The Research Problem

Lesson 4
 —Intended Learning Outcome/s:

•Write a research title, an introduction, and a

background of the study.
•Illustrate the main variables of the study using an
appropriate conceptual framework
Conceptualizing a Research Study
The first phase of any research undertaking is the conceptual phase
which identifies a research topic to be investigated. Research topic broadly
defines the area of research. They are not the same as the title of the research
study. And there is need of further work to become feasible research studies
(Almeida, et.al., 2016).
Conceptualizing research topic according to Moyer, (2011) would
include:
A. Finding your focus
● Which aspects of your discipline (specialization) interest you most?
● Which have you observed that you have questions about?
● What articles have you read that have raised questions in your mind?
B. What are the gaps in literature?
● By topic (what is not being looked at?)
● Methods (what is not being done?)
● Populations (who is not being studied?)
● Comparisons (who is not being compared?)
C. Where to start?
● Read
● Detailed literature search
● Attend seminars, conferences, and presentations
● Discuss subject area with peers
● Listen and ask questions

D. Refining research topics

● Discuss with fellow researchers
● Discuss with stakeholders
● Assess what is most critical to learn
● Assess research sources available
E. Questions to ask yourself
● Is this a good idea?
● Who cares?
● Can it be addressed using appropriate research methods?
● Will it stimulate interest by others and the sponsors?
● Is it feasible/practical/doable?
● Is it fundable?
Research Problem, Purpose, Questions, and
Hypothesis
A. A research problem is an educational issue, concern, or controversy
that the researcher presents and justifies in a research study. A good
research problem must be: relevant to the needs of time; within the
researcher's interest and capabilities; SMART (Specific, Measurable,
Attainable, Realistic, and Time-bound); information should be available;
harmless to people and society; new; and researchable.
B. The research purpose is the goal or interest of the study. The purpose
statement also investigates how variables (qualities, properties,
characteristics) are studied in a setting and population. It refers to the
general statement or objective of the problem.
C. Research questions are specific questions that researcher wants to
know the intent of the study. It direct the data to be collected for the
study.
D. A hypothesis is a statement that make a specific prediction or
assumption between one or two variables then tested
Sources of Problems for Investigation
The identification of a problem to study can be challenging not because
there's a lack of issues that could be investigated, but due to the challenge
of formulating an academically relevant and researchable problem which
is unique and does not simply duplicate the work of others. To facilitate
how you might select a problem from which to build a research study,
consider these sources of inspiration:
A. Deductions from Theory
This relates to deductions made from social philosophy or
generalizations embodied in life and in society that the researcher is
familiar with. These deductions from human behavior are the placed
within an empirical frame of reference through research From a theory,
the researcher can formulate a research problem or hypothesis stating the
expected findings in certain empirical situations. The research asks the
question: "What relationship between variables will be observed if theory
aptly summarizes the state of affairs?" One can then design and carry out
a systematic investigation to assess whether empirical data confirm or
reject the hypothesis, and hence, the theory.
B. Interdisciplinary Perspectives
Identifying a problem that forms the basis for a research study
can come from academic movements and scholarship originating in
disciplines outside of your primary area of study This can be an
intellectually stimulating exercise. A review of pertinent literature should
include examining research from related disciplines that can reveal new
avenues of exploration and analysis. An interdisciplinary approach to
selecting a research problem offers an opportunity to construct a more
comprehensive understanding of a very complex issue that any single
discipline may be able to provide
C. Interviewing Practitioners
The identification of research problems about particular topics
can arise from formal interviews or informal discussions with
practitioners who provide insight into new directions for future research
and how to make research findings more relevant to practice. Discussions
with experts in the field, such as, teachers, social workers, health care
providers, lawyers, business leaders, etc., offers the chance to identify
practical, "real world" problems that may be understudied or ignored
within academic circles. This approach also provides some practical
knowledge which may help in the process of designing and conducting
your study.
D. Personal Experience
Don't undervalue your everyday experiences or encounters as
worthwhile problems for investigation. Think critically about your own
experiences and/or frustrations with an issue facing society, your
community, your neighborhood, your family, or your personal life. This
can be derived, for example, from deliberate observations of certain
relationships for which there is no clear explanation or witnessing an
event that appears harmful to a person or group or that is out of the
ordinary.
E. Relevant Literature
The selection of a research problem can be derived from a thorough review
of pertinent research associated with your overall area of interest. This may reveal
where gaps exist in understanding a topic or where an issue has been understudied.
Research may be conducted to: 1) fill such gaps in knowledge; 2) evaluate if the
methodologies employed in prior studies can be adapted to solve other problems; or,
3) determine if a similar study could be conducted in a different subject area or applied
in a different context or to different study sample (i.e., different setting or different
group of people). Also, authors frequently conclude their studies by noting
implications for further research; read the conclusion of pertinent studies because
statements about further research can be a valuable source for identifying new
problems to investigate. The fact that a researcher has identified à topic worthy of
further exploration validates the fact it is worth pursuing.
F. Research Agenda
Research agenda frame the possible research problem you may
explore. The following areas of interest in Teacher Education can serve as
your basis in choosing your study:
1. Teaching and Learning Development Initiative
● ICT and IMs Development
● Curriculum Enhancement
● Teaching Strategies and Initiatives
● Faculty and Student’s Performance
● Academic Environment Policies
2. Natural Resources Management, Utilization and Sustainability
● Waste Management and Pollution Control
● Biodiversity and Genetic Resources
● Climate Change and Disaster Management
● Utilization and Development of Innovative Products
● Environmental Conservation

3. Culture and Society

● Community Needs Assessment
● Morality in Media
● Preservation of Culture (Language Literacy)
● Acceptability and Impact of VMGO
● Family and Community Relations
● Contemporary Social Issues
● Youth Development
4. Poverty Alleviation
● Health and Wellness
● Food Safety and Security
● Livelihood and Technology Transfer

5. Gender and Development

● Women in Management
● Family Relations
● Gender Roles
Writing the Research Title
Here are the basic questions asked about the research title:
● Does the title describe what the study is all about?
● Does the title contain high specificity level?
● Is the title academically phrased and not verbose?
● Is the title within the twelve (12) substantive word requirement of the
American Psychological Association (APA)?
Writing an Introduction

An introduction answers the following questions:

● What is the problem?
● Why is it a problem?
● How it should be solved?
● Why it should be solved?
● What is the purpose of the study?
Writing the Background of the Study

After writing the introduction, background of the study should

be written next. The purpose of a background study is to help you to
prove the relevance of your research questions and to further develop
your thesis.
Background of the study includes (1) a review of the area being
studied, (2) current information surrounding the issue, (3) previous
studies on the issue, (4) relevant history on the issue, and (5) effectively
set forth the history and background information on the problem.
 Follow the following guidelines in writing your background of the
study:
1. Conduct a primary research at the beginning stages of
formulating a thesis when many issues are not clear. Visit your library, the
internet to find primary sources such as books and scholarly journals for your
background of the study.
2. Read the information and develop a research question of thesis
statement that will guide your research. You will need to take notes and keep
accurate tract of the sources that you used at this point. Use a method of
recording sources that you are comfortable with. Be sure to cite the source of
the information to each note so you don't forget where the piece of
information came from, should you decide to use it in your thesis.
 3. Write a thesis statement or research question. Think about
what you've read and look to issues, problems or solutions that others
have found and determine your own opinion or stand on the issue.
4. Create separate sections that cover the key issues, major
findings and controversies surrounding your thesis as well as sections
that provide an evaluation and conclusion.
5. Conclude by identifying what needs to be done in the area or
provide possible solutions to the issue that haven't been considered
before.
6. Revise and edit your background of the study
In writing the background of the study, the following
questions may be considered:
1. What are some research results?
2. What is the research question?
3. What is the research statement?
4. How would you complete your research?
Theoretical Framework
Theories are statements about the mechanism underlying a
particular behavior. Theories help organize and verify different
observations related to the behaviour and good theories will generate
predictions about the behaviour.
A theory is constructed to explain, predict, and master
phenomenon (e.g. relationship, events, behaviour). In many instances, we
are constructing models of reality. A theory makes generalizations about
observations and consists of an interrelated, coherent set of ideas and
models (Almeida, et.al. 2016).
 A theoretical framework is similar to the frame of the house just as the
foundation supports a house; a theoretical framework provides a rationale for
predictions about the relationship among variables of a research study.
The theoretical framework presents the theory from which the research
problem was derived or to which it is linked. In formulating the theoretical
framework for the study, you may look at the various theories upon which you
can base your study. In other words, this is a discussion of the theory which
serves as the basis for the study.
For example, in a study about the role of social factors influencing
students' academic achievement, one fundamental theory upon which this study
may be anchored is the Social Learning Theory (Triadic Reciprocal Causation
Model) of Albert Bandura (1925). This theory posits that social and cognitive
factors, as well as behavior play important roles in learning.
 BEHAVIOR

PERSONAL FACTORS
ENVIRONMENTAL
(Cognitive, affective, and
Biological Events) FACTORS

Figure 1. Social Learning Theory (Triadic Reciprocal Causation Model

 Conceptual Framework
The conceptual framework presents the relationship between the specific
concepts that may be studied. The concepts used at this level should be derived from
the concepts used in the theoretical framework. They should be more concrete,
however.
Conceptual framework utilizes the independent-dependent model used in
behavioral sciences. In the context of the study, the identified independent variables -
factors affecting the behavior of pupils within the public setting are: family,
community, teachers, and learning environment. The dependent variables include the
behavioral problems within the public school setting-internalizing behavior
(inattentive, uncooperative, inactive) and externalizing behavior (aggression,
disobedience, impulsiveness). Figure 2 shows this framework.
 INDEPENDENT VARIABLE DEPENDENT VARIABLE

Factors Affecting the

Behavior of Pupils in Behavioral Problems
the Public School within the Public
Setting School Setting

• Family • Internalizing
• Community Behavior
• Teachers • Externalizing
• Learning Behavior
Environment

Figure 2. A Conceptual Framework showing the effects of the independent variable to the dependent variable
 Another study that examine the extent and impact of leadership
preparation program for school principals and investigate the knowledge,
disposition and performance of school principals can be conceptually framed in
Figure 3.
INDEPENDENT VARIABLE DEPENDENT VARIABLE

Demographic Profile

Attributes School Leadership Domain

• Facilitating the Vision
• School Culture
• Knowledge • Instructional Program
• Managing the Organization
• Disposition • Community Engagement
• Performance • Ethics and Integrity

Figure 3. A Conceptual Framework showing the effects of the independent variable to the dependent variable
 A researcher may also use Input-Process-Output (IPO) Model to
illustrate the conceptual framework of the study. This Model is applicable when
the researcher conducts survey research or intervention studies (See figure
below).

INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT

Feedback

Figure 4. A Template for an IPO Model

Stating the Problem
The problem statement is the researcher's guide during the research
process. It is the verbalization and articulations as well as the analysis of the
"questions" in which the researcher wants the research to answer.
Statement of the problem is divided into two parts: the major or main
problem (general objective) and the minor or sub- problem (specific
objectives/questions). The general objective is stated in declarative form while
the specific objectives are stated in interrogative manner.
Formulating the Hypothesis
A hypothesis is a conjectural statement of the relation between two or
more variables (Kerlinger, 1973). It is always in declarative sentence form, and it
relates variables. A hypothesis cannot be proven, it can only be tested or verified.
It has two types:
A null hypothesis (H0) is a non-directional statement of condition
between two variables. It states that "there is no significant
relationship/difference between" two parameters.
An alternative hypothesis (H1) is a directional statement of a
relationship between variables. It states that "there is a significant relationship/
difference between" two parameters