Common Problems Encountered in Research:

Any researcher or group of researchers who are planning to embark on a research project must be
prepared to face a lot of difficulties that abound in the field of research. It is not going to be an easy
undertaking. The following are some of the common problems that researchers can expect to encounter
when conducting research, especially in group research:

1. Difficulty in finding or conceptualizing a good research problem. There has been so much research
done already that coming up with something novel and unexplored is almost impossible. But life in
general and science, in particular, offer limitless ideas for studies. A creative and sensitive mind will
always find something worthwhile to study.

- Ito ay tumutukoy sa hamon na kinakaharap ng mga mananaliksik sa pagtukoy ng isang katanungan o

paksa sa pananaliksik na parehong bago at makabuluhang. Dahil sa napakaraming pananaliksik na
umiiral, ang paghahanap ng mga lugar na hindi pa nasuri ay maaaring maging nakakatakot.
Gayunman, ang pagkamalikhain at isang matinding pag-unawa sa larangan ay makatutulong sa mga
mananaliksik na makilala ang mga paksang kapaki-pakinabang para sa pag-aaral.

2. Scarcity or unavailability of updated and relevant references. Choosing a topic that is new or novel
may present problems in finding related literature and studies, especially if the chosen problem is
relatively unexplored.

- Ang suliranin ay nagaganap kapag nahihirapan ang mga mananaliksik na makahanap ng mga
literatura o pag-aaral kaugnay ng kanilang piniling paksa, lalo na kung ito ay medyo hindi pa gaanong
sinisiyasat. Mahalaga ang pag-access sa mga napapanahon at kaugnay na sanggunian para sa
pagpapaliwanag sa proseso ng pananaliksik at pagpapalawak sa umiiral na kaalaman.

3. Financial (limited budget or funds) Conducting a scientific inquiry will always require funds. Research
writing is costly. Going to libraries, administering questionnaires to respondents, having the manuscript
computerized and reproduced in several copies, and revising the manuscript to be computerized and
reproducing it again in several copies will not be cheap. Wise management of resources, such as the
planning stage (e.i. recycling used bond papers for the first draft of the paper) can help cut costs.

- Ang mga proyektong pananaliksik ay kadalasang nangangailangan ng pondo para sa iba't ibang mga
aktibidad tulad ng pag-access sa mga mapagkukunan, pagpapalakad ng mga survey, at paglalathala ng
mga natuklasan. Ang limitadong badyet ay maaaring magdulot ng mga hamon sa epektibong
pagpapatupad ng pananaliksik. Ang matalinong pamamahala ng mapagkukunan at mga hakbang na
nagtitiipid sa gastos ay maaaring makatulong upang maibsan ang mga limitasyon sa pananalapi.

4. Time constraints, time is always a problem, especially for researchers who, like many people, have
other things to pursue and work on. For students, assignments, practicum work, and other research
projects on other subjects will inevitably create conflicts in time. Time management is important in
research.

Madalas na nag-aalisan ang mga mananaliksik sa maraming responsibilidad, kabilang ang mga
akademikong gawain, trabahong pangako, at personal na mga obligasyon. Ang pagtutugma ng mga
hamon na ito sa mga hamon ng pananaliksik ay maaaring maging mahirap. Ang mga epektibong
paraan ng pamamahala ng oras ay mahalaga para sa pagtiyak ng progreso at pagtugon sa mga
deadline.

5. How to put into writing one's ideas. Writing is a very demanding art. Writing is a skill that is acquired
through years of constant reading to widen knowledge in both content and grammar. The right choice of
words and proper blending of sentences to form coherent and effective paragraphs are necessary to
properly express good ideas and present cold facts. Good writing style is not produced overnight.

- Ang wastong komunikasyon ng mga natuklasan ng pananaliksik sa pamamagitan ng pagsusulat ay

nangangailangan ng kasanayan at pagsasanay. Maaaring magkaroon ng kahirapan ang mga
mananaliksik sa pagpapahayag ng kanilang mga ideya nang malinaw, pagpili ng angkop na wika, at
pagtatakda ng kanilang gawain nang maayos. Ang pagpapaunlad ng kasanayan sa pagsusulat ay
mahalaga para sa paglikha ng mga output ng pananaliksik na may mataas na kalidad.

6. Lack of teamwork among group members or inadequate assistance. I group research. Teamwork,
more than individual brilliance, produces results. Group research requires coordination and rapport
among members. Any member who is unwilling to help or contribute to the improvement of the
research work is a hindrance to group success.

- Ang kolaborasyon ay kadalasang mahalaga sa mga proyektong pananaliksik, lalo na sa mga

pangkatang setting. Ang mababang pagtutulungan o kakulangan ng suporta mula sa mga kasapi ng
grupo ay maaaring hadlangan ang progreso at maapektuhan ang kalidad ng mga resulta ng
pananaliksik. Ang epektibong komunikasyon, koordinasyon, at mutual support ay mahalaga para sa
matagumpay na pagtutulungan.
7. Uncooperative respondents or officials of an institution. The researcher should anticipate that not
everybody will be very cooperative. At times, officials of an institution whose assistance is vital to the
research work will be too busy to get involved. Respondents may not care at all to answer the
questionnaires. Soliciting the participation of other people requires establishing rapport, the use of tact,
and an exercise in motivating people.

- Maaaring magkaroon ng pagtutol o pag-aalinlangan ang mga mananaliksik mula sa mga indibidwal o
institusyon kung saan ang kanilang partisipasyon o pakikipagtulungan ay mahalaga para sa
pananaliksik. Upang malampasan ang hamong ito, kailangang magtayo ng magandang ugnayan,
gumamit ng mga diskretong paraan ng komunikasyon, at gawing-makabuluhan ang mga stakeholder
upang makilahok sa proseso ng pananaliksik.

8. Personal problems in the of a good research work. It is a challenge to a good man and to a scientific
researcher to set aside even for a while daily problems in life, and even concentrate on what must be
done. A researcher can achieve more if personal problems are properly handled with patience and
maturity.

- Maaaring harapin ng mga mananaliksik ang personal na mga hamon na nakakaapekto sa kanilang
kakayahan na mag-focus sa kanilang trabaho sa pananaliksik. Ang pagharap sa personal na mga isyu
ay nangangailangan ng pasensya, kakayahan sa pagbangon mula sa kahirapan, at kahusayan.
Mahalaga ang paghahanap ng balanse sa pagitan ng personal at propesyonal na responsibilidad para
sa pagpapanatili ng produktibidad at kalagayan.

Thesis Writing: The written report of a research conducted is commonly termed as a research paper, of a
research report. In the academic field, it is technically referred to as a thesis paper, which is one of the
master's degrees. A dissertation paper is a term that applies to the major requirements in the fulfillment
of an undergraduate or a research paper of those completing their doctoral degree.

What is a Thesis? A thesis begins with a problem that needs to be solved or addressed. It is a written
product of the systematic study of a significant problem. It is a tentative solution to a significant
problem. It is a formal essay whose main objective is to convey a logical argument upholding the
researcher's point of view, particularly his solution to a problem based on empirical data he has
gathered and analyzed.

A thesis is a product of the writer's inquisitive mind and is based on their inquiry and critical thinking.
The finished product of a thesis must reflect originality, critical and independent thinking, appropriate
organization and format, clarity of objectives, and accurate and thorough data gathering. It is an
intelligent attempt to prove the validity of the writer's solution to a significant problem. It is much longer
than term papers, logical, and scientific in tone and style.

The thesis must be a contribution to the field of knowledge based on the researcher's research or a
treatment and presentation of known subject matter from a new point of view. The essence of a thesis
is an empirical analysis of data to formulate objective conclusions and useful and feasible
recommendations for the improvement of a particular situation, program of action, or certain policies of
an institution. It is a formal essay about a particular subject, logical in its discussion, scientific in tone,
and an exercise in intellectual and disciplined investigation. Informal or uneducated language or
expressions are carefully avoided when writing a good thesis paper.

An Overview of the Steps in Thesis Writing

1. Information gathering to formulate a significant research problem

2. Conceptualization of a good research problem for the title defense.

The First Major Steps: Formulation of a Good Research Problem

The first major step in conducting research is the conceptualization or formulation of a good research
problem. At the beginning of a research project, many researchers find it greatly difficult to come up
with a problem that will set their research apart from other researchers. There have been so many
studies conducted in the past that a beginner will find it almost impossible to find a problem that has
not been explored or studied before.

For research to be good, the problem it explores and attempts to solve must be worthy of investigation.
The problem must be significant, which means that its solution and the insights it will generate will lead
to an enhanced or improved quality of life. There are so many issues and problems to study, but not
every issue or problem can be subjected to scientific inquiry. It takes sensitivity to existing conditions
and discernment of things around us for an individual to properly choose which problem must be the
priority and which problem is relevant enough to a good number of people.
A good researcher knows how and when to identify a research problem. A research problem is
something that arises from a situation of need, typically characterized by difficulties (Andes 1998).

Characteristics of a Good Research Problem

1. A good research problem should be specific. The variables are clearly stated, and the relationships are
properly cited.

2. It should be measurable. It can be measured accurately with research instruments.

3. It is achievable. The data is achievable using correct statistical techniques to come up with reliable
findings.

4. It is realistic. The results are empirical and not manipulated. The researcher respects and upholds the
integrity of the evidence.

5. It is time-bound. The timeframe is essential to realize or complete the study within a set time.

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Other Characteristics of a Good Research Problem

1. A good research problem must be timely and up-to-date in today's modern world.

2. It must be researchable through scientific methodology

3. It must be innovative or a probable step to produce new solutions

4. Its solution must be relevant and beneficial to a good number of people.

5. It should be interesting and challenging to solve, especially for the researchers and the area of
specialization to which they belong.

6. It has enough related readings to assist the researcher in conducting a comprehensive exploration.

7. Its solution is significant to the community, whether for local or national development.

Possible Sources of Research

Problem- How does one formulate a good research problem? First, it is essential to explore the many
possible sources where one can discover the existence of a problem that is just waiting to be solved. It
takes a great deal of sensitivity to real situations, hidden truths, and realities to find out that something
must be done in a certain situation.

The following are some of the suggested sources for a good research problem.

1. Personal experience in life - In our everyday living, all of us have surely encountered many situations
where we realized that something is wrong or that an improvement is needed to make things better for
a group of people, an institution, a particular profession, or for society in general.

2. Existing programs that need to be improved - there are certain areas. There are certain places, such as
schools, workplaces, and private and government institutions that have existing programs of action that
can be made more effective by modifications. Studies can help institutions by offering suggestions for
necessary changes.

3. Further inquiry of a conducted study - a researcher may find it urgent or necessary to conduct another
study to supplement or enhance previous studies; especially if the researcher thinks the past studies
need to be updated to be more relevant today.
4. Through consultation with experts - by listening to experts in specific fields of work or those belonging
to certain areas of specialization, one can gather enough insights to learn about the existence of specific
areas that are worth exploring. Students conducting research will benefit the most if they consult
extensively with their teachers, department chairs, academic deans, and other officials in their schools if
for instance, they would like to explore problems in schools.

5. Through extensive reading in libraries - Through long and frequent trips to the library and extensive
reading of past studies and other sources of knowledge, researchers can come up with possible topics
that can be narrowed down into specific problems.