Practical Research 1

Quarter 3 – Module 7:
The Statement of the
Problem
Practical Research 1 – Grade 11
Alternative Delivery Mode
Quarter 3 – Module 7: The Statement of the Problem
First Edition, 2020

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Published by the Department of Education

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Undersecretary: Diosdado M. San Antonio

SENIOR HS MODULE DEVELOPMENT TEAM

Author : Karl Angelo R. Tabernero
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 Practical Research 1
Quarter 3 – Module 7:
The Statement of the
Problem
Introductory Message
This Self-Learning Module (SLM) is prepared so that you, our dear learners,
can continue your studies and learn while at home. Activities, questions,
directions, exercises, and discussions are carefully stated for you to understand
each lesson.

Each SLM is composed of different parts. Each part shall guide you step-by-
step as you discover and understand the lesson prepared for you.

Pre-tests are provided to measure your prior knowledge on lessons in each

SLM. This will tell you if you need to proceed on completing this module or if you
need to ask your facilitator or your teacher’s assistance for better understanding of
the lesson. At the end of each module, you need to answer the post-test to self-
check your learning. Answer keys are provided for each activity and test. We trust
that you will be honest in using these.

In addition to the material in the main text, Notes to the Teacher are also
provided to our facilitators and parents for strategies and reminders on how they can
best help you on your home-based learning.

Please use this module with care. Do not put unnecessary marks on any part
of this SLM. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the exercises and tests.
And read the instructions carefully before performing each task.

If you have any questions in using this SLM or any difficulty in answering
the tasks in this module, do not hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator.

Thank you.
 What I Need to Know

This module is designed and written to help you in stating research questions related
to the problem that you would like to investigate.

At the end of the module, you are expected to:

1. state research questions.
 What I Know

Rearrange the jumbled letters given on each item to get the correct answer. Write
your answers on your notebook.

There are two types of problems in research. These are:

1. (lraenge)

2. (icpesfci)

In giving details on the problem to be investigated, the following should be

presented:

3. (skat)

4. (avlebair)

5. (ciitrappnta)

6. (ttesgni)

The following are the distinct forms in writing two different types of problem:

7. (cdealartiev)

8. (niteroragtvei)

A qualitative research problem is commonly asked using the following

question words:

9. (twah)

10. (hwo)

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 Lesson
The Statement of the
1 Problem
For every problem, there would be an answer. And for every answer, there could be
a question. A problem without a clear question in mind is like you are seeking for an
answer in a directionless manner. Hence, as a student-researcher, you must
remember that establishing research questions may guide you in your quest to
address some academic issues. Remember that these questions may serve as your
compass as if you were navigating at sea in order to reach the target destination.

Now that you have already had enough reasons and justifications to pursue a
study so as to address a problem which you perceived from your environment, this
is a time for you to concretize your study by crafting your problem through
specifying research questions. Hence, in this part of the module, you will be
supplemented with additional knowledge on how to state your research problem
and questions.

What’s In

Identify what part of the research introduction is being asked from Column A by
selecting the correct term from Column B. Write the letter of your answer on your
notebook.

Column A Column B

1. This refers to the major task of the researcher. a. rationale of the study

2. This includes related theories, conceptual and b. seriousness of the

problem research literature

3. This presents the reason why the researcher c. literature foundation of

the decides to look for solutions to the problem. study

4. This defines the geographic boundaries of the d. general objective of the

research problem

5. This identifies the intensity of the problem. e. setting of the problem

 Notes to the Teacher
This module prepares the students to their qualitative research
undertaking. Here, they will learn how to write research problem
and its corresponding research questions.

What’s New

Anthony and Jessica are planning to repair their house. What do you think
should be the necessary tools they will be needing?
Name the tools that represent your answers. Write your answers on your
notebook.

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 What is It

Similar to a house which requires appropriate tools in order to be repaired, a research

problem also demands appropriate research questions in order to be answered.

As a starting student-researcher, you must recognize that one of the keys to a

successful research study is by concretizing the problem through carefully crafting
its research questions. Hence, your understanding towards the do’s and don’ts in
writing a research problem and its corresponding questions should be considered.

In this module, you will explore the kinds as well as the elements of research problem
and research questions which later help you come up with a concrete statement of
the problem parallel to the study that you are planning to conduct.

Statement of the Problem

After the researcher has clearly presented the rationale of the problem, the
formulation of the targeted and well-defined problem must follow. This well-
defined problem is commonly pertained to the “Statement of the Problem.” Stating
clearly the problem can make the vagueness of the study be clarified. Further, this
section allows the researcher to present other essential elements of research
undertaking such as the major variables, objectives, and appropriate methodology.

Writing the Problem Statement in a Qualitative Research

In formulating the problem statement in a research paper, there are two types of
problems which should be considered. These are the general problem and the specific
problems.

General problem pertains to the opening paragraph that gives specific details on other
essential elements which are the purpose, major variables, participants, setting,
and time coverage of the study. The said elements serve as a guide in order to
properly formulate the general problem. Cristobal and Cristobal (2017) from their
book Practical Research 1 for Senior High School presented guidelines in the
writing of the general problem. These are as follows:

1. The general problem should clearly state the main task/s of the researcher.

2. The general problem should present the major variable/s related to the
phenomenon to be investigated.
3. The general problem should identify the participants of the study.
4. The general problem should state the research setting as well as the time
period of the study.

5. The general problem may indicate the intended output of the study such as an
intervention program, module, policies, etc.

An example of a general problem is presented below.

This study aims to determine the functions of emojis in an online

communication. The study was conducted among the different strands of grade
11 students in the senior high school department of Lamao National High
School during the school year 2019-2020. The result of the study was used as a
basis for proposing a learning content presentation strategy in language
teaching.

to determine - main task

functions, emojis, online communication - major variables
grade 11 students - participants
Lamao National High School - setting
school year 2019-2020 - time period
learning content presentation strategy - intended output

After formulating the general problem of a study, enumeration of its specific problems
should follow. Unlike the general problem which is stated in a declarative form, the
specific problems are stated as questions. These formulated questions, moreover,
should all be anchored on the general problem. With this, the researcher will be
guided on how he/she will seek an answer to the problem.

In addition, the researcher must also know that a specific question to be

formulated must be a researchable question, that is, it should begin with words
such as “what” and “how.” In this case, the researcher may be able to solicit
responses which can ensure detailed data necessary to the study. Non-researchable
questions, as in, those which are answerable by “yes” or “no” should be avoided.

Examples of non-researchable and researchable questions are presented below.

Non-Researchable Questions:

1. Do the participants use social media platforms for their communication

purposes?

2. Are the participants using emojis in their online communication?

3. Can the participants understand the meaning of emojis used in conversations?

4. Will the emojis be used for a language content learning presentation strategy?

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Researchable Questions:

1. What are the most frequently used emojis by the participants in the corpus?

2. What are the pragmatic functions of emojis in the corpus?

3. How do multiple emojis affect the meaning of the discourse?

4. What learning content presentation strategy can be proposed based on the results
of the study?

Now that you have already known the considerations in stating a research
problem, it is no doubt that you may begin to concretize your study by specifying
your general problem and its corresponding specific problems/questions.
 What’s More

Identify the elements by analyzing the general problem provided below. Write your
answers on your notebook.

This study aims to describe the academic challenges faced by senior high school
working students in the second district of Bataan. The result of the study will
serve as a basis for proposing and designing effective learning intervention
program.

1. main task :

2. major variable :

3. participants :

4. setting :

5. intended output :

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 What I Have Learned

Summarize your thoughts using this home graphic organizer. Copy and answer the
illustration on your notebook.
 What I Can Do

State four (4) researchable specific questions based on the general problem presented
below. Note that your answers will be graded according to the rubric provided. Write
your answers on your notebook.

This study aims to describe the academic challenges faced by senior high school
working students in the second district of Bataan. The result of the study will
serve as a basis for proposing and designing effective learning intervention
program.

Specific question no. 1:

Specific question no. 2:

Specific question no. 3:

Specific question no. 4:

Scoring system Description

5 points All the questions are in parallel with the general problem.

4 points Three questions are in parallel with the general problem.

3 points Only two questions are in parallel with the general

problem.
2 points Only one question is in parallel with the general problem.

1 point No question is in parallel with the general problem.

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 Assessment

A. Write True if the given statement is correct and False if not. Write your
answers on your notebook.

1. The general problem of a study indicates what phenomenon will be investigated.

2. Stating a general problem requires identifying the participants of the study.

3. Specific problems are stated in declarative form.

4. Questions begin with “what” or “how” are non-researchable type.

5. A research variable stated in the general problem may exceed one.

B. Write R if the given question is a researchable type and N if not. Write your
answers on your notebook.

6. Should all students use social media platforms for learning purposes?

7. Is playing mobile games helping students to think critically?

8. How do senior high school students respond to online learning?

9. Do all students have internet access at home?

10. What are the common preparations done by senior high school students towards
the new normal type of schooling?
 Additional Activities

State your own research problem based on your proposed qualitative research title
from the previous module. Write your answers on your notebook.

Research Title:

General Problem:

Specific Problems:

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9. 5.
7. 2.
3.

1.
4.
2.
2.

9.
8.
7.
6.
5.
4.
3.
2.
1.
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References
Cristobal, Amadeo P., and Cristobal, Maura D. Practical Research 1 for Senior High
School. Quezon City: C&E Publishing, Inc., 2017.

Ibrahim, Muhammad. “Types of Qualitative Research.” Last modified March 2016.

Accessed June 22, 2020.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/299532851_Types_of_Qualitative
_Research

Sacred Heart University Library. “Organizing Academic Research Papers: The

Research Problem/Question.” Accessed June 23, 2020.
https://library.sacredheart.edu/c.php?g=29803&p=185918

Sacred Heart University Library. “Organizing Academic Research Papers:

Choosing a Title.” Accessed June 23, 2020.
https://library.sacredheart.edu/c.php?g=29803&p=185911#:~:text=Definiti
on,purpose%20of%20your%20research%20paper.

Tabernero, Karl Angelo R. “Emojiology: A Study of Functions of Emojis in the Virtual

Community.” MA thesis, Bataan Peninsula State University, 2020.

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For inquiries or feedback, please write or call:

Department of Education – Region III,

Schools Division of Bataan - Curriculum Implementation Division Learning
Resources Management and Development Section (LRMDS)

Provincial Capitol Compound, Balanga City, Bataan Telefax:

(047) 237-2102