Practical Research 1

Quarter 1 - Module 3:

Identifying the Inquiry and

Stating the
Problem Related to Daily
Life
What I Need to Know
People from all walks of life are bombarded with problems and
challenged with obstacles that are to be conquered every day. Some
solutions to these problems are within ordinary man’s capacity of doing.
However, some, need further investigation and exploration as they are
too technical to be accomplished in a wink of an eye.
One of the main foci of qualitative research is to be of help to humans in
their everyday undertaking. It seeks to improve the lives of the people
and for them to become competitive in the mainstream.
The unique feature of qualitative research is it does not test hypothesis;
rather, it only poses a problem or question that are to be explored
through case study, ethnography, phenomenological approach, and
others. To satisfy the problem posed, data are gathered through
interview, observation, focus group discussion and the like.
In designing your own research project and your research
title, have in mind what particular aspect of your existence
you will focus on. Further, you have to keep an eye on the
reason behind conducting the research study.

In order to accomplish the desired performance stated,

please be guided with the following
learning competencies as your anchor:
a. designs a research project related to daily life
(CS_RS11-IIIc-e-1)
b. writes a research title (CS_RS11-IIIc-e-2),
c. describes justifications/reasons for conducting the
research (CS_RS11-IIIc-e-3),
d. states research questions (CS_RS11-IIIc-e-4),
e. indicates scope and delimitation of research
(CS_RS11-IIIc-e-5),
f. cites benefits and beneficiaries of research (CS_RS11-
IIIc-e-6), and
g. presents written statement of the problem (CS_RS11-
IIIc-e-7).
Learning Objectives:
After studying this module, you will be able to:
a. identify the steps in designing a research
project,
b. determine the guidelines in writing a research
title,
c. craft a research project related to daily life, and
d. formulate a research title
Pretest
Directions: Choose the letter of the correct answer.
1. The reason why researcher has to examine literature as a technique
in narrowing down the
research topic is:
A. it is already edited.
B. it is an excellent source of ideas.
C. it is abundant in the library and in the internet.
D. it can be copied so that researchers do not need to work a lot.
2. One of the following is NOT a good contributor of ideas in research.
A. people who aspire to do research study
B. people who are knowledgeable about the topic
C. people who have opposing views about the research
D. people whose opinions may differ from the researcher
3. One of the following research topics below needs to be narrowed
down.
A. Menace of Terrorism in Mindanao
B. HIV: Causes, Prevention and Cure
C. Global Warming and Greenhouse Effect
D. Body Tattooing as an Art in the Philippines

4. An example to this source of research topic is a blog.

A. Replication
C. Wide Reading/Critical Film Viewing
B. Social Networking
D. Lectures, Talks, Seminars
5. Researchers should avoid controversial topic because:
A. it lacks focus along the process.
B. it is prone to opinions of the subject.
C. it requires thorough and extensive reading.
D. there are no available materials as source of information to
support it.

6. A broad research topic should be :

A. narrowed down
B. converted into a broader topic.
C. supported with extensive reading and investigation.
D. challenging to the researcher as it needs more sources.
7. In research, this is the answerable inquiry of a specific concern or
issue.
A. Research question
B. Significance of the study
C. scope and delimitation
D. Research Title

8. This is a statement containing the main point, main idea or central

message of the paper.
A. Conceptual framework
B. Significance of the study
C. Thesis statement
D. Statement of the problem
9. It contains the explanation of what information or subject is being
analyzed following the
limitation of the study.
A. Research design
B. Scope of the study
C. Research title
D. Thesis statement

10. This is where the purpose of the study is highlighted indicating

the key reasons of doing such.
A. Significance of the study
B. Research objectives
C. Scope of the study
D. Rationale
11. One of the components of a research question that provides
enough specifics that one’s
audience can easily understand its purpose without needing additional
explanation.
A. Complex
B. Clear
C. Arguable
D. Brief

12. This is considered to be the ground beneath the foundation of

research.
A. Statistical treatment
B. Research title
C. Research question/s
D. Scope of the study
13. This is the chapter where the significance of the study is particularly
indicated.
A. Chapter 1 C. Chapter 3
B. Chapter 2 D. Chapter 4

14. This is one of the components of a research objective which is

expressed in the fewest
possible words.
A. Complex C. Goal-driven
B. Concise D. Clear

15. You cannot formulate questions unless you have already identified
your:
A. references. C. research design.
B. research topic. D. audience.
Directions: From among the list, choose what you want to build,
accomplish, create or make.
Then determine the materials that you need in order to accomplish it.
List of choices:
House
Cake
Car
Dress
Bag
others, please specify
Your answer here:
I decided to make a ________
In making this, I need these materials:
_________________________________
Designing a research is similar to making a house, car, bag, dress, cake,
etc. which needs appropriate materials and necessary process or steps to
follow. Then, you have to consider whether what you intend to make or
invent has significance to you as a person. Otherwise, your efforts will not
be put to use.

In designing your qualitative research, you have to consider whether the

topic you have chosen is relevant to you as a learner, as a constituent in
your barangay, and as a citizen of this country.

Therefore, the first question you should answer is, “What is the issue,
phenomenon or problem in my school, at home, and in the community
that needs my special attention by conducting a research?
Examples:
1. In School
Based on observation, what are the issues and problems I encounter
inside the classroom? Is it the lesson, teachers, learners’ attitude and
hindrances to graduation?
2. At Home
Considering my life on a daily basis, what are the things that bother me
at home?
3. In the Community
What are the usual complaints of my neighbor regarding ordinances,
practices and activities in the barangay? Or, what are the situations in
my community that need to be improved?
Once you have decided on area where you can focus on, you
need to remember the design of the qualitative research you will
venture into.
Design of Qualitative Research
Qualitative research is an emergent design which means that it
emerges as you make ongoing decisions about what you have
learned.
As a design, qualitative research requires researcher’s
decision-making like how to gather data, from where and whom
to collect, when to gather, and for how long is the process will
be.
To have a holistic picture of qualitative research project, you
have to remember that in deciding on a topic, you have to
consider the kind and the field it belongs, as well as its
relevance to your daily life
Directions: Determine whether the topic listed below are directly relevant
to you. Mark (/) if they are, and (X) if not, on the blank provided before the
number.
1. Ups and downs of the Spanish Government
2. Struggles of novice teachers in Department of Education
3. Parenting styles of the American people
4. Utilization of gadgets among students
5. Study habits of honor students
6. Time management practices among senior high school students
7. Signs and symptoms of depression among teenagers
8. How to avoid contamination of Novel Coronavirus
9. Learning style preferences of senior high school students
10. The life of kings and queens of royal families
Directions: Answer the questions below.
1. What is the first consideration in choosing a
topic for research?
2. How do you know that the topic you have
chosen is related to you?
3. Give at least three examples of topics that
are observable in your community,
school, and home?
Directions: Cite at least two issues, concerns or problems that you have encountered
in the different domains. Then, choose one which interests you the most as your focus
for your research project.
A. The problems, issues, and concerns I encountered:
B.
a. In school
1. __________
2. __________

b. At home
1. __________
2. __________

c. In the community
1. __________
2. __________
I would like to focus on:
d. Domain (Home, School, Community): ______________________________
e. Issue/problem/concern: ______________________________
f. Kind of qualitative research: ______________________________
g. Special field of qualitative research: ______________________________
The activity you have just accomplished is similar to the
process you will undergo in choosing a research topic and
eventually in formulating your research title. You have to start
from general view of the subject and proceed to its specific
spectrum.
To do it, you will learn how to determine your research topic as
we discuss the Guidelines in Choosing a Topic, Topics to be
Avoided, Sources of Research Topics, Examples of Research
Topics and their Sources, and How to Narrow Down Research
Topic.
Guidelines in Choosing a Topic
1. Interest in the subject matter
You are interested about the topic because you have experienced it.

2. Availability of information
It is important that when you decide on a topic, sources of information are available.

3. Timeliness and relevance of the topic

The topic you have chosen can be of significance to the community.

4. Limitations on the subject

Sometimes, topic is limited to what the teacher suggests. An example of this is when
the teacher asks the entire class to focus on COVID-19 pandemic, then you have no
freedom to explore other topics aside from what is given.

5. Personal resources
Consider also if you can finish the research in terms of your intellectual and financial
physical capabilities.
Topics to be Avoided
1. Controversial topics
Avoid highly opinionated topics.
2. Highly technical subjects
Too technical topics requires expertise. If you don’t have enough knowledge about
it, then look for another one.
3. Hard-to-investigate subjects
Unavailability of reading materials and materials that are not updated make the
subject hard to investigate.
4. Too broad subjects
You lack focus if you deal with broad topics. The remedy is to narrow it down.
5. Too narrow subject
Some subjects are too narrow that extensive and thorough reading are required.
6. Vague subjects
Titles that start with indefinite adjectives such as several, many, some, etc., make
the topic vague.
Sources of Research Topics
1. Mass media communication-television, newspaper,
ads, radio, films, etc.
2. Books, internet, journals, government publications
3. Professional periodicals- specialized periodicals in
different fields
4. General periodicals- Reader’s Digest, Time
Magazine, Women’s Magazine, etc.
5. Previous readings
6. Work experience
How to Narrow Down a Topic
1. You can narrow down the topic by exploring and
extending the explanation of a theory.
2. Talk over ideas with people who know research.
3. Focus on specific group. Ex: Students, Mothers,
Teachers
4. Define the aim or desired outcome of the study.
a. Is the study exploratory, explanatory, or descriptive?
b. Is the study applied or basic?
Before deciding on your topic, ask:
1. What areas are not yet explored that I want to
investigate?
2. Is my research useful to me, to my school, to my
family and to my community?

Remember, a research study must be

significant enough to make it worth your
efforts as the researcher.
Example of a Broad Topic Narrowed Down to Specific One
General Concept: Early Pregnancy
Narrow:
Early Pregnancy among Senior High School Students
Narrow:
Prevention of Early Pregnancy among Senior High
School Students
Now, we will tackle how you will formulate your research
title.
⮚ Research title is the most important element of your research as it
clearly expresses the problem to be explored.
⮚ A research title capsulizes the main thought or idea of the whole
research paper. It also reflects the variables under study.
⮚ It is expressed in few words possible and just enough to describe the
contents and the purpose of your research.
⮚ It needs to be informative.
⮚ It contains the:
● What: the subject matter or topic to be investigated
● Where: place or locale where the research is to be conducted
● Who: the participants of respondents of the study
● When: the time period of the conduct of the study
Examples:

● Struggles in Online Learning Modality among Students of Quezon National High

School
during School Year 2021-2021
What: Struggles in Online Learning Modality
Where: Quezon National High School
Who: Students
When: School Year 2021-2021
● Less Mastered Competencies of Senior High School Students in Bukidnon during
School
Year 2020-2021
What: Less Mastered Competencies
Where: Bukidnon
Who: Senior High School Students
When: School Year 2020-2021
In qualitative research, it is not necessary to
complete the data on what, where, who, and
when in the title. Consider the research titles
below.
● Study Habits of Senior High School Students in Public
Schools of Bukidnon
● Understanding the Academic Journey of Senior High
School Students
● The Pulse of the People on the Leadership Style of
President Rodrigo R. Duterte
● Phenomenology of Pioneering Senior High School
Students in Private Schools
● Body Tattoo: Is it an Art?
A. Directions: Put ( / ) if the topic is already narrow and
X if broad.
1. Preferred Learning Styles of Quezon National High
School HUMSS Students
2. Parenting Styles and Its Impact
3. Reducing Weight is Difficult
4. Obesity among Toddlers in Rural Areas of Region 10
5. Solo Parents’ Rights and Responsibilities
B. Directions: Narrow down the following research topics:
1. Study Habits of Working Students
2. Students’ Preferred Learning Styles
3. Senior High School exits: higher education, employment,
and entrepreneurship
4. Senior High School Journey
5. Senior High School Academic Subjects
What I Have Learned
Directions: Answer the questions below.
1. What are the guidelines in choosing a research topic?
2. What are the possible sources of research topics?
3. How do you know that a research topic is to be avoided?
4. Why do you need to narrow down a broad research topic?
5. How do you narrow down a research topic?
What I Can Do
A. Directions: Think of an appropriate research topic that is relevant to you as a
Senior High School student or simply as a citizen of this country. Start from a
broad concept, then narrow it down.
1. Research Topic 1
⮚ Broad Topic:
_________________________________________
⮚ Narrowed Topic:
_________________________________________

2. Research Topic 2
⮚ Broad Topic: _________________________________________
⮚ Narrowed Topic: _________________________________________
B. Directions: Write a title of the research topic you stated above. Then,
supply the information on what, where, who, and when.
Title of Research 1: ______________________________________________________
⮚ What:
_______________________________________________
⮚ Where:
_______________________________________________
⮚ Who:
_______________________________________________
⮚ When:
_______________________________________________
Title of Research 2: ______________________________________________________
⮚ What:
_______________________________________________
⮚ Where:
_______________________________________________
⮚ Who:
_______________________________________________
⮚ When:
_______________________________________________
What’s In
In the previous lesson, you have learned how to design a research project and
identify topics based on your interests. You are also introduced to some red flags in
choosing a topic in order for you to avoid them. Further, the following are the important
concepts that you need to remember from the previous lesson:

⮚ Qualitative research is an inquiry process of understanding a social or human

problem based on building a complex holistic picture formed with words, reporting
detailed views of informants and conducted in a natural setting (Creswell, 1994).

⮚ Participant Observation, Observation, In-depth interviewing , Focus Group

Interviewing , Content Analysis , Narratology and Films are the kinds of data utilized for
Qualitative Research

⮚ A research title capsulizes the main thought or idea of the whole research paper.
It also reflects the variables under study
Formulating Research Questions
The questions that you ask in your research will determine the
data that you want to have, answer, and specify in Chapter 4.
Hence, it is a crucial stage to attain your research objective.
Research questions help writers focus their research by
providing a path through the research and writing process.
You should ask a question about an issue that you are
genuinely curious and/or passionate about. The question you
ask should be developed for the discipline you are studying. A
question directed towards Literature, for instance, is different
from an appropriate one in Mathematics to Biology
Let’s get into the details
A research question is an answerable inquiry into a specific concern or
issue. It is the initial step in a research project. The research question is
the first active step in the research project. Let us use this metaphor--the
research project is a house. Your data collection forms the walls, and
your hypothesis that guides your data collection is the foundation. So,
what is the research question? It is the ground beneath the foundation. It
is what everything in a research project is built on. Without a question,
you can't have a hypothesis. Without the hypothesis, you won't know
how to study what you're interested in.
A research question forms the base of where
you are going, so we have to write a
good research question. If your foundation is
built on something shifty, like a house built
on sand, then everything following that will
be about correcting that initial issue instead
of on making an awesome home/research
project.
Writing a Research Question
Writing a good research question means you have something you want to
study. Let's say you're interested in the effects of television. We will
examine the steps and then look at how you could write a research
question.
✔Specify your specific concern or issue
✔Decide what you want to know about the specific concern or issue
✔Turn what you want to know and the specific concern into a question
✔Ensure that the question is answerable
✔Check to make sure the question is not too broad or too narrow
✔ This is the basic process in writing a research question. Writing a good
question will result in a better research project.
A research question should be (from the Writing Center of
George Mason
University):
✔ Clear. It provides enough specifics that one’s audience can easily understand
its
purpose without needing additional explanation.
✔ Focused. It is narrow enough that it can be answered thoroughly in the space
the
writing task allows.
✔ Concise. It is expressed in the fewest possible words.
✔ Complex. It is not answerable with a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’, but rather requires
synthesis and analysis of ideas and sources prior to composition of an answer.
✔ Arguable. Its potential answers are open to debate rather than accepted
facts.
Please check for the following examples
for reference:

Unclear: How should social networking sites address

the harm they cause?

Clear: What action should social networking sites like

MySpace and Facebook take to protect users’ personal
information and privacy?
Writing the Thesis Statement
Every paper you write should have a main point, a main idea, or central
message. The argument(s) you make in your paper should reflect this
main idea. The sentence that captures your position on this main idea
is what we call a thesis statement.
A thesis statement focuses your ideas into one or two sentences. It
should present the topic of your paper and also make a comment
about your position in relation to the topic. Your thesis statement
should tell your reader what the paper is about and also help guide
your writing and keep your argument focused.
You should provide a thesis early in your essay -- in the introduction, or
in longer essays in the second paragraph -- in order to establish your
position and give your reader a sense of direction.
Tip: In order to write a successful thesis
statement:
A. Avoid burying a great thesis statement in the
middle of a paragraph or late in the paper.

B. Be as clear and as specific as possible; avoid

vague words.

C. Indicate the point of your paper but avoid

sentence structures like, “The point of my
paper is…
Please see these examples on how to improve your thesis:
Original thesis:
There are serious objections to today's horror movies.

Revised theses:
Because modern cinematic techniques have allowed filmmakers to
get more graphic, horror flicks have desensitized young American
viewers to violence.

The pornographic violence in "bloodbath" slasher movies degrades

both men and women.

Today's slasher movies fail to deliver the emotional catharsis that

1930s horror films did.
Tips in Writing Clear Thesis:
Your thesis statement is no exception to
your writing: it needs to be as clear as
possible.
By being as clear as possible in your
thesis statement, you will make sure that
your reader understands exactly what you
mean.
Tip: In order to be as clear as possible in
your writing:
✔Unless you're writing a technical report, avoid
technical language. Always avoid jargon, unless
you are confident your audience will be familiar
with it.
✔Avoid vague words such as "interesting,”
"negative, "exciting,” "unusual," and "difficult."
✔Avoid abstract words such as "society,"
“values,” or “culture.”
SCOPE AND DELIMITATION
THE SCOPE OF YOUR STUDY
The scope of study in your research paper contains the explanation of
what information or subject is being analyzed. It is followed by an
explanation of the limitation of the research. Research usually limited in
scope by sample size, time and geographic area; while the delimitation
of study is the description of the scope of study. It will explain
why definite aspects of a subject were chosen and why other were
excluded. It also mentions the research method used as well as the
certain theories applied to the data.
YOUR STUDY AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE
Writing a research paper has its purpose-- may it be
for you (as a researcher) or even for others. That is
why, you need to identify the key reason/s why you
are taking a step forward and make your query into a
formal writing. In this stage, your ‘WHYs’ and ‘HOWs’
will be answered and explained. Before taking this
step, read the following notes:
Tips in Writing the Significance of the
Study (Regoniel, 2015)
A. Refer to the statement of the problem
Your problem statement can guide you in
identifying the specific contribution of your study.
You can do this by observing a one-to-one
correspondence between the statement of the
problem and the significance of the study.
For example, if you ask the question ‘Is there a significant
relationship between the teacher’s teaching style and the
students’ long quiz scores in Mathematics?’ then the
contribution of your research would probably be a teaching style
or styles that can help students perform better in Mathematics.
Your research will demonstrate that teaching style really works.
That could be a groundbreaking approach that will change
the way teachers teach Mathematics which students are
hesitant of.
B. Write from general to specific contribution
Write the significance of the study by looking into
the general contribution of your study, such as its
importance to society as a whole, then proceed
downwards--towards its contribution to individuals
and that may include yourself as a researcher.
You start off broadly then taper off gradually to a
specific group or person
Sample Significance of the Study

Significance of the Study

The findings of this study will underscore to the benefit of society considering
that mathematics play an important role in science and technologies today.
The greater demand for graduates with Mathematics background justifies the
need for more effective, life changing teaching approaches. Thus, schools
that apply the recommended approach derived from the results of this study
will be able to train students better. Administrators will be guided on what
should be emphasized by teachers in the school curriculum to improve
students’ performance in Mathematics.
For the researcher, the study will help them uncover critical areas in the
educational process that many researchers were not able to explore. Thus, a
new theory on learning mathematics may be arrived at.
Given the notes on writing research
questions, formulate three (3) research
questions from your research title on the
previous lesson. Indicate your thesis
statement to guide you in making clear,
focused and concise questions.
Title:
____________________________________________________
Thesis Statement:
__________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Research Questions:
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
What I Have Learned
A. In writing a research question, I should consider the following:
(Enumerate the components)
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

B. In writing the Significance of the Study, one should follow these tips:
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
C. How does the significance of the study help in presenting a clear picture of
your
research?
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
What I Can Do

Revise the following thesis statements to establish a clear position:

1. The government has taken precautionary measures against Novel Corona Virus
(COVID-19)
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
2. A person infected with Novel Corona Virus (COVID-19) has noticeable symptoms
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

3. How can we prevent the contraction of Novel Corona Virus (COVID-19)?

___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
ASSESSMENT (Post-Test)
Directions: Encircle the letter of the correct answer.
1. Researchers need to examine literature from published articles
because they: __
A. are excellent source of ideas.
B. are already edited.
C. can be copied so that researchers do not need to work a lot.
D. are abundant in the library and on the internet.

2. These people are good sources of ideas about a research study,

EXCEPT those:
A. Who aspire to do research study?
B. Who are knowledgeable about the topic?
C. Who have opposing views about the research?
D. Whose opinions may differ from the researcher?
3. One of the following is a broad topic for research.
A. Film Industry in the Philippines
B. HIV: Causes, Prevention and Cure
C. Aftermath of Terrorism in Maguindanao
D. Body Tattooing as a Form of Art in the Philippines

4. An example to this source of research topic is the symposium on

drug addiction.
A. Replication
C. Wide Reading/Critical Film Viewing
B. Social Networking
D. Lectures, Talks, Seminars
5. Controversial topic should be avoided because it
_______________.
A. lacks focus in along the process.
B. is prone to opinions of the subject.
C. requires thorough and extensive reading.
D. has no available materials to support it.

6. The remedy to a broad research topic is to:

A. narrow it down.
B. make it even broader.
C. do extensive reading and investigation on it.
D. challenge oneself to finish it in whatever means.
7. In research, this will be your guide in identifying the specific
contribution of your
study.
A. Hypothesis
B. Research topic
C. Problem statement

8. Significance of the study. This is one component of a research

question that is
narrow enough to be answered thoroughly in the space the writing task
allows.
A. clear
B. complex
C. Focused
D. Content-driven
9. Choose a clear thesis statement from the following:
Research Topic: Vegetarianism and its benefits
A. People practice vegetarianism for five major benefits it provides
them.
B. The reasons why people practice vegetarianism are varied.
C. Vegetarianism is an essential practice.
D. Vegetarianism as a healthy lifestyle.

[Link] writing the significance of the study, the researcher should follow
this format.
A. general to specific contribution
B. specific to general contribution
C. direct to specific contribution
D. none of the above
[Link] of the components of a research question that provides enough specifics that
one’s audience can easily understand its purpose without needing additional
explanation.
A. Complex
B. Clear
C. Arguable
D. Concise

[Link] a statement below to translate this unclear research question to a specific

one.
Unclear: How should social networking sites address the harm they cause?
A. What action should social networking sites like Myspace and Facebook take to
protect users’ personal information and privacy?
B. What are the steps to eliminate harm caused by social networking sites?
C. Why do social networking sites a contributory factor for teenager’s
psychological struggles?
D. How to minimize the disadvantages of social networking sites?
[Link] scope of the study is particularly indicated in what
chapter?
A. Chapter 1
B. Chapter 2
C. Chapter 3
D. Chapter 4

[Link] cannot formulate questions unless you have already

identified your:
A. References
B. Research topic
C. Research design
D. Significance of the Study
[Link] is usually limited in scope by the
following except for:
A. sample size.
B. time.
C. culture.
D. theme.