Pracical Research 1

Quarter 1 – Module 2:
Identifying the Inquiry and
Stating the Problem
Practical Research 2
Alternative Delivery Mode
Quarter 1 – Module 2: Identifying the Inquiry and Stating the Problem
First Edition, 2020

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 What I Need to Know
Writing a research paper may seem challenging, even though it is a substantial part of
everyday student life. You are required to write at least one research paper in a semester
for the majority of your subjects.

The first and most important step of the research process is to formulate the research
problems. It is like constructing the foundation of a building. To fix a question someone
just ought to learn about the problem. Therefore, recognizing and formulating issues is
very important for the researcher before performing work and this can be one of the
most challenging aspects of any study undertaking. The "problem" is mentioned in a
study's introductory chapter and, in effect, provides a reader with the reason for why
the research is relevant and why reading is required (Pardede, 2018).

This chapter outlines the concepts and activities for identifying, specifying and stating
a research problem in quantitative research and placing it inside a segment that
presents a study.

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. differentiate a research area of interest from a research topic and research
problem;
2. identify one’s own area of interest;
3. determine the possible sources of quantitative research topics; and
4. formulate a quantitative research problem.

What I Know
Multiple Choice. Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a
separate sheet of paper.
1. Which of the following terminologies refers to the whole areas of research in a study?
A. Research Area C. Research Problem
B. Research Field D. Research Topic
2. Which of the following words characterizes a good Research Topic?
A. Controversial B. Difficult C. Manageable D. Subjective
3. Which of the following statements best describes a Research Problem?
A. It is a specific part of a research topic.
B. It is a broad subject matter of a research area.
C. It refers to a certain portion of a research problem.
D. It refers to the whole areas of research undertaken in a study.
4. Which of the following terms refers to the specific issue being addressed in a study?
A. Research Area C. Research Problem
B. Research Field D. Research Topic
5. Lucas is interested to know how cellphone restriction in classrooms affects the
learners’ ability to perform academic tasks. What could be the research topic being
considered by Lucas?
A. Education C. Classroom Management
B. Humanities D. Students unable to focus on the academic tasks
6. Which of the following statements is TRUE when deciding on a Research Area?
A. When deciding on research area, one 's personal interest may be set aside.
B. A worth doing research is the one that is practically engaging to the researcher.
C. A good researcher would prefer ideas that are not within the scope of his expertise.
D. Research must be personally recommended and handpicked by the research
adviser.
7. Which of the following techniques will LEAST help in narrowing down a research
field?
A. Literature review C. Asking students of another course
B. Consulting expert opinions D. Attending seminars and conferences

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8. What should be your first step when choosing a research topic?
A. Choose the first topic that you think of.
B. Ask your friends or parents for ideas for your topic.
C. Consult you research teacher and let him decide on your topic.
D. Brainstorm ideas that are interesting to you and that are related to your
assignment.
9. Which of the following field-area analogy displays a problem in coherence?
A. Education – Blended Learning C. Industrial Arts – Business Outsourcing
B. Science – Molecular Biology D. Mental Health – Depression
10. Which of the following statements must be considered in choosing a research topic?
A. It must be as subjective as possible.
B. It may advocate violence if necessary.
C. It must be researchable and manageable.
D. It must address moral issues of the society.
11. Which of the following would be MOST relevant research topic at this time?
A. Cigarette Smoking C. Covid19 Pandemic
B. Civil War D. Teenage Pregnancy
12. Which of the following can be considered as a research topic?
A. Abortion C. Gun Control
B. Blended Learning D. Racism
13. Which of the following activities is NOT an acceptable practice in reviewing research
questions derived from previously published research articles?
A. Explore unexpected findings.
B. Copy the exact research questions.
C. Challenge findings or attempt to refuse a relationship.
D. Follow suggestions an author gives for the future researchers.
14. Which of the following topics can be a subject matter in a research problem?
A. Faith and religion
B. Scandals and controversies
C. Issues outside the area of interest
D. Conflicts that need to be eliminated in the practice
15. Which of the following is NOT a good source of a quantitative research problem?
A. Blogs C. Websites of government agencies
B. Recent published materials D. Recent social and economic issues

Lesson Designing a Research Useful in Daily

1 Life
From your previous readings and discussions in Qualitative Research, it can be
remembered that research is aimed practically at seeking answers or even solutions to
real-world phenomena. Research covers nearly every existing knowledge, discipline,
practice, and technology. It also greatly influences one's culture and lives in many
different ways. Thus, we need to research to make sense of our world, and even of our
own lives (Prieto, Naval, & Carey, 2017).

The research process is a problem-oriented activity. Having said that, the first thing to
deal with when undertaking a study is identifying and determining the problem to be
studied. This is essential to be able to lay the foundation of the study. If the foundation
is weak, the whole study is doomed to failure. This is why beginner researchers in the
early stages of the study have to be cautious (Pardede, 2018).

What’s In
You learned the definitions of variables in the last module. Take time to read the
following major concepts on variables before we proceed to the next module.

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 • A variable is a characteristic of an individual or organization that can be observed
and measured, and it can vary among people or organizations being studied
(Prieto, Naval, & Carey, 2017).
Primary kinds of variables are the:

• Independent – are the things that cause, influence, or impact results. Invariably,
they are called variables of treatment, manipulated, antecedent, or predictor.
• Dependent – are those which indicate the effects or outcomes of the independent
variables.
• Intervening or Mediating – are those between the independent and dependent
variables, that is, indicating the independent variable's influence on the
dependent variable.
• Control – are those measured in a study because they potentially affect the
dependent variable, using statistical procedures such as covariance analysis to
control these variables.
• Confounding – are those that are not necessarily measured but do occur.

What’s New
A Recall of the Senior High School Tracks
Let us walk through your journey during your first year (Grade 11) in senior high school.
Did everything go well? Were there any challenges that came along the way? What
practices or disciplines caught your interest? These are just a few of the several
questions that will help you determine a valuable study subject from which issues or
questions may be extracted, depending on your senior high track and strand.

Activity 1. Where are you at?

Directions: To give you a clear picture of the above selection, kindly provide the following
information below. Please use an extra sheet of paper is more space is necessary to fill
out the activity.

SHS Track: (ex. Academic)

Strand: (ex. STEM)
Observable Strand-
Related Issues Within
Subjects of Interest Career Prospects
the School and
Community
1. (ex. General Biology) 1. (ex. Microbiologist) 1. (ex. Covid19 Cases)
2. 2. 2.
3. 3. 3.
4. 4. 4.
5. 5. 5.

Research Field, Area of Interest, Topic and Problem

Research field refers to all research areas undertaken within a particular scientific
discipline. In the SHS context, your current Track (Academic, Tech-Voc, Sports, and
Arts and Design) and specific Strand which covers several areas or courses may be cited
as an example of a research field.
Research area is a specific part or section of a research field. It covers many topics
researchers can study in the context of scientific discipline. General Biology is a highly
developing field of study within the subject group STEM. Since Biology covers a very

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complex and broad elements, no researcher could study it as a whole. That is why
researchers select only some of the research areas to focus on.
Research topic is the broad subject matter addressed in a study. The crisis on the
spread of Covid19 virus affecting millions of lives around the world is a relevant topic of
the century. This is not only a problem being investigated in the field of Biology but also
this has become a social issue for many people.

Research problem is the problem that is being dealt with. It helps to limit the topic
down to something that is reasonable for conducting a study.

What is It
Factors to Consider When Selecting a Research Area (Pardede, 2018)
1. Professional Interest – should be made the first priority because one’s research area
should relate to one’s possible career prospects and potentially contribute to the
achievement of his career objectives.
2. Personal Interest – is also very important, because conducting a study requires one
to engage in it for months or even a full year at times. If one focuses on an area that
he is interested in, he will be inspired to work with enthusiasm and the quality of
work will be great.
3. Capabilities (Knowledge and Skills) - Carrying out a research on a new topic where
one does not have sufficient expertise demands him to be willing to spend even more
time and energy in it. The easiest approach to finish a quality research project in less
time is to pick one field within one's own knowledge.
4. Academic Activity - Producing a research which is captivating to many people in
the field is certainly very exciting.

Sivakumar & Szalinski’s Three Ways in Choosing a Research Area

(Pardede, 2018)

1. Literature Review - Research Literature offers some useful ideas and reviews to be
able to understand the current developments in the field. Future studies from these
literatures may also provide a novice researcher about an interesting research area.
2. Attending Conferences or Seminars – Attending large and small meetings allows
us to keep in touch with our peers and hold informative conversations. Meetings often
include panel sessions on different topics that may be helpful to discover different
research areas out there.
3. Peer Sharing – Brainstorming with peers about their experiences and perspectives
may provide valuable feedback.

Guidelines in the Selection of a Research Topic

(Calderon & Gonzales, 2018)

1. The research topic must be chosen by the researcher himself.

2. It must be within the interest of the researcher.
3. It must be within the specialization of the researcher.
4. It must be within the competence of the researcher to tackle.
5. It must be within the ability of the researcher to finance, otherwise he must be able
to find funding for his research.
6. It is researchable and manageable, that is,
a. data are available and accessible.
b. data must meet the standards of accuracy, objectivity, & verifiability.
c. answers to the specific questions (sub-problems) can be found.
d. the hypotheses formulated are testable, that is, they can be accepted or rejected.
e. equipment and instruments for research are available and can give valid and
reliable results.

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7. It can be completed within a reasonable period of time unless it is a longitudinal
research which takes a long time for its completion.
8. It is significant, important, and relevant to the present time and situation, timely and
of current interest.
9. The results are practical and implementable.
10. It requires original, critical, and reflective thinking to solve it.
11. It can be delimited to suit the resources of the researcher but big or large enough to
be able to give significant, valid, and reliable results and generalizations.
12. It must contribute to the national development goals for the improvement of the
quality of human life.
13. It must contribute to the fund of human knowledge.
14. It must show or pave the way for the solution of the problem or problems intended
to be solved.
15. It must not undermine the moral and spiritual values of the people.
16. It must not advocate any change order of things by means of violence but by peaceful
means.
17. There must be a return of some kind to the researcher, either one or all of the
following, if the research report is completed:
a. Monetary.
b. Advancement of position, promotion.
c. Improved specialization, competence, and skill in professional work especially if
the research subject is related to the profession.
d. Enhanced prestige and reputation.
e. Satisfaction of intellectual curiosity and interest, and being able to discover truth
18. There must be a consideration of the hazards involved, either physical, social, or
legal.
19. It must consider ethical and political acceptability.
Sources of Quantitative Research Problem (Baraceros, 2016)
1. Government and Non-Government Agencies
2. Personal experience and interest
3. Previous research findings which warrants validation due to inconsistencies or
discrepancies
4. Current political, social, and economic issues
5. Review of related literature

What’s More
Activity 2. Overviewing the Current Research Areas
Directions: Answer the following questions suggested by UR Office Arizona University
(2018) to map your research interest. Try to give three responses to each question. After
that, analyze all of the responses to see the most common themes. Please use an extra
sheet if more space is needed to answer the questions.
1. What subjects covered in my field of study interest me the most?
__________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
2. Which class or classes have been the most interesting? What specifically made them
interesting, and what questions did I still have after the class finished?
__________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
3. What questions or problems am I most interested in exploring and/or solving?
__________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
4. What other topics, areas, or fields am I interested in outside of my SHS track/strand?
__________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

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5. What research topics relate to that field or sector I want to end up in and/or what
interests me in that field?
__________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
6. What (if any) research topics relate to my hobbies, personal interests, or
extracurricular activities
__________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
7. What skills am I interested in developing which aren't addressed by my SHS
track/strand
__________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

What I Have Learned

Recall every concept or topic of the lesson that you have learned. Evaluate the degree
of your understanding by writing the topic/s below each column.

Topics/ Extent of Learning

Concepts Excellent Average Little Poor

What I Can Do
Directions: Create a concept map using everything you already know about your topic.
See the concept map below for an example to get started.

(https://www.projectcora.org/sites/default/files/attachments/Developing_Research_Topic_Worksheet.pdf, n.d.)

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 Draw your concept map here. (Please use extra sheet if more space is needed.)

Assessment
Multiple Choice. Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a separate sheet
of paper.
1. Which of the following terms refers to the broad subject matter addressed in a study?
A. Research Area B. Research Field C. Research Problem D. Research Topic
2. Which of the following terms refers to the issue being addressed in a research project?
A. Research Area B. Research Field C. Research Problem D. Research Topic
3. Which of the following statements best describes a Research Field?
A. It is a specific part of a research topic.
B. It is a broad subject matter of a research area.
C. It refers to a certain portion of a research problem.
D. It refers to the whole areas of research undertaken in a study.
4. Which of the following terms best characterizes a Research Problem?
A. Broad B. General C. Narrow D. Subjective
5. A student researcher is interested to know how online gaming affects the analytical thinking
skills of learners in ABC Senior High School. What could be the research topic being
undertaken by the student?
A. Education C. Information Technology
B. Online Gaming D. The impact of online gaming on the
analytical thinking skills of learners
6. Which of the following is the most important thing for a researcher to consider when deciding
on a Research Area?
A. It must be within the personal interest of the researcher.
B. It doesn’t require sufficient expertise of the subject matter.
C. When deciding on research area, one 's professional interest may be set aside.
D. Considering other area outside the research field of expertise is highly recommended.
7. A student is having a difficulty in selecting an interesting research area in Sports. Which of
the following techniques will help him narrow down his idea?
A. Examine the literature C. Attend Music conferences.
B. Ask a language teacher. D. Talk over ideas with Tourism students
8. What should be your first step when choosing a research topic?
A. Choose the first topic that you think of.
B. Ask your friends or parents for ideas for your topic.
C. Consult you research teacher and let him decide on your topic.
D. Brainstorm ideas that are interesting to you and that are related to your assignment.
9. Which of the following sets accurately shows the alignment of a research area with the
research topic?
A. Sports – Theater Arts C. Architecture – Online Selling
B. Mental Health – Depression D. Information Technology – Cloud Seeding
10. Which of the following statements must be considered in choosing a research topic?
A. Research topic may advocate violence if necessary.
B. A research topic must be as subjective as possible.
C. A research topic always involves one’s moral judgements.
D. The research topic must be chosen by the researcher himself.
11. How can we claim that a research topic is manageable?
A. When the data is subjective C. If the data are available and accessible
B. When data is hard to obtain D. If research instruments face reliability
and validity issues

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12. Which of the following topics must a researcher avoid in writing a quantitative research?
A. Abortion C. The Paintings of Malang
B. Social Networking D. Conditional Cash Transfer
13. Which of the following activities is NOT an acceptable practice in reviewing research
questions derived from previously published research articles?
A. Challenge findings
B. Explore unexpected findings.
C. Copy the exact research questions.
D. Follow suggestions an author gives for the future researchers.
14. Which of the following topics can be a subject matter in a research problem?
A. Faith and religion C. Conditions that need to be improved
B. Moral and ethical issues D. Problems outside the scope of study
15. Which of the following is a good source of a quantitative research problem?
A. Blogs C. Materials published 20 years ago
B. Personal Websites D. Recent social and economic issues

Additional Activities
Exercise
Directions: Choose 3 research areas from the box provided below and narrow them into specific
topics.

1. Business 6. Sociology 11. Psychology

2. Education 7. Cybercrimes 12. Mathematics
3. Health 8. Engineering 13. Science
4. Politics 9. Sports 14. Economics
5. Music 10. Industrial Arts 15. Information Technology

Research Areas Research Topics

• Online selling, an emerging mode of
marketing during the global pandemic
• The impact of global pandemic to small
Example: Business
enterprises
• Online Payment Systems: A Risky
Undertaking
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A.
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B.
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C.
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