Inquiries,

Investigations, and
Immersion
Quarter 3 – Module 1:
Brainstorming for Research Topics
 What I Need to Know

You have learned the step-by-step procedure in writing a qualitative and

quantitative research in your previous subjects – Practical Research 1 and 2,
respectively. As a culminating activity, Inquiries, Investigations, and
Immersion is designed to heighten your critical thinking and problem-
solving skills through conducting another meaningful study. This module is
designed to assist you in choosing a significant topic that will benefit your
area of interest.

After this module, you are expected to:

1. identify issues and ideas in respective track or strand;
2. formulate a suitable research topic related to a track or strand; and
3. write a research plan about the selected research topic.

1
 What I Know

DIRECTIONS: There are 15 words that are possible sources for a research
topic hidden in the word square below. Words appear vertically, horizontally,
diagonally, backwards, and forwards. Search for these words and write your
answers on your answer sheet.

T H E O R I E S D E E N X O N
I R X E S E A P R O B L E M S
N R P C I N T E R E S T H Q U
T Z E E D F H C G S U W V V A
U E R R I P H I L O S O P H Y
I R I U A X E A E L B B O A S
T M E T O D U L S E I S S O T
I H N A A R D I S S U E S U U
O G C R H C O Z O V I R D P D
N A E E N E D A N M I V C L I
O C S T C K D T S O W A N Q E
U A R I A N E I T E D T U C S
A T V L I O N O R E S I E A R
C D I S F U N N Z X E O E W Y
A P N O I T A S R E V N O C M
 Lesson
Brainstorming for
1 Research Topics
One of the most important considerations for every research is selecting a
research topic. A research topic serves as the basis of each research
undertaking. It directs how the research will be carried out.

A good researcher must carefully choose a topic that is doable and

significant to a certain discipline or field. Many researchers find selecting a
research topic a difficult task. Some do it through brainstorming or by
observing their surroundings.

In this module, you will be guided on how to easily choose a research topic
from your area of interest.

What’s In

DIRECTIONS: Taking into consideration your experiences from your

previous research subjects, decide whether each sentence must be a
criterion in choosing a good research problem. On your answer sheet, write
YES if the statement can be considered as a criterion and NO if otherwise.

A research topic should…

1. be original.
2. be ambiguous.
3. fill in a research gap.
4. be costly and ambitious.
5. be general and not specific.
6. arouse intellectual curiosity.
7. be within the researcher’s interest.
8. make use of ineffective research instrument.
9. be completed beyond the given period.
10. be insignificant to the field of study or discipline.
 What’s New

A common challenge when beginning to write a research paper is

determining how to narrow down your topic. To assist you in the selection
process, here are some guidelines given by Baraceros (2016:38-39):

use of its familiarity to you. Curiosity about an issue/topic is one of the factors that motivate a person to unravel the unkno

d support your topic. You must ensure that your sources come from a wide variety of literature such as books, journal, perio

PIC
topic is relevant if it serves as an instrument in improving the society or if it answers or solves current issues which are som
 4. LIMITATIONS OF THE SUBJECT
Aside from your interest, you must also consider the significance of the topic in your track and strand

apability, health condition, personal qualifications and trainings as a researcher, needed facilities and time allotment into ac
 What is It

Now that you have learned the considerations in formulating a research

problem, here are the steps that will guide you trim down your area of interest.

1. Focus on your track, strand or area of specialization.

For example: HUMSS

. Recall the specific area, lesson or issue in your respective field or strand that has piqued or aroused your interest the most
ublic Speaking

3. Generate an unanswered question or an unresolved

problem from your chosen area or lesson.

Why do people feel anxious when speaking in public?

4. Assess the question or problem based on the five guidelines stated above.

I am interested in the topic.

There are available sources of data.
It is timely and relevant.
It will contribute to my strand.
It is doable considering my personal resources.

5. Write your research problem.

Factors Affecting the Speaking Anxiety of Students

When formulating an effective research title, take the following guidelines into
consideration:

1. Indicate accurately the subject and scope of the study.

2. The title must be limited to 10 to 15 substantive words. Conjunctions
(and, but, because), prepositions (in, on, at) and articles (the, a, an) are
not counted.
3. Do not include analysis of, study of, an investigation of and the like.
4. The title must be in the phrase form.
5. Avoid title that gives too much information.

What’s More

A. DIRECTIONS: Match the following descriptions in column A to their

respective guidelines in choosing a research topic in column B. Write the
letter of the correct answer on your answer sheet.

A B

1. This refers to the a. limitations of the subject

researcher’s abilities, b. personal resources
financial capacity, c. interest in the subject matter
resources in terms of d. timeliness and relevance
instruments, facilities, and e. richness of available resources or
time frame. supporting evidence of
2. This refers to the social appropriateness
applicability and f. intellectual ability
appropriateness of the
topic to the current
situation.
3. This refers to an
individual’s interest in a
topic driven by his or her
schema about it.
4. This refers to the
availability of needed
resources as evidence for
the topic.
5. This refers to the topic’s
contribution to a particular
field or discipline.
 B. DIRECTIONS: Arrange the following steps in correct sequence using
numbers 1-5. Write your answers on your answer sheet.

6. Write your research problem.

7. Generate an unanswered question or an unresolved problem from your
chosen area or lesson.
8. Recall the specific area, lesson or issue in your respective field that has
piqued your interest the most.
9. Assess the question or problem based on the five guidelines stated
above.
10. Focus on your track, strand, or area of specialization.

C. DIRECTIONS: Read each statement below carefully. On your answers sheet ,

put a √ if the statement is correct and X if otherwise.
11. The title must include the accurate scope of the study.
12. Choose a title that is a sentence than a phrase.
13. Very long titles are preferable than short ones.
14. If possible, titles must not exceed 15 substantive words.
15. Analysis of, A Study of, An Investigation and the like are not encouraged.

What I Have Learned

DIRECTIONS: Test your wits and complete the paragraphs below by sharing
your learnings from the previous discussions. Write your answers on your
answer sheet. See attached Rubric for your guide. (15 points)

c, there are guidelines that we must follow. These are , , ,

considered because .
and specific enough for us to accomplish it with consideration of our limitations and within the given period of time. To a
ed by . To complete the procedure, we can now
 What I Can Do

DIRECTIONS: Think of at least two specific research topics from the broad
topics listed below following the guidelines explained above. Write your
answers on your answer sheet. See attached Rubric for your guide. (5 points
each)

 Fingerprinting  DNA
 Ethics and Genetics  Insecticides
 Humans and Wildlife  Export and Import
 Malnutrition  Intermittent Fasting
 Psychology of Plastic Surgery  Food Nutrition
 Vaccines  Privacy Issues
 Violence  Mobile Games
 Racism  Computer Literacy
 Sex Education  Online Selling
 Social Media  Accounting System
 Terrorism  Marketing Strategies
 Online Learning  Technology and Business
 Gender Roles  Thermal Insulation

For example:

Broad Topic: Online Selling

Specific Topic: Influence of Internet Based Marketing Activities on
Digital Consumer’s Mind

1. Broad Topic:
Specific Topic:

2. Broad Topic:
Specific Topic:
 Assessment

A. DIRECTIONS: Let us apply the five steps mentioned previously for you to
arrive on your specific research topic. Answer the following questions
briefly on your answer sheet. (2 points each)

STEPS IN SPECIFYING THE ANSWER

RESEARCH TOPIC
1. What is your track and strand?

2. What is the specific lesson or issue

in your track and strand that has
piqued your interest the most?

3. What is the unanswered question or

unresolved problem, or issue involved
in the lesson or issue?
4. Assess the question or problem  Is it within your
based on the five guidelines. interest? Yes No
 Are there available data,
resources and evidence that
will support the topic?
Yes No
 Is it timely and
relevant? Yes No
 Will it contribute to your track
and strand?
Yes No
 Is it within your personal
resources?
Yes No

5. If all your answers are yes, then

write down your specific research
problem. If no, reevaluate your research
question or problem.

13
B. DIRECTIONS: Based on the research problem that you have written
above, write your research plan by answering the following questions on
the table below. Answer briefly on your answer sheet. (2 points each)

RESEARCH PLAN
1. Research Problem:
(What is your research problem?)

2. Rationale:
(Why do you want to conduct this study?)

3. Significance:
(Why is it important to be conducted?)

4. Objective:
(What is your goal to achieve in this study?)

5. Method and Design: Respondents:

(Is it a quantitative or a (Who or what will be the source of your
qualitative study?) data?)

Sample Size:
(How many respondents does your study
need?)

Sampling Technique:
(How will you choose your respondents or
source of data?)
 Additional Activities

DIRECTIONS: Using the guidelines stated above, formulate a tentative

research title based on your chosen research problem in Assessment. Write
your title on your answer sheet. See attached Rubric for your guide. (15
points)

Research Problem: Tentative Title:

The checklist below will guide you in assessing the tentative title you have
written. However, the research title may still be changed along the course of
the study.

Self-Assessment Checklist YES NO

1. Is it original?
2. Is it concise?
3. Is it clear?
4. Is it specific?
5. Does it reflect the topic to be explored?
Rubric for What I Have Learned
5 3 1
Criteria/ Excellent/ Satisfactory Needs
Indicators Outstandin Improvemen
g t
Completeness of All the Two sections None of the
answers sections were were sections were
answered unanswered answered
Quality of answers All the Some of the None of the
responses were responses were responses were
discussed discussed discussed
substantially substantially substantially
and and and
comprehensively comprehensively comprehensively
Appropriateness All the Some of the None of the
of answers responses responses responses
correspond to correspond to corresponds to
the needed the needed the needed
information in information in information in
all the some of the all the
sections sections sections

Rubric for What I Can Do

5 3 1
Criteria/Indicators Excellent/ Satisfactory Needs
Outstandin Improvemen
g t
Feasibility of The research The research The research
Research Problem problem is problem is problem is
practical and slightly practical completely
doable and may be impractical and
doable undoable
Specificity of The research The research The research
Research Problem problem problem is problem is still
uniquely slightly broad
belongs to a ambiguous
specific area of
the topic
Timeliness The research The research The research
Relevance of problem is problem is problem is
Research Problem highly slightly insignificant at
significant at significant at the the time being
the time being time being

Rubric for Additional Activity

15 POINTS
Criteria/ Originality Clarity Conciseness Specificity
Indicators The title is The title is The title is not The title
new and clear and stuffy and dull demonstrates
different straight- but gives readers elements that
from what forward. some idea at the point out the
has already (4 points) outset of angle of
been what the inquiry.
written research will (3 points)
about. contain.
(4 points) (4 points)

SCORE
TOTAL
Answer Key
References
Avilla, Ruel A. Practical Research 1. Makati City: Diwa Learning Systems Inc., 2016,
3-7.

Baraceros, Esther L. Practical Research 1. Manila, Philippines: Rex Book Store, 2016.

Prieto, Nelia G, Naval, Victoria C., and Carey, Teresita G. Practical Research 2 for
Senior High School. Metro Manila, Philippines: Lorimar Publishing, Inc.,
2017, 29-31.

Slideshare.net. “Identifying and Stating the Problem.” Last modified July 6, 2020.
http://www.slideshare.net/mobile/CarlaKristinaCruz/chapter-2-identifying-
and stating-the-problem

Tomar, Malvika. “Influence of Internet Based Marketing Activities on Digital

Consumer’s Mind.” International Journal of Management 11 2020: 1.
Accessed January 24, 2020. doi: 10.34218/IJM.11.6.2020.111