Inquiries, Investigations and Immersion

THE RESEARCH PROBLEM

THE RESEARCH PROBLEM

FORMULATING A RESEARCH PROBLEM

At the end of the topic, you will be able to:

1. discuss what is a research problem;
2. identify how to properly state a problem; and
3. know how to identify what is a variable.

Generally, majority of the researchers find difficulty in looking for a researchable

problem. Once they have found a researchable problem, they still find difficulty in stating the
specific research problem and formulating hypothesis.
It is necessary that researchers should know how to choose researchable problem. If
possible, a research problem should possess the 7M’s resources such as Manpower, Money,
Materials, Methods, Machinery, Moment of Time, and Marketing.

Research Problems
1. The need to communicate what will be studied in clear, concise, and unambiguous terms.
2. One or more sentences indicating the goal, purpose, or overall direction of the study.
3. General characteristics
 Implies the possibility of empirical investigations.
 Identifies a need for a research.
 Provides focus.
 Provides a concise overview of the research.

Two ways of stating the problem

1. Research problems typically a general overview of the problem with just enough
information about the scope and purpose of the study to provide an initial
understanding of the research.
Inquiries, Investigations and Immersion
THE RESEARCH PROBLEM

2. Research statements and/or questions, more specific, focused statements and questions
that communicate in greater detail the nature of the study.
Examples:
 General Research Problem- “The purpose of this study is to investigate the attitude of
the high school students to the mandated drug testing programs”

 Statements and Questions- “The study examines the differences between males and
females attitudes toward the mandated high school drug testing program”
“What are the differences between freshmen, sophomore,
junior and senior students’ attitudes toward the mandated high school drug testing
program?”

Researchable and Non-researchable problem

1. Researchable problems imply the possibilities of empirical investigation.
 “What are the achievement and social skill differences between children
attending an academically or socially oriented pre-school program?”
 “What is the relationship between teachers’ knowledge of assessment
methods and the use of them?”

2. Non-researchable problems include explanations of how to do something, vague

propositions, and value based concerns.
 “Is a democracy a good form of government?”
 “Should values clarifications be taught in public schools?”
 “Can crime be prevented?”
 “Should physical education classes be dropped from the high school
curriculum?”
Inquiries, Investigations and Immersion
THE RESEARCH PROBLEM
THE NATURE OF VARIABLES
As it was defined by Sutter (2013), variables are “changing or characteristics” of persons or
things like age, gender, intelligence, ideas, achievements, confidence, and so on that are
involved in your research study. Made up of the root or base word “vary” which means undergo
changes or to differ from, variables have different or varying values in relation to time and
situation. For instance, as years go by, your age or intelligence increases. But placed in a
situation where you are afflicted with a disease or have no means of reading or no access to any
sources of knowledge, your intelligence tend to decrease

 Conceptual- Definition uses words or concepts to define a variable

1. Achievement- what one has learned from formal instructions?
2. Aptitude- one’s capability for performing a particular task or skill.

 Operational Definition- is an indication of (something) the meaning of a variable through

the specification of the manner by which it is measured, categorized, or controlled.
1. IQ Score
2. Income levels below and above 50, 000 per year

Types of Variable
1. Independent and Dependent Variable
Independent Variables are those variables that the experimenter/researcher purposely
manipulates, thus Dependent Variable is a response or behavior that is measured. It is desired
that changes in the Dependent Variable are directly related manipulation of the Independent
Variable.

2. Extraneous and Confounding Variables

Extraneous Variable are uncontrolled variables that can cause unintended changes
between groups, while Confounding Variable are variables of a situation in which results of an
experiment can be attributed to either the operation of an Independent Variable or an
extraneous variable.
Inqueries, Investigations and Immersion
INTRODUCTION TO THE NATURE AND INQUIRY OF RESEARCH

Reference/s:

Baraceros, Esther L. (2017), Practical Research 2, Rex Book Store, Inc., First Edition

Baraceros, Esther L. (2017), Practical Research 1, Rex Book Store, Inc., First Edition

Sarno, Emerlita G. (2010), Tips and Techniques in Writing Research, Rex Book Store, Inc.

Burns, D. S. (2005). SlidePlayer. Retrieved September 9, 2019, from

https://slideplayer.com/slide/3991409/