PRACTICAL RESEARCH 1
LESSON 3: RESEARCH TITLE, SOURCES, AND CONSIDERATIONS
What is Research Problem?
• Refers to the particular issue which you will address in
your study as well as the specific area of concern of
the research.
• The research problem states what is to be
investigated, identifies the variables, and discuss their
relationships.
RESEARCH TOPIC
• A research topic is a general area of interest that you
would like to pursue in your research. Research is
challenged to come up with research topics that are
both interesting and useful.
• FACTORS TO CONSIDER IN IDENTIFYING AND
SELECTING RESEARCH TOPIC
1. RELEVANCE. A research topic is relevant when it
relates to the needs of your study’s target audience
or when it is considered important in people’s daily
lives.
2. INTEREST. The research topic should appeal to
the readers of your study and encourage you to
continue pursuing it.
3. MANAGEABLITY. This means that your research
topic can be studied within a specific time limit.
4. AVAILABLE RESOURCES. There must be a
sufficient number of references about the topic
which you can consult throughout the course of the
study.
• BROAD AND SPECIFIC TOPICS
➢ The following are examples of broad topics:
1. Lack of Self-confidence
2. Smoking Hazards
3. Marketable Popular Garment Brand
4. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
➢ The following are examples of specific topics:
1. Lack of Self-confidence in Adolescents: Root
Causes, Manifestations and Intervention
2. Health Hazards of Direct and Indirect
Smoking: Prevention and Cure
3. Marketable Popular Garment Brand: A Case
Study
4. HIV: Causes, Prevention, Treatment and
Care
• TECHNIQUES FOR NARROWING A TOPIC INTO A
RESEARCH QUESTION
1. Examine the literature
2. Talk over ideas with others
3. Apply to a specific context
4. Define the aim or desired outcome of the
study.
What is Research Title?
• The title summarizes the main of the whole paper and
is the most notable part of the research paper.
• It must be written using the fewest possible words
without comprising its clarity and idea.
• It must clearly reflect the topic of investigation.
• It must be original, clear, concise or specific.
• Guidelines In Writing Your Research Title:
o Avoid an overly general title such as “Exercise and
Weight”;
o Refrain from using abbreviations unless they are
commonly known;
o Avoid using phrases such as “A Study of..” and “An
Investigation of…” as they show wordiness. An
example of this is. “A Study on the Effects of Violent
Video Programs on Students’ Academic
Performance”;
o Indicate the subject and scope of the study by
specifying your dependent and independent
variables;
o As much as possible, refrain from indicating the year
the study has been conducted. An example of this is
“Examining the Study Habits of High School
Students at Paco Public School during School Year
2015-2016.” However, there are exceptions to this
rule, such as in a historical study. In this kind of
research, the year covered by the study may be
included in the title;
o Employ either the declarative or question form in
formulating your title, but take note that the question
form is used less frequently in research; and
o Use the current acceptable terminology in your field
of study when writing your research title.
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
The background of the study introduces important facts that
establish the general context where the revolves.
• RESEARCH GAP. A research gap is an issue that has
not been fully addressed by previous studies.
1. The current state of the field
2. The current and conventional practices in
addressing the issue.
3. The research gaps.
4. The contribution of the present study in
addressing the research gap.
RESEARCH QUESTIONS
Research questions are important components of your research
which help define the research problem of the study.
• Examples of Research Questions on Lack of Self-
confidence in Adolescents
1. What are the root causes of lack of self-
confidence in adolescents?
2. What kind of behavior do adolescents who
lack self-confidence manifest?
3. What can the following groups of people do to
boost up the self-confidence of adolescents?
• Examples of Research Questions on Smoking Habits
1. What damages to one’s health can smoking
bring about?
2. How is a non-smoker’s health affected when
in the presence of people smoking?