PR - Module 5 - The Research Problem and the
Availability of subjects
Research Title
The Research Problem
- a research problem refers to a statement that
promptly suggests for conducting an investigation.
- a research problem to be designed must deal with
some concerns in a particular field that may need an
improvement or a solution.
- serve as a guide to know what kind of research
study will be most suitable to address the perceived
concern.
Sources of Research Problem
1. Theory
- existing social philosophies and generalizations
which the researcher is familiar with may be of a
great help to design a research problem.
- observe if there is a gap between theory and
practice.
- difference between what is said by the elders and
what the youngsters see and observe may be a
potential source of a problem.
2. Practitioners
- consultation with the people who have direct
experiences in a field of interest may provide the
researcher an idea of what relevant problem he/she
may investigate.
- Practitioners such as teachers, social workers,
health care providers, etc. are considered to be a
good source of problem since they are directly
experiencing difficulties and challenges which are
needed to be addressed.
3. Personal experience
- daily experiences can provide the researcher an idea
of what problem that needs a solution.
4. Relevant literature
- an extensive and thorough review of literature and
studies relevant to the problem interest of the
researcher may enable him/her to come up with a
potential study.
Considerations in Formulating the Research Problem
1. External Criteria
a. Novelty
- The research problem must carry “newness.” With
this, its practical value would be easily perceived.
b.
- A research problem, when is subjected to a further
investigation, requires data from the target subjects.
Hence, the researcher must ensure that there will be
available participants who are capable of providing
data needed for the study.
c. Support of the academic community
- The academic community, which consists of
administrators, teachers, staff, students, and parents,
should be considered by the researcher in what
particular problem will be investigated. Each member
plays a vital role in the conduct of the study. Hence,
the research problem should be clearly perceived as
beneficial once it is subjected for investigation. In
addition, securing permission among the said
members must be done before conducting the actual
data collection procedure.
d. Availability and adequacy of facilities and
equipment
- Necessary common devices such as computers and
telephones which will be used in undertaking a study
should be considered. Likewise, other needed
materials required by the research problem should
be checked if they are available and sufficient.
e. Ethical considerations
- A research problem, when is subjected to a study,
must not pose any unethical demands most
especially on the part of the research participants.
2. Internal Criteria
a. Qualifications of the researcher
- These pertain to the expertise of the researcher
to the problem. It is important to the researcher that
he/she has enough knowledge and training when the
research problem is subjected to further investigation
so as to ensure the success of the undertaking.
b. Motivation and interest of the researcher
- The research problem which is in the interest of the
researcher may give him/her satisfaction and
enjoyment. Hence, completion of the research tasks
will be efficiently attained.
c. Time factor
- A research problem, when is subjected to a study,
should suggest to be time-efficient. With this, the
undertaking will be possibly accomplished in a given
time frame.
d. Costs and returns
- It is also important that the researcher should
consider a research problem which suggests to be
cost-efficient. When it is subjected to a study, it must
not be a sort of an expensive undertaking.
e. Hazards and handicaps
- This means that a research problem should not put
the researcher in danger. The proposed study should
be safe not only to the participants but moreover to
the researcher himself/herself. Physical and mental
health of the researcher must always be considered.
Research Title
- once the researcher has already had a problem that
will be subjected for a study, he/she may now begin
formulating a good research title that will best
represent the problem and the study itself in general.
- a research title should help the readers to see the
main idea as well as the summary of the whole study.
- it usually contains fewest possible words that can
bring understanding of the content and the purpose
of the study among the readers.
Characteristics of a Research Title
1. It should be limited only to substantive words with
high consideration to the key variables such as the
phenomenon under investigation, the participants,
and the setting of the study.
2. It should use words that can create a positive
impression among the readers.
Avoid using abbreviations as well as some word
constructions such as: “method,” “result,” and
“investigation.”
3. It should be in the form of a phrase with correct
use of capitalization, that is, the first letter appeared
in the title as well as the first letter of each noun
word should be capitalized.
4. It should be concise by adequately implying the
participants and the coverage of the study.
In addition, a researcher may also put a subtitle
which is commonly employed in social science
research papers. This subtitle may be done:
(1) to state the scope, context, and theory under
investigation; and (2) to provide a substantive and
appealing literary title.
Examples of Qualitative Research Title
Similar with all other parts of a research paper, the
title must be carefully formulated. Other existing
research titles may serve as a basis especially for
beginning researchers. Below are the examples of
title in qualitative research:
1. The ‘Need to Transcend’: A Phenomenological
Study on the Lived Experiences of
Millennial Teachers (Lacdo-O et al., 2018)
2. The Educated Citizen: Cultural and Gender Capital
in the Schooling of Aetas’
Children in the Municipality of Janiuay (Moralista &
Delariarte, 2014)
3. This Too Shall Pass: A Grounded Theory Study of
Filipino Cancer Survivorship
(de Guzman et al., 2012)
4. Local Studies Centers: Transforming History,
Culture and Heritage in the
Philippines (Perez & Templanza, 2012)
5. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s Political Speeches:
A Critical Discourse Analysis
(Remorosa, 2018)
Now that you have already known the considerations
in selecting a research problem and in formulating its
corresponding title, there is no doubt that you may
begin to propose a study by clearly indicating the
problem with its corresponding title that is highly
relevant to your need, experience, interest, and
capability as a student- researcher.