SELF-LEARNING MATERIAL

RESEARCH 1 with STATISTICS

Lesson 3 – Research Problem

MELCs/OBJECTIVE/S:
 Enumerate the factors to consider if a problem is researchable
 Identify and explain the characteristics of a research problem
 Identify and explain sources of research problem
 State general problem and specific problem
 Give examples for each criteria of a good research problem
 Apply the criteria of a research problem in formulating/writing a statement of the problem

Name of Learner: _______________________________________________ Date:_________

Grade & Section: Grade 9 – St. Catherine of Siena

A. PREPARATORY ACTIVITIES
Prayer
Lord true source of light and wisdom, give me a keen sense of understanding, a
retentive memory and the capacity to grasp things correctly. Grant me the grace to
be accurate in my expositions and the skills to express myself with thoroughness
and clarity. Be with me at the start of my work, guide its progress and bring it to
completion. Grant this through Christ, our Lord. Amen

Reminders before doing this SLM

 Do your work diligently and refrain from doing other stuffs while doing this SLM.
 Manage your time while working; follow your class schedule.
 Review your answers before submission.
 Be on time on submitting your SLM.
 Keep an open line for communication, message or call your subject teacher for questions,
clarifications and concerns to be addressed.

B. DEVELOPMENTAL ACTIVITIES
Motivation

https://thirdhour.org/blog/life/mormon-culture/service/caring-for-the-poor/
Activity 1: Take a look at the picture. What questions would you ask about it? Write at least 5
interesting questions.

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Answer the following questions.

1. Which question/s you have formulated above can be answered with Yes or No?
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2. Which question/s you have formulated require predictions as answers?
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3. Which question/s you have formulated require testimony of experts?
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4. Which question/s require no facts at all?
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5. How do you feel when you were formulating or writing your questions?
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 Maybe some of you find some difficulties in formulating your questions or your problem.
Your problem in this activity is to make a problem in fact.
 In this lesson, we will focus of Research Problem which is the first thing we need to
understand in order to come up with a good research work.

Lesson Focus
What do you need to know?
RESEARCH PROBLEM
A research problem is a statement about an area of concern, a condition to be
improved, a difficulty to be eliminated, or a troubling question that exists in scholarly
literature, in theory, or in practice that points to the need for meaningful understanding and
deliberate investigation. In some social science disciplines, the research problem is typically
posed in the form of a question. A research problem does not state how to do something,
offer a vague or broad proposition, or present a value question.
https://library.sacredheart.edu/c.php?g=29803&p=185918
A research problem, or phenomenon as it might be called in many forms of qualitative
research, is the topic you would like to address, investigate, or study, whether descriptively or
experimentally. It is the focus or reason for engaging in your research. It is typically a topic,
phenomenon, or challenge that you are interested in and with which you are at least
somewhat familiar.
https://www.sagepub.com/sites/default/files/upm-binaries/36330_Chapter2.pdf

Factors to consider to find out if a problem is researchable: (Calmorin, 2016)

1. The problem is existing in the locality but no known solution to the problem.
2. The solution to the problem can be answered using statistical methods and techniques.
3. There are probable solutions but not yet tested.
4. The occurrence of the phenomena requires scientific investigation to arrive at precise
solution.
5. It is a serious need of problem of the people that demands research.

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Activity 2. Give examples of researchable problems based on the enumerated factors.
1. _________________________________________________________________________
2. _________________________________________________________________________
3. _________________________________________________________________________
4. _________________________________________________________________________
5. _________________________________________________________________________

 A good research problem should response to the socioeconomic recovery of the country
wherein the research output can be converted into small and medium enterprise (SMEs).
This kind of research can be applied through experimental research. (Calmorin, 2016)

 Identify and explain the characteristics of a research problem

What do you need to know?
CHARACTERISTICS OF A RESEARCH PROBLEM
1. SPECIFIC. It should be stated clearly and concisely.
2. MEASURABLE. It can be measured using research instruments, apparatus, and
equipment in gathering data.
3. ACHIEVABLE. Results are achievable using correct statistical tools.
4. REALISTIC. Real results are attained because they are gathered scientifically and not
maneuvered.
5. TIME-BOUND . It is do-able within the time frame.

 Identify and explain sources of research problem

SOURCES OF RESEARCH PROBLEM (Calmorin, 2016)
1. Specialization. To have sound experience in respective field may suggest a significant
problem to be studied.
2. Existing and past research. Usually at the end of a research, problems are suggested
based on the shortcoming of the previous research and these could be investigated.
3. Theses, dissertations, and research journals. Books, articles, summaries of issues
relating to interest of the reader’s mind may arise a new research problem.
4. Problems met. Everyday experiences can give rise to worthwhile problems for investigation.
5. Creative ideas of the researcher. A reflective mind is a good source of ideas which may be
used to find out new and good research problems.
https://www.slideshare.net/maheswarijaikumar/a-research-problem

CRITERIA OF A GOOD RESEARCH PROBLEM

1. Interesting. Attracts the attention of the researcher to find research work easy and
confortable.
2. Relevant to government’s thrust. It responds to government’s trust especially on
implemented laws.
3. Relevant to the needs and problems of the people. Research is conducted not for the
personal benefit of the researcher but to solve the needs and problem of other people.
4. Innovative. A new research problem is new in order to attract attention of the people and
can be patented.
5. Cost-effective. It must be economical and effective.
6. Inventive. It is new and unique, in that it responds to the socioeconomic needs of the
country.
7. Return on investment. The output has return of investment or can gain money.
8. Original. It is one of a kind.
9. Measurable. It uses appropriate research instrument and statistical tool in collecting data.

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10. Time-bound. It can be completed within the time frame allotted.

Activity 3
A. Write the word TRUE if the statement is correct and FALSE if it is wrong.
________ 1. Research problem should be unique and specific.
_________2. Research problem do not need a time frame.
_________3. Real results can be attained even the data gathered are manuevered.
_________4. Past researches can be bases of a research problem.
_________5. Everyday experiences limit us to investigate things around us.
_________6. A good research problem is relevant only to one’s personal needs.
_________7. A good research problem is economical and effective.
_________8. A good research problem is interesting and original.
_________9. A good research problem is new and unique and responds to the socioeconomic
needs of the country.
_________10. A good research problem opposes government’s laws and thrusts.

B. Give 3 examples of a good research problem based on the 10 criteria presented.

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 State general problem and specific problem

Let us now engage with the General Research Problem and Specific Research Problem.
What do you need to know?
RESEARCH PROBLEM SPECIFIC RESEARCH QUESTIONS

-main problem of the research -specific or sub questions

-specify the scope and the method in collecting and
analysing data
-give further definition or explanation of the research
problem

Can be in Interrogative Statement or Declarative Statement.

For example:
RESEARCH PROBLEM
Interrogative statement:
What percentage of Manila private universities
considered the use of grammar textbooks as
the most effective way to help college students
attain communicative competence?
SPECIFIC RESEARCH QUESTIONS
Interrogative statement:
1. What is an English grammar textbook?
2. What is communicative competence?
3. What components of the grammar textbook
work for communicative-competence
development?
4. How many Manila private universities require
the use of grammar textbooks?
5. How many Manila private universities use
grammar textbooks as references only?
6. To what extent do Manila private universities find
grammar textbooks effective in helping college
students attain communicative competence?

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RESEARCH PROBLEM
Declarative statement:
The main objective of this study is to find out
the percentage of Manila private universities
considering the use of grammar textbooks as
the most effective way to help college students
attain communicative competence.
Let’s have another example:
Research Title: Acceptability and Profitability of Siomai made from Pantat Meat
RESEARCH PROBLEM
Interrogative statement:
What is the acceptability and the profitability of 1. What is the acceptability level of Siomai made
Siomai made from Pantat Meat?
RESEARCH PROBLEM
Declarative statement:
The main objective of this study is to find out
the acceptability and the profitability of Siomai
made from Pantat Meat.
SPECIFIC RESEARCH QUESTIONS
Declarative statement:
Likewise, this study aims at finding answers to
the following specific objectives:
1. To define a grammar textbook
2. To explain the meaning of communicative
competence
3. To identify the components of the grammar
textbook work for communicative-
competence development
4. 4. To determine the number of Manila
private universities requiring the use of
grammar textbooks
5. To determine the number of many Manila
private universities using grammar
textbooks as references only
6. To determine the extent do Manila private
universities find grammar textbooks
effective in helping college students attain
communicative competence
SPECIFIC RESEARCH QUESTIONS
Interrogative statement:
from Pantat Meat?
2. What is the profitability of Siomai made from
Pantat Meat?
3. Is there a significant difference in the
acceptability level of Siomai made from Pantat
Meat?
4. Is there a significant difference in the profitability
of Siomai made from Pantat Meat?
(Questions nos. 3 & 4 are hypothetical
questions, meaning they need hypotheses or
an educated guess/answer.)
SPECIFIC RESEARCH QUESTIONS
Declarative statement:
Likewise, this study aims at finding answers to the
following specific objectives:
1. To determine the acceptability level of Siomai
made from Pantat Meat
2. To determine the profitability of Siomai made
from Pantat Meat
3. To determine the significant difference in the
acceptability level of Siomai made from Pantat
Meat
4. To determine the significant difference in the
profitability of Siomai made from Pantat Meat
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Activity 4. Let’s try if you can construct a main problem and specific questions for the
following research title. State your answer in both interrogative and declarative form. Use
the table for your answers.

1. Acceptability and Profitability of Ice Cream made from Cucumber and Lemon

RESEARCH PROBLEM SPECIFIC RESEARCH QUESTIONS

Interrogative statement: Interrogative statement:

RESEARCH PROBLEM SPECIFIC RESEARCH QUESTIONS

Declarative statement: Declarative statement:

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2. Exploring the Relationship between Video Games and Academic Achievement  of Grade 11

Learners

3. RESEARCH PROBLEM SPECIFIC RESEARCH QUESTIONS

Interrogative statement: Interrogative statement:

RESEARCH PROBLEM SPECIFIC RESEARCH QUESTIONS

Declarative statement: Declarative statement:

APPLICATION/GENERALIZATION

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 Recall or go ever with the picture in Activity 1. How will you relate Jesus holding a hand of a
blind man with our lesson about research problem? Write your reflection on the space
provided.

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C. Closure
What Dominican Core Value/s you can relate with our lesson this week? Why?
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 Apply the criteria of a research problem in formulating/writing a statement of the

problem

Assignment
In Activity 3-B, you were asked you to write at least 3 research problem based on the 10
criteria. As your assignment, choose 1 research problem in Activity 3-B then, construct
the main research problem and its specific questions in both interrogative and
declarative form. Follow table in the Activity 4 in answering this assigned tasks.

You may use a bond paper or you may type your assignment and send to my email:
ellesoreuris1025@gmail.com.

REFERENCE/S
Calmorin. L.P. (2016). Research and Thesis Writing with Statistics Computer Application.
Quezon City: Rex Book Store.
Baraceros, E.L. (2016). Practical research 2. Quezon City: Rex Book Store.

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Closing Prayer

May God the Father bless us. May God the Son heal us. May God the Holy Spirit enlighten
us, and give us eyes to see with, ears to hear with, hands to do the work of God with,
feet to walk with, a mouth to preach the word of salvation with, and the angel of peace to
watch over us and lead us at last by our lord's gift, to the kingdom. Amen

References:
Baraceros, E.L. (2016). Practical Reseach 1. Manila. Rex Book Store.

Calmorin. L.P. (2016). Research and Thesis Writing with Statistics Computer Application.
Manila. Rex Book Store.