Unit 2: Developing a Research Problem 
Lesson 4: Writing Quantitative Research 
Statement 
 
 
Contents 
Engage 1 
Introduction 1 
Objectives 2 

Explore 2 

Explain and Elaborate 4 

Defining a Quantitative Research Statement 4 
Statement of the Problem 4 
Research Questions 4 
Categories of Research Questions 5 
Characteristics of Good Research Questions 7 
Writing the Research Statement 7 

Extend 10 
Activity 1 10 

Evaluate 11 

Wrap Up 13 

Bibliography 14 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
  
Unit 2.4: Writing Quantitative Research Statement 
 
 
 

Engage   
 

  Introduction 

 
Fig. 1. Man being interviewed  
 
The  job of news media outlets is to ensure accurate and timely reports to the general public. 
They  must  know  how to summarize information in a clear and coherent manner despite the 
limited  time.  They  are  trained  to  ask  the  right  questions  to  attain  their  goal  of  providing 
information in simple yet understandable statements. 
 
Similarly,  the  research  process  requires  the  right  questions  to  help  attain  the  goals  of  the 
study.  How  essential  is  the  statement  of  the  problem  in  a  research  study?  How  does  it 
actually  help  in  attaining  the  goals  of  the  study?  This  lesson  covers  the  definition  of  a 
statement  of  the  problem,  characteristics  of  research  questions,  and  formulation  of  a 
statement of the problem. 

 
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Unit 2.4: Writing Quantitative Research Statement 
 
 
 

  Objectives  
In this lesson, you should be able to do the following: 
● Identify the problem statements and research questions. 
● Determine the characteristics of good research questions. 
● Demonstrate the process of constructing the statement of the problem. 
 
DepEd Competency 
State research questions. ​ ​(C
​ S_RS12-Id-e-4​) 
 
 
 

Explore   
 

       15 minutes 
 
In  a  group  with  three  to  five  members,  prepare  a  short  presentation  of your answers after 
analyzing the situation below​: 
 
Your  group  was  given  the  opportunity  to  interview  the  President  of  the  Philippines  about 
any problem of the country today. 
a. What kind of problem will you ask? 
b. What are the specific questions that you will ask to target this problem? 
 
 

Materials  
● Permanent Marker 
● Manila Paper 

 
 
 
 
 
 
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Unit 2.4: Writing Quantitative Research Statement 
 
 
 
Guide Questions 
 
1. What made you choose the specific problem? 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
2. How did you come up with the specific questions about the problem? 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3. What do you consider as the most important among your specific questions? 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
4. For your group, how do these specific questions focus on the problem at hand? 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
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Unit 2.4: Writing Quantitative Research Statement 
 
 

Explain and Elaborate   

 
Defining a Quantitative Research Statement 
Statement of the Problem 
A statement of the problem ​is an ​integrative but brief discussion of the research problem, 
its  context,  and  the  questions  of  the  study.  It  is  anchored  on  the  discussion of the research 
problem,  and  the  general  and  specific  research  questions.  It  is  often  written  as  part  of  the 
introduction of the study. 
 
The  main  goal  of  writing  a  statement  of  the  problem  is  to  ​provide  a  concise  overview  of 
the  topic  in  relation  to  the  research  questions​.  It  is  important  to  know  how  to  write  a 
well-written  statement  of  the  problem  because  it  provides  focus  and  direction  to  the 
conduct of the study.  
 
 
Research Questions 
The  statement  of  the  problem  depends  heavily  on  the  research  question  since  it  lies  at the 
core  of  the  study.  The  research  question  identifies  the  ​specific  aspects  of  the  topic  that 
the current study seeks to investigate.  
 
A  researcher  can  have  one  or  many  general  questions  and  various  specific  questions.  It  is 
important  to  know  how  to  write  good  research  questions  because  they  continuously  guide 
the  researcher  throughout  the  research  process,  may  it  be  in  writing  the  literature  review, 
collecting  data,  or  analyzing  data.  All  aspects  and  findings  of  the  study  must  be  in  line  with 
the research questions.  
 

​ emember 
R
A  statement  of  the  problem  usually  begins  with  introducing  your 
general  problem  statement  ​followed  by  the  ​specific  research 
questions​ that aim to address the research problem. 

 
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Unit 2.4: Writing Quantitative Research Statement 
 
 
Categories of Research Questions 
Research  questions  are  foundational  to  any  research  study.  They  primarily  signify  what the 
researchers  intend  to  study.  Different  types  of  research  employ  different  types  of  research 
questions.  The  type  of  research  question  depends  on  the  nature  of  the  study,  whether  it is 
descriptive,  comparative,  evaluative,  or  explanatory.  Sometimes,  the  type  of  research 
question  also  changes  depending  on  whether  the  study  employs  a  quantitative  or 
qualitative methodology. Here are the different categories of research questions: 
  
Descriptive  research  questions  ​are  used to describe certain patterns and usually focus on 
single  and  non-complex  variables.  In  quantitative  research,  descriptive  questions  focus  on 
describing  results  and  observations  and  do  not  provide  explanation  on  cause-and-effect 
relationships.  They  may  take  the  form  of  “what,  where,  when,  how”  types  of  questions,  but 
the  use  of  these  interrogative  words  do  not  directly  imply  the  presence  of  a  descriptive 
research  question.  The  question  must  be  analyzed  according  to  what  kind  of information it 
tends  to  provide.  Descriptive  research  questions  may  be  used  to  quantify  or  categorize the 
variables in the study.  
 

How are research questions related to the 

  research problem? 
 
Comparative research questions ​are mainly used to compare and contrast similarities and 
differences  between  groups  and  variables.  These  types  of  questions  may  be  used  to 
compare two or more groups or variables. 
 
Evaluative  research  questions  ​are  formed  to  assess  a  particular  observation  or 
phenomenon.  They  should  be  based  on  an  established  model  or  theory  as  its  basis  for the 
possibility  of  forming  a  basis  for  newfound  knowledge.  They  are  also  used  to  assess  how 
certain  procedures  or  processes  work.  Evaluative  questions  are  usually  used  in  action 
research  and  applied  research  and  are  usually  observed  in  organizations,  workplace, 
programs and effectivity of projects implemented.  
 
 

 
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Unit 2.4: Writing Quantitative Research Statement 
 
 
Explanatory  questions  ​are  mainly  formed  to  explain  relationships  between  variables  and 
how  one  variable  may  have  an  effect  on  another.  Such  questions  may  be  used  to  explain 
either  correlation  or  causation  in  quantitative  research.  These  questions  may  explain  and 
predict  change  or  identify  the  possible  outcomes  based on the observed relationship of the 
variables.  In  terms  of  interrogative  words,  explanatory  questions  are  usually  in  the  form  of 
“Why?” and “How?” questions. 
 
 
Table 1. Categories of research questions and examples 

Type  Nature of Questions  Examples 

Descriptive   What are the characteristics or  How frequent is the production of 
  descriptions of the variables?  essential oils for herbal medicines? 
 
What criteria are considered by 
customers in choosing a store? 

Comparative  What are the similarities or  What is the difference between the 
differences between the  quality of natural and synthetic ink? 
variables?   
How do Gen. Z and millennials differ 
in terms of dating attitudes? 

Evaluative  What is the current state of a  How satisfied are you with the 
certain phenomenon?  implementation of the K-12 
  curriculum? 
   
How do we assess the  Did the art therapy program work 
phenomenon?   for the patients with posttraumatic 
  stress disorder? 

Explanatory  What are the effects of one  How does nurse intervention affect a 
variable on the other?  patient’s pre-surgery stress level? 
   
What changes can be produced  How does employment tenure 
in the relationship between the  contribute to productivity of 
variables?  workers? 
 

 
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Unit 2.4: Writing Quantitative Research Statement 
 
 
Characteristics of Good Research Questions 
A  good  research  question  together  with  a  well-structured  problem  statement  exhibits  the 
possible  impact  of  the  research.  It  reflects  the  difference  of  the  current  study  from  other 
studies on the field, thus also justifying the need to conduct the study. Hence, good research 
questions  are  fundamental  in  making  a  well-structured  statement  of the problem. Here are 
some characteristics of well-structured research questions: 
● Relevant  ​-  All  research  questions,  whether  general  or  specific,  must  be  relevant  to 
the research problem.  
● Specific  ​-  Well-structured  research  questions  must  not  be  too broad or too detailed. 
They employ the right amount of specificity in indicating the variables to be studied. 
● Clear  ​-  Research  questions  have  to  be  clear  for  both  researchers  and  readers.  They 
must use simple language and must be constructed in a comprehensible manner. 
● Analytical  ​-  Good  research  questions  do  not  simply  ask  “yes  or  no”  questions.  They 
invoke  a  complex  analysis  of  the  research  problem  and  warrant  a  systematic 
investigation of the topic. 
● Measurable  ​-  In  quantitative  research,  research  questions  must  be  measurable 
through  the  use  of  standardized  tests  or experiments. The measurability of research 
questions also indicate their feasibility.  
 

Why  is  it  necessary  to  formulate  good  research 

  questions? 
 
 
Writing the Research Statement  
There  is  no  best  way  in  writing  the  research  statement.  The  following  guidelines  may  be 
observed in creating a well-structured research statement: 
1. Finalize the research topic 
Your  topic  should  be  final  in  order  for  you  to  construct  your  statement  of  the 
problem.  This  will  allow  you  to draft a coherent statement of the problem and would 
give  you  a  solid  starting  point  and  guided  inquiry.  The  final  research  topic  must 
reflect the main variables of the study. 
 
 
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Unit 2.4: Writing Quantitative Research Statement 
 
 
Example: 
Effects of Facebook photo ‘likes’ on the self-esteem of teenagers 
Independent variable: ​Facebook photo ‘likes’ 
Dependent variable: ​self-esteem of teenagers 
 
2. Draft the research questions 
From  the  finalized  research  topic,  draft  the  research  questions,  which  reflect  the 
aspects  of  the  topic  which  the  current  study  seeks  to investigate. The different types 
of research questions may be used according to their appropriateness to the topic.  
 
Examples: 
Explanatory  -  How  do  Facebook  photo  ‘likes’  affect  the  self-esteem  of  female 
adolescents? 
Descriptive - What are the factors that affect the number of Facebook photo ‘likes’? 
 
3. Write the general problem statement 
The  general  problem  statement  helps  the  authors  establish  the  overall  goal  and 
direction  of  the  research.  A  quantitative  problem  statement  must  contain  the 
research topic, the main objective of the study, and the variables to be studied. 
 
Example: 
This  study  aims  to  find  out  the  effect  of  Facebook  photo  ‘likes’  on  the  level  of 
self-esteem of female Senior High School students in XYZ School. 
 

​ ​Tip  
Keep  the  statement  of  the  problem  short  and  simple.  Make  sure  that  the 
statement  of  the  problem  reflects  the  research  problem,  research 
questions, and the aims of the study. 

 
 
 

 
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Unit 2.4: Writing Quantitative Research Statement 
 
 
4. Refine the statement of the problem 
Incorporate  the  research  questions  and  the  potential  contributions  of  the  study  to 
the  refined  statement  of  the  problem.  The  research  questions  must  be  written  as 
declarative,  not  interrogative,  sentences.  By  including  the  potential  contributions  of 
the  study,  the  statement  of  the  problem  provides  an  overview  not  only  of  the 
research topic and the research questions, but also the overall goal of the study.  
  
 
Example: 
This  study  aims  to  find  out  the  effect  of  Facebook  photo  ‘likes’  on  the  level  of 
self-esteem  of  female  Senior  High  School  students  in  XYZ  School.  Specifically,  this 
study  looks  into  the  factors  that  influence  the  number  of  Facebook  photo  ‘likes’  and 
its  respective  impact  on  the  self-esteem  of  teenagers,  especially female adolescents. 
An  explanatory  study  on  the  relationship  between  Facebook  photo  ‘likes’  and  the 
self-esteem  of  teenagers  can  potentially  inform  the  public  about  the  possible  gains 
and dangers of social media activities on self-perceptions of adolescents. 
 

Review  
● The ​problem statement ​is a part of the research introduction written 
to provide an overview of the research topic and its general context. 
● Good  research  questions  ​are  important  in  the  formulation  of  the 
statement of the problem. 
● Categories  of  research  questions  vary  from  ​descriptive​, 
comparative​, ​evaluative​ and ​explanatory. 

 
 
 
 
 

 
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Unit 2.4: Writing Quantitative Research Statement 
 
 

Extend   
 
Activity 1 
Using a specific research topic, provide one example per type of research question. 

Category  Research Question 

Descriptive   
 
 

Comparative   
 
 

Evaluative   
 
 

Explanatory   
 
 
 
 

​ uide 
G
Identifying  the  nature  of the research can help you identify the type of questions to be 
used  in  the  statement  of  the  problem.  Different  categories  of  questions can be found 
in different research designs. 

 
 
 
 
 

 
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Unit 2.4: Writing Quantitative Research Statement 
 
 

Evaluate   
 

A. Write your answers in the space provided.   

 
1. The  type  of  research  question  that  looks  into  the  similarities  and  differences 
between groups or variables. 

 
 

 
2. The  part  of  the  research  study  where  the  statement  of  the  problem  is  commonly 
located. 

 
 

 
3. The  characteristics  of  good  research  questions  that  avoids  being  too  broad  or being 
too detailed. 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
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Unit 2.4: Writing Quantitative Research Statement 
 
 

B. Identify the category of the research questions. 

 
Explain your answers in one to two sentences. 

 
1. How does playing video games affect the attention span of elementary students?  

 
 
 
 
 

 
2. What is the possible impact of tranquilizers on stress levels during an examination? 

 
 
 
 
 

 
3. Which of the five counseling approaches had the most successful result in decreasing 
the frequency of anxiety attacks among students? 

 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 

 
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Unit 2.4: Writing Quantitative Research Statement 
 
 

Wrap Up 
___________________________________________________________________________________________ 
 
● The s​ tatement of the problem ​provides​ ​context to the research problem. 
● The r​ esearch questions ​are the basis of the statement of the problem. 
● There  are  four  main  categories  of  research  questions:  ​descriptive, comparative, 
evaluative, a
​ nd ​explanatory. 
● Quantitative  research  questions  must  be  ​relevant,  specific,  clear,  analytical, 
and m
​ easurable. 
 

 
 
Fig. 2. Process of writing a research statement 
 
 

 
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Unit 2.4: Writing Quantitative Research Statement 
 
 
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  Bibliography 
Business & IP Centre. “What are Typical Quantitative Research Questions?” British Library. 
Accessed May 7, 2020. ​https://www.bl.uk/business-and-ip-centre/articles/what-are- 
typical-quantitative-research-questions. 
 

Johnston, Deirdre, and Scott W. Vanderstoep. ​Research Methods for Everyday Life Blending 
Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches. C
​ alifornia: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2009. 
 

Royal Roads University. “Thesis Statements/Research Questions/Problem Statements.”​ ​Royal 

Roads University Library. Accessed May 7, 2020. ​https://library.royalroads.ca/writing- 
centre/writing/structure/thesis-statements. 
 

Singh, Kultar. ​Quantitative Social Research Methods. N

​ ew Delhi: Sage Publications India, 2007. 
 

University of Southern California. “Organizing your Social Sciences Research Paper.” USC 
Libraries. Last modified April 20, 2020. ​https://libguides.usc.edu/writingguide/ 
introduction/researchproblem 
 

Waters, Donald.​ Quantitative Methods for Business. 4

​ th ed.​ ​England: Pearson Education 
Limited, 2008. 

 
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