attached example of introduction or background of the study,
statement of the problem, and scope and delimitation of the study in this lesson exemplar.
Wrapping-up Questions:
1. With reference to an example, how introduction or background of the study, statement of the
problem, and scope and delimitation of the study were written or presented? Try to comment on
the overall presentation, organization, and the technical aspect of the specific parts of the
research paper.
2. What useful tips and rules you should follow in writing introduction or background of the study,
statement of the problem, scope and delimitation of the study, and significance of the study?
Comment on the Presentation Rules in Writing
Introduction or Background of the Study Introduction or Background of the Study
Statement of the Problem Statement of the Problem
Scope and Delimitation of the Study Scope and Delimitation of the Study
Note: Write in-text citation and literature cited of your reference for your cited rules in writing
introduction or background of the study, statement of the problem, and scope and delimitation
of the study. Please follow the APA format.
DEEPEN
Activity 3 – Differentiated Activities
Using the rules that you have written in Activity 2 perform and submit only one (1) the
following outputs:
Output 1 – Make a rap telling tips in writing introduction.
Output 2 – Create a “my day message” telling tips in writing statement of the problem. Use a
hashtag in writing your “my day”.
Output 3 – Write a “Maalaala Mo Kaya” or “Magpakaylanman” letter entitled Ang mga Paalala
ni Lolo/Lola, or Ang mga Paalala ni Fader/Mader telling tips in writing scope and
limitation of the study
Note: You may decide who among the members of your group will work on specific output. Submit
all your outputs.
TRANSFER
Activity 4 – Mini Write shop on Chapter 1
1. With reference to the presented rules and example, write and submit the following:
a. introduction,
b. statement of the problem, and
c. scope and delimitation of your research.
2. Ask your other two (2) classmates to read and put constructive comments and suggestions to
improve those parts of your research paper.
CONCLUDING STATEMENT
To end this sixth lesson, let me share to you these concluding statements:
“It’s a terrible thing, I think, in life to wait until you’re ready, I have this feeling now that actually no
one is ever ready to do anything. There is almost no such thing as ready. There is only NOW.” –
James Hugh Calum Laurie
“The time is right, right now stop waiting and start doing.” - [Link]
“Almost all good writing begins with terrible first efforts. You need to start somewhere” – Anne
Lamott (American novelist and non-fiction writer. Author of Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing
and Life)
“I write at eighty-five for the same reason that impelled me to write at forty-five; I was born with a
passionate desire to communicate, to organize experience, to tell tales that dramatize the
adventures which readers might have had. I have been that ancient man who sat by the campfire at
night and regaled the hunters with imaginative recitations about their prowess. The job of an apple
tree is to bear apples. The job of a storyteller is to tell stories, and I have concentrated on that
obligation.” - James Michner (The World is My Home cited in the Stainless Longganisa by Bob Ong,
2005 page 43)
ATTACHMENT
Note: This research was not actually conducted. It is only presented here for the sake of providing
example for students’ guide in writing.
CONSUMERS’ PERCEPTION AND ACCEPTABILITY ON PACKAGING OF DRIED GREEN
MUSSELS (Perna viridis) IN THE LOCAL WET MARKETS OF THE COASTAL COMMUNITIES
OF CAVITE
Menandro M. Merlin, Mely M. Rubi, Elizabeth B. Dizon, and Brigitte O. Bitudan
ABM – Management Group
A dummy paper output presented during the National Training of Trainers for SHS Teachers on
School-based Research at Tanza, Cavite
May 17 – 23, 2018
Background of the Study
Cavite is a province in the Philippines located on the southern shores of Manila Bay in the
CALABARZON Region on Luzon Island. It is situated just 21 km south of Manila with seven (7)
component cities, 16 municipalities and 829 barangays situated in its’ seven (7) districts (General
Information Archived of Cavite, 2012).
According to Physical and Natural Resources Archived of Cavite (2011), the shoreline of
Cavite stretches about 123 km. Communities located along the coast of Cavite City, Bacoor, Kawit,
Noveleta, Rosario, Tanza, Naic, Maragondon,Tarnate and Binakayan are coastal resources. These
are the major producers of shrimp, bangus, oyster and green mussels locally known as tahong
(Perna viridis) in Cavite. Thus, fishing industry contributes to the economic activity of the city and the
province.
Marketing of green mussels generates employment in the coastal-producing areas as in
Cavite. Albert (2015) reported that, a high demand on tahong as a source of low-cost protein, high
nutritional and medicinal value lead to a problem in increasing the shelf-life of fresh tahong which
can live three (3) to four (4) days only after harvesting by continuous wetting with seawater. Hence,
drying of tahong as one of the post-harvest technologies in fishing industry prolong shelf-life and
palatability of the said food (Balachandran et al, 1998).
Furthermore, dried tahong has quickly gain market penetration. Yarbes (2014) mentioned that
it has implemented a unique and effective competitive advantage of having a product selection that
caters to diverse market segments, and supporting the product selection with excellent customer
service, allowing customers from different demographic to feel equally and get the new idea of
creating such product.
Dried tahongs are being sold in the local wet markets along coastal communities of the
aforementioned city and municipalities of Cavite. However, existing problems on proper handling of
the dried tahong specifically on packaging is obviously observed. This may affect the consumer
acceptability of the said product which is the concern of the current study. Thus, the relationship on
the consumer’s perception and acceptability on packaging of dried tahong in the major local wet
markets in a city and eight (8) municipalities of Cavite is being investigated in this research.
Statement of the Problem
The main objective of the study is to determine consumer’s perception and acceptability on
packaging of dried green mussels locally known as tahong (Perna viridis) in the major local wet
markets along the nine (9) coastal communities found in a city and eight (8) municipalities of Cavite,
Region IVA (CALABARZON).
Specifically, this sought to answer the following questions:
1. What is the consumers’ perception on the packaging of dried green mussels in the local markets
of Cavite?
2. What is the consumers’ acceptability on the packaging of dried green muscles in the local markets
of Cavite?
3. Is there any significant relationship between the consumer’s perception and acceptability on
packaging of dried green mussels in the local markets of Cavite?
Scope and Delimitation of the Study
The study primarily focuses on testing any significant relationship between consumer’s
perception and acceptability on packaging of dried green mussels or tahong (Perna viridis) from the
major local wet markets in the nine (9) coastal communities of Cavite. These communities are found
in Cavite City, Bacoor, Kawit, Noveleta, Rosario, Tanza, Naic, Maragondon, and Tarnate only. This
study, however, does not aim in determining vendor’s perception, acceptability, productivity, and
profitability levels on dried tahong.
In addition, the 180 consumers whose age ranges from 25 to 75 years from the local wet
markets of the city and municipalities of Cavite buying dried green mussels or tahong served as the
respondents of this study. The gender and educational qualifications of the respondents were not
considered in this research.
Quota sampling was applied in this research. Hence, the result of the analysis is limited and true
only to the determined sample size in this study and will never be generalized to the entire
population.
The data from this research were also based from the respondents’ answers to a researcher-
made survey questionnaire instrument only. These quantitative data were gathered during February
14 to May 14, 2018 and subjected to statistical treatment.