Expanded Lesson Plan: Identifying

Research Problems and Selecting Topics

for Quantitative Research
Introduction to Research Problems
Teacher:
Good morning, everyone! Before we dive into the technical aspects of research today, I want
to start with something simple but very important: the research problem. In fact, identifying
a research problem is the first and most crucial step of any research project, and it’s
something you’ll work with for the rest of your academic and professional life.

To get started, let me ask you all a question: Can anyone tell me what comes to mind when
you hear the words ‘research problem’? Don’t be shy!

(Wait for student responses.)

Those are great ideas! A research problem, essentially, is the issue, the gap in knowledge, or
the question that you aim to solve or answer through research. It’s the foundation of your
study. Without a clear research problem, it’s impossible to move forward with your study.
Imagine it like a detective story—you can’t start solving a case without first understanding
what the problem is.

Motivational Activity: The Research Challenge

Teacher:
Now that we understand the importance of research problems, let’s do something fun to
help us get our creative juices flowing! I have a little challenge for all of you. Close your eyes
for 30 seconds and think about the most frustrating problem you’ve experienced as a
student. This could be related to school, your personal life, or even things going on in your
community. It could be about online learning, social media, or maybe even study habits.
Think of something that bothers you or makes things difficult.

(Wait for 30 seconds to allow students to think.)

Alright, now that you have a problem in mind, I want you to turn to the person beside you.
Here’s the twist: You both need to come up with a solution to that problem. But, you only
have 2 minutes to come up with a solution. Ready? Go!

(Allow 2 minutes for students to discuss.)

Time’s up! Now, I want one person from each pair to share the problem you discussed and
the solution you came up with with the class. Who would like to go first?

(Allow a few students to share their problems and solutions.)

Why This Activity Works

Teacher:
You all did a great job! What you’ve just done is exactly what a researcher does. The first
step in research is identifying a problem—something that needs solving or something you
are curious about. But it doesn’t stop there. After recognizing the problem, you need to
come up with ideas for solving it or understanding it more deeply. That’s where research
comes in.

This is what motivates research projects—they address real-world issues. Whether it’s a
problem you face in your personal life, your community, or something you see happening
globally, research is the tool that helps us explore and potentially solve these issues.

Defining a Research Problem

Teacher:
Let’s go deeper into defining what makes a good research problem. A research problem is
like a puzzle. Imagine you’re piecing together a jigsaw puzzle—there’s always one missing
piece. Your job as a researcher is to find that missing piece and fill in the gap with new
knowledge.

A research problem should be specific, meaning it focuses on a clear, concise issue, and
measurable, meaning it’s something you can study and gather data on. Your research
problem should be something that can be observed, counted, or analyzed. If you want to
understand how something works, or how it affects something else, your research problem
should lead you in that direction.

For example, if you are interested in online learning, you might start with a research
problem like this:
‘How has online learning affected the academic performance of senior high school students
in Metro Manila?’

Notice how this problem is specific—it’s focused on the effect of online learning on a
specific group of students in a particular area. It’s also measurable—you can gather data on
students’ academic performance through surveys, tests, or grades.

Your research problem should be focused enough that it can guide your entire study. If your
problem is too broad, your research will lack direction and clarity.
Examples of Research Problems for Senior High School Students
Here are more relatable research problem examples specifically tailored to senior high
school students. These examples address issues they may directly experience or be
interested in, with a focus on education, technology, health, and social matters.

1. Education and Learning

- How does the number of hours spent on homework affect the academic performance of
senior high school students?
- What is the relationship between class attendance and final grades in major subjects (e.g.,
Math, Science) among senior high school students?
- How does the use of educational apps (e.g., Quizlet, Duolingo) impact the learning
performance of senior high school students in languages?
- How does studying in groups affect the test scores of senior high school students
compared to studying alone?
- What is the effect of extracurricular activities, like sports or clubs, on the time
management skills of senior high school students?

2. Social Media and Technology

- How does the amount of time spent on social media (e.g., Instagram, TikTok) affect the
sleep habits of senior high school students?
- What is the effect of screen time on the attention span of senior high school students
during online classes?
- How does excessive use of social media impact the mental health (e.g., anxiety, depression)
of senior high school students?
- What is the relationship between senior high school students’ online gaming habits and
their social interactions with friends?
- How does watching educational YouTube channels influence the academic performance of
senior high school students in subjects like Science or Math?

3. Health and Well-being

- What is the impact of regular physical exercise (e.g., jogging, playing sports) on the stress
levels of senior high school students?
- How does the consumption of fast food affect the physical health (e.g., weight gain, energy
levels) of senior high school students?
- What is the relationship between the amount of sleep and the academic performance of
senior high school students?
- How does mental health awareness in senior high school affect the number of students
seeking counseling or support for anxiety and depression?
- How does participating in school sports affect the concentration levels of senior high
school students in their studies?

4. Social Issues and Community

- How does volunteer work or community service impact the social skills and leadership
qualities of senior high school students?
- What is the effect of bullying in school on the emotional well-being and academic
performance of senior high school students?
- How does student involvement in environmental initiatives (e.g., recycling programs)
affect their awareness of sustainability issues?
- What is the relationship between parental involvement in school activities and the
academic achievement of senior high school students?
- How does peer pressure influence the decision-making process of senior high school
students, particularly in relation to academic choices?

5. Time Management and Study Habits

- How does the amount of time spent on mobile games affect the study habits and academic
performance of senior high school students?
- What is the relationship between time management skills and the academic performance
of senior high school students?
- How do senior high school students balance their academic workload with part-time jobs,
and how does this affect their overall well-being?
- How does the use of productivity apps (e.g., Google Calendar, Notion) improve the study
habits of senior high school students?
- What is the impact of a daily study routine on the final exam scores of senior high school
students?

6. Relationships and Peer Influence

- How does spending more time with friends outside of school affect the academic
motivation of senior high school students?
- What is the effect of romantic relationships on the academic performance of senior high
school students?
- How do friendship dynamics impact the stress levels of senior high school students during
exams?
- What is the relationship between peer support and the mental well-being of senior high
school students dealing with personal challenges?
- How does participating in school clubs or organizations influence the social and leadership
skills of senior high school students?
7. Career and Future Planning
- What factors influence senior high school students' decisions when choosing their career
paths or college courses?
- How does attending career orientation programs affect the career decision-making of
senior high school students?
- What is the relationship between senior high school students’ career aspirations and their
academic performance in related subjects (e.g., Engineering students focusing on Math)?
- How do senior high school students perceive the importance of internships or job-
shadowing experiences in relation to their future careers?
- What is the impact of exposure to various professions (e.g., through internships, job fairs)
on the career choices of senior high school students?

8. Technology and Learning Styles

- What is the effect of online learning (e.g., Zoom, Google Classroom) on the study habits of
senior high school students during the pandemic?
- How does the use of virtual study groups affect the academic performance and motivation
of senior high school students?
- What is the relationship between the use of digital textbooks (e.g., PDF or e-books) and the
comprehension levels of senior high school students?
- How does using interactive learning tools (e.g., Kahoot, Quizizz) in the classroom affect the
engagement of senior high school students?
- How does the integration of online discussions in classroom activities impact the critical
thinking skills of senior high school students?