LA 1.

Activity 1

Learning Area 1: Brainstorming for Research Topics

Activity 1: Identifying Real-Life Problems
The outputs of this Learning Area will complete the Topic Proposal of your research.

Objective
In this activity, you should be able to prepare a plan and a focus on issues and ideas in your
respective field.

● Communication
Opportunity to ● Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving
Practice the Following ● Information Literacy
21st-Century Skills

Recall
Research is a systematic process of gathering information to answer a question. It follows
a logically-ordered procedure of gathering source materials and data, analyzing these
materials and data, and using one’s analysis to answer the research question.

Types of Research
There are two main types of research: basic research and applied research. Basic
research is done to broaden understanding about a particular topic. It can generate
ideas, new concepts, and theories. Basic research may look like it does not have any direct
real-life application at first, but applied research does rely on the knowledge that basic
research provides us in solving real-life problems. Examples of basic research include

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LA 1. Activity 1
mathematical research (e.g., formulas, number theories) and laboratory research in the
natural sciences (e.g., biology, chemistry, physics).

Applied research is done to address real-life concerns or problems. Applied research can
draw from the knowledge established by basic research. Examples of applied research are
the following: surveys on factors that boost television ratings, and studies on healthy
alternatives to white sugar. The outcomes of these applied research processes are directly
applicable to human experiences rooted in real life.

Importance of Research
More than simply getting answers to questions or problems, doing research is important
because:
● it widens one’s understanding of the world through various explanations behind
the occurrence of different phenomena;
● it allows for the resolution of problems by providing answers based on facts and
evidence; and
● it leads to the continuous production of knowledge as new questions stem from
existing research.

Quick Tip
Research begins with a question. This question can come from individual curiosities,
everyday life experiences, or reflections on previously-encountered research outputs.

Activity Instructions
If you were asked to think of possible topics for your research paper, where would you
start looking for ideas? Where would these ideas come from?

1. Write one topic related to your track/strand that has been featured in a news
article published in the past month. You may use printed newspapers or online
news articles. The following are sample topics: the development of a new vaccine,
successful elections in another country, and different management styles.

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LA 1. Activity 1

2. Based on your chosen topic, make a list of two key points that are interesting to
you as a student of your strand. These two key points may also be a specific topic
you would like to make a research on.

3. In three to five sentences, explain why these two key points are interesting to you
as a student of your strand.

Rubric for Grading

suggested
1 2 3 4 points
weights

Relevance of The news article is The news article is The news article is The news article
the news not aligned with the slightly aligned with clearly aligned with is clearly aligned
article student’s strand the student’s strand the student’s with the
and was not but was not strand but was not student’s strand 20%
published within published within the published within and was
the last month. last month. the last month. published within
the last month.

Explanation Only one key point Only one key point Two key points Two key points
of key points was identified from from the news article from the news from the news
the news article, was identified and article were article were
but it was not explained. identified but were identified and 30%
explained. explained in less explained in
than three three to five
sentences. sentences.

Discussion of The significance of The significance of The significance of The significance

significance the key points was the key points was the key points was of the key points
of key points neither explained explained but was explained but was was clearly
nor related to the not related to the not clearly related explained and 30%
student’s strand. student’s strand. to the student’s clearly related to
strand. the student’s
strand.

Grammar and The submission The submission The submission The submission
spelling contains both contains both minor contains very few contains minimal
major grammatical grammatical and grammatical and to no 20%
and spelling errors. spelling errors. spelling errors. grammatical and
spelling errors.

Total 100%

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Bibliography

O’Leary, Zina. The Essential Guide to Doing Research. London: SAGE Publications, 2004.

Schutt, Russell K. Investigating the Social World: The Process and Practice of Research, 9th ed.
California: SAGE Publications Inc., 2019.

Vanderstoep, Scott W., and Deirdre D. Johnston. Research Methods for Everyday Life: Blending
Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2009.