THE PROBLEM

PR-1 AND ITS

PRACTICAL RESEARCH

BACKGROUND
CHOOSING THE RESEARCH PROBLEM
I m a g i n e yo u rs e l f ta k i n g a t r i p a n d d e c i d i n g
w h i c h p l a c e yo u w i l l go . W h at d o yo u u s u a l l y
co n s i d e r ? T h e re a re p l e nt y o f t h i n g s yo u
m i g ht a s k a b o u t — w h i c h p l a c e s to go, h o w
m u c h t i m e yo u o n l y h ave , h o w m u c h m o n e y
yo u h av e a l l o cate d e n o u g h to ex p l o re a n d
e n j o y, w h at t h i n g s to p a c k a n d w h at t h i n g s to
d o . C o n d u c t i n g a re s e a rc h i s a l o t l i ke ta k i n g a
t r i p — p l a n n i n g i s a t t h e h e a r t o f i t . Yo u ta ke a
l o o k a t yo u r i nte re st , yo u r a b i l i t y a n d yo u r
re s o u rc e s .
 The Research Problem
T h e re s e a rc h p ro b l e m state s t h e a re a
o f co n c e r n o f t h e re s e a rc h p a p e r
w h e t h e r i t i s a c i rc u m sta n c e n e e d i n g
d e ve l o p m e nt , a d i ff i c u l t y re q u i r i n g
atte nt i o n , o r a n i n q u i r y n e c e s s i tat i n g
fo r a n a n s we r. ( C r i sto b a l & C r i st o b a l ,
2017)

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S E L EC T I N G A R ES EA RC H TO P I C
The ability to develop a good research topic is an important skill. An
instructor may assign you a specific topic, but most often instructors require
you to select your own topic of interest. When deciding on a topic, there are
a few things that you will need to do:
1. Brainstorm for ideas
a) Do you have a strong opinion on a current social or political controversy
b) Did you read or see a news story recently that has piqued your interest or
made you angry or anxious?
c) Do you have a personal issue, problem or interest that you would like to
know more about?
d) Do you have a research paper due for a class this semester?
e) Is there an aspect of a class that you are interested in learning more
about?
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2. Choose a topic that will enable you to read and understand the literature
a) Read a general encyclopedia article on the top two or three topics you are
considering

3. Ensure that the topic is manageable and that material is available

A t o p i c w i l l b e v e r y d i f f i c u l t t o r e s e a r c h i f i t i s t o o b r o a d o r n a r r o w. O n e w a y
to narrow a broad topic such as "the environment" is to limit your topic.
Some common ways to limit a topic are:
a) by geographical area
Example: What environmental issues are most important in the Municipality
of San Fernando, Camarines Sur
b) by culture
Example: How does the environment fit into the people of San Fernando
world view?

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c)by time frame:

Example: What are the most prominent environmental issues of the last 5
years?

d)by discipline
Example: How does environmental awareness effect business practices today?

e)by population group

Example: What are the effects of air pollution on senior citizens?

4. Make a list of key words

5. Be flexible

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Be aware that selecting a good topic may

not be easy. It must be narrow and focused
enough to be interesting , yet broad enough
to find adequate information . Before
selecting your topic, make sure you know
what your final project should look like .
Each class or instructor will likely require a
different format or style of research
project.

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RESEARCH PROBLEM FOR STUDENTS

A s a s t u d e n t r e s e a r c h e r, i t i s a d v i s a b l e t o c h o o s e a t o p i c t h a t y o u c a n r e l a t e t o y o u r
c h o s e n t r a c k / i n t e r e s t . H o w e v e r, a c c o r d i n g t o C r i s t o b a l a n d C r i s t o b a l ( 2 0 1 7 ) t h e r e a r e
a l s o o t h e r f a c t o r s t h a t y o u n e e d t o l o o k i n t o c a r e f u l l y a s a s t u d e n t : a . ) F e a s i b i l i t y, b )
E x t e r n a l S u p p o r t , a n d c ) I n n o v a t i v e Q u a l i t y.

FEASIBILITY EXTERNAL SUPPORT INNOVATIVE QUALITY

 Do I have enough time to  Will I get help from the  Have this been studied
finish this study? teacher when conflicts arise? before?
 Where would I conduct this  Do I have available experts in  Would this study lead to a
study? the field? new information or add to
 Do I have access to relevant  Who will be my sources of an existing information
materials/ sources to this information? Are they
subject I wish to study? accommodating?
 How much is the estimated
cost of this study? How much
is the travel cost? Encoding
expenses? 8
Thank You