General Education Department

RESEARCH: Maritime Research

First Semester of A.Y. 2020-2021

WEEK 2 - MODULE 2: THE RESEARCH PROBLEM

Introduction:
This module is intended for the second week which aims to conceptualize research problem,
hypothesis, significance of the study, and scope and delimitation. This module will enable maritime
students to demonstrate skill in identifying, selecting or formulating a problem, distinguish the
different types of hypothesis, and formulate the significance and scope and delimitation of the
study. Furthermore, maritime students will be able also to present a comprehensive title for a
research study and generate research problems, hypothesis, significance of the study, and scope
and delimitation of the study which is in line with the chosen and approved research title.

Rationale
One of the crucial things to start in constructing a well-constructed research is through identifying
the research topic or title to be investigated and studied in the whole term. Always bear in mind
that in selecting a research topic, one should consider own’s preference and interest. However,
there are times the chosen topic of one’s interest may seem uncapable due to limited data and
unavailability of resources, thus this module will help you consider in choosing a research topic
effectively and efficiently.

Other aspects to consider in crafting research are: determining the appropriate hypothesis, stating
possible benefactors of the study, and citing relevant inclusions in the study.

Intended Learning Outcome

• Generate a research problem, formulate a research hypothesis and distinguish the
benefits of the study.

Activity 1:

Name: Score:
Year & Section:
Instructor: Date:

Instruction:
In your section you will be grouped into five (4) groups – compose of 10 members each group. The
basis of the groupings will be alphabetical order. Wait for my confirmation of the group members
that will be posted in our google classroom.

Upon being informed with the group members, make or create a group chat via messenger or any
means you would all agree that will serve as the platform in exchanging of ideas with regards to the
group activity. Choose your leader who will take-in-charge of the whole group members but it
doesn’t mean that the leader alone will make the entire research output and decide on the research

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procedure. I salute to this adage that goes; two heads are better than one. So, help one another so
your main goal in this course be achieved.

With the supervision and mediation of the group leader, all of the members must agree on the
following:
1. Research Title
2. Research Problem

Then right after, you may now proceed in answering the “Research Practicum” by filling the box
with your group’s output of the week.

Discussion
II. THE RESEARCH PROBLEM (Birion, De Jose, & Abaigar, 2018)
The initial problem that you encounter as a researcher is the selection of the topic or research
problem. The following things should be considered in undertaking the thesis writing:
1. Problem can be derived from theories, observation, intuition or a combination of
both.
2. Problem can be derived from undergraduate programs. Consider the different
subjects you have taken and from them identify a problem that interests you most.
3. Problems existing or prevailing in your company or agency which you want to solve
are good sources of research problems particularly in your line of work.
4. Problems can be derived from the field of interest or specialization or event from
related fields.
5. Problems can be derived from existing practices and needs.
6. Problem may also be repetition or extension or investigations already conducted or
else be an off shoot of studies underway.
7. A review of related studies or literature could help you in selecting your research
problem.
8. Problems can also be derived from advice of authorities or funding agencies.
9. Problems may be offshoot of friendly conversation.
10. Problems may surface from interesting topics of your professor during the course of
his/her lecture.

Selecting the Research Problem

In choosing your topic, be guided by the following criteria:
1. Your topic should be new, something different from what has already been written about,
original, significant to your field of study; it must necessarily arouse intellectual curiosity if
it is to command attention and should not be entirely foreign to you because individuals
acquainted with the topic would readily see the shortcomings of your work.
2. It should depend on the level at which your work is done. For a beginner, the topic could
be a modest one which can be carried on in a limited period of time; the topic should be
clear, not ambiguous, should be specific, not general.

As a researcher, consider the following:

1. Consider your interest and the interest of others, consider your training and personal
qualifications, consider the availability of the data involved in the study and the methods
and techniques you employ in gathering the data; find out if there are effective instruments

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 available for gathering the data and their treatment, be aware of the availability of the
instruments and be ready to prepare them if no standard instrument exist.
2. Consider your financial capacity to support the project. Some research undertakings
involved large sums of money particularly in the data gathering phase. Consider time factor
involved in the undertaking; it is very important because some variables change in a matter
of limited space and time. The data gathered during the process might become obsolete
before the undertaking reaches its final portions.

Guidelines in the Formulation of the Research Titles:

1. The title must contain the following elements:
a. Subject matter or research problem
b. The setting or locale of the study
c. The respondents or participants involved in the study
d. Time or period when the study was conducted
If the title becomes too long because of these elements, the timeframe or period may
be omitted except in evaluation studies.
2. The title must be broad enough to include all aspects of the study but should brief and
concise as possible.
3. The use of terms such as “Analysis of”, “A Study of”, “An Investigation of” and like
maybe avoided. All these are understood to have been done in a research.
4. If the title contains more than one line, it should be written in an inverted pyramid.
5. When typed or encoded in the title page all words in the title should be in capital letters.
6. If possible, the title should not be longer than 15 words.
7. Avoid a long, detailed title that gives too much information.
8. To shorten your title, you may delete the terms “assessment” or “evaluation” if these
are already emphasized in the text.

Kinds of Titles to Avoid

1. Copy Titles seldom work well. This is not to say that you cannot use clever or pun words
if they catch the spirit of the paper they name and if they are easily understood by the
audience for whom the research paper is written. However, generally choose a straight
forward title over other kinds.
Coy: Look who is talking
Improved: Changing Language in Printed Cigarettes Ads

2. Don’t use a question in place of a title. No matter how provocative you think a question
will be, it could easily work against you if a prospective reader responds negatively to it.
Better to let the title answer the question you thought of posing.
Question: Are Filipinos Worth Dying for?
Improved: The Case of Violations of Human Rights

3. Never use a thesis statement as a title. It is bound to be long and tell too much, besides,
it will be a sentence and phrase is preferable for a title.
Thesis, Not Title: Intellectual Freedom is Threatened When School Libraries Ban Books.
Improved: Consequences of Book Binding in School Libraries

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 4. Avoid a long, detailed title that gives too much information. This is particularly important
if you think such a title will make you sound “academic” and “scholarly”. A long title is
distracting to most readers.
Too detailed: An Examination of the Setting of Metaphor in the Films of Lino Brocka with
Particular Reference to “Himala”
Improved: Setting a Metaphor in Lino Brocka’s Films

Other Conventions for Titles:

1. Use no punctuation at the end of a title.
2. Capitalize the first letter of each word in a title, except conjunctions, articles and
prepositions (APA) except when all letters are capitalized.
3. Do not underline a title or enclose it in quotation marks.
4. Follow conventions for acknowledging titles within your research paper title, that is,
enclosed the titles of other’s works within quotation marks or underline them as you do
normally. If you use a word processing program or printer that permits italics, use them in
place of underlining.

Below are the illustrations of worthwhile titles as listed by (Adanza, Bermudo, & Rasonabe, 2009):
a. The Relationship Between the Vocational Interests and Occupational Preferences of First
Year High School Students
1. Independent Variable – Vocational Interest
2. Dependent Variable – Occupational Reference
3. Method of Analysis – Finding relationship and correlational analysis; Holland’s theory
with occupational preference

b. The Predictive Efficacy of Academic Preparation of Nurses on the Licensure Board

Examination
1. Independent Variable – Academic Preparation
2. Dependent Variable – Licensure Board Examination
3. Method of Analysis – simple and step-wise multiple linear regressions

c. The Relationship Between Emotional Quotient and Leadership Skills of Managers of a

Manufacturing Firm
1. Independent Variable – Emotional Quotient
2. Dependent Variable – Leadership Skills
3. Method of Analysis – Correlational analysis may proceed to simple and multiple linear
regression

d. The interaction of Age and Gender on the Science Performance of Grade 6 Pupils
1. Independent Variable – Age and Gender
2. Dependent Variable – Science Performance
3. Method of Analysis – Analysis of Variance: Two-way classification

e. Gender Inequality in Mathematics Performance of Grade 6 Pupils

1. Independent Variable – Gender
2. Dependent Variable – Mathematics Performance

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 3. Method of Analysis – Comparative: t-test for two independent samples

f. Total Quality Management as an Organizational Development Intervention on Faculty

Empowerment
1. Independent Variable – Total Quality Management
2. Dependent Variable – Faculty Empowerment
3. Method of Analysis – Pre and Post-result, use dependent t-test

g. Effect of Chemicals on Strength of Ropes

1. Independent Variable – Chemicals
2. Dependent Variable – Strength of ropes
3. Method of Analysis – Analysis of Variance: One-way classification

h. The Influence of Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation Factors on the GPA of First Year
Communication Arts Students
1. Independent Variable – Motivation
2. Dependent Variable – GPA
3. Method of Analysis – Correlational and simple linear regression analysis

i. Major Sources of Stress and Performance of Managers of Top Corporations in Makati

1. Independent Variable – Sources of Stress
2. Dependent Variable – Performance
3. Method of Analysis – Correlational analysis and proceed to linear regression analysis

j. The Interaction Effects of Soil Cultivation and Volume of Water on the Number of Orange
Fruit in a Carmona Farm
1. Independent Variable – Soil cultivation and volume of water
2. Dependent Variable – Number of orange fruit
3. Method of Analysis – Two-way analysis of variance

k. The Role of Strategic Planning on the Organizational Effectiveness of a Manufacturing

Firm
1. Independent Variable – Strategic Planning
2. Dependent Variable – Organizational Effectiveness
3. Method of Analysis – Simple linear regression

2.1 Statement of the Problem

The statement of the problem can be expressed either generally or specifically according to
(Adanza, Bermudo, & Rasonabe, 2009).
a. How do we state the problem?
It needs to be made specific and clear by breaking up the major problem into smaller or
limited ones.

b. How can you make the problem specific?

• Read lots of materials that are relevant to the topic.
• Survey and gather related literature.

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 • Define the word or topic being chosen from several sources.
• Select reference books which are important to the research problem and learn how
to take down notes such as the definitions and its sources using index cards.
• Read books written by both local or foreign authors and summarize the authors’
idea then focus your attention to what interest you the most.
• Undergo a process of breaking up and delimiting the topic, and selecting the
variables.
c. How to state the statement of the problem?
Two ways in stating a problem:
1. In Question Form
In the statement of the problem below, three of the problems start with “what”.
These are questions that deal with presentation of data, since data here are
exploratory. It is only the last problem that deals with analysis, difference, and
relationship.
Note also that the problems are independent and can be answered independently. At
the same time, they are interdependent upon each other and they form a cohesive
part.
Example:
The study seeks to answer the following questions:
A. General
What are the motivations of college students to enroll in maritime courses?

B. Specific
1. What is the profile of college students in terms of:
1.1 age;
1.2 socio-economic status; and
1.3 parents’ educational attainment
2. What is the intrinsic motivation of college students to enroll in maritime
courses as to:
2.1 personal;
2.2 social; or
2.3 economic
3. What is the extrinsic motivation of college students to enroll in maritime
courses as regards to:
3.1 popularity of the courses;
3.2 peer influence;
3.3 parents’ choice;
3.4 school factors; and
3.5 teacher factors
4. Are there significant relationship between:
4.1 personal variables and intrinsic motivation factors
4.2 personal variables and extrinsic motivation factors

2. In Topical Form
Example:
The study seeks to determine the following:
A. General
The motivations of college student to enroll in maritime courses.

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 B. Specific
1. The profile of college students in terms of:
1.1 age;
1.2 socio-economic status; and
1.3 parents’ educational attainment

2. The intrinsic motivation of college students to enroll in maritime

courses as to:
2.1 personal;
2.2 social; or
2.3 economic
3. The extrinsic motivation of college students to enroll in maritime
courses as regards to:
3.1 popularity of the courses;
3.2 peer influence;
3.3 parents’ choice;
3.4 school factors; and
3.5 teacher factors
4. Significant relationship between:
4.1 4.1 personal variables and intrinsic motivation factors
4.2 personal variables and extrinsic motivation factors

d. More information on the major types of question for Statement of the Problem
Factors that are independent – intervening variables that act on another variable
Examples:
• What are the problems faced by engineering graduates about to take the board?
• What are the emotional quotient dimensions of the faculty in the College of
Maritime Affairs in a certain university?
• What are the leadership skills of middle managers of the National Power
Corporation in terms of the skills in the Skill-Mix theory?

Factors that lead to analysis of relationships – contained in questions that imply the use of
relationships
Examples:
• What role does leadership skills have in the empowerment of faculty?
• What is the relationship between study habits and academic performance of third
year students in communication arts?
• What is the relationship knowledge symmetry of lines and differential calculus?
• To what extent do the constructs of TQM improve organizational effectiveness in
the organization?

Factors that answer “how of the variables” – variables that require a lot of explanation and
insight on the role of variables and the manipulation of one variable on the other
Examples:
• How will early diagnosis of breast cancer affect the survival of the patient?
• How will ChaCha affect the process of legislating laws in Congress?
• How will the increase in the amount of sugar affect the taste of salad?

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 • How will the increase in the number of class hours in Mathematics influence the
span of motivation?
• How will the change of school schedule from June to September affect enrollment
in schools?

Factors that tend to be normative – establish explicit goals or actions that require
development of plans under which the goals may be achieved
Examples:
• What should be done to eliminate post-operative vomiting?
• What should be done to improve enrolment in the university?
• What should be done to improve board performance in accounting?
• What should be done to prevent “absenteeism” among personnel in a
manufacturing company?
• What should be done to prevent fire accidents due to electrical defects?

2.2 Hypothesis
- According to (Garcia & Reganit, 2010), hypothesis is but a predictive statement that
represents the researcher’s tentative answer to his statement of the research problem.
Types of Hypothesis:
1. Null Hypothesis – a statement indicating the non-existence of difference, relationship, or
association between two or more variables or factors
2. Alternative Hypothesis – states the nature of the connection between or among the
variables that researcher expects.

Examples:
Problem No. 1 Problem No. 2
Problem Is there a significant difference Is there a significant degree
between the level of mathematics of relationship between the
Hypothesis anxiety between the maritime respondents’ grade point
students and education students? average and indulgent to
alcoholic drinks?
H0 : There is no significant H0 : There is no
difference between the level of significant degree of
Null Hypothesis (H0) mathematics anxiety between the relationship between the
maritime students and education respondents’ grade point
students. average and indulgent to
alcoholic drinks.

H1 : There is a significant H1 : There is a

Alternative Hypothesis (H1)
difference between the level of
mathematics anxiety between the
maritime students and education
students.
significant degree of
relationship between the
respondents’ grade point
average and indulgent to
alcoholic drinks.

2.3 Significance of the Study

As stated by (Garcia & Reganit, 2010), this portion presents the researcher’s justification in
conducting a research on a given research topic or problem by identifying who shall benefit from

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the research, what benefit or advantage shall accrue to them, and how they shall benefit from the
results of the inquiry.

An article below shows a sample of a significance of the study written by Alain Marc Golez (2015)
entitled “Perpetuity of Family-owned Business in the Philippines: A Causal Model” taken from
(Prieto, Naval, & Carey, 2017).

Significance of the Study

The following will be benefited by this study:

The Government. As micro-enterprises comprise 91. 1% of all enterprises operating in the
Philippines, generating about six million job (NSO, 2000), the economy stands to benefit as these
micro-enterprises achieve growth and eventually graduate from small or even medium
enterprise and create more jobs and a potentially stronger middle class.

Students of Entrepreneurship. This paper attempts to provide students of entrepreneurship

a formula, exacted from proven, successful examples of entrepreneurship, wherein one can learn
from mistakes of entrepreneurs before them or benchmark with their best practices.

The Academicians. This research work can likewise provide meaningful information for
professors as they share their knowledge in the field of entrepreneurship.

Future Entrepreneurs. This paper can benefit any individual from any demographic profile
(age, class, educational background, etc.) who has been inspired to pursue an entrepreneurial
venture as he/she seeks a scientific method in dealing with family business concerns.

2.4 Scope and Delimitation

According to (Garcia & Reganit, 2010), this subsection specifies the scope and delimitations of the
proposed research. In this portion of the proposal, you have to identify the boundaries of your study
by specifying what will and will not be investigated, the number of respondents to be involved in
the study, geographical and time coverage of the study, variables to be studied and their specific
indicators, applicability of results, and other boundaries you might wish to impose in your research.

Below is a sample of a written scope and delimitation written by Reyna Carolyn Quintos entitled
“An Assessment on the Impact of Farm-to-Market Road Projects in Pola, Oriental Mindoro” that
was taken from the book of (Prieto, Naval, & Carey, 2017).

Scope and Delimitation

This study was conducted in six Barangays of Pola, Oriental, Mindoro, namely: Barangay
Calubasanhon, Barangay Malibago, Barangay Maluanluan, Barangay Pahilahan, Barangay
Panikihan, and Barangay Pula. The population considered was limited to those households who
were directly affected by the constructed INFRES farm-to-market Road Project.
The study was concerned with (1) impact of the constructed INFRES Farm-to-market road
project on the respondents; and (2) the relationship between construction of roads and its
impact, only in terms of the answered Household Survey Questionnaire and perception of
respondents and key officials. The condition of the respondents was to be described also in
terms of their demographic profile and other indicators included in the Impact Assessment
Household Survey Questionnaire.

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 The study included an evaluation of the economic and social aspect of the beneficiaries
before and after the INFRES farm-to-market road project, as well as of the respondent’s
demographic profile, income and employment, improved access, and perceived benefits after
the INFRES road was constructed. Key Informant Interview was also used to gather data,
especially unanswered items in the survey.

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Exercise 2

Name: Score:
Year & Section:
Instructor: Date:

Instruction:
Identify what is meant in each item. Write your answer on the space provided before each item.

_______________ 1. A statement that can be expressed either generally or specifically.

_______________ 2. The main scope of this study is to determine the perceived level of
mathematics anxiety and to know the effect of math anxiety to students.
_______________ 3. This study will give an idea to students to encounter more on mathematics
that may lead them to excitement and adventure.
_______________ 4. Identify the boundaries of the study.
_______________ 5. It talks about who are to be benefitted in the study.
_______________ 6. What is the academic performance of the grade 11- arctic in PMI?
_______________ 7. The study seeks to determine the socio-economic status of seafarers.
_______________ 8. What is the profile of the respondents in terms of the educational
attainment?
_______________ 9. This section discusses the parameter of the research in paragraph that may
answer the following: what, where, when, why, who and how.
_______________ 10. There is no significant difference between the mathematical skills of BSMT
and BSMarE students.
_______________ 11. There is a significant relationship between the mathematical skills of BSMT
and BSMarE students.
_______________ 12. This study aimed to determine the perceived level of mathematics anxiety
among the freshmen students in PMI Colleges.
_______________ 13. The study will help educators to decide on what teaching technique to be
used.
_______________ 14. There is a significant difference between the mathematical skills of BSMT
and BSMarE students.
_______________ 15. There is no significant relationship between the mathematical skills of
BSMT and BSMarE students.

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Assessment 2

Name: Score:
Year & Section:
Instructor: Date:

Instruction:
Explain your answer briefly in 50 words only.

1. Why is research problem serves as the heart of the research process?

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2. In your own opinion, what are the factors will you consider in choosing a research title or
topic? Explain.
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3. Is stating the hypothesis necessary? Explain why.

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4. What is the difference between scope and limitation and scope and delimitation?
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5. What do you think is appropriate to be used in your research, scope and limitation or
scope and delimitation? Explain.
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Reflection 2: Research Practicum

Name: Score:
Year & Section:
Instructor: Date:

Instruction:
Based on the activity done by group, fill the box with the group’s brainstormed output.

NO. PARTS OUTLINE

1 Research Title _______________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________

2 Statement of the ____________________________________________________

Problem ____________________________________________________
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3 Hypothesis _______________________________________________________________________
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4 Significance of the ____________________________________________________

Study ____________________________________________________
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5 Scope and ____________________________________________________

Delimitation ____________________________________________________
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Note: Group leaders, you are tasked to make sure all of your members participate in this activity.
Never allow your members to stay idle unless he/she has contributed or cooperated in the said
activity. You may also inform me through a private message whenever you encounter this scenario
while dealing with your members so I can privately catch his/her/their attention.

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Resources and Additional Resources

References
Adanza, E. G., Bermudo, P. J., & Rasonabe, M. B. (2009). Methods of Research: A Primer. Quezon
City, Philippines: Rex Book Store, Inc.
Birion, J. C., De Jose, E. G., & Abaigar, R. R. (2018). Guide to Thesis and Dissertation Writing.
Philippines: Unlimited Books Library Services & Publishing Inc.
Garcia, C. D., & Reganit, A. A. (2010). Developing Competencies in Research and Thesis Writing.
Mandaluyong City, Philippines: Books Atbp. Publishing Corp.
Prieto, N. G., Naval, V. C., & Carey, T. G. (2017). Practical Research 2 . Philippines: Lorimar
Publishing, Inc.

Rubrics

Criterion for Exemplary Proficient Novice Apprentice Rating

Essay 10 7 4 1
There is one Main idea is Main idea is The main idea
clear, well- clear, but the somewhat is not clear.
Ideas and focused topic. supporting clear, but There is a
Content Main idea information is there is a seemingly
stands out and general. need for more random
is supported by supporting collection of
detailed information. information.
information.
Details are Details are Some details Many details
placed in a placed in a are not in a are not in
logical order, logical order, logical order. logical order.
and the way but the ways
Organization they are in which they
presented are presented
effectively. sometimes
make the
writing less
interesting.
Each sentence Some Several Almost all
is clear and has sentences are sentences are sentences are
obvious awkward and difficult to difficult to
Sentence emphasis. difficult to understand. understand
Fluency Writer makes understand. Writer makes and so many
no error in Writer makes some errors in errors in
grammar or few errors in grammar or grammar and
spelling. grammar or spelling. spelling.
spelling.
Total Points

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