RESEARCH

PROBLEM VS.
RESEARCH
QUESTION
PRACTICAL RESEARCH 1

Louella Grace B. Marungoy | Saint Louis University

 OBJECTIVES
COMPARE RESEARCH PROBLEM AND RESEARCH
QUESTION;

ELABORATE ON THE GUIDELINES IN

FORMULATING RESEARCH QUESTIONS; AND

IDENTIFY A POSSIBLE RESEARCH PROBLEM AND

ITS RESEARCH QUESTIONS THROUGH A TABLE.
 ACTIVITY 1: NARROW IT DOWN

ARRANGE THE FOLLOWING FROM BROAD

(GENERAL) TO NARROW (SPECIFIC) TOPICS.

___ HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS

___ TEENAGE MARRIAGE
___ THE ADVANTAGES OF EARLY MARRIAGE
___ MARRIAGE
 ACTIVITY 1: NARROW IT DOWN

ARRANGE THE FOLLOWING FROM BROAD

(GENERAL) TO NARROW (SPECIFIC) TOPICS.

_1_ HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS

_3_ TEENAGE MARRIAGE
_4_ THE ADVANTAGES AND
DISADVANTAGES OF EARLY MARRIAGE
_2_ MARRIAGE
 ACTIVITY 1: NARROW IT DOWN

ARRANGE THE FOLLOWING FROM BROAD

(GENERAL) TO NARROW (SPECIFIC) TOPICS.

__ SYMPTOMS OF AIDS
__ ACQUIRED IMMUNODEFICIENCY
SYNDROME OR AIDS
__ PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS OF AIDS
 ACTIVITY 1: NARROW IT DOWN

ARRANGE THE FOLLOWING FROM BROAD

(GENERAL) TO NARROW (SPECIFIC) TOPICS.

_2_ SYMPTOMS OF AIDS

_1_ ACQUIRED IMMUNODEFICIENCY
SYNDROME OR AIDS
_3_ PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS OF AIDS
RESEARCH P________
“problem” - pushes you to exert
considerable effort in finding a
solution --> think of conducting a
research, investigation, or inquiry
research - considered as a
remedy for getting over any
problem
this will lead you to a specific
topic to focus on
RESEARCH PROBLEM
“problem” - pushes you to exert
considerable effort in finding a
solution --> think of conducting a
research, investigation, or inquiry
research - considered as a
remedy for getting over any
problem
this will lead you to a specific
topic to focus on
B_____________ OF THE
PROBLEM
spend time getting background knowledge
about the problem that triggered your
research topic - what do others, especially
experts, say about your topic
discover some theories or principles ->
support your study
review of related literature - intensive
reading
BACKGROUND OF THE
PROBLEM
spend time getting background knowledge
about the problem that triggered your
research topic - what do others, especially
experts, say about your topic
discover some theories or principles ->
support your study
review of related literature - intensive
reading
 RESEARCH Q________
formulated with the help of your background knowledge and the
research problem
investigate specific aspects of the research problem; possibility - a
specific question may have another sub-problem or sub-question
-> require a different data-gathering technique and may direct
to a mixed method approach
sub-questions - help you determine the type of data and the
method of collecting, analyzing, and presenting data
 RESEARCH QUESTION
formulated with the help of your background knowledge and the
research problem
investigate specific aspects of the research problem; possibility - a
specific question may have another sub-problem or sub-question
-> require a different data-gathering technique and may direct
to a mixed method approach
sub-questions - help you determine the type of data and the
method of collecting, analyzing, and presenting data
 RESEARCH QUESTION
For a clearer direction
General question --into--> several
smaller or specific research questions
(sub-problems)
Sub-problems - identify the exact
aspect of the problem that your study
has to focus on
Research Problem: The need to have a safer, comfortable, and healthful
walk transfer of the students from place to place in the BCNSHS
Research Topic: The Construction of a Covered Pathway in the BCNSHS
Campus
General Question: What kind of covered path should UST construct in
its campus?
Specific Questions:
1. What materials are needed for the construction of the covered
pathway in the BCNSHS campus?
2. What roofing material is appropriate for the covered path?
3. In what way can the covered pathway link all buildings in the campus?
4. What is the width and height of the covered path?
5. How can the covered path realize green architecture?
 GUIDELINES ON FORMULATING RESEARCH
QUESTIONS

RESEARCH RESEARCH
PROBLEM QUESTION

Establish a clear relation between the research questions and the problem
or topic.
GUIDELINES ON FORMULATING RESEARCH
QUESTIONS

Base your research questions

on the RRL - existing
published works build your
good background knowledge
of the research problem.

 GUIDELINES ON FORMULATING RESEARCH

QUESTIONS

Formulate research
questions that can spark
your curiosity - especially
about a problem that was
never investigated upon.

GUIDELINES ON FORMULATING RESEARCH

QUESTIONS

State your research questions in

such a way that they include
dependent and independent
variables referred to by the
theories, principles, or
concepts underlying your
research work.

GUIDELINES ON FORMULATING RESEARCH

QUESTIONS

Let the set of research

questions or sub-problems be
preceded by one question
expressing the main problem of
the research. (One main
question --followed by--> set
of sub-questions)

 GUIDELINES ON FORMULATING RESEARCH

QUESTIONS

Avoid research questions

that are answerable with
“yes” or “no” -->
q_______________ research.
 GUIDELINES ON FORMULATING RESEARCH
QUESTIONS
Be guided by SMART in formulating research
questions
SPECIFIC - exact answers and observable things
MEASURABLE - extent or limit of the data colllected
ATTAINABLE - within reach and not too difficult to
achieve
REALISTIC - conclusion should be indicative or related to
what are objective, factual, and real in this world.
TIME-BOUND - time frame and completion period of the
study
 IN GENERAL
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
RESEARCH PROBLEM AND RESEARCH
QUESTION?

HOW DOES THE BACKGROUND OF THE

PROBLEM HELP IN FORMULATING
RESEARCH QUESTIONS?
 IN GENERAL

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE GUIDELINES IN

FORMULATING RESEARCH QUESTIONS?
LET'S EVALUATE. . .

1. WHAT IS S? M? A? R? T?

LET'S EVALUATE. . .
2. WHICH PART HELPS YOU DEVELOP
OR INCREASE YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND
DISCOVER PRINCIPLES OR THEORIES
FOR YOUR TOPIC?

LET'S EVALUATE. . .

3. WHAT IDENTIFIES THE EXACT ASPECT

OF THE PROBLEM THAT YOUR STUDY HAS
TO FOCUS ON?

LET'S EVALUATE. . .

4. TRUE OR FALSE. NO RESEARCH

PROBLEM MEANS NO RESEARCH
QUESTIONS.

LET'S EVALUATE. . .

5. THIS INVOLVES INTENSE READING IN

ORDER FOR YOU TO UNDERSTAND YOUR
TOPIC.

LET'S EVALUATE. . .
WHAT IS ONE THING THAT STUCK IN YOUR
MIND ABOUT FORMULATING RESEARCH
QUESTIONS?

WHAT DO WE MEAN BY THE "SMART"

PRINCIPLE?
THANK YOU FOR
LISTENING! :*
Don't hesitate to ask any questions!