Practical Research

1
Quarter 1 – Module 3:
The Research Problem and the Research Title
Week 4

Introduction
This module is designed and written to help you in determining a potential problem and its
possible research title in conducting a research project relevant to your daily encounters and
observations.

This module will assist you in understanding:

Lesson 1 The Research Problem and the Research Title

Its Characteristics and Sources

Learning Objectives
After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. design a research project related to daily life; and

2. write a research title.

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 Lesson The Research Problem and
1 the Research Title

You may probably observe that you are living in a society where random changes occur.
In a similar way, you may also see that problems are everywhere – from hearing news in a
television or seeing timely posted issues in a social media site up to your daily common struggles
as a student such as a feeling of difficulty in answering a test or difficulty in transportation going
to school and the like. With such circumstances, we may say that this is how the society where
we are living is designed to – we constantly deal with these inevitable problems by conducting
researches and studies in order to find relevant solutions resulting in a change for improvement.

Now that you have acquired some basic knowledge of Research as a discipline, it is time
for you to step forward by initiating a self-observation of the happenings in the community
where you belong. Your journey in Research continues by looking for a problem appropriate to
your needs, interests, and understanding towards the issue. Hence, in this part of the module, you
will be provided with additional knowledge on how to design a research project as well as its
possible research title relevant to your daily experiences.

Activity 1: Directions: Write Agree if the given statement describes the qualitative research
and Disagree if not. Write your answers on your notebook.

1. Hannah conducts a study which focuses on the daily life experiences of students with
dyslexia.
2. To identify the participants of the study, Joshua simply employs random selection
technique.
3. In order to solicit responses from the participants, Patricia utilizes the interview guide as her
research instrument.
4. Since the study of Kyle aims to understand the culture of the indigenous people, he then
decides to immerse in their community for certain months.
5. Clarisse employs an inductive approach in the conduct of her study.
6. The study of Gerald aims to identify the significant relationship between the reading habits
and the level of reading comprehension skills of the Grade 11 students.
7. To gather the data needed for the study, Paul utilizes an objective type of survey.
8. To study the challenges faced by the COVID-19 patients in the province of Bataan, Nelson
interviews 15 COVID-19 survivors as his research participants.
9. To analyze the gathered data, Oscar employs statistical formula.
10. Michelle carefully observes the emerging themes from the responses she gathered from the
interview to answer her research questions.

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Activity 2: Read the short selection below and answer the corresponding questions.

In the Senior High School of Barangay Masigasig, there are four students who are being
admired by others because of their hard work. These students are Carlo, James, Sarah, and
Nica. Carlo is a consistent top student who is enrolled in Arts and Design track. After attending
his classes, he performs extra work as a dishwasher in a carinderia near his house. On the other
hand, James is an athlete as well as a good leader of the school who is enrolled in Sports track.
He attends his extra work at printing services once his class hours are done. Meanwhile, Sarah
is enrolled in TVL track and is known as one of the good performers in her class. She sells
isaw, balot, and mani when the clock strikes at 06:00 pm. Lastly, there is Nica of Academic
track who always represents her school in different academic contests. During her free time,
she serves as a tutor of three pupils from different grade levels. Being active students of their
school and showing exceptional determination, Carlo, James, Sarah, and Nica are tagged as the
Masigasig Fantastic Four.
1. Who are the Masigasig Fantastic Four from the selection?
a. Carl, Jake, Myra, and Lyca
b. Carl, James, Myra, and Lyca
c. Carlo, Jake, Sarah, and Nica
d. Carlo, James, Sarah, and Nica
2. What is common among the four students?
a. They are all school athletes.
b. They are all working students.
c. They are all taking academic tracks.
d. They are all leaders of school organizations.
3. Why are they called the Masigasig Fantastic Four?
a. because they are hardworking
b. because they are all great leaders
c. because they are passive students
d. because they always represent their school in academic contests
4. What do you think can be the possible common struggle faced by the students in the
selection?
a. lack of focus
b. disrupted study habit
c. time management issue
d. all of the above
5. If you will formulate a research title based on the selection, what would be its possible
focus?
a. life of honor students
b. life of student-athletes
c. life of working students
d. life of struggling readers

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 As depicted from the scenario presented in the reading selection, students at their age can
also face different struggles. This further implies that nobody is exempted, that is, problems
which may be represented as a challenge or a difficulty can be possibly encountered by anyone.
Now, as a senior high school student, it is undeniable that you are encountering problems as
well. Perhaps, you may also relate yourself with the situations of the characters from the
selection whose problem may arise from issues and concerns regarding time management, study
habit, motivation, and the like which later can affect the academic performance.

As a starting student-researcher, you must remember that a situation that brings you a
feeling of discomfort or something that you find as challenging and difficult can be considered
as a source of problem. Such a problem may later help you to design your study which primary
aims are to investigate, explore, and understand the phenomenon. The findings then can be used
to suggest what potential solution may address the problem.

In this module, you will explore the other sources of a research problem aside from a
situation that brings you discomfort. Moreover, you will also be informed of other considerations
in the selection of a research problem as well as in the formulation of its possible research title.
This phase of your research journey is really important. You must first secure your problem
before you can possibly conduct a study.

The Research Problem

In starting with a research project, the researcher must have a clear problem in mind.
Basically, a research problem refers to a statement that promptly suggests for conducting an
investigation. Moreover, a research problem to be designed must deal with some concerns in a
particular field that may need an improvement or a solution. The researcher must also observe
gaps in existing scholarly literature, theories, and practices in order to come up with a good and
relevant research problem. This designed problem then will serve as a guide to know what kind
of research study will be most suitable to address the perceived concern.

Sources of Research Problem

There is a need for a socially relevant problem when the researcher will attempt to
conduct a study. Hence, it is said that identifying and designing a research problem is quite a
challenging task.
Familiarity with the potential sources, meanwhile, may help the researcher to come up with a
good research problem. As cited from Sacred Heart University Library (2020), four (4) varied
sources can be considered. These are as follows:

1. Theory. Existing social philosophies and generalizations which the researcher is familiar with
may be of a great help to design a research problem. The researcher may observe if there is a
gap between theory and practice. Difference between what is said by the elders and what the
youngsters see and observe may be a potential source of a problem.

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2. Practitioners. Consultation with the people who have direct experiences in a field of interest
may provide the researcher an idea of what relevant problem he/she may investigate.
Practitioners such as teachers, social workers, health care providers, etc. are considered to be
a good source of problem since they are directly experiencing difficulties and challenges
which are needed to be addressed.

3. Personal experience. Daily experiences can provide the researcher an idea of what problem
that needs a solution. Observation on what is happening in the community may allow
him/her to see the common concerns of people or institutions which may be subjected for
investigation.

4. Relevant literature. An extensive and thorough review of literature and studies relevant to the
problem interest of the researcher may enable him/her to come up with a potential study.
Through reviewing other available researches, the researcher may be able to determine gaps
in knowledge and to subject them for replication. Thus, a good research problem will be
ensured.

Considerations in Formulating the Research Problem

As cited from the book of Cristobal and Cristobal (2017), there are criteria which should be
considered by the researcher in order to arrive with a good research problem. Here they adopted
the proposed criteria of Barrientos-Tan (1997) from the book entitled A Research Guide in
Nursing Education. These are further subdivided into external and internal criteria.

1. External Criteria
a. Novelty. The research problem must carry “newness.” With this, its practical value would
be easily perceived.
b. Availability of subjects. A research problem, when is subjected to a further investigation,
requires data from the target subjects. Hence, the researcher must ensure that there will
be available participants who are capable of providing data needed for the study.
c. Support of the academic community. The academic community, which consists of
administrators, teachers, staff, students, and parents, should be considered by the
researcher in what particular problem will be investigated. Each member plays a vital
role in the conduct of the study. Hence, the research problem should be clearly perceived
as beneficial once it is subjected for investigation. In addition, securing permission
among the said members must be done before conducting the actual data collection
procedure.
d. Availability and adequacy of facilities and equipment. Necessary common devices such
as computers and telephones which will be used in undertaking a study should be
considered. Likewise, other needed materials required by the research problem should be
checked if they are available and sufficient.

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 e. Ethical considerations. A research problem, when is subjected to a study, must not pose
any unethical demands most especially on the part of the research participants.

2. Internal Criteria
a. Qualifications of the researcher. These pertain to the expertise of the researcher to the
problem. It is important to the researcher that he/she has enough knowledge and training
when the research problem is subjected to further investigation so as to ensure the
success of the undertaking.
b. Motivation and interest of the researcher. The research problem which is in the interest
of the researcher may give him/her satisfaction and enjoyment. Hence, completion of the
research tasks will be efficiently attained.
c. Time factor. A research problem, when is subjected to a study, should suggest to be time-
efficient. With this, the undertaking will be possibly accomplished in a given time frame.
d. Costs and returns. It is also important that the researcher should consider a research
problem which suggests to be cost-efficient. When it is subjected to a study, it must not
be a sort of an expensive undertaking.
e. Hazards and handicaps. This means that a research problem should not put the
researcher in danger. The proposed study should be safe not only to the participants but
moreover to the researcher himself/herself. Physical and mental health of the researcher
must always be considered.

Research Title

Once the researcher has already had a problem that will be subjected for a study, he/she
may now begin formulating a good research title that will best represent the problem and the
study itself in general. As cited from Sacred Heart University Library (2020), a research title
should help the readers to see the main idea as well as the summary of the whole study. Further,
it usually contains fewest possible words that can bring understanding of the content and the
purpose of the study among the readers.

Title Formulation

What is a Research Title?

1. The most important element that defines the research problem.

2. It is usually read first and the most read part of the research.
3. It contains the least words enough to describe the contents and the purpose of your
research paper.
4. It can be revised any and many times as the research develops and reach its final phase. It
becomes final on its final defense before the panel of judges.

 Elements of a Research Title

The research title does not need to be entertaining but informative. A part of a research title has
the following information:

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1. The subject matter or topic to be investigated. (“What?”)
2. The place or locale where the research is to be conducted. (“Where?”)
3. The population like the respondents’ interviewees. (“Who”?)
4. The time period of the study during which the data are to be collected. (“When”?)

Example:
Subject matter: The teaching of English
Place or locale: in the high schools of Province A
Time period: during the school year 1989-1990
Population: as perceived by teachers and students

Subject matter: The effects of the use of cell phones on the academic performance
Population to senior high school students
Place or locale: at Department of Education
Time period: during the first semester, school year 2018-2019

Rules in Choosing a Research Topic

1. Interest in the subject matter. Interest in a subject drives you to research, investigate, or
inquire about it with full motivation, enthusiasm, and energy.
2. Availability of information. Information will serve as evidence to support your claims
about your subject matter from varied forms of literature like books, journals, and newspapers,
among others, is a part and parcel of any research work.
3. Timeliness and relevance of the topic.
How relevant is the topic?
a. It yields results that are useful in society
b. Related to the present. (Except for pure or historical research)

4. Limitations on the subject. Connect your choice with course requirements. You need to
decide on one topic to finish your course.
5. Personal resources. Do an assessment on your research abilities in terms of your financial
standing, health condition, mental capacity, needed facilities, and time schedule to enable you to
complete your research. You have to raise an amount of money needed to spend on questionnaire
printing and interview trips.

Research Topics to be avoided

1. Controversial topics.
It depends more on the writer’s opinion leading to biases. Facts cannot support this topic.
2. Highly technical subjects.
Not advisable for beginners as these topics require an advanced study, technical knowledge, and
skills.
3. Hard-to-investigate subjects.
Happens if there are no available reading materials about it and if such materials are not up-to-

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date.
4. Too broad subjects.
It prevents you from to focus on the subject matter of the paper. Narrow down or limit the
subject to eliminate the problem.
5. Too narrow subjects.
Subjects that are so limited where an extensive searching is necessary.
6. Vague subjects.
Titles beginning with indefinite adjectives such as several, many, some, etc., as in “Some
Remarkable Traits of a Filipino” or “Several People’s Comments on the RH Law,” are vague
enough to decrease the readers’ interests and curiosity.

Sources of Research Topics

1. Mass media communication – press (newspapers, ads, TV, radio, films, etc.)

2. Books, Internet, peer-reviewed journals, government publications

3. Professional periodicals like College English Language Teaching Forum, English Forum,
the Economist, Academia, Business Circle, Law Review, etc.
4. General periodicals such as Readers’ Digest, Women’s Magazine, Panorama Magazine,
Time Magazine, World Mission Magazine, etc.

5. Previous reading assignments in your other subjects

6. Work experience – clues to a researchable topic from full-time or part-time jobs, OJT
(on-the-job training) experience, fieldwork, etc.

Characteristics of a Research Title

As commonly observed, a research title is the first one to be read before proceeding to the
other parts of the research paper. Hence, it is really important to know for the researcher what
makes a research title an effective one in order to capture the interest of the readers towards the
problem to be investigated. Here are some of the characteristics of a research title that the
researcher should put into considerations:

1. It should be limited only to substantive words with high consideration to the key variables
such as the phenomenon under investigation, the participants, and the setting of the study.
2. It should use words that can create a positive impression among the readers.
Avoid using abbreviations as well as some word constructions such as: “method,” “result,”
and “investigation.”

3. It should be in the form of a phrase with correct use of capitalization, that is, the first letter
appeared in the title as well as the first letter of each noun word should be capitalized.
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4. It should be concise by adequately implying the participants and the coverage of the study.

In addition, a researcher may also put a subtitle which is commonly employed in social
science research papers. This subtitle may be done: (1) to state the scope, context, and theory
under investigation; and (2) to provide a substantive and appealing literary title.

Examples of Qualitative Research Title

Similar with all other parts of a research paper, the title must be carefully formulated. Other
existing research titles may serve as a basis especially for beginning researchers. Below are the
examples of title in qualitative research:

1. The ‘Need to Transcend’: A Phenomenological Study on the Lived Experiences of

Millennial Teachers (Lacdo-O et al., 2018)

2. The Educated Citizen: Cultural and Gender Capital in the Schooling of Aetas’
Children in the Municipality of Janiuay (Moralista & Delariarte, 2014)
3. This Too Shall Pass: A Grounded Theory Study of Filipino Cancer Survivorship (de Guzman
et al., 2012)

4. Local Studies Centers: Transforming History, Culture and Heritage in the Philippines (Perez
& Templanza, 2012)

5. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s Political Speeches: A Critical Discourse Analysis

(Remorosa, 2018)

Now that you have already known the considerations in selecting a research problem and in
formulating its corresponding title, there is no doubt that you may begin to propose a study by
clearly indicating the problem with its corresponding title that is highly relevant to your need,
experience, interest, and capability as a student-researcher.

Activity 3: Narrowing Your Topic : Given the following broad topics for research, select one
topic of your choice and narrow or limit the topic to make it specific. Use the narrowing chart to
fill in the topic.

Topics to choose:
(1) Covid 19 Pandemic
(2) New Normal Education
(3) Development of Online Learning
(4) Traditional Medication Practices
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(5) Cultural Beliefs and Treatment to Virus

Example Topic: Covid 19 Quarantine

Topic Covid 19 Quarantine

Sub-Topics Home Quarantine, Isolation Facility, 14

days Quarantine Period

What sub-topics are of most interest to Isolation Facility

you?
What new questions do you have about Are there positive or negative effects of
your topic? being quarantined in the Isolation Facility
when under observation?
Develop a topic statement I will explore the mental distress
experienced by those PUI/PUM (Persons
under investigation and monitoring)
when isolated in isolation facilities.

Narrowing Chart

Topic

Sub-Topics

What sub-topics are of most interest to you?

What new questions do you have about your

topic?

Develop a topic statement

An Overview of the Research Problem and Research Question

Chapter I of the research paper is called The Problem and Its Background (sometimes also
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 called The Introduction)

 It is composed of the following sections:

1) Background of the Study,
2) Statement of the Problem,
3) Scope and Delimitation, and
4) Significance of the Study.

Others have sections such as Objectives of the Study, Hypotheses but these will not be
considered in this lesson.

What is a research problem?

The Research Problem (According to Calderon & Gonzales,1993)

A problem is “any significant, perplexing, and challenging situation, real or artificial, the solution of
which requires reflexive thinking”. In research, it is known as the research topic or research title.

An illustration showing the description between a research topic, research problem, purpose
statement and research question.

General Topic: Distance Learning

A research topic is the
broad subject matter of
the study
Research Problem:
A research problem is a Lack of learners knowledge about
general issue or concern distance in distance education.
about the research that
narrow the topic. Purpose Statement:

To study why learners do not attend

A purpose of the study
used to address the
problem.
A research question
narrows the purpose
into specific questions
that the researcher
would like to answer in
the study
Specific
distance education classes in a
community college
Research Questions:
Does the use of website technology
in the classroom deter learners from
enrolling in a distant education
class?

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Activity 4: Direction: Write Yes if the given situation from each item indicates good practice
in the selection of the problem or in the formulation of the title and No if not. Write your
answers on your notebook.

1. Harold conducts a study which has already been done in his school with similar objective
and participants.
2. Jessica pursues her study because she observes that there are existing research gaps in her
field of interest.
3. Gerald plans to consult the SPED teachers in his community in order to know the focus
of his study regarding the life of SPED students.
4. Joana secures the approval of the school administrator before subjecting her perceived
problem into a study.
5. The research problem proposed by Ulysses requires more time and may exceed the target
time frame when it is subjected into a study.
6. In the formulation of his research title, Willy includes only essential words and variables
of the study.
7. To make her research title appears brief, April used the abbreviation of a terminology.
8. Bea capitalizes all the first letters of each word appearing in her research title.
9. Xian includes his participants and the setting of the study in his research title.
10. In order to indicate clearly the context of her study, Olivia used a subtitle.

Activity 5: Write the summary of your learnings by surrounding the light bulb with
important ideas you acquired from the lessons. Copy and answer the illustration on your
notebook.

Characteristics of a
Research Title

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 Activity 6

Think of this statement: A good research is seen in the way its topic is outlined. When you
choose topics for your research, you have to think about the reasons why you identified those
topics.
How will you write a good research topic?
_
_
_
_
_

Thinking back, what subject matter is most interesting to you?

Propose a title out of the above research topics. Write your title on the spaces provided. (Save
the titles for the additional activity to be done.

Activity 7: Directions: Formulate one qualitative research title based on the problem
perceived in the illustration below. Your answers will be graded through the provided rubric.
Write your answers on your notebook.

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 Scoring system Description
5 points Elements such as important variables, participants and coverage,
correct use of capitalization, and appropriate use of terminology
are observed. There is interrelatedness of the elements.
4 points Lack 1 element. There is interrelatedness of the elements.

3 points Lack 2 elements. There is slight interrelatedness of the elements.

2 points Lack 3 elements. There is slight interrelatedness of the elements.

1 point Lack 4 elements. There is no interrelatedness of the elements.

Activity 8: Assessment Direction:: Read each statement carefully. Choose the letter that
corresponds to the correct answer. Write your answers on your notebook.
1. Who is a practitioner?
a. a student
b. a professional
c. a critically ill patient
d. anyone who belongs in a community
2. Which of the following is the most efficient way to determine a research gap?
a. interviewing at least a person
b. immersing oneself in a community
c. reading relevant literature and studies
d. synthesizing ideas from a day-to-day experience
3. What does “novelty” suggest?
a. fairness
b. newness
c. conciseness
d. completeness
4. What criterion in the selection of research problem emphasizes the security and safety
among the participants?
a. novelty
b. time factor
c. ethical considerations
d. availability of equipment
5. Which of the following is an external criterion in the selection of the research problem?
a. time factor
b. costs and returns
c. availability of subjects
d. interest of the researcher
6. Which of the following is not an internal criterion in the selection of the research problem?
a. time factor
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 b. costs and returns
c. qualification of the researcher
d. support of the academic community
7. What does “substantive” mean?
a. important
b. subjective
c. interesting
d. researchable
8. Which of the following should be avoided in the formulation of a research title? a. subtitle
b. key variables
c. incomplete sentence
d. abbreviation of terms
9. Which of the following should always be capitalized in a research title?
a. first letter of a noun
b. first letter of an article
c. first letter of an adjective
d. first letter of a preposition
10. What is not indicated from the given research title below?
“Maninindigan ako”: A Phenomenological Study of the Lived Experiences of Single
Parents
a. setting
b. method
c. participant
d. main variable

Activity 9: Think of a problem (e.g., societal issue) which you can relate to. Then, formulate
one qualitative research title that will seek to answer the problem being perceived. Write your
proposed research title on your notebook. Your answer will be graded based on this rubric:

Scoring system Description

5 points Elements such as important variables, participants and coverage,
correct use of capitalization, and appropriate use of terminology are
observed. There is interrelatedness of the elements.
4 points Lack 1 element. There is interrelatedness of the elements.
3 points Lack 2 elements. There is slight interrelatedness of the elements.
2 points Lack 3 elements. There is slight interrelatedness of the elements.
1 point Lack 4 elements. There is no interrelatedness of the elements.

References
Cristobal, Amadeo P., and Cristobal, Maura D. Practical Research 1 for Senior High School.
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Quezon City: C&E Publishing, Inc., 2017.

De Guzman, Allan B., et al. “This Too Shall Pass: A Grounded Theory Study of Filipino
Cancer Survivorship.” Last modified October 11, 2012. Accessed June 23, 2020.
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0898010112462066

Lacdo-O, Floresa L., et al. “The ‘Need to Transcend’: A Phenomenological Study on the
Lived Experiences of Millennial Teachers.” Last modified September 2018. Accessed June 23,
2020. http://www.ijsre.com/assets/vol.%2C-11(3)-lacdo o-et-al.pdf

Morales, Rome D., and Delariarte, Gabriel C. “The Educated Citizen: Cultural and
Gender Capital in the Schooling of Aetas’ Children in the Municipality of Janiuay.” Last
modified March 2014. Accessed June 23, 2020.
http://apjeas.apjmr.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/APJEAS-2014-1- 002.pdf

Perez, Martin Julius V., and Templanza, Mariel R. “Local Studies Centers: Transforming
History, Culture and Heritage in the Philippines.” Last modified May 31, 2012. Accessed June
23, 2020. https://www.ifla.org/past wlic/2012/180-perez-en.pdf

Remorosa, Roxan R. “President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s Political Speeches: A Critical

Discourse Analysis.” Last modified August 10, 2018. Accessed June 23, 2020.
http://www.iosrjournals.org/iosr-jhss/papers/Vol.%2023%20Issue8/Version-2/I2308027287.pdf

Sacred Heart University Library. “Organizing Academic Research Papers: Choosing a

Title.” Accessed June 23, 2020. https://library.sacredheart.edu/c.php?
g=29803&p=185911#:~:text=Definition,purpose%20of%20your%20research%20paper.

Sacred Heart University Library. “Organizing Academic Research Papers: The Research
Problem/Question.” Accessed June 23, 2020. https://library.sacredheart.edu/c.php?
g=29803&p=185918

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