Republic of the Philippines

Philippine State College of Aeronautics

INSTITUTE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY
Piccio Garden, Villamor Air Base, Pasay City

COURSE CODE: AE 512

COURSE TITLE: Research Methods and Application
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course explores the primary aspects of scientific investigation,
problem identification and definition, theoretical framework and
hypothesis development, elements of research design, experimental
and survey designs, measurements of variables, techniques of data
collection and analysis, sampling, design of research sources,
statistical analysis and ethics in Aeronautical Engineering research.

LEARNING OUTCOME: Create a Concept Map of the Research Area Focus and develop a
Problem Statement by identifying the Aviation Key Players.

TEACHING AND LEARNING ACTIVITY:

I. PROBLEM STATEMENT

A problem statement is a brief piece of writing that explains the problem that your team is
addressing. It should outline the basic facts of the problem, explain why the problem matters,
who it affects and how, and present a direct solution.

It’s important that you write the problem statement together as a team so that you all agree
and remain focused on the problem you are solving as you move through the rest of the
curriculum. Otherwise, you might work on something only to find that it doesn’t meet the
original goal!

Your problem statement should answer 4 questions:

1. What is the problem? What is the need your community faces?

2. Who does the problem affect and how? This is important because the people who
are affected by the problem will be the beneficiary of your study.
3. Why is it important to solve? Why is this problem compelling and do you have any
evidence of the problem to back up your argument? What insight do you have to offer
in solving the problem?
4. What is the solution? This does not need to be a long response right now, just
enough to give a little understanding of how the problem will be addressed.

For your purposes right now, the problem statement should not be longer than a
paragraph. You can definitely explore your ideas and write them down, but as a team
you should narrow down your problem statement together.

Reference: www.technovationchallenge.org

II. CONCEPT MAPPING ACTIVITY

It is a way of illustrating the connections that exist between terms or concepts covered in
course material; students construct concept maps by connecting individual terms by lines
which indicate the relationship between each set of connected. Most of the terms in a
concept map have multiple connections. Developing a terms concept map requires the
students to identify and organize information and to establish meaningful relationships
between the pieces of information.
 Republic of the Philippines
Philippine State College of Aeronautics
INSTITUTE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY
Piccio Garden, Villamor Air Base, Pasay City

Advantages of Concept Mapping

Concept mapping serves several purposes for learners:

 Helping students brainstorm and generate new ideas
 Encouraging students to discover new concepts and the propositions that connect them
 Allowing students to more clearly communicate ideas, thoughts and information
 Helping students integrate new concepts with older concepts
 Enabling students to gain enhanced knowledge of any topic and evaluate the information

How to Build a Concept Map

Concept maps are typically hierarchical, with the subordinate concepts stemming from
the main concept or idea. This type of graphic organizer however, always allows change and
new concepts to be added. The Rubber Sheet Analogy states that concept positions on a map
can continuously change, while always maintaining the same relationship with the other ideas
on the map.
1. Start with a main idea, topic, or issue to focus on.
A helpful way to determine the context of your concept map is to choose a focus
question—something that needs to be solved or a conclusion that needs to be reached. Once a
topic or question is decided on, that will help with the hierarchical structure of the concept map.
2. Then determine the key concepts
Find the key concepts that connect and relate to your main idea and rank them; most
general, inclusive concepts come first, then link to smaller, more specific concepts.
3. Finish by connecting concepts--creating linking phrases and words
Once the basic links between the concepts are created, add cross-links, which connect
concepts in different areas of the map, to further illustrate the relationships and strengthen
student’s understanding and knowledge on the topic. See sample below.
 Republic of the Philippines
Philippine State College of Aeronautics
INSTITUTE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY
Piccio Garden, Villamor Air Base, Pasay City

Work with your team to write a problem statement by answering the questions below.

What is the problem you're trying to solve?

 The inadequate facilities, tools, and equipment in Philippine State College of
Aeronautics.

Who does the problem affect?

 Students of Philippine State College of Aeronautics
 Instructors/Professors in Philippine State College of Aeronautics

Why is it important to solve?

 To lessen the factors that affect the quality of education in Philippine State College
of Aeronautics

What is the solution?

 To give proper funding in school facilities, tools, and equipment.
 To give importance in providing and maintaining school facilities and equipment.

Combine your answers into a finished problem statement in paragraph form.

Finished Problem Statement
Philippine State College of Aeronautics is a school that lacks tools and equipment, and has poor facilities. Some
activities that are essential to the learning of students are unachievable due to lack of tools and equipment.
Comfort and health of students are compromised due to poor facilities of the school.
 Republic of the Philippines
Philippine State College of Aeronautics
INSTITUTE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY
Piccio Garden, Villamor Air Base, Pasay City

The Aviation Key Players

Airlines

Airports &
Air Traffic MROs
Control

Tourism
Regulatory
Aviation Key and
Bodies
Players Logistic
s
Aviation
Manufacturing Education
and Design and
Research and Training
Development Schools
Agency