WEEKLY LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEETS

Practical Research 1- Quarter 3, Week 4

THE RESEARCH PROBLEM & THE RESEARCH QUESTIONS

Name: _______________________________________ Section: ____________________

Most Essential Learning Competencies (MELC)

• states research questions; (CS_RS11-IIIc-e-4)
• indicates scope and delimitation of research; (CS_RS11-IIIc-e-5)
• cites benefits and beneficiaries of research; (CS_RS11-IIIc-e-6) and
• presents written statement of the problem. (CS_RS11-IIIc-e-7)

Objectives: At the end of these activity sheets, you are expected to:

1. enumerates the parts of Chapter I;

2. differentiate research problem and research topic;
3. explains the importance of delimitation in a study; and
4. shows understanding to the topic by writing the Chapter I of a research
relevant to daily life.

Time Allotment: 4 hours

Key Concepts

In the previous lesson, you learned to how to choose research topics and write a title.
Following those rules and what to avoid had guide you to create a good topic for your research.
You have the sources of research topics which you can use to find a researchable topic. Even
your work experiences can be a clue to a research topic which relates to daily life situations.

I. An Overview of the Research Problem and Research Question

Chapter I of the research paper is called The Problem and Its Background
(sometimes also called The Introduction) .

It is composed of the following sections:

1. Background of the Study,
2. Statement of the Problem,
3. Scope and Delimitation, and
4. Significance of the Study.

What is a research problem?

The Research Problem. (According to Calderon & Gonzales,1993) A problem is

“any significant, perplexing, and challenging situation, real or artificial, the
solution of which requires reflexive thinking”. In research, it is known as the
research topic or research title.

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 An illustration showing the description between a research topic, research problem,
purpose statement and research question.

A. Background of the Study

Purpose of background of the study
a. The general definition of the topic/problem area
b. Historical basis for the existence of the problem
c. Efforts made towards addressing similar challenges
d. How the efforts failed to be realized hence the need for your study

Contents of the background of the study:

a. Presentation of the problem. Describe the existence of an unsatisfactory
condition or a problem that needs a solution.
b. Historical background of the problem - Give the historical background of the
problem, if applicable.
c. Geographical conditions of the study locale - If applicable, describe the
geographical location of the study.
d. Rationale of the study - Give the reason(s) why the study should be
conducted.

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 The Do’s and Don’ts of Writing a Research Background Study

B. Statement of the Problem

(Purpose Statement and Research Questions)
A series of questions used in researching the topic.
It is composed of:

1. The general statement of the problem (the purpose statement) and

2. The specific sub-problems or sub-questions (or research questions).

Guidelines in Writing the Statement of the Problem (According to Calderon &

Gonzales,1993)
1. The general statement of the problem and the research questions should be
formulated first before conducting the research.
2. Research questions should be stated in the interrogative and each should be
clear to avoid confusion.
3. Each research question should be researchable separately from the other
questions and must be based upon known facts and phenomena which is
accessible to the researcher.
4. Answers to each research question can be interpreted apart from the answers
to the other specific questions and must contribute to the development of the
whole research study.
5. The summary of the answers to all the specific questions will give a complete
development of the entire study.
6. The number of research questions should be enough to cover the development
of the whole research study.

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 C. Scope and Delimitation of the Study
Scope of the Study
It is the coverage of the research to be explored which includes the facts and
theories about the subject.
Example:
A research study on the impact of social networking on the attitude of senior high
school learners.

It is not possible to cover all aspects of the selected subject. The scope will have
to be restricted to a specific section of the target population over a specified
duration.

In the above-cited study, a group of 40 learners in senior high school at one

particular school would be an ideal coverage to study their attitude for five
months.
Delimitation of a Study
It limits the scope and outlines the boundaries of the study.

These limitations include the following:

1. Sample size.
a. The research design and method will determine whether if it is small or
large sample size.
b. The sample size will determine the quality of data and the relationships
that will be identified among the variables.
2. Lack of available and/or reliable data. This will limit the scope of analysis and
the ability of the researcher to determine meaningful trends and relationships
among the data.
3. Lack of prior studies. This will limit the effectiveness of the literature review
and initial understanding of the research.
4. Chosen data collection method. The quality of data collected must be clear to
avoid erroneous answers from the respondents.
5. Nature of the information collected. Researcher should not rely on pre-existing
data.
6. Access. The amount and quality of available data will depend on the ability of
the researcher to access people, organizations, libraries, and documents.
7. Time period. It is advisable to select a research problem and design
8. Bias. The researcher should be aware of his or her personal biases.
9. Language.

This may have an effect on data collection, especially if the researcher is involved with
respondents that speak a variety of languages.

When writing the paper, the researcher should ensure that any delimitation factor is
noted down at the introduction, discussion, and conclusion sections. He or she should clarify
why the study included and excluded some delimitation.

D. Significance of the Study

The significance of the study discuss the purpose that the research will serve to
society, the country, the government, the institution or agency concerned, the
curriculum planners and developers, and the research community.
Describes the contribution of the study to the existing body of knowledge.
It could be the following:
a. A form of new knowledge in the field,
b. A validation of the major findings of other studies,
c. A verification of the validity of findings in a different population,
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 d. Analysis of trends over time, and validation of other findings using different
methodologies.
The researcher must identify specifically the beneficiaries who will directly gain
from the results of the study mentioning them in the paper according to the
significance of the result. The specific benefits must also be enumerated and
explained if necessary.

II. Presenting a Written Statement

The following sections compose the presentation of the written statement of the problem.

1. Introduction. States briefly the background of the study and identifies the rationale of
the research problem. It begins with a general statement of the problem, outlines the
specific problem or issue within the existing literature.
1. Statement of the Problem. States clearly the purposes or interest of the study, poses
specific questions about research problem.
2. Scope and Delimitation. Sets the boundaries and parameters of the study, narrows the
scope of the inquiry.
3. Significance of the Study. Shows the benefits of the study to address issues and l
problems, in improving economic and health conditions or even finding solutions to
problems encountered in daily life.

Activity 1: Question and Answer

Directions: Answer the questions in 3-5 sentences only. Write your answers on a
separate sheet of paper. This is graded according to the rubrics below.

1. What is Chapter 1 of a research paper and its sections that comprise?

___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
2. What is the difference between a research problem and research topic?
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
3. What are the guidelines in writing statement of the problem?
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
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 4. Why do we need to limit the scope of the study?
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

4 3 2 1
Able to demonstrate Able to demonstrate Able to demonstrate Not able to
full understanding understanding for understanding to a demonstrate
and has applied the most part, and certain extent, understanding and
concepts learned in has applied understands and applied concepts
the course. concepts learned in has applied learned in the
Concepts are the course. Some of concepts learned in course.
integrated into the the conclusions, the course.
student’s own however, are not
insights. The supported.
student provides
concluding remarks
that show analysis
and synthesis of
ideas.

Activity 2: TRUE OR FALSE

Direction: Read the following statements. Answer TRUE if the statement describes
a research, FALSE if you think it is not. Write your answers on a separate sheet of
paper.

________1. The rationale of the study gives the reasons why the study should be
conducted.
________2. The starting point in any research project is to formulate a question.
________3. The researcher's own personal interests and observations may be a valuable
source of questions.
________4. Theories of other researchers are not a particularly good source of research
questions.
________5. Successful research often raises new questions, even while it answers old
questions.
________6. A research question transforms into your conclusion.
________7. You should never consider matching your interest to a funder interest.
________8. A problem statement identifies the nature of the problem being addressed, and
its context and significance.
________9. The "purpose" of a study is the same thing as the "objective" of a study.
________10. The "specific aims" of a study are the same thing as the "objectives" of a
study.
________11. Research question come from any of several sources namely, personal
interest and experiences.
________12. The research question should be either too broad or too narrow.
________13. The objectives of the research.is sometimes referred to as delimitation of the
study.
________14. Scope and Delimitation or research indicates the boundaries, exceptions,
reservation and qualification in your study.
________15. Objectives of the research indicate what will the research will do, for
instance, discover, explain or see.

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 Activity 3: WRITING CHAPTER 1

Direction: Collaborate with your group. Divide the parts and write Chapter I of
your research. Submit the output. You will be graded according to the rubrics on
the following page.

✓ Personal message your Research Teacher at FB messenger for an

Approved Research Title.
✓ Each group should borrow a sample research.
✓ Follow the rubrics below:
Submit in:

Printed
A4 size paper
1 inch margin in all sides
Double spaced
Font style: Arial, Font size: 12
With cover page.

Reminders:

✓ You are encouraged to contact each other online (meet online using Facebook messenger,
group chats/video calls, zoom, Google meet, and others) in doing this activity.
✓ If you decided to meet face-to-face and do the activity, PLEASE OBSERVE SOCIAL
DISTANCING and other necessary health protocols.

THANK YOU FOR FOLLOWING! Good Luck! ☺

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 Criteria 4 3 2 1
Purpose The researchers’ The writing has a The central The purpose or
central purpose clear purpose or purpose or argument is
or argument is argument, but argument is not generally unclear.
readily apparent may sometimes consistently clear
to the reader. digress from it. throughout the
paper.
Content Balanced Information Information Central purpose
presentation of provides supports a or argument is
relevant and reasonable central purpose not clearly
legitimate support for a or argument at identified.
information that central purpose times. Analysis is Analysis is vague
clearly supports or argument and basic or general. or not evident.
a central displays evidence Reader gains few Reader is
purpose or of a basic insights. confused or may
argument and analysis of a be misinformed.
shows a significant topic.
thoughtful, in- Reader gains
depth analysis some insights.
of a significant
topic. Reader
gains important
insights.
Organization The ideas are The ideas are In general, the The writing is not
arranged arranged logically writing is logically
logically to to support the arranged organized.
support the central purpose logically, Frequently, ideas
purpose or or argument. although fail to make sense
argument. They They are usually occasionally ideas together. The
flow smoothly clearly linked to fail to make sense reader cannot
from one to each other. For together. The identify a line of
another and are the most part, the reader is fairly reasoning and
clearly linked to reader can follow clear about what loses interest.
each other. The the line of writer intends.
reader can reasoning.
follow the line of
reasoning.
Sentence Sentences are Sentences are Some sentences Errors in
Structure well-phrased well-phrased and are awkwardly sentence
and varied in there is some constructed so structure are
length and variety in length that the reader is frequent enough
structure. They and structure. occasionally to be a major
flow smoothly The flow from distracted. distraction to the
from one to sentence to reader.
another. sentence is
generally smooth.

REFERENCES

Pastor, Maria Euleen et.al.. Practical Research 1, Quarter 1 – Module 3: Identifying the Inquiry and Stating the Problem. Department of Education. Alternative learning Module.
First Edition, 2020.

Abdullah, S.N. (2018) .Practical Research 1: Qualitative Research [PowerPoint slides].Retrieved from http://www.academia.edu./ppt Arcibal, N. C. (April 2013).

Housewives’ exposure to Korean novelas on GMA 7 and their perception on marriage. Unpublished undergraduate thesis. Indang, Cavite: Cavite State University Bordo, P. E. C.,
E. D. Mercado, M. G. Gayeta, E. S. Magtoto, & L. F. Noroña (2010).

The elements of writing across disciplines. Malabon: Jimcyzville Publications. Cabulong, J. (October 2016). Development of localized and contextualized teachers’ Guides with
Strategic Intervention Materials (SIM’s) in Grade 9. Unpublished masteral thesis proposal. Manila: Philippine Normal University. Calderon, J. F. & E. C. Gonzales (1993).

Methods of research and thesis writing.. Mandaluyong: National Book Store, Inc. Calmorin, L.P. (2016).Research and Thesis Writing with Statistics and Computer Application
.Rev.ed.Rex Book Store.Manila. Cristobal, A.P., Jr, & Cristobal, M.D. (2016).

Practical Research 1 for Senior High School .Ist ed.C & E Publishing Inc.Quezon City. Guerrero, G. (October 2011). The teaching of Hebrew among children at Beth Yaakov
Synagogue, Makati City. Unpublished masteral thesis proposal. Manila: Philippine Normal University. Leanillo, M. (October 2016).

Evaluation model on the use of a web-based tool in test Administration for Grade 11 and 12 students. Unpublished masteral thesis proposal. Manila: Philippine Normal
University. Miranda Plata, et al. Research: Process and product workbook. Biñan, Laguna: Trailblazer Publications. Ngwee, H. (March 2011).

Marketing the Philippines as an educational destination for Ni-Vanuatu University students. Edited by G. T. Guerrero. Unpublished undergraduate research paper. Indang,
Cavite: Cavite State University. Accessed in June 2020.

https://wps.pearsoned.co.uk/ema_uk_he_saunders_doingresearch_1/209/53534/13 704779.cw/index.html /Copyright © 1995-2010, Pearson Education, Inc.

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Author: FRITZEL N. PEPITO
School: MAGALLANES NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Division: AGUSAN DEL NORTE
Email Address: fritzel.neri@deped.gov.ph