The Research Problem, Null Hypothesis

and Significance of the Study

Things to Considered Before Writing the
Research Problem

Have you searched the

internet for related
research articles of your
chosen research topic?

Answer: If no, you have

to do it first.
Things to Considered Before Writing the
Research Problem
Have you found a good
number of related research
articles?

• If yes, more likely you

conduct quantitative study.

• If only few, better to conduct

qualitative study.

• If none, better change your

research topic.
Things to Considered Before Writing the
Research Problem
Have you made a review
matrix of the articles you
found?

• If yes, you have clear idea

on what to include in your
research problem

• If no, you have to do it first.

Do not write a research
questions if you don’t have
bases.
Sample Review of Literature Matrix
THE RESEARCH PROBLEM
• The Main Problem (Purpose Statement)
The plan of action
The object of the plan (variable or phenomenon)
The participants (respondents, subjects or
informants)
The locale (place or environment of the study)
The time frame of the study (fiscal year, school
year, school term, etc.)
The intended output (for quantitative research only)
THE RESEARCH PROBLEM
• The Sub-Problems (Research Questions)
• For Quantitative Research
• Profiling Questions
• Demographic
• Perception/Performance/Evaluation/Preference
• Problems or Difficulties Encountered
• Inference Questions (Comparison or Correlational)
• Output Questions (Action plan, Intervention plan, Enhancement plan)

• For Qualitative Research

• Question starting with WHAT but answerable by a broad statement
• Question starting with WHY
• Question starting with HOW
How to write the main problem?

Plan of Action

Object of the Plan

Participants

Locale

Time Frame

Intended Output
Sample Topic: Faculty Research Capability

Plan of Action The study will determine

Object of the Plan the research capability

Participants of the faculty

Locale of Guidotti University, Cebu City

Time Frame S.Y. 2020 - 2021

Intended Output Proposed Action Plan

Sample Topic: Faculty Research Capability
• The study will determine
• the research productivity
• of the faculty
• of Guidotti University THE MAIN PROBLEM
• S.Y. 2020-2021
• proposed action plan

The study will determine the research capability of

the faculty of Guidotti University, S.Y. 2020 – 2021.
The findings will serve as basis of a proposed
action plan.
How to write the PROFILING Questions?
Demographic
Info.
CIVIL YEARS IN EDUC.
AGE GENDER
STATUS TEACHING ATTAINMENT

Perception /
Performance 4 = Very Capable
/ 3 = Fairly Capable
LEVEL OF RESEARCH CAPABILITY
Evaluation / 2 = Less Capable
Preference 1 = Not Capable

Problems or
Difficulties
Encountered HINDRANCES TO CONDUCT RESEARCH
Write the Profiling Questions Now…
1. What is the profile of the respondents in terms of:
1.1 age;
1.2 gender;
1.3 civil status;
1.4 number of years in teaching; and
1.5 highest educational attainment?

2. What is the level of the respondents’ research capability?

3. What are the factors that hinders the respondents in

conducting research?
How to write the INFERENCE QUESTIONS?
• Relate the demographic profile and the level of research
capability

 Is there a significant relationship between the profile and

level of research capability of the respondents?

• Compare the level of research capability when group the

respondents according to their demographic profile.

 Is there a significant difference in the level of research

capability of the respondents when grouped according to
their profile?
How to write the OUTPUT Questions?

• Go back to your MAIN PROBLEM and see what

output you have stated there.

• In the example: PROPOSED ACTION PLAN

 Based on the findings, what action plan can be

proposed?
How to write the Null Hypotheses?
• Go back to your INFERENCE QUESTIONS, convert it into
a negated declarative sentence.

 Is there a significant relationship between the profile and

level of research capability of the respondents?
H1: There is no significant relationship between the profile and level of
research capability of the respondents.

 Is there a significant difference in the level of research

capability of the respondents when grouped according to
their profile?
H2: There is no significant difference in the level of research capability of
the respondents when grouped according to their profile.
The Significance of the Study
• Determine first who will be benefited by the output of your
study.
• For each stakeholders, write a sentence or two about the
benefit they will have from the study.
• Arrange them in decreasing order in terms of the degree
of benefits they will get from the output of the study.
Sample: Significance of the Study

This study will benefit the following stakeholders:

Faculty. This will serve as an eye-opener for the faculty members who are
reluctant in conducting researches so that eventually they will understand
the importance of producing researches as an academic practitioner.

Students. This will give an assurance to the students that the

administration wants to upgrade the skills and abilities of the faculty
members in order to attain its mission of providing excellence in service.

University Research Center. This will help in the research capability of

the faculty members and eventually develop a productive research culture
in the university.

School Administrators. This will serve as a guide for the school

administrators in formulating policies and
Sample: Significance of the Study

Continuation:

Commission of Higher Education (CHED). This study will be a

valuable material for the commission’s continuing advancement
programs in regional research and development.

The Researcher. This will serve as a starting point for more

educational researches.

Future Researchers. This will provide more information needed

to understand the research process and become a catalyst for
faculty members to conduct their own research investigation.