FORMULATION OF

RESEARCH PROBLEM

Rowena R. Noceda
Faculty In Charge
 CONCEPTUALIZING RESEARCH TOPIC
• Finding your focus

• Which aspects of your discipline interest you most?

• What have you observed that you have questions about?

• What articles have you read that have raised questions in your mind?
 CONCEPTUALIZING RESEARCH TOPIC
• What are the gaps in the literature?

• By topic (what is not being looked at?)

• Methods (what is not being done?)

• Populations (who is not being studied?)

• Comparisons (who is not being compared?)

 CONCEPTUALIZING RESEARCH TOPIC
• Where to start?

• Read

• Detailed literature search

• Attend seminars, conferences and presentations

• Discuss subject matters with peers

• Listen and ask questions

 CONCEPTUALIZING RESEARCH TOPIC
• Refining search results

• Discuss with fellow researchers

• Discuss with stakeholders

• Assess what is most critical to learn

• Assess research sources available

 CONCEPTUALIZING RESEARCH TOPIC
• Questions to ask yourself
• Is this a good idea?

• Who cares?

• Can it be addressed using appropriate research methods?

• Will it stimulate interest by others and the sponsors?

• Is it feasible/practical/doable?

• Is it fundable?
 CRITERIA FOR PROBLEM SELECTION
• Newness of topic

• Significance of topic

• Qualification of researcher

• Availability of data

• Time constraint
 CRITERIA IN FORMULATING THE RESEACH PROBLEM
• Limit the scope to realistic parameters – not too narrow nor too
broad
• Use phrases and wordings that are measurable and can be proven
empirically
• Cite clearly the relationship of the variables to be studied
• Use wordings that are unbiased, objective, and not emotion-laden
 CRITERIA IN FORMULATING THE RESEACH PROBLEM
• Observe correct grammar for clarity
• Write in question form
• Name specific problem area
• Phrase the topic in something workable and manageable
• Indicate the data and techniques to answer the question
 EXAMPLE
• What are the different employee participation approaches/programs
in the manufacturing and non manufacturing firms in Metro Manila?

• What are the determinants of firm growth in selected medium

enterprises in Cavite?
 EXAMPLES

What are the needs and satisfaction levels of the top importing
companies with regards to import related bank products in terms of
7ps of marketing mix ?
 THE TITLE AND BY-LINE
• The title is made last because it reflects the contents of the study.

• Provide a provisional title when you start writing the paper

• This may be revised depending on your progress

 IMPORTANCE OF THE TITLE
• Introduces the work to the reader

• It should give the impression that the contents are desirable a

deserve a closer look

• A reader should be able to tell from the title what the paper is all
about

• The title helps the reader determine whether the contents are within
his range of interest
 FORMS OF THE TITLE
• Expressed in phrase or sentence form of the paper

• Some are in question form

 LENGTH OF THE TITLE
• It is desirable to be comprehensive but strike a balance between
completeness and brevity

• Generally a good title has no more than 12 words

• Avoid non standard symbols and abbreviations in the title

Unnecessary Words in the Title
Desirable titles contain few or no unnecessary words
such as the following
• Effects
• Influence
• Comparison
• Evaluation
• Study
• Experiments
• Assessment
 Unnecessary Words in the Title
• Desirable titles contain few or no unnecessary words
such as the following:
• Trials
• Observations
• Results
• Test
• Factors
• Investigations
• Analysis