SUBJECT: PRACTICAL RESEARCH 2 (QUARTER 1)

GRADE LEVEL: GRADE 12

LESSON 2 – IDENTIFYING THE INQUIRY AND STATING THE PROBLEM

According to research expert, there are actually three things you should ask yourself if your study has:
1. Should-do-Ability. It is about purpose, relevance, importance appropriateness, and ethics of the research.
2. Do-Ability. This is about the manageability, skill required, prior experience needed, timeframe anticipated, and
resource support available to conduct this research.
3. Want-to-do-Ability. It focus on your own motivation, commitment and perseverance.
DESIGNING RESEARCH TOPIC
1. Pick out a broad topic that interest you. Choose topic that hold your interest for the duration of the whole research
process. It is also important to take into consideration your expertise or knowledge about the topic you will choose.
Example: You are interested in studying about the pollution. Then, pollution is a possible broad topic for you to
explore.
2. Make it more specific. When you have already decided the broad topic, you want to explore, cascade it down to
specific areas you want to focus on. Creating specific topics will help you limit your study into those that you can only
achieve within a specific time frame. Example: Since the topic about pollution is very broad, choose only one type of
pollution that you would like to discuss. If it will be about water pollution, you can look into a neighborhood pestered
by water pollution. Then perhaps, you can still narrow down your topic into problems which cause water pollution,
such as the sewerage systems of the place, or some neighborhood practices in disposing of their sewage.
3. Write specific questions about your narrowed topic. Perhaps, there are specific questions that you would like to
be answered in your study. Write them down. They can serve as your guide as you go along with your research.
Example: If you wish to pursue your study about the problems in the sewerage system of a place, some questions
might be. “What is the resident’s level of awareness about the importance of maintain proper sewerage systems?” or
“How would the residents rate the systems of sewage disposal in their neighborhood?”
4. Enrich yourself with recent information about the topic. Reading news articles or past research studies about
your topic will help you paint a better picture of the problem you wish to explore. It will further enable you to decide
on what steps you will take.
5. Remember the acronym SMART. Keeping in mind the acronym SMART will guide you in your research process.
Remember that you only have one semester to finish your research.
a. Specific. Objective clearly states, so anyone reading it can understand, what will be done and who will do it.
Maybe you can limit your topic to “Residents’ Awareness of the Sewerage System in their Neighborhood.”
b. Measureable. For a SMART goal to be objective clearly, you must have a quantitative way of measuring that you
have effectively achieved it. It keeps you on track and on schedule. In gathering your data, the residents can rate
their own awareness about the importance of maintaining proper sewage disposal. This can be done through a
survey questionnaire using a rating scale of 1-5, with 5 being the highest level of awareness.
c. Attainable. Objective is realistic given the realities faced in the community. Setting reasonable objectives helps
set the project up for success. Gather your data within your local community, or somewhere near your place. In
this way, you can easily attain the data that you need.
d. Realistic. To define relevant and realistic SMART goals, you must measure the scope of your potential and those
associated with you in your organization or business. One important aspect of setting up relevant goals is knowing
if you have the right resources to achieve them. The topic that you should choose should be a real problem that
exists, not an imagined problem. Therefore, the results of your study should also be realistic and can be applied.
e. Time-bound. Your research study must be doable within a specific time frame.

Page 1 of 12
 RESEARCH TITLE
1. Use an accurate description of the subject and scope of the study instead of using general terms.
2. Do not use abbreviations except for commonly known ones like DNA and ICT.
3. Do not include words like “The study of,” “Analysis of,” “An investigation of” or similar construction as these would
only lengthen the title.
4. Include the main dependent and independent variables.
5. Be mindful of the proper use of grammar and punctuation.
6. Capitalize all nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs as well as the first letter of the first and last words.
7. State in a declarative form, although you may also see titles in question form from time to time.
8. The year the study has been conducted should not be indicated unless it is a historical study.
9. Use current terminology.
10. Depending on the institutional requirements, 5 to15 words are sufficient to describe the research study.
11. Use the common name instead of chemical formula (e.g., Ammonium instead of NH4)
12. Write and italicize full scientific names.
13. Make sure to reflect the tone of the paper. An academic research paper has title which is not casual, or informal,
or does not contain humor.
The following steps can guide you in writing your research title:
1. Determine what it is that you wish to accomplish or know from your study. Write one to two sentences to state
the main objectives of your research project.
2. Include important keywords and variables. Revise the sentences into one complete sentence that includes
important keywords and variables of the study.
3. Shorten the title by eliminating unnecessary words. You may also shrink a phrase into a simpler phrase or a
single word. In doing this, make sure that the main thought of the research study is retained.
4. Correct grammar and punctuation errors if there is any.
5. Observe proper formatting. The format may vary according to the requirements of the course or school. Please
seek guidance from your professor.
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Background of the study is a compilation of sufficient information based on the analysis of your proposed argument or problem
and the steps required to arrive at the design and implementation of feasible solutions and the results achieved. The
background of the study is one of the key aspects you need to get right when you are writing a research paper (Olawale,
2021). It is the key to introducing your readers to the topic of your research.
HOW TO WRITE A BACKGROUND OF THE RESEARCH STUDY?
1. Give a general overview of the research topic and introduce the main idea you will be using throughout the research
study.
2. Provide detailed, precise information about the methodologies researched depending on individual and research
topic, this could take several paragraphs.
3. To avoid plagiarism, cite your sources and resources. Select sources that are relevant to provide more insights to
your research.
4. Create five different sections that have the key issues, major findings, current issues that related to your research
study, evaluation and conclusion (Olawale, 2021).
5. Statistical data
6. A provocative question
7. A clear need for research
8. The intent or purpose of the study
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY SHOULD CONTAIN THE FOLLOWING MAJOR POINTS
1. A brief discussion on what is known about the topic under investigation.
2. An articulation of the research gap or problem that needs to be addressed.
3. What the researcher would like to do or aim to achieve in the study (research goal).
4. The research statement, that is, the main argument, or contention of the paper.
Page 2 of 12
 5. The major significance or contribution of the study to a particular discipline.
6. Depending on the nature of the study, an articulation of the hypothesis of the study.

STATING RESEARCH QUESTION

TOPIC: Broad subject matter addresses by the study
RESEARCH PROBLEM: A general educational issue, concern, or controversy addressed in research that narrows the topic
PURPOSE OF THE STATEMENT: The major intent or objective of the study used to address the problem
RESEARCH QUESTIONS: Narrows the purpose into specific question that the researcher would like answered or addressed
in the study.

According to Alvesson and Sanberg (2013), “A research problem is the main organizing principle guiding the analysis of your
paper”. It provides you a venue for expressing what you want to convey, and it signifies three things:
a. The core subject matter of scholarly communication
b. The means by which you arrive at the other topics of conversation
c. The discovery of new knowledge and understanding
STEPS ON STATING THE RESEARCH PROBLEM
1. State the problem in the opening paragraph (i.e., something that needs a solution)
2. Identify an issue
3. Reference the problem using literature
4. Common pitfall: defining the problem based on the solution
TYPES OF QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH QUESTIONS
1. Descriptive – aim to quantify the variables you are interested in
Question: What are the most important factors that influence the career of SHS students?
Variable: Factors influencing career choices

2. Comparative – Aim to examine the differences between two or more groups on one or more dependent variables.
Question: What is the differences usage behavior on Facebook between male and female SHS students?
Variable: Usage behavior on Facebook
Group: Male and Female SHS Student

3. Relationship-based – it refers to a research design, namely experimental research designs, where it is possible to
measure the cause and effect between two or more variables.
Question: What is the relationship between study time and exam scores among senior high school students?
Dependent Variable: Exam Scores
Independent Variable: Study time

GUIDELINES FOR WRITING

1. Pose a question
2. Begin with “how”, “what”, or “why”
3. Specify the independent, dependent, and mediating or control variables
4. Use the words, describe, compare, or relate to indicate the action or connection among the variables
5. Indicate the participants and the research site for the study

Page 3 of 12
 SCOPE AND DELIMITATION OF STUDY
This presents the coverage of the research in terms of location, time, respondents, etc., and the potential weaknesses or
problems with the study identified by the researcher.
In writing this section,
1. Cite data collection
2. Identify school involved, number of classes, their grade level, number of participants, and topics of lessons covered
(if applicable)
3. State inadequate measures of variables, loss or lack of participants, small sample sizes, errors in measurement, and
other factors typically related to data collection and analysis.
What are the boundaries that perhaps the design of your study may not allow?
1. A brief statement of the general purpose of the study.
2. The subject matter and topics studied and discussed.
3. The locale of the study, where the data were gathered or the entity to which the data belong.
4. The population from which the respondents were selected.
5. Sampling
6. A limitation in the scope and validity of your survey instrument.
7. Limitations to your choice of methodology.
8. The period of the study which is the time, either months or years, during which the data were gathered.
Limitations
Limitations are those elements that may limit what you can say about the results. These are what elements will affect the
ability for your study to generalize the results. Limitations occur in all types of research and are, for the most part, outside the
researcher’s control given practical constraints, such as time, funding, and access to populations of interest. They are threats
to the study’s internal or external validity.
Delimitations
Delimitations are the boundary of your particular study. This was in researcher’s control. Your study do not become impossibly
large to complete. It is often strongly related to your theory and research questions.
The scope identifies the boundaries of the study in tem of subject, objectives, facilities, area, time frame, and the issues to
which the research is focused.
- The coverage of this study …
- The study consists of …
- This study is focus on …
The delimitation of the study is delimiting a study by geographic location, age, sex, population traits, population size, or other
similar considerations. It is also identifying the constraints or weaknesses of your study which are not within the control of the
researcher.
- The study does not cover the …

THE CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK AND ITS PURPOSE

ALTERNATIVE HYPOTHESIS: denoted by 𝐻1 or 𝐻𝑎 , is the hypothesis that sample observations are influenced by some
non-random cause.
CONCEPT: An intellectual representation of some aspects of reality that is derived from the observations made from certain
phenomena.
CONCEPTUALIZATION: The process of forming basic ideas, designs, plans or strategic based on given facts, situations and
examples.

Page 4 of 12
FRAMEWORK: Described as the abstract, logical structure of meaning that guide the development of the study. All framworks
are based on the identification of any concepts and relationships among these concepts.
PROPORTIONS: A statement or assertion of the relationship between concepts derived from theories or generalizations
based on empirical data.
NULL HYPOTHESIS: The null hypothesis, denoted by 𝐻0 , is usually the hypothesis that sample observations results purely
from chance.
VARIABLES: These signifies a more concrete level and are narrow in their definitions. A variable is pure specific and is
measurable
A conceptual framework represents the researcher’s synthesis or literature on how to explain a certain phenomenon. It
maps out the action required during the study given his/her previous knowledge of other researchers’ point of view and his
observations about the research.
In other words, the conceptual framework is the researcher’s understanding on how the variables in the study connect with
each other. Thus, it identifies the variables required in the researched investigation. It is the researchers “map” in pursuing
the investigation.
The conceptual framework “sets the stage” for the presentation of the research question that drives the investigation being
reported based on the problem statement. The problem statement of the research present the context issues that caused the
researcher to conduct the study (McGaghie, et al., 2001).
The conceptual framework lies within a much broader framework called Theoretical Framework, the latter draws support from
time tested theories that embody the finding of many researchers on why and how a particular phenomenon occurs.
PURPOSE OF CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
1. To clarify concepts and proposed relationships among the concept of the study.
2. To provide the context for interpreting the study findings.
3. To explain observations.
4. To encourage theory development that is useful to practice.
STEPS ON DEVELOPING CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
1. Choose your topic. Decide on what will be your research topic. The topic should be within your field of specialization.
2. Do a literature review. Review relevant and updated research on the theme that you decide to work on after scrutiny
of the issue at hand. Preferably use peer-reviewed and well-known scientific journals as these are reliable sources of
information. Literature is one of the key point to have an effective conceptual framework.
3. Isolate the important variables. Identify the dependent and independent variables. Remember, on your research
topic itself you must identify the variables needed.
4. Generate the conceptual framework. In generating the conceptual framework remember:
o Independent variables (causes)
o Dependent variables (effect)
EXAMPLE:
(The relationship between the hours of study and the exam score)
1. Effectiveness of hours of study and the exam score
2. Review article
3. Dependent variable (hours of study) and Independent variable (Exam score)

Page 5 of 12
 DEFINITION OF TERMS
According to (Serrano, 2016), it is best to define any key terms in your research study upfront, so that everyone has a shared
understanding. You will be able to find ideas for definitions by reading around the topics.
 CONCEPTUAL DEFINITION – is a critical element to the research process and involves scientifically defining a
specific concept, or construct, so it can be systematically measured.
 OPERATIONAL DEFINITION – is the textbook definition. It defines a concept solely in terms of the operations used
to produce and measure it. However, once decided on operational definition for a research study, no one can argue
about the definition of the concepts for the study. It help researchers to communicate about their concepts.
GUIDE IN MAKING THE DEFINITION OF TERMS
1. Write a short introductory statement. “For better understanding of the study, the following terms are defined
operationally:”
2. Write the terms you would like to include.
3. Write the terms in alphabetically order.

Page 6 of 12
NAME: _______________________________________________
ACTIVITY #: ___________ DATE:_______________ SCORE:______________
A. Directions: Evaluate the following erroneous research title and justify what makes it wrong.
Example: Phytochemical analysis and antioxidant activity of S. trifasciata leaves
Answer: The scientific name was abbreviated and not italicized.
1. An investigation of the effects of electronics uses on Interpersonal Relationship in adults.
Answer: ___________________________________________________________________________________
2. Effects of Coconut Oil and Beeswax Edible coating.
Answer: ____________________________________________________________________________________
3. The Effects of Arts-Integrated Instruction on Arithmetic Skills of Students for S.Y. 2018-2019.
Answer: _____________________________________________________________________________________
4. Antibacterial effects of C2H5OH extract of Carica papaya leaves.
Answer: _____________________________________________________________________________________
5. Managing business during global pandemic.
Answer: _____________________________________________________________________________________

B. Directions: Read the sample scope and limitation and identify the boundaries of the study by writing the corresponding
components on the table below.
Sample Scope and Delimitation of the Study
The main objective of this study is to provide information about students’ knowledge and perception of genetically modified
foods and their family health practices. The study also includes the student’s personal information and occupation of their
parents and siblings. This study is limited to the 120 Grade 12 Male and Female enrolled in the First Semester, School
Year 2019-2020 of Gusa Regional Science High School – X. Each of the respondents is given questionnaire to answer.
The students selected came from six different sections to prevent subjective perceptions.
Components of the Scope and Delimitation
Topic of the study

Objective of the study or

problems to be addressed

Time frame in which the

study will be conducted

The locale or area where

the study will be conducted

Characteristics of the
participants of the study

Other parameters

Page 7 of 12
GROUP MEMBERS’ NAME:
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
ACTIVITY TITLE: ____________________________________________ DATE:_______________
Choose one broad topic related to your track that interests you. Then, preliminary research on this topic. Take note of at least
five related studies with its corresponding author/s, then list three (3) quantitative research questions related to the topic.
Follow the format below.
Broad Topic: _____________________________________________________________________________________
References:
1. Title: _______________________________________________________________
Author/s: ____________________________________________________________
Year of Publication: ____________________________________________________
Name of Journal/Publication: ____________________________________________
Link: _______________________________________________________________
Notes/ Important information: ________________________________________________________________________
2. Title: _______________________________________________________________
Author/s: ____________________________________________________________
Year of Publication: ____________________________________________________
Name of Journal/Publication: ____________________________________________
Link: _______________________________________________________________
Notes/ Important information: _______________________________________________________________________
3. Title: _______________________________________________________________
Author/s: ____________________________________________________________
Year of Publication: ____________________________________________________
Name of Journal/Publication: ____________________________________________
Link: _______________________________________________________________
Notes/ Important information: _______________________________________________________________________
4. Title: _______________________________________________________________
Author/s: ____________________________________________________________
Year of Publication: ____________________________________________________
Name of Journal/Publication: ____________________________________________
Link: _______________________________________________________________
Notes/ Important information: _______________________________________________________________________
5. Title: _______________________________________________________________
Author/s: ____________________________________________________________

Page 8 of 12
 Year of Publication: ____________________________________________________
Name of Journal/Publication: ____________________________________________
Link: _______________________________________________________________
Notes/ Important information: _______________________________________________________________________

Question 1: _______________________________________________________________
Question 2: _______________________________________________________________
Question 3: _______________________________________________________________

Page 9 of 12
GROUP MEMBERS’ NAME:
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
ACTIVITY TITLE: ____________________________________________ DATE:_______________

Directions: This activity is a continuation of what you have done in your 1st group activity. You are to construct a good
research title for each of the quantitative research questions made on page 9. Follow the format below:
Research question 1: ________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Proposed title A: _____________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Proposed title B: _____________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Proposed title C: _____________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Research question 2: ________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Proposed title A: _____________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Proposed title B: _____________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Proposed title C: _____________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Research question 3: ________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Proposed title A: _____________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Proposed title B: _____________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Proposed title C: _____________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________

Page 10 of 12
Let’s expand the research topic and title you did in the activities from activity 1 and 2 by composing a one to two-page
Background of the Study. Print it on a short bond paper in the format below:
Font: Arial, size 11
Spacing: double
Margin: Normal: 1” all sides
Group Members’ Name: ___________________________________________________________________
Research topic: __________________________________________________________________________
Research title: ___________________________________________________________________________
Background of the Study
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________.

Page 11 of 12
GROUP MEMBERS’ NAME:
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
ACTIVITY TITLE: ____________________________________________ DATE:_______________

State your Research Questions

Directions: Perform the following task. Referring to your background of the study and research problem, list your research
questions. When formulating these questions, consider the design of your quantitative research.
1. ______________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
2. ______________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
3. ______________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
4. ______________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
5. ______________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Page 12 of 12