Lesson 4

“Developing a
Research
Topic”
 Research Topic

• a general area of interest that you would

like to pursue in your research.
• A research topic forms the basis for all the
efforts a researcher puts in the research.
Lesson 4

Factors to
Consider
 Steps to Refining a Research topic

• Choose a topic that you are curious about.

“Choose a research topic that you know a little

about but still you have a quest to know more
about it.”
 Steps to Refining a Research topic

• A topic that interests you

• You should consider over the course of studies what

topics did you study with passion.

“Having interest in the topic you are studying is

important but the topic should be still objective,
directional and researchable.”
 Steps to Refining a Research topic

- A topic that is manageable

• You should consider over the course of studies what

topics did you study with passion.

“Having interest in the topic you are studying is

important but the topic should be still objective,
directional and researchable.”
 Steps to Refining a Research topic

- A topic that is manageable

• Every researcher has limited resources, especially, time

and the research project should finish before the
deadline. Choose a topic that you can easily justify
within the given time frame. If you select a topic that
is very interesting and inspiring to you, you should
narrow it down so that it is workable.
 Steps to Refining a Research topic

- A topic that is Significant

• Ask yourself what change the research on your chosen

topic can bring to the world around you. Your
preference should be a topic that can solve some
problem in real life. A significant topic is the best topic
to do in research. However, this does not mean that you
can choose any topic that promises a solution.
 Steps to Refining a Research topic

- Avoid over-exhausted topics

• Do not get compelled by popular topics that have been

over exhausted. Popular topics do not catch the
attention of the teachers and the readers. If you choose
such topic you might end up writing duplicate content
even if you did not aim to do so.
 Steps to Refining a Research topic

- A topic that is challenging

• Some people enjoy writing on challenging topics that are also

demanding. Picking a topic that is challenging can be daunting
as it requires more of your resources. Select a topic that
presents good challenge but weigh available literature on
that topic so that you do not have problems later. You are
bound by the time requirement so select if it is appropriate for
you.
 Steps to Refining a Research topic

- Availability of Sources

• There should have to have enough sources available so that

you can quote in your research paper. Selecting a topic on
which there is not any source material available can make
your writing very difficult.
 Steps to Refining a Research topic

Finally, make sure that you narrow down your

topic several times before you have the final topic
that you want to write a research paper. Make any
changes at this step and you will thank yourself
later. Ask the help of your teacher if you are not sure
whether the topic you have chosen will work or not.
 Steps to Refining a Research topic

• Choose a topic that you are interested in.

• Narrow your topic to something manageable.

- If your topic is too broad, you will find too much

information and not be able to focus.

- Background reading can help you choose and limit

the scope of your topic.
 Steps to Refining a Research topic

1. Background Reading (For an overview of the topic, this will help you realize the
scope)
2. Narrow/Adapt Topic (Is there enough information on your topic? Too little?)
3. Retrospective Research (Explore the topic in-depth, for a historical perspective)
4. Contemporary Research (Look at current issues) Use these strategies to produce a
research topic Adapted from CSU Libraries “Topic Selection Tips” by Naomi
Lederer http://lib.colostate.edu/howto/toptip.html
 BACKGROUND READING

1. Get an overview of your topic

2. Dictionaries for basic information and major concepts.
3. Textbooks, instructor’s lectures, professional organizations,
etc.

Developing a topic involves lots of skimming! Be sure to keep

track of potentially useful sources as you develop your topic.
 NARROW/ADAPT A TOPIC

• Locate key terms, subject headings

• Look for “related articles”
• Search a few databases for your topic. Finding too many hits? You need to
narrow. Not enough? “Zoom out”/broaden your topic.

Examples: • “How many unplanned pregnancies in community college

students in Ohio are prevented when birth control methods are promoted via
Twitter?”  likely, this is too narrow • “Birth control promotion”  probably
too broad
 NARROW/ADAPT A TOPIC
Possible ways to narrow your topic: •

• Geography (Does location matter? Country, neighborhood, rural vs. urban, etc.)
• Population (Limit by age, occupation, sex, species, ethnic group, etc.)
• Aspect (Focus on one piece of a topic i.e. “automated text-message appointment
reminders” instead of “mobile phones and health care”) If you’re restricting by too
many of these factors and not finding anything, try removing one or more to
broaden the search and locate usable information.
 Steps to Refining a Research topic

Once you have chosen a

general topic idea the next step
is to refine your topic and
ultimately to formulate a
research question. Consider
the points below to keep your
research focused and on track
Examples
 The Research Question
A topic will be very difficult
to research if it is too broad
or narrow. One way to
narrow a broad topic is to
assign limits to what you
will cover. Some common
ways to limit a topic are
listed below using the broad
topic, "the environment" as
an example.
 CONTEMPORARY SEARCH

For current information & perspectives on the topic:

• Current issues, “in the news” (blog posts?)

• New applications of a product/technology?
• How is a service being implemented?
• Updated regulations/legislation regarding topic?
• Recent studies? Conference proceedings? Reports? (Grey literature
useful for current information)
LESSON 4: RESEARCH
TITLE AND
BACKGROUND OF
The
Background of
RESEARCH “ THE
RESEARCH PROBLEM
AND ITS RATIONALE”

the Study
Quarter 1 - Week 4
LESSON 5: RESEARCH
TITLE AND
BACKGROUND OF
RESEARCH “ THE
RESEARCH PROBLEM

INTRODUCTION
AND ITS RATIONALE”

Quarter 1 - Week 6
 Skeleton of the Introduction

A. Background

1. Currently-Accepted General Statements

2. Available Supporting Data

B. Gap
C. Your Plan of Attack
The task of the Introduction is to
give the reader a preview of the
Discussion, pointing out in advance
the particular hole in the scientific
landscape that the paper’s data will
try to fill.
The Introduction section begins by orienting the
reader. It describes a part of the scientific puzzle
that is complete, a region with well-recognized
landmarks
and clearly defined contours.

The Introduction then leads the reader down a

short, direct path toward an empty space—a gap
in the puzzle—and announces, “Our data should fit
here.”
In your Introduction,
provide sufficient
references so that readers
can go to the scientific
literature and see for
themselves the particular
observations that
currently surround the
hole you propose to fill.
LESSON 4: RESEARCH
TITLE AND
BACKGROUND OF
The
Background of
RESEARCH “ THE
RESEARCH PROBLEM
AND ITS RATIONALE”

the Study
Quarter 1 - Week 4
 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

• refers to the context, circumstances, and

history that led to the research problem or
topic being studied. It provides the reader
with a comprehensive understanding of
the subject matter and the significance of
the study.
 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

• usually includes a discussion of the

relevant literature, the gap in
knowledge or understanding, and
the research questions or
hypotheses to be addressed.
 How is a background different from the introduction?

The introduction of your research paper is presented

before the background.

• The introduction only contains preliminary

data about the research topic and does not
state the purpose of the study. On the
contrary, the background clarifies the
importance of the study in detail.
 How is a background different from the introduction?

The introduction of your research paper is presented

before the background.

• The introduction provides an overview

of the research topic from a broader
perspective, while the background
provides a detailed understanding of
the topic.
 How is a background different from the introduction?

The introduction of your research paper is presented

before the background.

• The introduction should end with the

mention of the research questions, aims,
and objectives of the study. In contrast, the
background follows no such format and
only provides essential context to the
study.
 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

• highlights the importance of the

research topic and its potential
contributions to the field.
• A well-written background of the study sets
the stage for the research and helps the
reader to appreciate the need for the
study and its potential significance.
 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

• highlights the importance of the

research topic and its potential
contributions to the field.
• A well-written background of the study sets
the stage for the research and helps the
reader to appreciate the need for the
study and its potential significance.
 Lesson 4

Steps in writing the

background of the
study
 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

• Identify the Research Problem

 Start by identifying the research problem

you are trying to address. This problem
should be significant and relevant to your
field of study.
 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

• Provide Context

 Once you have identified the research

problem, provide some context. This could
include the historical, social, or political
context of the problem.
 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

• Review Literature

 Conduct a thorough review of the existing

literature on the topic. This will help you
understand what has been studied and
what gaps exist in the current research.
 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

• Identify Research Gap

 Based on your literature review, identify

the gap in knowledge or understanding
that your research aims to address. This
gap will be the focus of your research
question or hypothesis.
 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

• State Objectives

 Clearly state the objectives of your

research. These should be specific,
measurable, achievable, relevant,
and time-bound (SMART).
 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

• Discuss Significance

 Explain the significance of your

research. This could include its
potential impact on theory,
practice, policy, or society.
 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

• Summarize

 Finally, summarize the key points of

the background of the study. This
will help the reader understand
the research problem, its context,
and its significance.
 Lesson 4

Examples of
Background of The
Study In Research
Example 1: “There has been a significant
increase in the incidence of diabetes in
recent years. This has led to an
increased demand for effective
diabetes management strategies. The
purpose of this study is to evaluate the
effectiveness of a new diabetes
management program in improving
patient outcomes.”
Example 2: Antibiotic resistance has become a major public
health threat worldwide. Infections caused by antibiotic-resistant
bacteria are associated with longer hospital stays, higher
healthcare costs, and increased mortality. The inappropriate
use of antibiotics is one of the main factors contributing to
the development of antibiotic resistance. Despite numerous
efforts to promote the rational use of antibiotics, studies have
shown that many healthcare providers continue to prescribe
antibiotics inappropriately. This study aims to explore the
factors influencing healthcare providers’ prescribing
behavior and identify strategies to improve antibiotic
prescribing practices.
 5 COMPONENTS TO CONSIDER IN WRITING THE
RESEARCH BACKGROUND

• The current state of the field

• Explain that the general field where your

current study is situated remains to be a
significant area of research up to the present.
Point out that it continues to interest many
researchers and practitioners.
 5 COMPONENTS TO CONSIDER IN WRITING THE
RESEARCH BACKGROUND

2. The research problem

• Discuss all the issues or concerns which your study

will address.
• A specific issue, difficulty, contradiction, or gap in
knowledge that you will aim to address in your
research. You might look for practical problems
aimed at contributing to change, or theoretical
problems aimed at expanding knowledge.
 5 COMPONENTS TO CONSIDER IN WRITING THE
RESEARCH BACKGROUND

3. The current and conventional practices in

addressing the issue

• Discuss the current practices being used by

researchers, practitioners, or authorities within the
particular field of study you are investigating. Make
sure to explain the merits of these practices and
their contribution to your field of study.
 5 COMPONENTS TO CONSIDER IN WRITING THE
RESEARCH BACKGROUND
4. The research gap

• There are other aspects under the topic which may not have been
addressed by current practices and conventions in your field of study. It
may be also possible that these established practices have failed to
provide conclusive findings in investigating your chosen topic.
Additionally, you may state that there are very few studies that have
explored the area of your current research. Make sure that the
research gap you have identified remains relevant and has not
been addressed yet; otherwise, you will fail to provide a convincing
justification for conducting your research.
 5 COMPONENTS TO CONSIDER IN WRITING THE
RESEARCH BACKGROUND

5. The contribution of the present study in addressing the research gap

• Discuss how your own study will help fill in the research gap you
have identified. Filling the gap may be in the form of a new
methodology or approach, or the development of a new perspective
or theory.
 Lesson 4

Purpose of Background
of The Study
 PURPOSE

• The primary purpose of the background of

the study is to help the reader understand the
rationale for the research by presenting the
historical, theoretical, and empirical
background of the problem.
 PURPOSE

• Provide a clear understanding of the

research problem and its context.
• Identify the gap in knowledge that the
study intends to fill.
• Establish the significance of the
research problem and its potential
contribution to the field.
 PURPOSE

• Highlight the key concepts, theories, and

research findings related to the problem.
• Provide a rationale for the research
questions or hypotheses and the research
design.
• Identify the limitations and scope of the
study.
 How is a
background
different from the
introduction?