DEFINING RESEARCH PROBLEMS
(Ex: does computer-
- Research problems arise from issues,
difficulties, current practices in real life
situations.
- It becomes clear when the researcher asks
"what is the need for this study?"
- We should be clear regarding what issues or
problems we want to address
 RESEARCH PROBLEM
a) Refers to some difficulty which a researcher
experiences in the context of either a
theoretical or practical situation and wants to
obtain a solution for the same problem
b) Issues and difficulties that are need to be
addressed. From the conflict we see in the
literature
c) Neglected topic for the research.
d) A topic that needs to uplift the voice of the
marginalized.
CONDITIONS:
1. There must be an individual or a group
which has some difficulty or problem (ex:
effects of marital disputes on children).
2. There must be some objectives to be
attained. If one wants nothing, one cannot
have a problem. * One objective of
research is to improve the quality of life
(Which factors can help improve problem-
solving abilities in children?)
3. There must be alternative means for
obtaining the objectives one wishes to
attain. This means that there must be at
least two means available to a researcher
for if he has no choice of means, he cannot
have a problem (Ex: factors that can
accelerate the aging process).
* Problems are not problems if there is no
solution to it.
4. There must remain some doubt in the
mind of a researcher with regard to the
selection of alternatives. This means that
research mist answer the question
concerning the relative efficiency of the
possible alternatives.
aided education have a significant impact on
the perception of ADHD learners? is it
negative or positive?)
5. There must be some environments to
which the difficulty pertains (Ex:
conditions of overwork, job insecurity, job
dissatisfaction and lack of autonomy in work
places).
 APPROACHES:
 Quantitative
- focus on identification of the factors
that influence the outcome
- utility in intervention
- best predictors of a particular outcome
 Qualitative
- focuses on the concept and
understanding a certain phenomenon
- issues that haven't been explored due to
lack of research
- involves an understudy sample of a
group of people
- the variable to examine is unknown
- research topic is new
 Mixed
- uses quali and quanti
- survey with follow up interview to
gather opinions about the topic
-close-ended quanti and open-ended
quali are advantageous
SELECTING THE PROBLEM
Things to avoid:
1. Subject which is over down should not be
normally chosen, for it will be a difficult task to
throw any new light in such a case.
 not every research needs
revelations
 it's okay to choose topics that
aren't obvious or haven't been
proven yet
 it wouldn't be challenging to
choose topics that have been
explored too much
2. Controversial subjects should not become the
choice of an average researcher.
 choosing a topic means being
careful and gentle
 consider the audience
 it should not be offensive to
the rest of the majority
 topic should be based on
one's interest and not on
 topic should be based on
one's interest and not on the
controversy
3. Too narrow or too vague problems should be
avoided
 narrow topics have
insufficient number of
resources - readers are
used to using their
interest in reading papers;
narrow topics might not
be engaging
 broad problems might
make the research lose its
focus because it has too
much data
4. The subject selected for research should be
familiar and feasible so that the related research
material or sources of research are within one's
reach.
 can contact an expert or
lecturer dealing with the
same topic
 read about scholarly articles
5. The importance of the subject, the
qualifications and the training of a research, the
costs involved, and the time factor are few other
criteria that must also be considered in selecting
a problem. In other words, before the final
selection of a problem is done, a researcher must
ask himself the following questions:
a. Whether he is well equipped in terms of
his background to carry out the research?
- basic knowledge and technical
research skill
b. Whether the study falls within the budget
he can afford?
- research can be costly
- a lot of printing, token of
appreciation
- depends on the population we're
dealing with
c. Whether the necessary cooperation can
be obtained from those who must
participate in research as subjects.
- participants
6. The selection of a problem must be preceded
by a preliminary study. This may not be
necessary when the problem requires the
conduct of research closely similar to one that
has already been done. But when the field of
inquiry is relatively new and does not have
available set of well-developed techniques, a
brief feasibility study must always be
undertaken - feasibility study is for topics with
very few sources. This to know if the topic is
doable.
  QUESTIONS TO ASK
1. Why have i decided to do some research?
- should not be because you are told to do so
2. How do i choose a research method?
- are you willing to indulge yourself to other
culture?
3. What personal characteristics do i have which
might strengths and weaknesses?
- consider if you want it to be done f2f or remotely
4. What skills and experience do I have which
might help in my research?
- if you are a student, you have to develop a good
literature searching skills
- organization skills
* Lack of planning may cause the research to not
move forward
* Brainstorming is important
 UNDERSTANDING THE FIVE Ws
 WHAT
- what is your research all about?
- this question needs to be answered as
specifically as possible
- the topic or subject that you will push
through for the rest of the thesis
[Sum up, in one sentence only, your research. If you
are unable to do this, the chances are your research
topic is too broad, ill thought out, or too obscure]
 WHY
- why do you want to the research?
-What is its purpose?
a. You are interested in the topic. You have
identified a gap in the literature
b. You want to obtain funding for a particular
service or enterprise and you need to find out
whether there is a demand for what you are
proposing
c. You need to conduct some research to aid
decision-making
- this will affect the result and the way we conduct
the
- consider if you are writing for the purpose of a
research dissertation or thesis, if it reaches the
required
- more relevant term to address the subject
intellectual standards of the university
- identify and make sure the research is meeting the
requirements when it comes to the format needed
 WHO
- who will be the participants?
* Participants or respondents
*Actual vs online
- who are the people who are difficult to
contact
* Permission is always required especially if the
participant is a child or a minor
  WHERE

- where are you going to conduct your

research?

✓ Budget

- pamasahe

- much better if the location is near

your community or the
school/university

✓ Location

- travel time

- accessibility of the participant

✓ Safety

- is the location safe?

- is it safe to meet with the individual

✓ Comfortability

- anxiousness might be present if

meeting someone for the first time

 WHEN

- when are you going to do your research

[It will also help you to think more about your

participants, when you need to contact them and
whether they will be available at that time]

- organizational skills

- conscious about your schedule

- conscious about your schedule

- how long you have till the deadline

- check if the participant is available