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RESEARCH IV
FIRST QUARTER
LESSON 2
Name: __________________________
Grade Level:____________________
Section: ________________________
Date: __________________________
Revisiting and Refining the Research Study
Research Problem
Objectives:
A. Define a research problem;
B. Identify the characteristics of a research problem;
C. Identify the sources of Research Problem.

Majority of the research paper writers find difficulty in looking for a researchable problem. Once
they have found a researchable problem, they still find difficulty in stating the specific research problem
and formulating the hypothesis.
Research paper writers should know how to choose a researchable problem. As much as possible,
research problem possesses the 7Ms resources: manpower, money, materials, methods, machinery,
moment of time, and marketing.
Research Problem
There are five factors to consider to find out if a problem is researchable. First, the problem is
existing in the locality or country but no known solution to the problem. Second, the solution to the problem
can be answered using statistical methods and techniques. Third, there are probable solutions but not yet
tested. Fourth, the occurrence of the phenomena requires scientific investigation to arrive at precise solution.
Fifth, it is a serious need or problem of the people that demands research.
Based on the aforementioned factors, the researcher can choose a researchable problem. (Kerlinger,
1986)
A good research problem should respond to the socioeconomic recovery of the country wherein the
research output can be converted into small and medium enterprises (SMEs). This kind of research can be
applied through experimental research.
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Illustration 1 (Experimental Research)

The major research problem title is “SURVIVAL RATE AND WEIGHT OF FRESHWATER
CATFISH (CLARIAS BATRACHUS LINNAEUS) CULTURED IN FISHPOND USING MEAL AND
BREAD MEAL AS SUPPLEMENTAL FEDS.”
Based on the foregoing major research problem, the specific problems are as follows:
1. What is the survival rate of freshwater catfish (CLARIAS BATRACHUS LINNAEUS) cultured in
fishpond using fish meal and bread meal as supplemental feeds?
2. What is the mean weight of freshwater catfish (CLARIAS BATRACHUS LINNAEUS) cultured in
fishpond using fish meal and bread meal as supplemental feeds?
3. Is there a significant difference in the mean weight of freshwater catfish (CLARIAS BATRACHUS
LINNAEUS) cultured in fishpond using fish meal and bread meal as supplemental feeds?

Illustration 2 (Experimental Research)

The major research problem is ‘’WEIGHT INCREMENT OF MUD CRAB (SCYLLA SERRATA)
CULTURED IN THE FISHPOND USING PELLETS AND BREAD MEAL AS SUPPLEMENTAL
FEEDS.’’
Based on the given major research problem, the specific research problems are as follows:
1. What is the mean weight increment of mud crab (Scylla Serrata) cultured in the fishpond using
pellets and mud crab using bread meal as supplemental feeds?
2. Is there a significant difference in the mean weight increment of mud crab (Scylla Serrata) cultured
in the fishpond using pellets and mud crab using bread meal as supplemental feeds?
Characteristics of a Research Problem
The characteristics of a research problem have the acronym SMART: Specific, Measurable,
Achievable, Realistic, and Time – bound.
Specific. The problem should be specifically tested. For example, For experimental research, ‘’What is the
mean weight increment of mud crab (Scylla Serrata) cultured in the fishpond using pellets and bread meal
as supplemental feeds?’’
Measurable. It is easy to measure by using research instruments, apparatus, and equipment in gathering
data.
Achievable. The data are achievable by using correct statistical tools to arrive at exact results. For instance,
in experimental research, the appropriate statistical tool is t – test for this specific problem, ‘’Is there a
significant difference in the mean weight increment of mud crab (Scylla Serrata) cultured in the fishpond
using pellets and mud crab using bread meal as supplemental feeds?’’ If results show that there is significant
difference in their mean weight increment of mud crab (Scylla Serrata) cultured in the fishpond using pellets
and mud crab using bread meal as supplemental feeds, this means that their mean weight increment of mud
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crab (Scylla Serrata) cultured in the fishpond really differs from each other. If insignificant difference exists,
this means that the mean weight increment of mud crab (Scylla Serrata) cultured in the fishpond using
pellets and mud crab using bread meal as supplemental feeds is almost the same.
Realistic. Real results are attained because they are gathered scientifically and not maneuvered.
Time-bound. Time frame is necessary in every activity because the shorter the completion of the activity,
the better.
Sources of Research Problem
The sources of research problems are: (1) specialization; (2) existing and past researches;(3) theses,
dissertations, and research journals; (4) problems met; and (5) creative ideas of the researcher.
1. Specialization. If the researcher’s forte is food technology, he may investigate the acceptability,
salability, and profitability of butterscotch with and without seaweed. If his specialization is
Mathematics, he may conduct a study to determine the effectiveness of teaching Mathematics using
modern and traditional methods. If significant difference exists on these methods, this means that
the effectiveness of teaching mathematics in modern and traditional methods really differ from each
other because one method is more effective than the other. If insignificant difference exists, this
means that the methods of teaching Mathematics is almost the same. If Science is his forte, he may
research on the effectiveness of teaching Science using discovery approach and the unstructured
approach. If significant difference exists, this means that these approaches differ from each because
one approach is more effective than the other. If no significant difference exists, this means that the
approaches are almost the same.

2. Existing and past researches. Existing and past researches are rich sources of research problems
for experimental research replicability, the study has the same method, test plants or test animals,
apparatus and equipment, but the study is conducted in different research stations in order to
compare the similarities and differences of the results.

3. Theses, dissertations, and research journals. Thesis and dissertation writers recommend
problems related to the study for future research. Likewise, researcher’s publications in research
journals also recommend relevant studies for future research.

4. Problems met. Problems met by people in the community are also sources of research problems.
For instance, the serious problem in the community is lack of supply of rice. Hence, rice farmers
may conduct a study on the new method of planting palay using a different variety of rice.

5. Creative ideas of the researcher. Creative ideas of the researcher are good sources of research
problem. For instance, boneless milkfish is the means of livelihood of people in the community.
Fish wastes like backbone, rib bones, inter muscular bones, and flesh scrap of boneless bangus are
only thrown or eaten by cats and dogs. Since the researcher has creative ideas to utilize these fish
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offal into fish value – added products like burger, spread, luncheon meat, fish balls, quekiam, soup,
polvoron, meat loaf, and many others; thus, these products contribute to the local economy and the
country’s economy as a whole.

Assessment:
Answer the following questions completely:
1. In an outline form, discuss briefly the sources of research problem.
2. Give a researchable problem in line with your forte and state the specific problems.