Practical Research 1
Prepared by: Melanie B. Bernaldez
Stating Research
Questions
LC 6: States research questions
Research Problem
vs
Research Questions
Research Problem
Problem will lead you to a specific
topic to focus on. Problem will drive
you to investigate and focus on for the
solution.
Research Questions
the specific research questions let
you identify or direct you to exact
aspect of the problem that your study
has to focus on.
SQ
TOPIC
General SQ
Questions SQ
SQ
Characteristics of a Good
Research Question
ETHICAL
SIGNIFICANT
CLEAR
FEASIBLE
Characteristics of Good
Research Questions
The question should be feasible: it can be
investigated without an undue amount of time,
energy, or money.
Ex. How do students feel about the new
guidance program?
The question should be clear: most people
would agree as to what the key words in the
question mean.
Characteristics of Good
Research Questions
The question is significant: is the question
worth investigating in terms of time needed,
energy required, effect on or for subjects.
Ex. What is the effect on student self-esteem
when taught to type on a manual typewriter vs.
a Pentium II computer with a high resolution
video screen?
Characteristics of Good
Research Questions
The question is ethical: it will not involve
physical or psychological harm or damage to
human beings, or to the natural or social
environment of which they are apart.
Guiding Principles for Formulating
Research Questions
1. Be guided with the acronym “SMART” (Specific,
Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-bound)
2. Base your research questions in your RRLs.
3. State your research questions in such a way that
they include all dependent and independent
variables referred to by the theories, principles, or
concepts underlying your research work.
4. Establish a specific connection between the
research questions and the problem or topic.
Guiding Principles for Formulating
Research Questions
5. Avoid asking the research questions that are
answerable by yes or no.
6. Develop research questions in such a way that
can arouse your curiosity and surprise you with
your discoveries or findings
7. Research questions should be preceded by one
question expressing the main problem of the
research.
Techniques for Narrowing Down
a Topic Into a Research Question
1. Examine the literature – published articles
are an excellent ideas for research
questions
2. Talk over ideas with others – ask people
who are knowledgeable about the topic or
opinions that differ from yours and discuss
possible research questions with them.
Techniques for Narrowing Down
a Topic Into a Research Question
3. Relate the topic to a specific context
- Focus the topic on specific time or
historical period, narrow the topic to a
specific society or geographic unit, consider
which subgroups or categories of
people/units are involved and whether there
are differences among them
EXAMPLES OF RESEARCH QUESTIONS
TOPIC : LACK OF SELF-CONFIDENCE IN
ADOLESCENTS
a. What are the root causes of lack of self-
confidence in adolescents?
b. What kind of behavior do adolescents
who lack self-confidence manifest?
EXAMPLES OF RESEARCH QUESTIONS
TOPIC : LACK OF SELF-CONFIDENCE IN
ADOLESCENTS
c. What can the following groups of people do to boost
up the self-confidence of adolescents?
The parents
The siblings
The church
The Teacher
The Peers
POST ACTIVITY (INDIVIDUAL WRITTEN ACTIVITY)
Direction: supply the missing data to complete the
table below.
Research Problem: Low performance of students
because of the use of social media
Research Problem:
Research Topic
General Question:
Specific Questions:
1.
2.
3.
PERFORMANCE TASK
Formulate your research questions from the tentative
research topics that you have chosen for your research
study.
Research Problem:
Research Topic
General Question:
Specific Questions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
