Lesson
3 Statement of the Problem/Objective
This Individualized Learning Material (ILM) was designed and written
with you in mind. It is here to help you demonstrate understanding of the
mechanics in writing a research report following the IMRAD format in
presenting and communicating the results of scientific research project. The
scope of this ILM permits it to be used in many different learning situations
and its long term objective is to encourage/motivate you to choose a career in
science or any science-related field. The language used recognizes the diverse
vocabulary level. The lessons are arranged to follow the standard sequence of
the course. But the order in which you read them can be changed to
correspond with the textbook you are now using in order to make you feel
sufficiently “at home with research”.
This ILM will help you write and present a research paper following a
standard IMRAD format in writing scientific paper and present a research
project through an exhibit and a science congress
Objectives
Learning Competency:
Follow the IMRAD format in writing scientific paper
Instructional Objectives:
1. To differentiate general objective from specific objective ;
2. To formulate general objective from specific objective.
Explore
A few research reports fuse the statement of the problem and objectives
of the study as one subsection under the Statement of the Problem. As
beginners in report writing, it may be easier to state the problem in question
form and hopefully invite the reader to ask what the study seeks to answer. A
question has a natural way of isolating and identifying a problem and is
therefore the simplest way to state the problem. Some of the research problems
of students are stated briefly in the following manner:
a. How will four varieties of mongo perform when intercropped with
banana?
b. How to measure fluid’s viscosity by using a marble and tube?
Since problems are stated in a kernel form they have to be expanded. A
brief discussion on the existing problem that the study expects to ease may
follow each problem.
Another way to formulate a problem is to make a statement of an overall
research or the general objective to be broken up into more specific objectives.
Below are examples of research problems which have branched out into
objectives.
a. The purpose of this study was to determine the tolerance of the
different varieties of corn plant to increasing levels of salinity.
b. This study aimed to find out the effect of homemade shampoo made
from native gugo and okra in making different types of hair stronger.
c. This study focuses on determining if toad’s urine is effective in
treating termites
Activity 3: Statement of the Problem and Objective
Given a research title “False Daisy (Eclipta alba Linn. Hassk) Leaf
Extract as Blood Procoagulant and Antibacterial Agent”
a. Formulate a statement of the problem and a general objective
Learn
Statement of the Problem/Objective
After the researcher has clarified the rationale, identified the degree of
seriousness of the problem, the literature review, and the overall objective, the
formulation of the heart of the research—the statement of the general and the
specific problems or objectives must be done.
The general problem or objectives is followed by an enumeration of
specific problems or objectives
The statement of the problem or objective provides the bridge to action.
They indicate more direct strategies to solve defined problems. This essential
subsection of the report serves as general instruction to be implemented such
that measurement of variables can be done. More operational in nature than
the problem itself, the objective of the study point out specific questions to
answer, hypotheses to test and more explicit processes to undertake.
What is meant by operational? When a researcher identifies his variables
for study and conceives of each one as a working unit of a process, he is
looking at his variables operationally.
Major Classification
Research objective may be classified into two broad categories which are
general and specific. The general objective is a broad statement of purpose
which uses abstract and non-measurable concepts. More often than not it is
the rephrase of the research title so constructed that it became an objective
structurally and in essence. For example,
Research Title: Pectinase-Enhanced Production of Essential Oil from
Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus)
General Objective: This study focuses on the production of essential oils
from lemongrass through enzymatic process
The specific objective is a statement of purpose which uses well-defined
and measurable concepts, the formulation of which should be based on and
logically flow from the general objective. Some studies may only have specific
objectives while others may include both categories.
Example:
General Objective: This study focuses on the production of essential oils
from lemongrass through enzymats;
Specific Objectives: Specifically, this study aims:
1. To extract essential oils from lemongrass through enzymatic process
under optimized conditions;
2. To conduct physico-chemical analysis of the extracted essential oils;
3. To compare the essential oil yields between the control and enzyme-
treated samples; and
4. To compare the physico-chemical properties of the control and
enzyme-treated samples.
Good Research Objectives
Good research objectives should not only based on the identified
research problem but should have the following characteristics:
1. They should be stated in simple language;
2. They are measurable concepts;
3. They are attainable;
4. They are result-oriented; and
5. They are time-bound.
Combining all the letters in italics above will result in an acronym S –M –
A –R –T. This acronym is useful tool in remembering the characteristics of good
research objectives.
How to State Research Objectives
Research objectives should be stated clearly so that no interpretation
other than that of the researcher can be inferred from it. To test the clarity of
the statement of the objectives, it is suggested that the researcher reads to two
or more persons the study objectives and ask them about their understanding
of them. If the understanding among the persons asked are similar and match
with that of the researcher, then the objectives are clearly stated.
The statement of research objectives may be in declarative or question
form, the choice depends mainly on the chosen style of the researcher. The
following examples illustrate this:
Declarative form: To determine what mongo varieties intercropped with
fruit-bearing banana will thrive best.
Question form: How will four varieties of mongo perform when
intercropped with banana?
Whatever form the researcher had chosen, it should be used for all
statements of research objectives. He should not have a mix of the declarative
and the question forms.
Apply
Accomplish the activity below. Apply what you have learned a while ago.
Activity 3.1: Statement of the Problem
What you need:
Pen, Paper, Laptop or PC
What to do:
Formulate the “statement of the problem” part of your research
Title of your Research: _____________________________________________________
General Objective:
The investigator aims to ________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
Specifically, the research seeks to answer the following:
Level 1: ______________________________________________________________________
Level 2: ______________________________________________________________________
Level 3: ______________________________________________________________________
Level 4: ______________________________________________________________________
Assess
Given the following titles formulate statement of research objectives in
declarative form and question form:
1. Biodegradation of Diesel Oil Using Bacillus Isolates
2. Preliminary Study on the Extraction of Gum From Taro (Colocassia
esculenta) Petioles
3. Feasibility of Mango (Mangifera indica) Peeling Extract as Fabric Dye
Reflect
1. What important concepts have you gained in the lesson?
2. What are the difficulties have you encountered in the process of
learning?
3. How will you apply the lesson learned in the real -life situation?
References
Ardales, V.B. (2008). Basic Concepts and Methods in Research. Manila:
Educational Publishing House.
Cristobal Jr., A. P & Cristobal C.D. (2013). Research Made Easier: A Step-
by-Step Process. Quezon City: C & E Publication.
RESEARCH II. A Guide to Investigatory Projects. Science
Education Institute, Department of Science and Technology, Engineering
and Science Education Project (ESEP). Bicutan, Taguig, MM: 2001.
Answer Key
Answers Key
EXPLORE
Answers may vary
APPLY
Answers may vary
ASSESS
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