Unit 2: Developing a Research Problem

Lesson 4
Writing a Research Statement for
Quantitative Research

Practical Research 2
Senior High School Applied - Academic
Why is it
necessary to
formulate good
research
questions?

ENGAG EXPLOR EVALUAT

EXPLAIN EXTEND 2
 ● Identify the problem
statements and research
Learning questions.
Objectives ● Determine the characteristics
At the end of the
of good research questions.
lesson, you should be ● Demonstrate the process of
able to do the
following: constructing the statement of
the problem.

ENGAG EXPLOR EVALUAT

EXPLAIN EXTEND 33
 You were given the
opportunity to interview
the President of the
Philippines about any
problem of the country
today.

ENGAG EXPLOR EVALUAT

EXPLAIN EXTEND 44
1. What kind of problem will you ask?
2. What are the specific questions that you will
ask to target this problem?

ENGAG EXPLOR EVALUAT

EXPLAIN EXTEND 55
 Statement of the Problem

A statement of the problem is an integrative

but brief discussion of the research problem,
its context, and the questions of the study.

ENGAG EXPLOR EVALUAT

EXPLAIN EXTEND 6
 Statement of the Problem

It is written as part of the introduction and

provides a concise overview of the topic in
relation to the research questions.

ENGAG EXPLOR EVALUAT

EXPLAIN EXTEND 7
 Research Questions

A research question identifies the specific

aspects of the topic that the current study
seeks to investigate and may vary depending
on the extent of their focus.

ENGAG EXPLOR EVALUAT

EXPLAIN EXTEND 88
Remember

A statement of the problem

usually begins with introducing
your general problem statement
followed by the specific research
questions that aim to address the
research problem.
9
Categories of Research Questions

Descriptive research questions

● Descriptive research question are used to
describe certain patterns and focus on
single and noncomplex variables.
● It may also be used to quantify or categorize
variables in the study.

ENGAG EXPLOR EVALUAT

EXPLAIN EXTEND 10
10
Examples

● How frequent is the production of essential

oils for herbal medicines?

● What criteria are considered by customers in

choosing a store?

ENGAG EXPLOR EVALUAT

EXPLAIN EXTEND 11
11
Categories of Research Questions

Comparative research questions are mainly

used for comparing and contrasting similarities
and differences between groups and variables.

ENGAG EXPLOR EVALUAT

EXPLAIN EXTEND 12
12
Examples

● What is the difference between the quality of

natural and synthetic ink?

● How do Gen Z and millennials differ in terms

of dating attitudes?

ENGAG EXPLOR EVALUAT

EXPLAIN EXTEND 13
13
Categories of Research Questions

Evaluative research questions

● Evaluative research questions are formed to
assess a particular observation or
phenomenon based on an established model
or theory.
● They are usually observed in organizations,
workplace, programs, and effectivity of
projects.
ENGAG EXPLOR EVALUAT
EXPLAIN EXTEND 14
14
Examples

● How satisfied are you with the

implementation of the K-12 curriculum?

● Did the art therapy program work for the

patients with post-traumatic stress disorder?

ENGAG EXPLOR EVALUAT

EXPLAIN EXTEND 15
15
Categories of Research Questions

Explanatory research questions are formed

to explain, predict change or outcomes on
observed relationships between variables, and
determine how one variable may have an
effect on another.

ENGAG EXPLOR EVALUAT

EXPLAIN EXTEND 16
16
Examples

● How does nurse intervention affect a

patient’s presurgery stress level?

● How does employment tenure contribute to

productivity of workers?

ENGAG EXPLOR EVALUAT

EXPLAIN EXTEND 17
17
How are research questions
related to the research problem?

18
Characteristics of Good Research Questions

Relevant
All research questions must be relevant to the
research problem.

Specific
It must not be too broad or too detailed.

ENGAG EXPLOR EVALUAT

EXPLAIN EXTEND 19
Characteristics of Good Research Questions

Clear
Research questions should use simple language
to be comprehensible.

Analytical
It does not simply ask “yes or no” questions but
needs complex analysis.
ENGAG EXPLOR EVALUAT
EXPLAIN EXTEND 20
Characteristics of Good Research Questions

Measurable
The measurability of research questions
indicate their feasibility and is measured
through standardized tests or experiments.

ENGAG EXPLOR EVALUAT

EXPLAIN EXTEND 21
 The following guidelines
Writing the may be observed in
Research creating a well-structured
Statement research statement.

ENGAG EXPLOR EVALUAT

EXPLAIN EXTEND 22
22
Writing the Research Statement

1. Finalize the research topic.

This will allow you to draft a coherent

statement of the problem and give you guided
starting point and inquiry.

ENGAG EXPLOR EVALUAT

EXPLAIN EXTEND 23
23
Example

Topic: Effects of Facebook photo “likes” on the

self-esteem of teenagers

Independent variable
Facebook photo ‘likes’

Dependent variable
Self-esteem of teenagers
ENGAG EXPLOR EVALUAT
EXPLAIN EXTEND 24
24
Writing the Research Statement

2. Draft the research questions.

Based on the finalized research topics, the draft

of the research questions will reflect the
aspects that the research is focused on.

ENGAG EXPLOR EVALUAT

EXPLAIN EXTEND 25
25
Examples

Explanatory
How do Facebook photo ‘likes’ affect the self-
esteem of female adolescents?

Descriptive
What are the factors that affect the number of
Facebook photo ‘likes’?

ENGAG EXPLOR EVALUAT

EXPLAIN EXTEND 26
26
Writing the Research Statement

3. Write the general problem statement.

● The general problem statement establishes
the overall goal and direction of the research.
● It should contain the research topic, the main
objective of the study, and the variables.

ENGAG EXPLOR EVALUAT

EXPLAIN EXTEND 27
27
Example

This study aims to find out the effect of

Facebook photo ‘likes’ on the level of self-
esteem of female senior high school students
in XYZ School.

ENGAG EXPLOR EVALUAT

EXPLAIN EXTEND 28
28
Writing the Research Statement

4. Refine the statement of the problem.

● A refined statement of the problem includes

the research questions and the potential
benefits of the current study.
● The research questions should be written in
declarative sentences.

ENGAG EXPLOR EVALUAT

EXPLAIN EXTEND 29
29
Tip

Keep the statement of the

problem short and simple. Make
sure that the statement of the
problem reflects the research
problem, research questions,
and the aims of the study.
30
Practice

Provide one example per type of research

question.
● Descriptive
● Comparative
● Evaluative
● Explanatory

ENGAG EXPLOR EVALUAT

EXPLAIN EXTEND 31
 Quick Check

It is the type of research question that looks

into the similarities and differences between
groups or variables.

ENGAG EXPLOR EVALUAT

EXPLAIN EXTEND 32
 Quick Check

It is the part of the research study where

the statement of the problem is commonly
located.

ENGAG EXPLOR EVALUAT

EXPLAIN EXTEND 33
33
 Quick Check

It is the characteristic of good research

questions that avoids being too broad or being
too detailed.

ENGAG EXPLOR EVALUAT

EXPLAIN EXTEND 34
34
 Wrap Up

The statement of the problem provides

context to the research problem. It is
usually included in the introductory part of
a research study.

35
 Wrap Up

The research questions are the basis of

the statement of the problem. There are
four main categories of research
questions, namely: descriptive,
comparative, evaluative, and
explanatory research questions.

36
 Wrap Up

Quantitative research questions must be

relevant, specific, clear, analytical, and
measurable.

37
Wrap Up

38
 Bibliography

Business & IP Centre. “What are Typical Quantitative Research Questions?” British Library. Accessed
May 7, 2020.
https://www.bl.uk/business-and-ip-centre/articles/what-are-typical-quantitative-research-questions
.

Johnston, Deirdre, and Scott W. Vanderstoep. Research Methods for Everyday Life Blending
Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches. California: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2009.

Royal Roads University. “Thesis Statements/Research Questions/Problem Statements.” Royal Roads

University Library. Accessed May 7, 2020.
https://library.royalroads.ca/writing-centre/writing/structure/thesis-statements.

39
 Bibliography

Singh, Kultar. Quantitative Social Research Methods. New Delhi: Sage Publications India, 2007.

University of Southern California. “Organizing your Social Sciences Research Paper.” USC Libraries. Last
modified April 20, 2020. https://libguides.usc.edu/writingguide/researchproblem.

Waters, Donald. Quantitative Methods for Business. 4th ed. England: Pearson Education Limited, 2008.

40