LA 1. Activity 1 
 
 
 

Learning Area 1: Brainstorming for Research Topics 

  Activity 1: Identifying Real-Life Problems 
The outputs of this Learning Area will complete the ​Topic Proposal​ of your research. 
 
 

  Objective  
In  this  activity,  you  should  be  able  to prepare a plan and a focus on issues and ideas in your 
respective field. 
 
 

 
  ● Communication 
Opportunity to  ● Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving 
Practice the Following  ● Information Literacy 
21st-Century Skills 
 

  Recall 
Research is a systematic process of gathering information to answer a question. It follows 
a  logically-ordered  procedure  of  gathering  source  materials  and  data,  analyzing  these 
materials and data, and using one’s analysis to answer the research question. 
 
Types of Research 
There  are  two  main  types  of  research:  basic  research  and  applied  research.  ​Basic 
research  ​is  done  to  broaden  understanding  about  a  particular  topic.  It  can  generate 
ideas, new concepts, and theories. ​Basic research may look like it does not have any direct 
real-life  application  at  first,  but  applied  research  does  rely  on  the  knowledge  that  basic 
research  provides  us  in  solving  real-life  problems​.  Examples  of  basic  research  include 

 
  1 
 
  
LA 1. Activity 1 
 
mathematical  research  (e.g.,  formulas,  number  theories)  and  laboratory  research  in  the 
natural sciences (e.g., biology, chemistry, physics). 
 
Applied  research  ​is done to address real-life concerns or problems. Applied research can 
draw from the knowledge established by basic research. Examples of applied research are 
the  following:  surveys  on  factors  that  boost  television  ratings,  and  studies  on  healthy 
alternatives to white sugar. The outcomes of these applied research processes are directly 
applicable to human experiences rooted in real life. 
 
Importance of Research 
More  than  simply  getting  answers  to  questions  or  problems,  doing  research  is important 
because: 
● it  widens  one’s  understanding  of  the  world  through  various  explanations  behind 
the occurrence of different phenomena; 
● it  allows  for  the  resolution  of  problems  by  providing  answers  based  on  facts  and 
evidence; and 
● it  leads  to  the  continuous  production  of  knowledge  as  new  questions  stem  from 
existing research. 
 

​ uick Tip 
Q
Research  begins  with  a  ​question.  ​This  question  can  come  from  individual  curiosities, 
everyday life experiences, or reflections on previously-encountered research outputs. 

  Activity Instructions 
If  you  were  asked  to  think  of  possible  topics  for  your  research  paper,  where  would  you 
start looking for ideas? Where would these ideas come from? 
 
1. Write  ​one  topic  ​related  to  your  track/strand  that  has  been  featured  in  a  news 
article  published  in  the  past  month.  ​You  may  use  printed  newspapers  or  online 
news  articles.  The  following  are  sample  topics:  the  development of a new vaccine, 
successful elections in another country, and different management styles. 

 
  2 
 
  
LA 1. Activity 1 
 
 
2. Based  on  your  chosen  topic,  make  a  list  of  ​two  key  points  that  are interesting to 
you  as  a  student  of  your  strand.  These  two  key  points may also be a specific topic 
you would like to make a research on. 
 
3. In  three  to  five  sentences,  explain  why  these  two  key points are interesting to you 
as a student of your strand. 
 

 
Rubric for Grading 
 

suggested 
1  2  3  4  points 
weights 

The news article is  The news article is  The news article is  The news article 
Relevance of   
the news  not aligned with the  slightly aligned with  clearly aligned with  is clearly aligned 
article  student’s strand  the student’s strand  the student’s  with the 
and was not  but was not  strand but was not  student’s strand  20% 
published within  published within the  published within  and was 
the last month.  last month.  the last month.  published within 
the last month. 

Only one key point  Only one key point  Two key points  Two key points 
Explanation   
of key points  was identified from  from the news article  from the news  from the news 
the news article,  was identified and  article were  article were 
but it was not  explained.  identified but were  identified and  30% 
explained.  explained in less  explained in 
than three  three to five 
sentences.  sentences. 

The significance of  The significance of  The significance of  The significance 
Discussion of   
significance  the key points was  the key points was  the key points was  of the key points 
of key points  neither explained  explained but was  explained but was  was clearly 
nor related to the  not related to the  not clearly related  explained and  30% 
student’s strand.  student’s strand.  to the student’s  clearly related to 
strand.  the student’s 
strand. 

The submission  The submission  The submission  The submission 

Grammar and   
spelling  contains both  contains both minor  contains very few  contains minimal 
major grammatical  grammatical and  grammatical and  to no  20% 
and spelling errors.  spelling errors.  spelling errors.  grammatical and 
spelling errors. 

      Total  100%   

 
  3 
 
  
LA 1. Activity 1 
 
 
 
 
_________________________________________________________________________________________________ 
 

  Bibliography 
 
O’Leary, Zina. ​The Essential Guide to Doing Research. ​London: SAGE Publications, 2004. 
 
Schutt,  Russell  K.  ​Investigating  the  Social  World:  The  Process  and  Practice  of  Research,  ​9th  ed. 
California: SAGE Publications Inc., 2019. 
 
Vanderstoep,  Scott  W.,  and  Deirdre  D.  Johnston.  ​Research  Methods for Everyday Life: Blending 
Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches. ​San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2009. 
 

 
  4 
 
LA 2. Activity 1

Learning Area 2: Identifying the Problem and Asking

the Question
Activity 1: Writing the Background of the Study
The outputs of this learning area will complete Chapter 1: Introduction of your research.

Objectives
In this activity, you should be able to do the following:
● Discuss the process of writing the background of the study.
● Draft a well-written background of the study.

● Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving

● Communication
Opportunity to ● Collaboration
Practice the Following ● Information Literacy
21st-Century Skills ● Productivity and Accountability

Recall
Once the topic is all set and the area of inquiry is identified, you can now proceed to
introducing the topic of the research to your target audience. One of the key aspects to
doing this is to write a well-structured background of the study.

Background of the Study

One of the preliminary stages of writing your research is introducing the problem and
giving the readers an overview of the topic being researched. The background of the
study serves as one of the anchors of the research topic being discussed. The research

1
LA 2. Activity 1
background delves into what makes the topic important and emphasizes the need to
explore it as it is backed up by previously existing sources, such as research and current
trends on the issue at hand. It also provides the readers with substantial information on
both its history and current information, which further proves its relevance in the field
of inquiry and strengthens the need for the research to progress.

Describing the Background of Your Research

● Describe the topic of your research. Describing the topic of your research is
primarily done to introduce the topic to your readers and give them the idea of what
the nature of the topic is all about.
● Discuss the context of your research. The past and current issues known about
your topic should be elaborated using completed research studies available in the
field. This is important because it strengthens the idea that the problem or the issue
at hand can be observed at present, thus, the need for research.
● Specify your topic. After discussing the current issues, focus on your current
research. Discuss the focal point of the research you are currently conducting and
explain how it differs from the existing research mentioned and how it can address
the gaps in the previous research studies.
● Make readers understand what makes it important. It is important that your
readers know why your research is beneficial in resolving the issue at hand. You
should be able to establish the role of your research in the existing body of
knowledge.
● Summarize the research background. Summarize the research background and
identify the gaps from previous research studies that you plan to concentrate on in
the current research.

Quick Tip
It will be helpful if you conduct tons of readings before you start the actual writing to
help you filter necessary and helpful information to include in your background of the
study.

2
LA 2. Activity 1

Developing and Drafting your Research Background

In drafting the background of your study, there are a few guidelines that may help you in
introducing your research.

Conducting preliminary research is essential in this stage of the research process as it

helps you deepen your understanding and knowledge of your chosen topic. Doing
preliminary research is also helpful in determining which sources can be useful in further
proving and solidifying your area of interest. It is important to keep in mind that you should
use scholarly sources, books, and articles that are relevant and credible.

The use of reliable sources is also very crucial at this point and should continue as the
research progresses. Reliable literature can help the research have an established body of
knowledge founded on previous research and proven correct information from various
sources.

In most cases, the writing style also plays a significant role in research writing since this will
dictate whether the reader will maintain interest in the study or not. The writing style
depends on the preference of the researcher and the nature of the research itself, but it
should still carry an academic tone. Also, varying sentence lengths (e.g., simple and complex
sentences) can help maintain the reader’s engagement all throughout the background of
the study.

Activity Instructions

1. Make an outline of your study before writing the background of the study. Write
keywords, trends, concepts, and possible sources.
2. Based on your outline, conduct a preliminary research. Look for relevant
literature that could support the background of the study.

3
LA 2. Activity 1

3. Write the background of the study about your chosen topic. You should be able to
discuss the following in the background of the study:
● general information known about the topic;
● previous research done on the topic;
● gaps in the previous research; and
● purpose for conducting the study.

Rubric for Grading

1 2 3 4 Weights Points

Relevance to The background The background of The background of The background of

the Topic of the study is the study is slightly the study is mostly the study is
irrelevant to the relevant to the relevant to the relevant to the
topic. Little to topic. Few of the topic. Most of the topic. The sources
none of the sources used are sources used are used are 30%
sources are up-to-date and up-to-date and up-to-date and
up-to-date relevant to the relevant to the relevant to the
and/or relevant topic. topic. topic.
to the topic.

Completeness of More than three Two to three of the One of the All of the required
Ideas of the required required required discussions are
discussions are discussions are not discussions is not included in the
not included in included in the included in the background of the 25%
the background background of the background of the study.
of the study. study. study.

Information The output The output The output often The output
Literacy and exhibited loose exhibited some exhibited exhibited complete
Paraphrasing adherence to adherence to adherence to adherence to
ethical and legal ethical and legal ethical and legal ethical and legal
practices in using practices in using practices in using practices in using
information and information and information and information, and
often used often used used accurate used accurate 20%
inaccurate accurate information. The information.
information. The information. Some ideas and content The ideas and
ideas and of the ideas and were mostly content were
content were content were not paraphrased and properly
paraphrased paraphrased. not plagiarized. paraphrased and
improperly. not plagiarized.

4
LA 2. Activity 1

Communication The ideas are The ideas are The ideas are The ideas are
and unorganized and slightly organized mostly organized organized and
Organization of incoherent. and coherent. and coherent. coherent.
Ideas Transition words Transition words Transition words
and phrases are and phrases are and phrases are 15%
somehow used for mostly used for the properly used for
the smooth flow smooth flow and the smooth flow
and transition of transition of ideas. and transition of
ideas. ideas.

Grammar and The submission The submission The submission The submission
Spelling contains both contains both contains very few contains minimal
major minor grammatical grammatical and to no grammatical 10%
grammatical and and spelling errors. spelling errors. and spelling errors.
spelling errors.

Total 100%

Bibliography

Alleyne, Stacy. “A Step-by-Step on How to Do a Background Study for a Thesis.” Seattle PI.
Hearst Seattle Media, LLC. Accessed April 9, 2020. https://education.seattlepi.com/
stepbystep-background-study-thesis-1626.html

Essays, UK. “Writing a Dissertation Background.” UK Diss. All Answers Ltd. Accessed April 9,
2020. https://ukdiss. com/guides/background.php.

“How to Write Chapter 1: The Introduction of Thesis.” Sharifyar Institute. Accessed April 9,
2020. http://sharifyar.com/how-to-write-chapter-one-the-introduction- of-thesis/.

“Organizing Your Social Sciences Research Paper.” USC Libraries. University of Southern
California. Accessed April 9, 2020. https://libguides.usc.edu/writingguide/
background.

Sachdev, Rishibha. “How to Write the Background of your Study.” Editage Insights. Cactus
Communications. Accessed April 9, 2020. https://doi.org/10.34193/EI-A-10386.

5
  
LA 1. Activity 4 
 
 
 

Learning Area 1: Brainstorming for Research Topics 

  Activity 4: Writing a Topic Proposal 
The outputs of this learning area will complete the ​topic proposal​ of your research. 
 
 

  Objective  
In  this  activity,  you  should  be  able  to prepare a plan and a focus on issues and ideas in your 
respective field. 
 
 

● Communication 
 
 
● Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving 
Opportunity to  ● Information Literacy 
Practice the Following  ● Productivity and Accountability 
21st-Century Skills 
 

  Recall 
 
The Topic Proposal 
A  research  paper  starts  with  a  ​topic  proposal.  ​The  topic  proposal  is  an  indication  of  the 
researcher’s  intent  to  study  a  particular  topic.  It  has  the  following  main  components:  the 
background  of  the  study,  the  statement  of  the  research  problem,  and  the  general  and 
specific objectives of the study. 
 
Background of the Study 
The  ​background  of  the  study  ​is  a  general  description  of  the  topic.  It  contains  the  overall 
context  and  essential  information  about  the  topic.  The  purpose  of  the  background  of  the 

 
  1 
 
  
LA 1. Activity 4 
 
study  is  to  introduce  the  reader  to  the  research  topic  and  to  locate  the  research  problem 
within  the  existing  knowledge  in  the  field  of  study.  Relevant  literature  and  past  studies  are 
written on the topic being discussed in the background of the study. 
 
The Research Problem 
A  ​research  problem  ​is  a  “problem  or  issue  that  leads  to  the  need  for  a  study”  (Creswell, 
2009).  It  is  embedded  in  the  discussion  of  the  background  of  the  study.  The  statement of a 
research  problem  contains  the  topic  of  interest,  the  research  questions  in  the  form  of  a 
declarative sentence, and the significance of the topic (Booth et al., 2008). 
 
The  statement  of  the  topic  of  interest  is  drawn  from  the  background  of  the  study.  The 
research  questions,  as  stated  in  the  form  of  a  declarative  sentence,  must  be  specific,  clear, 
feasible,  and  significant.  The  significance  of  the  topic  must  highlight  the  potential  practical 
or  theoretical  contributions  to  the  topic.  A  contribution  is  practical  if  it  is  applicable  in 
real-life  settings.  On  the  other  hand,  a  contribution  is  theoretical  if  it  furthers  the 
understanding of the topic without a direct application in real life. 
 
The  statement  of  the  research  problem  is  a  brief,  concise, and clear description of what the 
researcher  intends  to  study.  A  research  problem  may be drawn from personal experiences, 
encounters  with  a  theory  in  a  discipline,  contemporary  issues,  or  gaps  in  the  literature 
(Creswell, 2009; Leavy, 2017; and O’Leary, 2004). 
 
Objectives of the Study 
A  topic  proposal  contains  the  ​objectives  of  the  study,  ​which  are  the  general  and  specific 
goals  that  the  study  seeks  to  achieve.  The  objectives  of  a  study  must  be  clear,  direct,  and 
measurable.  The  general  objective  is  a  broader  statement  of  the  goals  of  the  study.  The 
specific  objectives  are  more  detailed  statements  that  would  help  achieve  the  general 
objective. 
 
Examples: 
● General  objective: ​To establish the relationship between social media use and study 
habits of high school students 
 

 
  2 
 
  
LA 1. Activity 4 
 
 
● Specific objectives: 
○ To describe patterns of social media use among high school students 
○ To  explain  the  study  habits  of  high  school  students  in  performing  academic 
tasks 
● General  objective:  ​To  identify  the  factors behind the brand preferences of fast-food 
consumers 
● Specific objectives: 
○ To identify factors behind their general brand preferences 
○ To examine patterns of fast-food consumption 
○ To relate factors of brand preference to patterns of fast food consumption 
 

​ uick Tip 
Q
The  topic proposal must contain the ​background of the study, the statement of the 
research  problem,  ​and  the ​objectives of the study. ​All three components reflect the 
researcher’s  intent  to  do  research  on  the  topic  in  consideration  of  its  practical and/or 
theoretical contributions. 

  Activity Instructions 
General  instructions:  ​Write  a  three-  to  five-page  topic proposal containing the following 
main  components:  the  background  of  the  study,  the  statement  of  the  research problem, 
and the objectives of the study.  
 
1. In  eight  to  10  sentences,  write  the  background  of  the  study.  Include  a  discussion 
on  the  general  background  of  the  topic,  context, and other important information 
to introduce the topic. Cite no less than three relevant sources. 
 
2. In  three  to  five  sentences,  make  a  statement  of  the  research  problem.  It  must 
contain  the  research  topic,  the research question, and the significance of pursuing 
the research problem. 
 
3. Formulate one general and no less than two specific objectives of the study. 

 
  3 
 
  
LA 1. Activity 4 
 
 
4. Use  font  size  12,  1.5  line  spacing,  and  a  citation  style  (i.e.,  APA,  MLA,  or  Chicago 
Manual  of  Style).  Include  a  reference  list,  works  cited,  or  bibliography  section  at 
the end of the topic proposal. 
 
5. You may follow the general topic proposal format indicated below. 
 
Name: 

Short title of the topic proposal: 

 

Background of the study:  

 
The phenomenon of online shopping began . . . 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Statement of the research problem:  

 
This research looks into . . . 
 
 
 
 
 

Objectives of the study: 

 
General objective: To examine . . . 
Specific objectives: 
1. To describe . . . 
2. To identify . . . 
 

References/Works Cited/Bibliography: 
 
 
 
 
 

 
  4 
 
  
LA 1. Activity 4 
 
 
 
6. To submit Activity 1.4, create a separate document file. In the space provided, 
write the file name, link to the file, and the date the link was sent. 
 
File name: 

Link to the file: 

Date submitted: 
 
 

 
Rubric for Grading 
 

suggested 
1  2  3  4  points 
weights 
Components  10%   
The topic proposal  The topic proposal 
Completeness  The topic  The topic   
is missing three to  proposal is  proposal is  contains all the 
of Essential 
four essential  missing two  missing one  essential 
Components 
components.  essential  essential  components. 
1. Background of 
components.  component. 
the Study 
2. Statement of  10% 
the Research 
Problem 
3. Objectives of 
the Study  
4. References 

Component Grades  80%   

The student failed  The discussion of  The discussion of  The student 
Background of   
to provide a clear  the background of  the background of  provided a clear 
the Study 
discussion of the  the study needs  the study needs  and concise 
background of the  major revisions.  minor revisions  background of the 
study. Elements  only.  study. Elements 
such as contextual  such as context, 
information,  important facts, 
20% 
relevant facts,  and/or the place 
and/or the place  of the topic within 
of the topic within  the field are 
the field are  satisfactorily 
missing.  discussed. 

 
  5 
 
  
LA 1. Activity 4 
 
The statement of  The statement of  The statement of  The statement of 
Statement of   
the Research  the research  the research  the research  the research 
Problem  problem is  problem is  problem contains  problem contains 
missing two out of  missing one out of  all three  all three 
the three  the three  components, but  components, and 
components.  components.  the discussion on  all three  20% 
any of the  components are 
components  discussed in a 
needs minor  clear and concise 
revision.  manner. 

The student only  The student  The student  The student 

Objectives of   
the Study  provided one  provided general  provided general  provided general 
objective of the  and specific  and specific  and specific 
study that is not  objectives of the  objectives of the  objectives of the 
clear, direct,  study, but both  study, but at least  study that are all  20% 
and/or  are not clear,  one objective is  clear, direct, and 
measurable.  direct, and/or  not clear, direct,  measurable. 
measurable.  and/or 
measurable. 

The student used  The student used  The student used  The student used 
Bibliography   
less than three  no less than three  no less than three  no less than three 
relevant sources,  relevant sources,  relevant sources,  relevant sources, 
and these were  but all sources  but at least one  and all sources 
not referenced  were not  source was not  were referenced 
properly at the  referenced  referenced  properly at the 
end of the  properly at the  properly at the  end of the 
proposal  end of the  end of the  proposal  20% 
according to the  proposal  proposal  according to the 
chosen reference  according to the  according to the  chosen reference 
style  chosen reference  chosen reference  style 
(APA/MLA/Chicago  style  style  (APA/MLA/Chicago 
Manual of Style).  (APA/MLA/Chicago  (APA/MLA/Chicago  Manual of Style). 
Manual of Style).  Manual of Style). 

Grammar  10%   
The submission  The submission  The submission  The submission 
Grammar and   
Spelling  contains both  contains both  contains very few  contains minimal 
major  minor  grammatical and  to no grammatical  10% 
grammatical and  grammatical and  spelling errors.  and spelling 
spelling errors.  spelling errors.  errors. 

      Total  100%   

 
_________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

 
  6 
 
  
LA 1. Activity 4 
 
 

  Bibliography 
 
Booth,  Wayne  C.,  Gregory  G.  Colomb,  and  Joseph  M.  Williams.  ​The  Craft  of  Research,  ​3rd ed. 
Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 2008. 
 
Boudah,  Daniel  J.  “Identifying  a  Research  Problem  and  Question,  and  Searching  Relevant 
Literature”  pp.  21-42,  in  ​Conducting  Educational  Research:  Guide  to  Completing  a  Major 
Project​, California: SAGE Publications Inc., 2011. 
 
Creswell,  John  W.  ​Research  Design:  Qualitative,  Quantitative,  and  Mixed  Methods  Approaches​, 
3rd ed. California: SAGE Publications Inc., 2009. 
 
Leavy,  Patricia.  ​Research  Design:  Quantitative,  Qualitative,  Mixed  Methods,  Arts-Based,  and 
Community-Based  Participatory  Research  Approaches.  ​New  York:  The  Guilford  Press, 
2017. 
 
O’Leary, Zina. ​The Essential Guide to Doing Research. ​London: SAGE Publications, 2004. 
 

 
  7