MODULE 3: IDENTIFYING
AND STATING THE
PROBLEM
by: Robbie D. Pineda
RESEARCH TITLE
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• The most important element that defines the
research problem.
• It is usually read first and the most read part of
the research.
• It contains the least words enough to describe the
contents and the purpose of your research paper.
• It can be revised and many times as the research
develops and reach its final phase. It becomes
final on its final defence before the panel of
judges.
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Elements
• The research title does not need to be entertaining but
informative.
• It should have the following information:
• 1. The subject matter or topic to be investigated .”What”
• 2. The place or locale where the research is to be
conducted. “Where”
• The population like the respondents’ interviewees. “Who”
• 4. The time period of the study during which the data are
to be collected. :”When”
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Rules
• 1. Interest in the subject matter
• 2. Availability of information
• 3. Timeliness and relevance of the topic.
• 4. Limitations on the subject.
• 5. Personal resources.
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Research Topics to be avoided
• Controversial topics
• Highly-technical subjects
• Hard-to-investigate subjects
• Too broad subjects
• Vague sujects
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Sources of Research Topics
• 1. Mass Media
• 2. Books, Internet, peer-reviewed journals, government
publications
• 3. Professional periodicals like College English Language
Teaching Forum,……
• 4. General periodicals such as Reader’s Digest…..
• 5. Previous reading assignments in your other subjects
• 6. Work experience…..
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Narrowing Your Topic
Topic Chocolate
Sub-topics History of chocolate, making of
chocolate, health aspects of
chocolate, chocolate addictions,
brands of chocolate
What sub-topics are of most interest Health aspects of chocolate
you?
What new questions do you have Are there health benefits to eating
about your topic? chocolate? Can chocolate boost your
mood? Is chocolate addictive?
Develop a topic statement I will explore the health benefits of
eating chocolate, specially focusing
on how chocolate affects moods and
brain chemistry
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Activity
Topic
Sub-topics
What sub-topics are of most interest
you?
What new questions do you have
about your topic?
Develop a topic statement
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The Research Problem and Research Question
• I. An Overview of the Research Problem and Research
Question
• Chapter I OF THE RESEARCH PAPER is called The
Problem and Its Background
• It is composed of the following sections:
• 1) Background of the Study,
• 2) Statement of the Problem,
• 3)Scope and Delimitation,
• 4)Significance of the Study.
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Research Problem
• According to Calderon & Gonzales
(1993) problem is “any significant,
perplexing, and challenging situation,
real or artificial, the solution of which
requires reflexive thinking. In research,
it is known as the research topic or
research title.
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A research topic is the
broad subject matter of Topic: Distance Learning
the study
Research Problem:
• A research problem
is a general issue or Lack of learners knowledge
concern about the about distance education.
research that narrow
the topic
• A purpose of the Purpose Statement:
study used to To study why learners do not
address the attend distance education
problem. classes in a community college.
• A purpose of the Research Questions:
study used to Does the use of website
address the technology in the classroom
problem. deter learners from enrolling in
a distant education class?
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Purpose of background of the study
• A. The general definition of the topic/problem
area
• B. Historical basis for the existence of the
problem
• C. Efforts made towards addressing similar
challenges
• D. How the efforts failed to be realized hence the
need for your study.
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Contents of the background study
• A. Presentation of the problem. Describe the existence of
an unsatisfactory condition or a problem that needs a
solution.
• B. Historical background of the problem. Give the
historical background of the problem, if applicable.
• C. Geographical conditions of the study locale- If
applicable, describe the geographical location of the
study.
• D. Rationale of the study- Give the reason(s) why the
study should be conducted.
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• Example:
• In 2004, the researcher migrated to the Philippines to
accompy her spouse who was at the time studying at the
Adventist Institute for International Advanced Studies
(AIIAS) in Silang, Cavite. They discovered the study
opportunities and were motivated by the quality of
education and low school fees being offered. They visited
several colleges and universities to collect pamphlets and
sent them back to Vanuatu for educational awareness.
The Ni-Vanuatus became aware and decided to send
students to study in the Philippines. The first two schools
to receive Vanuatu students were AMA Computer College
in Dasmarinas, Cavite and Air Link Aviation in Paranaque
City. The researcher came to know Cavite State University
(CsSU) in 2009 and transferred from AMA.
• (Ngwele, March 2011)
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Do’s and Don’ts of Writing a Research
Background Study
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B. Statement of the Problem
(Purpose Statement and Research
Questions)
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C. Scope and Delimitation of the
Study
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D. Significance of the Study
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Collaborative Work (Collegial
brainstorming)
1. Research Title
2. Reasons for Conducting the
Research
3. Research Questions
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THANK YOU!