Lesson Proper for Week 2

Lesson 1: Choosing a Research Topic

            Researchable topics useful for everyday life are all around us. Sometimes it is just a simple question, a
theory, a difficult problem that may arise to one’s mind without noticing that it is already a good topic for
research. In this case, as researchers there are philosophical and practical considerations before identifying
choices for research topic. These are:

1.    Should do ability- is the purpose, relevance, importance, appropriateness and ethics of the research.

2.    Do ability- is about the manageability, skill required prior experiences, time-table, anticipation and
resources to conduct the research

3.    What to do ability- refers to one’s motivation, commitment and perseverance to move to the finish of the
research.

All of these three questions must be taken into consideration before choosing the best title understudy.
Students should list at least five titles based from three factors identified above. Also, it can be noted that ones
you have limited 5 topics as a starter of your research still it does not end there. Another question should again
be analyzed, scrutinized and checked. These are:

1.    Consider researches you have already done. In the past as students you done researchers and term paper.
Review these and list down 2 or 3 topics. They may be good sources of your topic now.

2.    Your interest may be good source of topic

3.    Current events or timely issues can also be sources to topic

4.    Everyday observations from the environment, community, school problems and activities can be sources of
good topic.

5.    Personal experience in events, social matters, social gatherings, family occasions and the like may be
sources of choosing a topic.

As identified above the only question is to organize your thoughts, put them into words, list them according to
your likes, interest and priorities in choosing your research topic and a research title may be made by you.

Once you have listed these five titles present it to your teacher or adviser for comments, suggestions and
approval. Again review said titles and reconsider the three considerations stated earlier in this text.

Lesson 2: Writing the Background of the Research Study

 
            Every study written before, starts with the introduction or background of the study. This is where the
researcher discusses the review of the area being researched on, the relevant history surrounding the issue,
the general overview and the piloting ideas to be used on, throughout the research.

            To avoid plagiarism, the researcher should cite sources and resources for sentences and phrases taken
from previous writers or authors.

            Likewise, background information and other related ideas and concepts must be included to prove the
relevance of the present research to the main problem or questions to be solved. In this, the crises situation
must be stated at the closing part of the introductory statements, connecting it with the statement of the
problem under study, the main reason why the research arrive at the instant topic.

Lesson 3: The Research Problem

            A research study starts with a research problem. A research problem is the formulation of problem
statements consisting of research questions and a research purposes. These two ideas must be clearly stated in
the research problem.

            Importance of Good Research Questions

1.    It defines the focus of the research study.

2.    It must be specific and manageable within the timeframe

3.    It must be constructed in a way that may create ideas to: 

a.    Describe

b.    Compare

c.    Show relationship based questions

Example Questions that indicate the following

1.    Descriptive- based research questions

·         How many calories do Filipino men and women consume per day?

·         How often do Filipino university students use Facebook each week?

·         What factors influence the career choices of Filipino students?

2.    Comparative- based research questions

·         What are the differences/similarities of daily caloric intake of Filipinos?

·         What are the similarities/differences of weekly photo uploads on Facebook of Filipino university students?

·         What are the similarities/differences of factors that influence the career choices of Filipino students?
3.    Relationship- based question

·         What is the relationship of gender and attitude on daily caloric intake?

·         What is the relationship between study time and exam score of college students?

·         What is the relationship of career prospects, salaries, and working condition on job satisfaction between
manager and employees?

These examples of questions may guide the researchers in formulating their statement of the problem based
on the research title approved.